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Great post. Totally on-board w/the “I’ll know it when I see it” mentality. Yes, we all have different thresholds, because we’re all at different stages in our Christian growth. And you’re right, as writers, we have to recognize that line where we’re capitalizing on shock value, instead of bolstering a solid plot/characters.
Kinda like posting racy photos of ourselves on our blogspot to get more hits (I’ve seen this done!). Does it work? Oh, yeah. But does it attract the kind of people I’d want following my writing? No way.
(Just realized that sounds harsh…”the kind of people.” I should probably say that the kind of people who follow a blog due to racy photos are NOT the kind of people who would even enjoy my writing.)
Thanks for sharing this vlog post, Mike. It’s an interesting question.
I wanted nothing more than to fulfill a dream to be an author, and feel like the Lord blessed me with that. Now, of course, comes the desire to see how far this writing may take me.
With every project, I want to craft the best story that I possibly can. It is a little frustrating to me to see many choose to travel down “certain roads that I am unwilling to travel” in order to sell many more copies than I. That’s their choice. For me, I choose to stay the course…
-Jimmy
James, as a writer who doesn’t shy away from controversial elements, I take issue with the assumption they’re included simply for profit. You touched on the notion of being true to the craft. Different authors are given different stories, and each has to be developed not only prayerfully, but frankly, if it’s going to ring authentic before God.
I think the “G-word” we all need to be sensitive to isn’t Gratuitous; it’s Guileless.
Yes, it is a subjective line to some degree. My rule of thumb is how necessary to the plot is the sex and/or violence in gauging whether what I write or read is “too much.” Even in going into detail, like, how much detail is necessary to get across what is happening in a realistic manner and how much is just being titillating.
But the other measure there is whether the overall picture that the novel paints is an immoral message: “Sex is okay, no big consequences.” Or the violent person never gets called on his/her violence. Even if you give no details, like cut away before it gets hot, but it is obvious where the couple is going, and then everything is swell after that, it sends an unChristian message that such sin is okay.
Those are subjective measurements and different people will come down in different places on those, like you suggest. Good thoughts.
Goodness, Mike! I didn’t actually think that you would have responded to my question! But thanks anyway!
I agree with what you said, I don’t have a check list for when sex and violence becomes too much for me. Personally when my comfort level has been breached then thats when I generally consider checking out of whatever work of fiction I am involved in.
Like R.L. Copple mentioned in the post above, I also am aware of whether or not the story needs the violence or sex, how much is being gratuitous and how much is necessary to the plot line.
I tend to follow the Holy Spirit on this one. Kinda follow this principle, “If ya have to ask. . .well, then don’t, man.”