I remember you

[pbray]

As previously mentioned, the revisions for TSC are adding a layer of darkness to the book--things that had been only hinted at are now being spelled out.

It's tough to get into the mental place needed to write those scenes. It's a difficult process, but once they're done I can comfortably describe the process to fellow writers, and explain the reasons why those scenes are necessary to fantasy readers.

But what I can't do is have an intelligent discussion about those scenes with my siblings. People who know me as Patricia first and an author second, tend to balk when I describe how I get into the mindset to commit (literary) violence. I felt incredibly awkward last night as I tried to describe what I was doing to my sister, and from her reaction I know I startled her. Not that she wasn't supportive of what I'm doing--just surprised. What I write is significantly beyond the limits of what she feels comfortable reading.

I had the same reaction a few years back when my brother (ex-Special Forces) read one of my books that featured an extended torture scene. He thought it was a good scene, but kept wondering how his little sister could have written such a thing.

Though my blood thirsty tendencies shouldn't come as a surprise. As children we made a home movie called "The Bopper" which featured a killer who went around killing people with a hammer, and the bodies were then hauled off in a Red Flyer wagon. Thank god that was long ago, before digital videos and YouTube. If a copy exists anywhere it's on Super8 film, unable to be resurrected to embarrass us.

Comments

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

I suppose its for the best you don't remind your siblings of the film, just in case they decide to see if they can find the film and resurrect it at the next family gathering.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that would be a bad thing. But my guess is that it's lost, the result of one too many moves.