I was just going over some stuff this weekend, looking at some stories that I'd written as well as some of the reviews I'd gotten from different people, and something struck me as pretty strange. I get a lot of comments here and there about things being unrealistic... or people questioning whether things are really possible, or if people would really act like that, etc.
It's funny (not haha-funny, but strange-funny), because I so often write from my experience — things that have not necessarily happened to me, but that I have observed. We're supposed to write what we know, yes? Isn't that one of the "rules?" So I've heard. But I begin to wonder if it's best to examine some of the events I've witnessed to make them less realistic. Maybe that's what fiction is really all about — painting a believable picture of humanity.
I find that somewhat unsatisfying, however. I like writing about the worst in people. One of my stories involved a rather heinous pair of girls, the protagonist and her friend. The protagonist was bitchy, harsh, unhappy and taking it out on everyone else. She and her friend were at a party; the friend had undergone an abortion that very day and was spending the evening in a threesome with two guys. Everything about the story was very much bottom-of-the-barrel of humanity. But I got a lot of people questioning me if it was possible to have sex right after an abortion. That part, gentle readers, was quite true; I witnessed said behavior, exactly as depicted in the story, in a girl I used to hang out with before I came to my senses. But if the reader doesn't believe it, does it make good fiction? Another story featured two girls luring virgins via the internet, conning them into coming for visits, for sex and presents and such. I got questions on this one as well, people wondering if such "relationships" could really be forged in a few months. I've seen that as well... hell, I've even seen people leaving their significant others for folks they've known via the Internet after only a few months. I guess it does seem from the realm of the impossible if you've never witnessed it, but "meeting" someone via the 'Net can be a powerful thing. With the ability to hide anything that makes one look bad, such relationships can be hypnotic. But is truth too strange to be believed?
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Legend,
This is a great post. I've been there too. I've come to think that you don't have to worry about it. Fiction is a lie that tells the truth (to paraphrase Picasso). So, have at it.
All's fair in love, war, and fiction.
2 - LegendaryMonkey
A lot of this comes from reviews at Zoe, Victor... out of curiosity, have you run into any of that there yourself, since I know you're over there?
3 - Victor Lana
Legend,
Yes, Zoeites can be particularly grim. Many think they are editors or agents or something. Throw that crap out the window.
I post over there to get feedback. Sometimes it's solid; many times its zilch.
You keep at those virgins and post-abortion sex fiends with vigor, okay?
4 - DrPat
Heaven knows there is a market for (read: audience for) just about anything. It's like meat, veggies and dessert -- each has its own place on the menu.
5 - LegendaryMonkey
Eh, it's not so much the reviews or anything else... I know a lot of those are crap and I discard them as needed. It's more comments from people I do know and trust there, and other folks who read my stuff, who kinda poke at it and then look at me funny.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'm currently without a lot of faith in readers. Isn't that a terrible thing to say? It feels terrible. What happened to all the good, brutal, dirty fiction? I like hearing about the depths to which people will sink... kinda makes me feel better about my life. ;)
6 - DrPat
LM, some (otherwise sane) people don't like chocolate. Some may be friends and trusted readers -- but still chacun a son gout...
7 - LegendaryMonkey
Good point, DrPat. Thanks.