Crossing the Line

Once upon a time when writers took up pen and ink they began writing simple stories. They wrote adventure. They indulged in mystery. Labored over romance, dabbled with ghosts and challenged the gods.

Gradually they became more daring and began to push for more. The cowboy who rode off into the sunset after rescuing the heroine was more willing to stick around. The bloodthirsty vampire became more likeable when he controlled his need. Some even became more human in their behavior. Romance found its way into almost every plot. The hero and heroine were more likely to have a future together.

In the last few years the idea of a simple plot has all but disappeared, and stories have become more complicated. For the most part that's good since it not only allows 'art [to] imitate life' but it encourages more complex story lines. When I first began reading romance, I found them so boring. The heroine had nothing more on her mind but plots to catch the hero. Eventually that changed and leading ladies grew up. They finally learned that having a man in their life wasn't the all important thing. In fact, some of them realized they didn't need a man around, that a dreamed of career was more important. Bedroom scenes used to be rare but gradually played a larger part in the story. In some cases there are more bedroom scenes then there is plot.

With the arrival of electronic publishing, the rules have relaxed to the point where almost anything goes. They encourage writers to push the envelope and take writing further than it has ever gone. Don't get me wrong, there are good publishers and talented writers out there who will draw the line on what they'll offer and accept. Others in the business encourage and welcome extreme challenges and are willing to promote the work. There are many writers out there who will dare to go further in crossing the line to get publishers' attention.

I understand about competition becoming greater, but I'm just putting into words what's been on my mind for some time. My concern is where we're headed as an industry. As authors there is one big question looming before us... How far are we willing to go? Is there a line we would refuse to cross? I suppose it comes down to what each author is comfortable with writing, but if the current generation of writers is willing to push the sex and violence as far and hard as they can, where does it leave future writers? We can only wonder how much further they'd be willing to go.