That, there you go. See, that and the before. So many stories that feature violence don't deal with this aspect of violence. Humans generally very much do not want to hurt each other. (On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, Dave Grossman, 2009, required reading at West Point) I believe that it can be captured in words, I think in maybe a few books I've seen it captured in words, but I don't think that I've heard of or read something like this in a while.
But if applied correctly, though technically not simple, ayone can write violence physical violence. Right? "She shot him dead in the street." There, simple and effective. What You're talking about is much more nuanced, and you damn well know it.
Because to write about that feeling, you have to create a world in which there is a reason for that feeling to exist. You have to create both a character and world in which it's logical for their pathos, their shame, their contrition, the knowledge that they have committed the ultimate social transgression.
But it comes with clauses. Because what were the circumstances? How does the shame or sorrow or anything else play into the circumstances that led to the violence?
The United States Federal Bureau of Prisons labeled me as nearly a sociopath, subclinical. Now, aside from this meaning I was immediately labeled, even as a short timer, a "threat to institutional security" it means a few things psychologically. One, I'm a person, with all the shit that comes along with it, emotional, good, bad, ugly, neurodivergent, etc. Two, I am willing to commit violence, but clause three, I MUST believe that I am justified in my actions.
The US Government looks for these specific qualities, some of which overlap with certain varieties of neurodivergence, because if caught at the right time, and fostered properly, this is what a true believer is made of.
4% of people statistically, in the military mind you, are historically willing to pull a trigger with the explicit intent and purpose to kill. (A study done around the battle of Gettysburg showed that if everyone had shot to kill in that battle, it would have lasted less than five hours.) The ranks of the military at the high end, high speed operators, intelligence agents, these are the ranks of the true believers. (This also goes for opposition movements, terrorist organizations, you name it.)
Note to self: Go back in time, after taking the ASVAP, take the offer, you would have made a phenomenal spook.
Anyway. What of the character who believes 100% that the violence they carried out was justified? Now, I've written plenty of this in my fiction because I understand it personally. Threaten my family and I will make you disappear and then go get Taco Bell to celebrate. (Best night sleep I ever had, first night I was in custody.) I'd like you to write this.
Hell, because the idea is actually foreign to me, I'd like to do this as an exercise. Because I think I've seen this portrayed much more elegantly in film, a naturally visual medium, than I EVER have in a book. (I could probably dig a few really good examples from the stacks, but god, I don't feel like it.)
I'm of the idea that if it can be captured in film, and it has, it can be captured in words.
And no doubt you'd do it well (I mean there's proof, that's "No Ref"), and I would read it. But submitting action with Emil? That feels like synergy, probably put a lot of eyes on both of you
love seeing the connections that get drawn between the fiction writers here.
Fuck winter
dope
Man, I'd love to see you send in an action scene. You two on one page would be epic
id write about the feeling after violence. that shit no one tells you about. the shame of harming another human. can that even be captured in words.
That, there you go. See, that and the before. So many stories that feature violence don't deal with this aspect of violence. Humans generally very much do not want to hurt each other. (On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, Dave Grossman, 2009, required reading at West Point) I believe that it can be captured in words, I think in maybe a few books I've seen it captured in words, but I don't think that I've heard of or read something like this in a while.
But if applied correctly, though technically not simple, ayone can write violence physical violence. Right? "She shot him dead in the street." There, simple and effective. What You're talking about is much more nuanced, and you damn well know it.
Because to write about that feeling, you have to create a world in which there is a reason for that feeling to exist. You have to create both a character and world in which it's logical for their pathos, their shame, their contrition, the knowledge that they have committed the ultimate social transgression.
But it comes with clauses. Because what were the circumstances? How does the shame or sorrow or anything else play into the circumstances that led to the violence?
The United States Federal Bureau of Prisons labeled me as nearly a sociopath, subclinical. Now, aside from this meaning I was immediately labeled, even as a short timer, a "threat to institutional security" it means a few things psychologically. One, I'm a person, with all the shit that comes along with it, emotional, good, bad, ugly, neurodivergent, etc. Two, I am willing to commit violence, but clause three, I MUST believe that I am justified in my actions.
The US Government looks for these specific qualities, some of which overlap with certain varieties of neurodivergence, because if caught at the right time, and fostered properly, this is what a true believer is made of.
4% of people statistically, in the military mind you, are historically willing to pull a trigger with the explicit intent and purpose to kill. (A study done around the battle of Gettysburg showed that if everyone had shot to kill in that battle, it would have lasted less than five hours.) The ranks of the military at the high end, high speed operators, intelligence agents, these are the ranks of the true believers. (This also goes for opposition movements, terrorist organizations, you name it.)
Note to self: Go back in time, after taking the ASVAP, take the offer, you would have made a phenomenal spook.
Anyway. What of the character who believes 100% that the violence they carried out was justified? Now, I've written plenty of this in my fiction because I understand it personally. Threaten my family and I will make you disappear and then go get Taco Bell to celebrate. (Best night sleep I ever had, first night I was in custody.) I'd like you to write this.
Hell, because the idea is actually foreign to me, I'd like to do this as an exercise. Because I think I've seen this portrayed much more elegantly in film, a naturally visual medium, than I EVER have in a book. (I could probably dig a few really good examples from the stacks, but god, I don't feel like it.)
I'm of the idea that if it can be captured in film, and it has, it can be captured in words.
And no doubt you'd do it well (I mean there's proof, that's "No Ref"), and I would read it. But submitting action with Emil? That feels like synergy, probably put a lot of eyes on both of you
yeah alright i see what you are saying. Two old boxers in the ring. I'll fight him word for word in the scene. Fat City shit.
Do it :D
HEY, I KNOW THE PLOT TO FAT CITY, DAMN MAN.