But what are those lines?
I like when a story challenges me, challenges what I think I believe or know. A story’s object shouldn’t be to change a reader’s mind, but perhaps expand it. Allow the author’s view to speak to the readers without pushing or arguing. The best moments of understanding come from the quiet voice.
There are times when an author throws shocks to readers. The death of a favourite character. The twist we saw coming, but thought no way, it’s too obvious. The twist we never saw. A revelation or a destruction.
These could be considered crossing the line as some readers are looking for a simple non-argumentative escape. Nothing that challenges their views. Just a tale outside of the craziness of normal life.
Then there are the stronger crossing the lines…writing something that is just for shock, just to jar, just to have it there without need. I’ll let you fill in your own blanks here. There’s a time and place for everything. Sometimes you need the violence, the uncomfortableness, the pain written out for you to read. It’s more how the message is delivered not the message itself which brings out the crossed lines.
That, and the genre. If I’m reading a cozy mystery, I expect one thing. A psychological thriller…another thing. Non-fiction? That can be anything and the blurb information should lead me to expectations of what I’ll find.
Crossing lines are different for every reader and for the author it’s a fine line to follow.