CAN A NOVEL BE DEEPLY DISTURBING AND HAVE--!

[carole gill]

....humour too? Light moments as well as dark ones? I'm writing a novel--part of a series. The murder happens very early on, And although there is the investigation of that murder as well as the interaction of friends and relatives of the victim, who mourn, are angry, etc. There is humor too in other scenes, at other times. Humor in day to day life.
Not dominating the novel, but balancing it out as it were. because (as I see it ) life is light and dark. comic and tragic.
anybody?! writers, readers! Help!

[Lee Lofland]

I've been to actual murder scenes that were pretty gruesome and heard laughter. We make jokes to lighten the horror.

[carole gill]

I don't doubt it! always noted that in movies and in books. guess you guys have to!
thanks so much!

[Bethany K. Warner]

I think it's human nature to use humor to break the tension of awful situations. Tension makes us feel awkward (which is why it's good in books), but all tension all the time and people crack.
So long as it's not Wile E. Coyote type slapstick humor (anvils falling, etc.) I would think it should help balance out the really horrible stuff in the story.

[carole gill]

Margot, you're right! I want to throw my hero a lot of stuff: tragedy, murder, as well as some joy. i know they LIKE CONFLICTS, see I've been reading about how to (etc.) seriously, you're quite right. going to plod on. wrote for eleven hours yesterday! You know those one-armed bandits in Vegas? my eyes were like that!

[Jude Hardin]

I think humor works very well in horrible situations sometimes. Stephen King, for example, cracks me up on a regular basis. My novel on submission has quite a bit of humor, though the situation is grim.

However, it's impossible to know if your humor works in your horrible situation without actually reading it. Perhaps you could post an excerpt?

In general, I would say it's important to keep a consistent tone. You can't start noir and then suddenly switch to Dave Barry. Well, you can, but editors might find it difficult to imagine the audience for such a mixture.

[carole gill]

having trouble with my pc. but will post later. thanks

[DADavenport]

Oh yeah, the combination is very natural to me. I think a steady diet of darkness without a glimmer of light wears the writer and the reader down. We have to a little relief , even when life is at it's hardest.

[carole gill]

thank you, i suppose that's right. I'm writing right now actually. a child has been saved from a pedophile and the private eye goes back to his office after dealing with it. he then kids around with his secretary. and you're right. it seems very right to me now. thanks!

[carole gill]

margot, you raise a good point. as always! thanks. John irving, next stop. i guess it can't be humorless. you know I just felt angst ridden yesterday, unsure. i loved what i was writing, but i get scared sometimes. so i like to debate it.
all the best.

[carole gill]

so right Margot. You know, as i write this--i'm tired already! only been at this so far today for five hours! see, i'm over doing it becasue our dog is due to have her puppies in two weeks! she's walking around looking like the Hindenburg--and i know it's going to be sooner, i've already told my husband he's not going to work when it starts! i figure the whelping and watching them and all that--is going to take me away from my fav obsession! so i want to have lots down. by the way, the soon to be daddy in all this is still a year old puppy himself. he chews anything that is within reach. so hands full. do i write to relax/escape maybe|!

[carole gill]

You'll enjoy your festival. and thenyou'll forget about all the hard work. if you didn't do it, you'd probably regret it.
I'm limited on the photos I can show you of the dogs. because we're over hauling computers. but if you go to my page you'll see Penny and Indiana Jones. I have a photo of them on the top of the sofa. Penny is three years older than he is. he's a year now, she's four. they really do love one another. very affectionate. they're parson russell terriers. she has a smooth coat and he has a rough one. she's fearless, poor indy is afraid of the dark and most things! he's the most affectionate dog i have ever seen.
you have a jack russell so similar! i wish our dogs could sleep with us. only thing my husband's firm about.
any way, don't run yourself ragged, though. will the things be done if you pace yourself?