While it might not seem like it on the surface, at the core of it all, Crow is one of the more violent books I have written. And while I do not condone violence as a solution to problems in real life, it is the escapism inherent in novel writing that allows me to get away with these squeamish moments.
I will say that whenever people have read stuff of mine that involved violent sequences, I have received nothing but praise for the visceral depiction of it. And that is what a writer needs to strive for with any of their writing. A real reaction that lets the reader feel the pain of what is happening between the pages.
However, to get to the bottom of how I can write such sequences with such gusto is a hard task. I do not understand the reasoning myself, but a lot of it does come back to the fact I consider myself a very cinematic writer. That is, a writer who thrives in providing a written cinematic experience. As though I am the director of a film, except that the film is a book.
Another aspect of why Crow is inherently violent is that is something a lot of writers (both historical and modern) seem to gloss over. The gore is not something that a novelist puts into words, or if they do, it is in a very safe manner. I do not want to play it safe as it pertains to generating a reaction, since I feel the violence I am including in Crow is very fitting of the characters who perpetrate the violence. Ashley, my focus character, thrives in a chaotic, violent environment, so having those types of things occur around her brings out a side of her character most readers would not see.
Of course, the inclusion of visceral and often descriptive levels of violence and torture mean that whatever I write is liable to cause a fair few people to squirm and turn their nose up at the words. And that is fine, because everyone has their own likes and dislikes. But I find that violence – especially in a torture scenario – is something I thrive with writing. And a writer should play to their strengths. Even if that means a brutal depiction of flagellation or the gruesome, forceful removal of adult human teeth with nothing but a pair of pliers.
Worthy to mention is none of the violent acts I write bring me any kind of sadistic pleasure. In fact, I feel nothing when writing these kinds of scenes. And if that makes me a sociopath to most people, then that is what I am.
Fenrir's Lair 