Drug usage in a story. Include it or not?

Good grief! I think you need to take the time to read a little bit more - but I'll put it this way: Sex, drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll is the stuff of life, and the stuff of life is what books are made of.

Just apply the usual test: Is it vital to the story? No? Leave it out. Yes? Put it in.

Simple.

If it's important to the story -- if it moves the story along, and isn't in there just to be in there (because you just want to talk about pot) -- then there's nothing wrong with it.

How many stories have murders in them that are necessary to the plot? Rapes? Theft?

By using drugs as an integral part of your tale, you're not advocating them, if that's what worries you.

Of course, it's okay. What are you reading? A particular genre? Perhaps expand your library to include Bret Easton Ellis, William S. Burroughs, Jay McInerney, Irvine Welsh, Hunter S. Thompson, Charles Bukowski. In fact, Trainspotting was a terrific Irvine Welsh novel before it was a movie. There are many other examples that aren't so extreme, but none immediately come to mind. Keep it in if it moves the story forward.

what is the consequence of smoking? munchies? saying too much? falling asleep to pink floyd on the stereo?

as long as it's not the usual stereotypical "he thought he was superman and tried to fly" consequence. or the 'reefer madness' type car accident.

and i agree with zolah; use it if it's vital to the story or the character.

It's been quite a few years since I readJay Mcinerney's Bright Lights, Big City, but I seem to remember a drug or two floating through the pages.

I don't think somebody smoking pot in your book is going to be a problem. Even if they enjoy it.

There are loads of books with drug use in them. One thing you have to account for, however, is the reaction of your reader. A certain number will be instantly turned off by casual drug use, and it may make them care less about your characters. However, if you feel it is necessary to your story or characterization, then include it.

Drugs

You have to be true to your character, and ask yourself whether your audience will like the character.

Tell the truth.

Besides, lots of drugs in fiction. Don't sweat it. I mentioned "sharing a joint" on the second page of my novel. No problem.

What James and Ray said. Also, make sure your characters' actions and reactions are realistic, not silly or stereotypical. This can be a challenge unless you are, well, experienced.

Also, if you've never done heavy drugs or simply don't have any good ideas for the experience, I suggest either reading Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas or watch the movie of it. (assuming your characters do the real heavy stuff)
The movie is very good, visually, in the scenes with drug effects (heck, that's the whole movie) and some of the special effects were created by a man who had never done drugs himself. No one could even tell the difference, he did it so succesfully.

Read more. Trainspotting, as mentioned, is based on a novel. Chabon's Wonder Boys includes recreational use of pot. Hell, King's Shining is based on an acoholic.

Lots of drugs.

The audience reaction was my biggest concern. What if the reader were enjoying the story until my characters decided to get high?

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Well, if your book is chick lit and suddenly everybody's doing coke and meth to really perk up before hitting the local Nordstrom, you may lose your audience, but if it fits the tone, your audience probably won't have much of a problem with it.

You should always trust your readers to be sophisticated enough to enjoy a story even when the characters do things they might not approve of. Who are you target audience anyway? Obviously, if you're writing a wholesome family-oriented Christian-value story, your characters probably shouldn't get high and save the day. But from your description, I doubt that's the case.

Contemporary fiction has a lot of flexibility, and may appeal to a broad spectrum of readers. Like I said, don't sweat it. Just be truthful to your story and your characters. Don't make them do something they won't, but don't hold them back either.

there are readers out there who would enjoy it MORE if the characters got high, because, well, in real life, people DO get high. and like it. just think of all the stoners who like nothing more than spending a saturday afternoon with a fat joint and a fat novel.

At the risk of being pedantic, I too think you should be reading more, particularly contemporary fiction. Characters smoking a joint will barely be noticed...

Some of the things you need to consider:

1. Just because you write about something, that your story is about something or your characters do something, doesn't mean that you, the author, personally endorse or engage in these activities or subscribe to these values. You're a storyteller first. I mean, do we all think Stephen King is a murderous, psychotic, evil person (OK, I think some do! )

2. You can't please everyone. Someone WILL be offended by just about anything, whether it's drug use, alcohol, infidelity, violence, sex, etc. If a person dislikes your story or your characters because of these ("I can't identify with John because he smokes pot/has sex with men/eats meat on Friday/doesn't shower every day/etc. etc.) then this person probably isn't your ideal reader to begin with. Focus on those who might appreciate your story and characters despite their personal beliefs. Those ARE your target audiences.

3. Again, be truthful to your story and characters. If this is not what you want to write about, no matter how truthful it is, you should probably not write it. But if you're presenting the truth, and there is a reason why these people do these things and the consequences are truthful, then you owe it to yourself, and your readers, to tell it the way it should be told. The flipside of this is that you're putting something in that is NOT truthful -- there is no reason for these characters to get high/have sex/etc. but you put it in just because it's "cool" or it "titillates" -- that's not a good reason

I forgot who said this... but someone did: "If you write something that you won't be able to show your mother, you might be onto something great..." or "Write something you won't be able to show your mother" or something like that.

Unless, of course, you write children's stories about fluffy bunnies.

Depending on which statistics you look at, anywhere from 50-80% of the people in the country have tried weed at least once, so your characters are in good company.

Weed isn't even a taboo drug really...

Go for it. Shows character, and you've got a legitimate plot reason to do so.

The last book I remember reading with drug use was Good in Bed. They shared a joint after a funeral.

So it is done, and probably need not be handled any differently than you would alcohol use.

rugcat said:

I don't think somebody smoking pot in your book is going to be a problem. Even if they enjoy it.

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What is they are teens? Just curious.

Celia Cyanide said:

What is they are teens? Just curious.

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So? Plenty of teens enjoy a joint or two.

Again, it depends on your target market. If you're writing YA, it might not be a good idea to include pot smoking (and enjoying it). But if your target market is adult contemporary... yeah, why not? If kids can kill (as in some Stephen King's novels), they sure can enjoy getting high...

What is they are teens? Just curious.

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It wouldn't make a difference to me. Just make sure there's a reason for it, and it's handled true to the characters' personalities.

Yeah, I wouldn't even think twice. Put it in if it seems like something the characters would do and it's not just gratuitous. As for Mom and Dad, if I had thought about what someone would think (ok, my wife) about everything my characters do, I would never be able to write anything. Nothing interesting anyway.

See maestro's avatar? That's what you look like if you smoke too much pot.

ETA: the green, leafy growth in my avatar, on the other hand, is innocent and aromatic oregano.