During my time reading on BCTS and other sites I've come across a number of stories deemed the "comedy of errors". Some of these have been brilliantly executed and amazingly engaging. There have been a few, however, that were akin to walking barefoot through glass.
To me, there is a fine line between tragic comedy and what amounts to sadism. The gifted writer navigates this line carefully, always pulling back before the breaking point so as to give their audience breathing room to recover (think Tuck), while a less conscientious writer will keep stacking the misery until it's just not funny anymore. If you've run into this, you probably know what I'm talking about.
My point is this; Too much on the wrong side of that line can sometimes alienate a large portion of their audience if an author doesn't take care in writing this style, and it can trash the author/audience relationship. Be careful with pacing. Just sayin'.
Hugs
Jenna
Comments
One sees this mistake in ‘pro’ stories too
There was once a series called ‘Joan of Arcadia’ which had a great premise of God interacting/talking to Joan. The storylines became non-endingly, unrelentingly morbid and serious, unleaven by any lighter moments. It just became depressing to watch.
It did not survive to a third season.
A balance as you say is always needed.
OTOH, some of Joan’s clothing props appeared on ebay and they were priced pretty cheaply actually.
Amber Tamblyn, who played Joan, is kinda bottom heavy but her jacket I bought fits very good on me!
Brings to mind...
"Saving Grace". How the series began and how it finished seemed considerably different in tone. Commensurately, my feeling towards the show became very different as the seasons moved forwards. Kinda like some works I've read.
Some stories simply jump in the way they feel, especially with such a broad variety of skill and talent like here at BCTS, and this can be pretty awesome. There is such an amazing mix of the original and trite, all being shared rather selflessly. It's humbling. And occasionally leads to lemons that look like oranges lol
This post was inspired by running into a story in which the first chapter looked very promising, being both amusing and engaging... And was followed by 9 chapters of almost non-stop pummeling of the protagonist. I'm glad I stubborned it out as it eventually found an equilibrium and the smile I had in chapter one returned. But it did remind me that like a chef cooking an unfamiliar cuisine, stories sometimes leave a bad taste the author probably didn't intend ^^
Jenna
I kind of like the darker
I kind of like the darker ones. For me they are more relatable and seem more accurate. The real world is cruel.
Tuck was actually what brought me into reading this stuff. I stumbled across it while trying to figure out wtf was wrong with me. At least until it went off the rails.
Sounds like what I’m writing...
I’m trying hard to be careful with the story I’m currently writing with that. The problem is I’m dealing with two transions, one desired and one undesired. I’ve talked to a lady a few years ago that had to endure an unwanted transition when she was a teen. She had an extremely difficult road, and about didn’t make it. Until she had her ‘rock bottom’ moment... Afterwards wasn’t suddenly sunshine and rainbows, but she was able to rebuild her life and it got better every day.
I’ve just gotten my main character to his ‘rock bottom’ moment, and I’ve tried hard to interject some humor and positive aspects in his journey so far... It’s just to keep the decline genuine though, I’ve had to strengthen his struggle and the last two chapter though were dark... They sort of had to be unfortunately... I was wanting to get the emotion ‘right’, so the story would feel like a real struggle.
As far me, I hate reading a story thats non-stop bludgeoning the protagonist, but I am a sucker for an underdog overcomes insurmountable odds kind of story. There HAS to be a ray of sunshine at the end for me. While I enjoy readings stories that are more fantastical based (magic, sci-fi stuff) I am drawn to stories with a much more ‘real’ feel, so that’s what I tend to write.
If you’ve read anything that I’ve written, you’d probably see that in my writing... Hopefully at least.
Becca C.
I know I’m weird. The fact that I’m trans is probably one of the more normal things about me.
Hugs
I've not read your works, hon, though you've gotten me intrigued now. That said, even were this post specifically about you I'd not say so in an open forum- I'm no accredited critic to be publicly roasting authors, simply an enthusiastic reader.
I have the utmost respect for everyone posting their works here and elsewhere. The time, effort, and let's face it, sometimes tears, all authors put into a piece is impressive. Honorary kudos to every author for going out on the limb of public scrutiny lol
Sci-fi/fantasy... Three from the same author spring to mind. Bailey Summers with "FTL... Faster Than Life", "Sixteen Feet of Steel", and "Snakes and Ladders". And I'm always looking for stories to match their awesomeness ^^
Big hugs and happy writing
Jenna
We are all individuals
You talk as though that dividing line is fixed and clearly marked. In fact, every individual will set that dividing line in a slightly different place.
That is why some writers are to one side of your line, others are on the other side.
Everyone has their own version of the line, but it’s no good expecting everyone else to use your line.
Naturally
The line is clearly there at all times for everyone - it's their own line, after all lol My own personal line shifts rather whimsically, even dramatically, at times, it would seem.
That said, there are conventions which many writers follow to maintain the integrity of tropes and genres, so while the individual content may vary, the result remains recognizably within the intended scope of the piece. Blurring those established borders while maintaining artistic integrity within an intended field then becomes a challenge and testament to the authors ability, imo.
Heh, I'm really just making much ado about nothing. If an author wants to run their character over with a bus after giving them a disease followed by being forced to service the football team while hopping one legged with peanut butter smeared on their genitalia and then call the story sweet/sentimental, who am I to naysay? (The story was appropriately tagged, so not an issue pfft)
Boil it down and I was ranting my own rant. Thank you for your comment. I found it to be both valid and well stated.
Jenna