The Losing Side.....too dark?

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 11:55 AM

May I trouble my fair readers for some honest opinions? We've all read (or at least I have - ugh) a few of those unrelentingly dark, "never-ending abuse" stories. I for one hate them. So it gets my attention in a hurry when a long-term reader comments that they are losing enjoyment in the story for that very reason. It's absolutely not the sort of thing I want to write.

This is a dark period of the story, and according to my current plan it's going to get even darker…..but now I'm questioning that decision.

I've got a problem with this fic, in that a number of people have told me privately that it's too – fluffy – for lack of a better word, that to be realistic I need to make it darker. I have never quite agreed with that, but I wonder if the peer pressure has had some effect?

Mal, of course, does not end up actually serving his sentence – in fact both he and Wash will be free and moving on to happier times *relatively* soon. But….there are some very tough times ahead…..he'll pass through it soon enough and all that, but honest opinions on if soon enough is actually soon enough would be welcomed!

I can try to lighten things up, shorten the dark bits, etc. if need be. If I'm crossing the line into being one of "those" writers who seem to be merely putting the characters through unrelenting hell for love of the angst factor....please tell me now? So I can save myself and the story?

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