I am almost done with the book Tribal, but I am not sure I really want it published. There’s a lot of language in it that is what the kids would call ‘problematic’, but it’s in the context of the story. I can see someone reading this book and trying to cancel me – not that it would be hard to do something like that. I’m worried that people are going to miss the message (cults are dangerous things) for the medium…if that’s being said right.

Honestly – should I toss the book aside or not. I am going to finish it, but past that….

I’d really like some input from other people. Maybe someone can read it and let me know how far I’ve gone? I mean, when it’s finished, of course. Which should be (and don’t hold me to it if you know my track record concerning this) by the end of the month. I’ve got to whip up an outline for the next Lucky Evan’s Life story called The Agonizing Alibi Day to be done in November for Nanowrimo. Which means I need to have Tribal done at the ned of this month to give me a month to plan the outline. In December, I think I will get back to outlining Medicine Show and starting that the first of the year in hopes of getting three epic style fantasies finished…and maybe squeeze in another Evan book somewhere.

But this thing with Tribal’s language has me tied up in mental knots. It’s an important message, but I don’t want it taken out of context by someone because they feel offended. Actually – come to think of it, you should feel offended. If you’re siding with the main antagonist of the story…them this book isn’t for you, really. I just don’t want some ne’er-do-well Karen mucking things up because I made her clutch her pearls at the language and completely bypassing the grotesque violence.

Yes, I can see someone beging so offended by the language and missing the point of it, and completely ignoring the gruesome imagery I’m using on purpose. What’s worse – the violence, I feel, while far more horrific, can be easily more justified than the language.

I’m on a limb here. Should I publish it or should I keep it to myself? I don’t know.