One of the great challenges writers face is letting go. When you create a new character, you try to make it unique. Colorful. Realistic. And as different from yourself as possible. Otherwise, it just becomes a self-therapy for your alter ego, and your characters all look and behave a very bland and boring same. The farther you go, the more freedom you have. Then, you face a moral question. What is the one thing you will never ever let your hero do?

Our society does not lack in norms and taboos and forbidden topics. Breaching them almost becomes a hidden delight in a way, except you try to disguise it as a natural thing rather than a deliberate attempt to sound controversial and evil. Still, everyone has their limit. Where does it end? Will you let your hero kill people? Kill? Well, killing is simple. How about something more atrocious?

Trere’s no end to horrors that we could list here, emotional and physical. For some, these would-be terrors and evils might be nothing more than a mere shrug of the shoulder. Sensational sells, right. Others might write them down, then toss away their book in disgust, frightened and shocked by their own words. You also have the readers to consider, who just might not like your take on genocide and procreation. But in the end, you’re facing yourself, and your inner moral judge.

Dare I write down what I think? No, probably not. Mostly because I’m not really sure I know. Am I willing to explore the depths of my own personality and translate them into writing? Maybe. It’s definitely a challenge. So let’s make it interesting. Forget about my characters and their red lines. What are yours?