Polarising pieces... your thoughts?

[Neil]

G’day All

Being a ‘debut’ author and not at all experienced in the worldly ways of writing... I’d really appreciate your thoughts on the following...

One particular chapter in my novel appears to be polarising readers... some readers think it’s one of the highlights of the book, and others would prefer it not to be included. Without giving too much away, the chapter in question slows the pace of the book, although (in my view) helps to paint the background for one of my main and newly introduced characters. The chapter includes discussion on the touchy subject of illicit drug taking (where this particular key character conducts a rather blunt illicit drug presentation to high school students).

Just wondering what the general consensus is out there.... do you as authors shy away from potential polarising issues, or issues that may slow the pace of your stories (FYI mine is a crime fiction thriller)... or do you not mind including potential polarising pieces or pieces that purposely slow the pace?

Personally I’m still very happy including it.. but would be keen to know if you think polarising topics and anything that slows the pace of the story, are things that should be avoided.

Thanks in advance :)

[Faith]

My instinct would be to include it. In theory, if your book has six different polarising topics, readers will perhaps like three and be offended by three. The thing is, which ones point up and which point down will change between readers. If it's integral to the plot or helps to define a character and their motivation, keep it.

The other thing is feedback. I worry when I write something that I've fed it into the void and no one is ever going to read it. When I'm in this kind of mood, I often add something almost deliberately provocative in hope someone will reply with any reaction at all to confirm to me I haven't burnt out my typing finger for nothing. Anyway, good writing should provoke thought and force people to re-consider their knee-jerk beliefs.

[Phillip]

You should add it. It’s your story, which means the only fan that matters is you. Personally, I would rather fail at something I love than try to appease others. It may lead to slightly more success, but it will feel like selling out. You wrote the scene for a reason. Trust it was the right one.

[Christina]

Art by its very nature is polarizing. You're never going to create something that is universally loved, so go with what *you* think is best for the book.

[D.M.]

It's your book, and your words. Readers are always going to have their own opinions about it and what everything means because it is clouded by their own perspectives.

Leave it in if that is what you feel works best because it is your book, and you're the only one who has say over it.

[Amanda]

Alex wrote: "I would also add that in addition to being something you think is important to have in the book, it might be a scene that someone either loves or hates so much they feel the need to write about it ..."

Exactly. Even bad reviews can intrigue the reader and lead them to buy your book. I know I bought some ebooks myself after reading 1-star reviews. Sometimes, one man's trash is another man's gold.

If you feel it's integral to the plot, keep it. That is the beauty of being self-published.

[Neil]

Thanks for the valuable feedback everyone... All very good points. I’m so glad I asked the question. I’ll stop second guessing myself now!
Much appreciated. :)

[Micah]

If it was removed would people still be able to follow the book, or would its omission fundamentally hinder the story?

It's your call really. You are the authority on why it's there in the first place.

I will only add that wishing to avoid controversy is no real reason for excluding something in a book if you feel it's necessary and true to the book's ethos.

[Neil]

Micah wrote: "If it was removed would people still be able to follow the book, or would its omission fundamentally hinder the story?

It's your call really. You are the authority on why it's there in the first p..."

Yep, good call Micah. Thanks!

[B.A.]

If it is something which you feel belongs there, then you need to keep it in. Don't shy away from polarizing scenes or topics, especially if it is something which happens in the real world. Controversy CAN be good, but it normally isn't something most writers aim to create. As others have said, do what you feel is best for your book.

[Gaia]

Include it! People will love or hate it, but as long as they talk about it it will help your sales. Also, I bet it's what makes your work unique :)

[Ian]

I am happy to include polarizing thoughts in my writing, BUT it is how you do it that counts. In my opinion, it is important that they do not get in the road of the rest of the story, and they should not reduce the pace. That means, on the basis you are going to show them, show short examples, but show frequently. It is important to show for effect, not to preach. With that, good luck. Don't worry about those who don't like it - no matter what yu write, someone won't like it.

[W.]

"You can't please every ..."
as a debut author you are looking for an audience. TRUE As an author you are trying to be true, to yourself, your characters and the emotions of the story. You cannot please everone or even a large majority of people even if you become the "paperback writer" of Beatles fame. You will please no one, including yourself, if you pull away from what, in your judgment, is true.

[Neil]

Great points everyone... appears we are all pretty much on the same page. Appreciate your input/advice.

Many thanks again. :)

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

I don't care much for books that have no polarizing moments. Do you want a limp, wishy-washy book? Or do you want to be bold?

[Phillip]

You also must remember that readers may accidentally infer controversy from your writing. Think about the common “you people” joke used. This phrase can be highly racist or simply a way of identifying the people in front of the speaker. You have no way of knowing which way the reader will take it, so you can’t really protect yourself from controversy.

[Ian]

Dwayne wrote: "I don't care much for books that have no polarizing moments. Do you want a limp, wishy-washy book? Or do you want to be bold?"

Agreed - a wishy washy book is a waste of time, but there is a big difference between trying to make people think about something and being insulting to some. That is why I try to bury my messages in the stories. If you want to think, you will easily find them, and if you are not the thinking type, well, they wouldn't be of any interest anyway. Against that, there is the person who would think about the message but misses it. I don't think there is any overall procedure that will work well with everyone.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Ian wrote: "there is a big difference between trying to make people think about something and being insulting to some"

Of course there is. I've done both.

[G.G.]

Again guys, I am sure there are some people that actually like limp wishy washy stuff, so no need to judge. :/

[Ian]

I am wondering how you would advertise that. Somehow I can't see anyone putting that in the average description :-)

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

G.G. wrote: "Again guys, I am sure there are some people that actually like limp wishy washy stuff, so no need to judge. :/"

Never said there weren't. It's quite possible some people DO like limp and wishy-washy books. I was asking Neil if that's the kind of book he wants. I thought that was clear. I don't see anywhere where I said no one would read it.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Ian wrote: "I am wondering how you would advertise that. Somehow I can't see anyone putting that in the average description :-)"

I'm tempted to try it. If there's an audience out there for it...

[Ian]

Good luck for it, Dwayne. Let us know how it goes.

[Felix]

Neil - do you want to make your readers think or just entertain them? There is so much pap about in the entertainment genre but very little writing that actually makes you think.

[Neil]

G’day Felix

Good question. Both really. I wanted to make readers think about the effects of drugs, not just on themselves but friends and family... and the type of mindset drug manufacturers and dealers have.. ie they don’t give a sh*t about the user or the consequences (other than profit). But as a means of delivering the message (rather than just an old man lecturing) I wanted to capture the message within an interesting storyline that people would read which included things I’m familiar with/have a passion for... ie the outdoors, fishing, law enforcement environments, survival etc.

I’m actually pleased I included the chapter in question and wouldn’t have it any other way, even if it meant not selling a single copy. I guess as a first timer, I just wasn’t prepared for such contrasting views on it. In hindsight I probably should have been! I posed the question as I was keen to see how other, more seasoned authors, addressed the issue... and whether some authors would ‘take the path of least resistance’. From the feedback it appears most if not all respondents write how they see fit, which is great. Next time I won’t be so surprised (and I’ll keep writing the same way) :)

Really appreciate everyone’s input... especially coming from other authors who no doubt face the same issues!

Cheers

Neil

[Amanda]

Ian wrote: "Dwayne wrote: "I don't care much for books that have no polarizing moments. Do you want a limp, wishy-washy book? Or do you want to be bold?"

Agreed - a wishy washy book is a waste of time, but th..."

I agree that diluting a message throughout the book is best: if not, then it could be seen as a case of author filibustering by some readers.

[Carmel]

Neil wrote: "G’day Felix

Good question. Both really. I wanted to make readers think about the effects of drugs, not just on themselves but friends and family... and the type of mindset drug manufacturers and d..."

It sounds like you had an important message you wanted to convey through your story. I did, too, and wasn't sure everyone would "get" it, and some might even react poorly to it. I've discovered that some read the story for the basic plot, while others describe it as thought provoking. If anyone has taken offense to it, I haven't yet heard that. I would encourage you to leave it in for the discerning reader who likes to find something important to recognize or think about in what they've read, knowing that some may not apreciate it. It sounds like thats the reader you wrote the book for, as well as yourself. If there are polarized views on how to hang toilet paper, there will be polarized views on anything you write :) Follow your own heart.

[Nancy Richard]

Very interesting question Neil. No one that I read has suggested that you look at the chapter -after being away- and see if a rewrite of this message/story line would make it more powerful. You want to keep your message, but not derail readers from the storyline. Often reducing the text gets you to this place. Sometimes it means getting the message into seamless dialogue. Keep writing and look at the next project- your readers will grow in number. Best wishes

[Neil]

Thanks Amanda, Carmel and Nancy... all really good points. I figure each new project will be a learning experience... so I’d better get cracking on the next project and learn some more!

Thanks again everyone for your input :)

Cheers

Neil

[Terry]

If it helps any, my entire debut novella is pretty polarizing, which pleases me no end. People who don't like my story are politely invited to write their own.

I say that and yet when my primary reader didn't get something or found it confusing, I was happy to fix it. After all, as the author, I suffer under the curse of knowledge and she doesn't. Moreover, I'm an engineer and I sometimes expect people to understand things that they don't. Some of my readers just skip the technical stuff, others dig in. It's the same with every story, I think.

On the other hand, if I have a bit in there about drowning puppies and she hates it, I may look at doing something different, since that particular scene is only there to move the story along (unless it isn't).

I like the point that art should be polarizing, if by "polarizing" we mean that it should provoke thought and some people are physically allergic to thought. There is no consensus on what art is or should be, much to my surprise.

However, in my opinion, being controversial or "polarizing" simply to be controversial isn't the heart and soul of art. That's more "look at me!" narcissism. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Ian]

I don't think the technical stuff is polarizing. On the other hand, it is a problem of how much detail to include. My opinion is, enough for those that are interested, provided it helps the story, and those that are not can just skim it. However when Terry says there is no consensus on what art is or should be, I think that is good. The last thing I want to see is a prescription for how a book should be written, or how music should be composed, or art painted. That would be just plain awful.

[Judith]

What a great discussion. I especially liked Terry's comment "I like the point that art should be polarizing, if by "polarizing" we mean that it should provoke thought. . ." It adds depth to books, like those that find justice for child abusers, or the disabled. The issue must be delicately interspersed with the plot without sounding like preaching. My next book, in second draft stage, tackles the epidemic of opioid drugs and teens, but I tried to carefully intertwine some facts through action in the book, and to remain true to the mystery style.

[Carmel]

Judith wrote: "What a great discussion. I especially liked Terry's comment "I like the point that art should be polarizing, if by "polarizing" we mean that it should provoke thought. . ." It adds depth to books, ..."

Precisely. Causing thought, as they turn the pages....or once they finish the book.

[Phillip]

Judith wrote: "What a great discussion. I especially liked Terry's comment "I like the point that art should be polarizing, if by "polarizing" we mean that it should provoke thought. . ." It adds depth to books, ..."

That’s always been the hardest part, addressing the topic without preaching. I read a book recently that was controversial, but it felt like I was being lectured. It turned me off from what was a thought provoking premise.

[Ian]

Exactly. I want a book that gives me something to think about, and I try to write such books, but the last thing I want is a visit to the pulpit.

[Peter]

Great topic - just saw it.

Especially today, it's virtually impossible to be inoffensive. However, per some of the comments above, I'd be more worried about the passage in question 'slowing the pace of the book' rather than it's being controversial. In other recent books I've read, the offensive bits have sometimes moved the plot forward even if I totally disagreed with the author's tone/intentions.

[Judith]

Wonderful thoughts. Sometimes it is so very difficult to weave the background, descriptions, and ambiance between the essential elements that move the plot forward. Doing it well makes for a great book, though.

[Luanne]

Neil wrote: "G’day All

Being a ‘debut’ author and not at all experienced in the worldly ways of writing... I’d really appreciate your thoughts on the following...

One particular chapter in my novel appears to..."
I agree with many replies in this post. It's impossible to please all your readers. Sometimes slowing things down gives the reader a breather and builds anticipation. Sometimes peppering the info throughout the book instead works well, but sometimes the reader misses the important info the author intended when it is peppered. Hard decision. I say, go with your gut. read a few of your type of chapter in some other author's works similar in genre to yours. Is there something they did that you didn't that made the slow but important chapter you are wondering about seem more enticing?
hard call for sure and great discussion question. Thanks for posting it!
At the end of the day, I say, it's your work and if it's just one chapter that you are worried about, don't stress it (unless its the first chapter in the book and is causing readers not to read forward, then you may want to address it).
I love reviews, don't you? ...it helps to grow my writing.