Starting with...

Mello Matsuri · Jul 22, 2011

Is it distasteful to start a story with the character getting the living crap beat out of them? I know a lot of people are sensitive to violence, and I don't want to start out my story with my character being a victim (as I detest victimization), but I know it's an attention grabbing subject.

And if the character deserves the beating he/she gets, does that make it worse or better?

Thank you!

missesdash · Jul 22, 2011

I think it's fine as long as it's relevant to the story. And also it depends on how they take the beating. If a book opened witha character getting beat up without any humor angle, I might feel like I'm being forced to sympathize.

Liosse de Velishaf · Jul 22, 2011

I don't see the problem with it. A lot of stories in real life start with someone getting the crap beat out of them. The question is, are you doing it only as an attention getter or do you have other more substantial reasons?

For example, is it the inciting incident of the story.

Mharvey · Jul 22, 2011

It's almost impossible to say, with 100% certainty, that there's any wrong way to start a novel. Try to make a hard and fast rule of anything, and someone will inevitably be able to bring up a novel that breaks the rule.

If it's what your story needs, go for it.

Mello Matsuri · Jul 22, 2011

Thank you, all! Also, Liosse Velishaf, a little of both. You see, the beating serves as the point of change for the character (this isn't the first time they've gotten kicked around, but never as bad) and they decide to move forward.

Ashes Oh Ashes · Jul 22, 2011

If it's sole purpose is garner sympathy, I think you can come up with something a little stronger and less cheap. If it has a purpose other than that and pushes the plot forward, then sure.

And if they deserve it or not is important. They'll give us vastly different views of the character depending on which it is.

Mello Matsuri · Jul 22, 2011

Thanks for the advice, Ashes. Since it does actually help the plot and isn't for sympathy (there are much stronger pity tactics than that, I'm sure) I think I'll go with it.

Thank you all!

Ashes Oh Ashes · Jul 22, 2011

Glad to be of help. And after you get fifty posts, you can always put some of it up on the 'Share Your Work' board. Best of luck.

Mello Matsuri · Jul 22, 2011

Thank you (...again. I should probably carry around a thesaurus with me or something...)! I'll go for it, once I get there.

Starting with...

Mello Matsuri

I am also Severus.

missesdash

You can't sit with us!

Liosse de Velishaf

Mharvey

Liker Of Happy Things

Mello Matsuri

I am also Severus.

Ashes Oh Ashes

Honest, not Harsh

Mello Matsuri

I am also Severus.

Ashes Oh Ashes

Honest, not Harsh

Mello Matsuri

I am also Severus.