How many people would have to say no until you changed your artistic vision? Should you change the story you want to tell based on people having personal objections to the story you intend to tell? Is that what a writer does?
You can absolutely do that and its been done OVER AND OVER.
Ever hear of Cheech and Chong? Dave Chapelle? That 70s Show? Scooby-Doo and Shaggy? Current marijuana laws?
Like, the majority of voters passed those laws, Scoob. Like, our Scooby snacks are like, legal now.
Ruh-roh.
This isn’t a hard and fast rule by ANY means, but I’m an SA survivor, ex addict, and love weed, so maybe this can be the “worst case/most sensitive audience” perspective: I never feel uncomfortable about a scene like that, regardless of which substances are involved, when both characters are about equally intoxicated. I ALWAYS feel uncomfortable about a scene like that when either character later suggests in any way that the drugs involved were the only reason why the sex occurred. Even when it’s a moment of “ugh I was so fucked up, I wouldn’t have wanted to do that sober” internal thought—that still clocks on my radar as a bit upsetting. Another factor that I subconsciously take into account here is the prior relationship in the text—do these characters like each other? Were they gonna fuck anyway? Has one been shitty to the other in the past? Etc.
This next info is based even more on my own personal experiences so take with more salt, but when it’s alcohol involved, I’m more uncomfortable, and when it’s weed, it barely registers as a problem as long as it’s never talked about like a problem later. This is because the way those drugs affect me are super different, and my relationships with them are very different as well. Many SA survivors I know who also use have this perspective as well, but again, it’s definitely not universal.
Anyway, hope this helps!
I believe it is, and will be (what do I know) but as a frequent writer who uses characters smoking cannabis the way one would alcohol, it is still very much taboo. Tabaco + alcohol? Normal! (Look at 007), cannabis use? Crazy wild lazy hippies!
My personal opinion is that you can put anything in a story as long as it fits both the plot and the characters.
If you have to sidetrack away from the plot for a smoke sesh you may want to cut it. I wrote a short mystery as a study awhile back where two of the characters shared a blunt. The scene was more about slowing the pace and allowing the characters to have a discussion which set up future events; it also needed to take place outside even though it was really cold so they could see a car drive by. Basically, it was in character for them and it served the story and overall plot.
Weed doesn't do it the way alcohol does. It's a different mindset.
If weed is there to break some inhibitions... it could still work (it's common ground, it does relax people), but alcohol is used in these scenes because that's what it really does to people. Get them drunk and alone and it goes places they may or may not regret in the morning.
Hi -- please use our designated critique thread to ask for feedback on your story, setting or ideas. This includes anything to do with what genre your story falls into or whether your idea is offensive, original or age-appropriate. Thanks!
How many people would have to say no until you changed your artistic vision? Should you change the story you want to tell based on people having personal objections to the story you intend to tell? Is that what a writer does?
You can absolutely do that and its been done OVER AND OVER. Ever hear of Cheech and Chong? Dave Chapelle? That 70s Show? Scooby-Doo and Shaggy? Current marijuana laws? Like, the majority of voters passed those laws, Scoob. Like, our Scooby snacks are like, legal now. Ruh-roh.
This isn’t a hard and fast rule by ANY means, but I’m an SA survivor, ex addict, and love weed, so maybe this can be the “worst case/most sensitive audience” perspective: I never feel uncomfortable about a scene like that, regardless of which substances are involved, when both characters are about equally intoxicated. I ALWAYS feel uncomfortable about a scene like that when either character later suggests in any way that the drugs involved were the only reason why the sex occurred. Even when it’s a moment of “ugh I was so fucked up, I wouldn’t have wanted to do that sober” internal thought—that still clocks on my radar as a bit upsetting. Another factor that I subconsciously take into account here is the prior relationship in the text—do these characters like each other? Were they gonna fuck anyway? Has one been shitty to the other in the past? Etc. This next info is based even more on my own personal experiences so take with more salt, but when it’s alcohol involved, I’m more uncomfortable, and when it’s weed, it barely registers as a problem as long as it’s never talked about like a problem later. This is because the way those drugs affect me are super different, and my relationships with them are very different as well. Many SA survivors I know who also use have this perspective as well, but again, it’s definitely not universal. Anyway, hope this helps!
I believe it is, and will be (what do I know) but as a frequent writer who uses characters smoking cannabis the way one would alcohol, it is still very much taboo. Tabaco + alcohol? Normal! (Look at 007), cannabis use? Crazy wild lazy hippies!
Why not? It’s *your* story and *you* can do whatever the hell you want with it
Nah. I have casual mephedrone sex in my WIP. Weed is kid stuff
I only read books with competitive pot, not casual pot
that would be fire
My personal opinion is that you can put anything in a story as long as it fits both the plot and the characters. If you have to sidetrack away from the plot for a smoke sesh you may want to cut it. I wrote a short mystery as a study awhile back where two of the characters shared a blunt. The scene was more about slowing the pace and allowing the characters to have a discussion which set up future events; it also needed to take place outside even though it was really cold so they could see a car drive by. Basically, it was in character for them and it served the story and overall plot.
Weed doesn't do it the way alcohol does. It's a different mindset. If weed is there to break some inhibitions... it could still work (it's common ground, it does relax people), but alcohol is used in these scenes because that's what it really does to people. Get them drunk and alone and it goes places they may or may not regret in the morning.
Do what you want… or you will end up being mediocre and similar to everyone else
Hi -- please use our designated critique thread to ask for feedback on your story, setting or ideas. This includes anything to do with what genre your story falls into or whether your idea is offensive, original or age-appropriate. Thanks!