Final Thoughts On Using Taboo Subjects In Stories
These past few months we’ve been talking about taboo subjects and how writers should handle them. I must admit to being a little surprised, that none of you said there are subjects which are better left alone. A consensus the media would have us believe is not so. It seems there are almost weekly stories of groups of people outraged by someone saying or writing something “insensitive”.
Our discussion has been based primarily on fiction writing and that’s where I want to keep it. Political, religious or racially inflammatory subjects outside the realm of fiction are not what were are talking about here.
We’ve discussed the fact that being writers gives us a duty to write about taboo subjects. It’s also been pointed out that once a taboo subject is introduced into our work we have a further duty to insure the subject is handled responsibly.
Out of all the comments received I think Darusha most eloquently sums up my thoughts on the subject.
Because our characters aren’t real, they can experience things we would prefer not to. That is a unique situation and its singularity gives us (as a group) a responsibility to use that opportunity.
I don’t think I can add anything to that. It’s pretty much on par with where I stand so I’m going to let that be my final thought on the subject. Thank you all for your comments and thoughts. I hope you have found the discussion as enlightening as I have. I for one feel more confident and comfortable in the direction some of my stories have gone knowing that there are still like-minded writers wiling to dive the uncomfortable depths of the human experience.
Please, if you have any further comments, I’d love to hear them.
If in doubt.. Sci Fi it… oh and add in a few zombies, robots and cowboys.. they ALWAYS help breach the taboo walls.