Taboo stuff in fiction. What's yours?

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anthorn

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So, we all know some authors are always stretching the taboo stuff, and while some like Mark Charon Netwon who do it well; there are some authors who do it badly. I really like Hentai porn Goodkind for example.

I am interested to find out from all you people your own fictional taboos. In writing and reading.What subjects will you tackle and which ones do you avoid.

I personally want to be one of those writers who can tackle such issues, but only if I can handle them properly.
In my current W.I.P, book two, March of the Damned, i have a character who was abused as a child. This woman relates her story to another and so I end up having to discuss this area. I am rather iffy about this subject and I think I handle it alright. (mainly witnessed through the eyes of a minor character in a flash back)
I do refrence it again, but not so much. It does effect her life, her sexual choices.

Yours?
 
As someone who enjoyed Clive Barker's Books of Blood very much indeed, I find it hard to say "This is fine but this is beyond the pale". However, I do think there are a few rules, and what you can do is limited by what you can write credibly and well.

1. Never write anything purely to shock the reader. Almost never write anything largely to shock the reader.

2. If writing about something you haven't experienced (or emotions springing from it that you don't know) be incredibly careful. The big one here is rape of course, but there are others.

3. Never use your characters' traumatic experiences as an excuse to make them do cool stuff. This is Angsty-Sue territory and looks really crass (being raped by Nazis made me kill everything with my awesome Kung Fu. In my underwear). Most people who have horrible experiences try to get over them and get on with life, rather than go on an awesome rampage.

4. There are degrees of taboo. You don't often need to go very far to make the desired effect.

5. If you do go too far, people will start to think that you are a lunatic/pervert/fascist etc. Not really a rule, but worth bearing in mind.

5. What I think is a vital rule: Always know what you're doing, why you're doing it and what the effect should and will be. Never stop asking this.

I'm sure there are others, one of which might be "If in doubt, you probably shouldn't".
 
be careful of substituting "taboo stuff" for proper character development, in other words.

if your character is defined by the trauma/abuse etc, that makes for a poorly written character and it shows, very quickly.
 
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I can tell you that if you try to write about actual people, particularly celebrities, and try to tell the truth about anything... questionable... (even if you were personally involved) you will be violently assaulted in your own life, even if decades have passed.
The real taboo subject turns out to be truth and reality. They have a nice history written up, and it's not going to change for anyone.
 
MstrTal said:
Taboo = Sparkly Vampires!
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pretty much this.

Back on topic. Read back through your book. Try to objectively define your target audience. A midnight rape scene at Hogwarts wouldn't be appropriate. Mieville could pull it off every 3rd page if he wanted to. The rest of your book really defines how shocking this scene will be.

You can get away with anything if you leave it to the imagination of the reader. That way it's custom tailored for any reader. Don't tell them who put what where. Describe what else is happening. "Her screams cut through the night, while the wounds on her face stung from the salt in her tears." Creepy, terrifying, and tragic, but nothing too graphic pops into your head.
 
mygoditsraining said:
On a related note, this pretty much sums up why I didn't like Sucker Punch.
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The "not sexist", (According to an article I read yesterday) film that has no storyline.

As for taboo, nothing, but I think carefully about what I use, when and how. If it fits the character and story, yes, if not then no.
 
Heinlein kept writing about father/daughter incest in one book of his that I read, but I forget the name. Anyway, it got to the point where I had to put it down because it was so dirty and creepy.

I am really glad Heinlein had no kids because he would have been arrested for sure if he did.
 
Another taboo of mine is I dont like when medevil is combined with technology. Keep the two serperate imo.
 
Norlan said:
Another taboo of mine is I dont like when medevil is combined with technology. Keep the two serperate imo.
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What do you mean, combiened? Like Timeline where they travel back in time? or a medevil world that exists after the destruction of a modern world, with some artifacts remaining?
I think we need more people to write about the end of the darkage and the start od the modern age, 17th 18th century.
 
In my WIP I was surprised to find one of my characters about to commit rape. It was a twist in his character I hadn't expected. I had a personal problem with it but as it suited him as a character, I bit my proverbial tongue and let it play out.
I agree with Toby - I wouldn't consider anything taboo as long as I can write it properly/well - which is why I don't write sex acts - I just can't do it well. There is nothing worse than reading bad writing, whatever the situation, taboo or not, may be.
 
Ha, ha Blackrook - Heinlein did have an interesting sex streak or three in him. I found the incest a bit much as well but did manage to finish the book(s) - not knowing the end would have driven me crazier. :)
 
I don't really have any forbidden subjects. It's just a question of whether I can write it well enough. If not, then I put it aside for later.
 
I don't really have any "real" taboo in my books. If it works, I'll use it. Incest, rape, mocking religion, you name it. In fact, I've been wondering for some time if I should write a book about pedophilia and human trafficing, having two young girls as the main characters. (obviously they will be victims, and it won't be pretty.) So far pretty much everyone tells me I shouldn't write it. Part because "no one will read it", and part because it's too disturbing. Still, I want to try, at least.

The only things I call taboo in writing are using clichés. I don't care if the world is in danger. You are not the Chosen One, and the world doesn't depend on that particular magical sword. If the hero dies, another one can take over as the hero. If the bad guy beats the hero to a pulp, the hero should not somehow find enough strength for a surprise attack and win anyway. He's half dead, for f'sake! Same with the bad guy. If he's dead, he's dead. This is especially annoying in horror movies.
 
Yeah agree with the Fantasy cliches. Boooo
You should write the human trafficing tale, people WILL read it. I've seen plenty of fiction on sale in Tescos and waterstones that cover sexual abuse survival stories.
 
What if it's not a survival story? I mean there are two girls (and we're talking ten year olds, or even younger) and at least one of them will die in the end. Maybe both.
 
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