Conflict is a core part of the human experience, often expressed through violence in storytelling.
From classic novels like Little Women to modern thrillers, violence can drive the plot and develop characters, but it should always serve a purpose. The key is to consider your goal: Are you creating atmosphere, building tension, or highlighting a turning point? Whatever your genre, use violence thoughtfully to enhance your story. Let’s explore how to do it effectively!
What is Violence in Fiction Books?
Violence in fiction is all about shaking things up—whether it’s a big, explosive fight scene, a sneaky betrayal, or some dark, emotional backstory. It’s there to add drama, crank up the tension, or help us understand what makes a character tick. Think of it as a tool to keep readers on the edge of their seats (or clutching their pillows). But here’s the catch: it’s gotta have a purpose. If it’s just there for shock value, it can fall flat. Used right, though, violence packs a punch and takes your story to the next level!
Main Rules
1. Serve the Story
- Every violent scene should have a clear purpose, whether it’s advancing the plot, revealing character traits, or creating tension. Avoid violence for shock value alone.
2. Match the Tone and Genre
- Ensure the level of violence aligns with the story’s tone and genre. A graphic fight scene might work in a thriller but feel out of place in a lighthearted romance.
3. Build Up to It
- Create anticipation before the violence. Let the tension simmer so the scene feels earned and has maximum impact.
4. Make It Personal
- Show how the violence affects your characters emotionally and physically. This makes the scene more meaningful and relatable.
5. Be Realistic (or Purposefully Stylized)
- If your story is grounded in reality, research injuries and combat to portray violence accurately. In stylized genres, like fantasy or action-adventure, lean into the exaggerated tone.
6. Don’t Overdo the Details
- Sometimes, less is more. Let the reader’s imagination fill in the blanks instead of spelling out every gruesome detail.
Inkitt’s Suggestions
The No Holds Barred Approach
Starting at the extreme end of the spectrum, let’s consider the ultra-violent.
There’s always been an appetite for stories of this kind. They appeal to our more violent instincts. Sometimes, we all get a little bit bloodthirsty.
Look at Angela Carter’s The Passion of New Eve or Lulu Waters’s Tales of the Ringmaster. Violence isn’t just an aspect of these stories; it permeates the world in which these stories exist.
Intense violence can work, but it needs purpose and subtext. Without it, violence becomes an empty spectacle.
For example, The Passion of New Eve uses violence as satire on 1960s America and sexism, while Tales of the Ringmaster explores trauma, love, and revenge. High-octane violence has its place—just make sure it serves the story.
Less is More
Violence is often more effective and more shocking when it is used to punctuate a scene or a story rather than when it is used gratuitously.
Even popular action adventure novels like Lee Childs’s Jack Reacher series or fantasy thrillers like Stephenie Light’s The Earth Witch build up to the violence, creating tension and suspense until the reader is practically begging for someone to resolve the conflict in the story by punching the bad guy in the face.
Violence can be cathartic, especially after a tense build-up, but less is often more. Readers’ imaginations can create a stronger impact than detailed descriptions, so implying details and letting them fill the gaps often works better than going overly graphic.
The Nuclear Option
Unexpected violence can be shocking and effective, but it must still fit the narrative. While the surprise adds impact, the story should be built to support it, even if it’s unforeseen.
Examples of this would be something like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, Bohumil Hrabal’s Too Loud a Solitude, or Mandy M.’s Masquerade (coming soon to Galatea!), all of which take unexpected hard left turns that leave the reader picking their jaw up off the floor.
It can be done, but it needs context and logical coherence.
Acts of Violence
Quentin Tarantino’s films showcase the spectrum of violence in storytelling.
Jackie Brown uses subtle, delayed violence for impact, while Kill Bill embraces over-the-top, cartoonish violence.
Most of his work falls between these extremes, offering a variety of approaches to violence that remain open to interpretation. Now, it’s your turn to explore how violence can work in your story.
Hit Us with Your Best Shot
Obviously, this article doesn’t cover every detail of using violence in fiction, but it’s a start. You have your own ideas about the kind of story you want to tell and how you want violence to feature within it.
Tell us your story! Your audience is waiting!
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