Why do so many people like writing stories about emo/gothic characters?

Posted in Gothic Makeup Ideas | 5 comments

Question by Charleena: Why do so many people like writing stories about emo/gothic characters?
I mean absolute no offense to anyone who’s emo in the slightest. So now that we got that one out into the open…

I’ve been writing for a very long time and I enter in a lot of contests. Over the years, I’ve seen so many different styles of writing and the subjects covered. As of the last year or two, I can’t help but notice that over half of the stories being written these days focus around emo/gothic characters. These characters are usually involved with cutting and drugs. I’m sorry, but from every chapter I’ve seen written with characters along these lines, I really with the future of our literature would shy away from such areas of subject.

But why are people using these gothic characters? I understand it’s easy to show painful emotions and self mutilation in a kid who wears all black, heavy makeup, dyed black hair, and hangs its head all day long, but to me it’s just weird to put that into literature. In my eye, it can be very unappealing and sometimes shallow.

My question is, have you seen this happening as well? Like I said before, I don’t have any problems with actual people who are emo, I just don’t get why it’s the number one character persona of the century.
@Cassie: Nicely put. I have to agree with you on those points. I too have dealt with my emotional fares in the past, but I never convey them into such dramatic characters.
@Flora: I never said I hated them. I see your point on how it could be a good emotional release for the writer. I just don’t think that the future of our literature should be based on emo and gothic characters. It’s just the choice of writing I find weak – NOT the author themselves. :)
@ColdHardTruth: Interesting point. I guess I’m not really focusing on the nature of the author completely, though. I just don’t see why a gothic character is the best way to express what they (author) wants to portray. Any character can express the same kind of emotions as someone else – it highly depends on the stereotype the author portrays it in.

Best answer:

Answer by Cassie Alexander
Yeah, I’ve seen it happening. I’m going to be very blunt. Most of these kids are probably very young (middle school) or dramatic teens. No self respecting writer would write about some “emo” or “goth” kid. These are kids looking for a way to express their “dark and troubled emotions” because “no one understands.” Don’t get me wrong, I’ve struggled with mental illness myself, but I’ve never EVER thought of writing a character like that. Simply because it makes a terrible story.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!