^_O
At first I was only going to
congratulate the author on another
wonderful article. And of course
thank her for mentioning Sukeban
Senshi. However, after reading
several thoughtful responses I've
decided to add my own thoughts
on the subject.
I must agree that inflicting
pain is a plot device for character
development. I would place pain
and torture under a general heading
of "dynamic tension". It is this
_unresolved_ strain that makes
the reader continue reading, wanting
a resolution to the suspense. Generally,
when all of the tension is relieved,
the story is over.
Speaking in broad terms,
when writing a story I first create a
situation, place the characters into
the situation and then write what
develops. While I have an overall
idea of what is going to happen
the details are a mystery until I
actually write the scene.
Any pain or torture of a character
is, or should be, a logical outgrowth
of the characterization and situation.
They should _never_ be random or capricious. Even the
random killings of a psychotic should still be the
logical and reasonable outcome of everything that has
gone before in the story.
When Pluto & Co. preform such horrific experiments on
"Weapon 4" in Furies it is not simply to inflict pain.
It is, I hope, a logical outgrowth of the exigencies
of war. Similarly, the life and character of Soban in
Sukeban Senshi, is a natural result of her life and
origin due to meddling with the time line.
There is a caveat; "pain and torture" _must_ create a
good read. If the story is no good, if the reader does
not empathize with the character, then all of the pain
and torture is a pointless waste.
I must also agree with other commentators. Writing
scenes of pain and torture is emotionally exhausting.
Actually, crafting any work of fiction is
extraordinarily hard work. In order to engage the
emotions of the reader, the writers emotions must
necessarily be involved as well.
When I am writing a scene, if everything is going
well, I am involved in the story. If things are going
_very_ well I become part of the story. The automobile
wreck in chapter one of Sukeban Senshi left me
exhausted and in tears.
If I am lucky. And if I have done everything just
right I can sometimes engage the readers emotions.
_If_I can do this then I have succeeded as a writer.
I appreciate the hard work and effort Elsa Bibat put
into this article. I especially appreciate her kind
mention of Sukeban Senshi. Thanks.
=====
"When I get a little money, I buy books;
And, if any is left, I buy food and clothes."-Erasmus
"A man is a small thing, and the night is large
and full of wonders." -Lord Dunsany
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