How Much Reality?
Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 9:58 pmCategory: Chit Chat
I was talking to someone the other day and a question came up (one that usually comes up) that, as usual, had me going “Hmmm”.
How much reality do you want in your books? What I mean by reality is…use of condoms, death, divorce…etc.
As for how much I want in the books that I love to read?
Well, after thinking on it…it depends.
Death? I’d really rather not read anything that has the death of a main character or even a secondary character. There’s too much of that IRL. I HATE to cry, so reading a book that makes me cry isn’t something I want to do. Now if I cry because it’s an extremely sweet, sentimental story…that’s different. 
Condoms? It’s not a must in whatever I’m reading. It’s a story…not real life. If I want everything that I read to stay true to life — well, that would take the enjoyment out of reading for me.
Hmm. I definitely have more to say on this, but it’s late and I’m pooped. 
Until next time…
Jill said,
May 6, 2007 @ 8:11 am
For me, it’s individual to the story, but I read for the fun and escape, not for the realism, so I don’t mind when things aren’t always true to life.
Cindy said,
May 6, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
For me, if the use of a condom isn’t mentioned then that’s fine. I know (personally)some are worried about young girls reading those books and thinking it’s ‘ok’ not to use a condom. I have problems with this on several levels.
1. It’s the parents’ place to teach about condom use. NOT a romance novel.
2. If a girl is old enough to have sex then she is old enough to know that NOT using a condom is NOT ok.
Like I said, for me, it would just take the fun out of reading if everything had to be true to life. :shrug
Shiloh Walker said,
May 8, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Depends on the writer. If she can make me forget all about the shoulds and the what ifs and might bes, reality can be bent or broken if the author wants.
But if the writer can’t pull me, then those little things like important characters dying, sexual safety, etc etc are going to annoy me and I might stop reading.
And Cindy… You’ve been tagged!
click here