How to write edge without being cringe about it

[SakeVision]

"Who's the edgy boy? Who's the edgy boy?"
*Dog wags tail*
"Well, not you~" *kicks the dog away*


Now that I have your attention, I wanted to have a shitpost in-depth discussion about how to make your readers genuinely shocked, mortified, and possibly suicidal.
Through means other than going on hiatus.

Where is that thin red line separating the cringe, the black humor, and the tragedy?

Personally, I find it hard to write genuinely dark stuff without getting all snarky in the narrative.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Re:zero and Darker Than Black did a good job with that. you should try reading and watching those for inspiration. Eminence in Shadow also did a great job but they used it for comedic purposes so I don't think that's what you're looking for.

 

[T.K._Paradox]

Make it realistic and let the horror of the situation slowly sink in.

 

[KiraMinoru]

Write about people licking public toilet seats for clout. I’d personally want to die and not be the same species if I read that.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Write about people licking public toilet seats for clout. I’d personally want to die and not be the same species if I read that.

... Don't people already do that?

 

[KiraMinoru]

... Don't people already do that?

Of course. So just follow by example and write shit on that level and you’ll have readers wanting to die.

 

[Ilikewaterkusa]

"Who's the edgy boy? Who's the edgy boy?"
*Dog wags tail*
"Well, not you~" *kicks the dog away*


Now that I have your attention, I wanted to have a shitpost in-depth discussion about how to make your readers genuinely shocked, mortified, and possibly suicidal.
Through means other than going on hiatus.

Where is that thin red line separating the cringe, the black humor, and the tragedy?

Personally, I find it hard to write genuinely dark stuff without getting all snarky in the narrative.

Don't kill people for the sakes of killing people

 

[BenJepheneT]

One of the best ways to demonstrate darkness is through contrast and consequences. It's like riding a train through a tunnel. People aren't gonna feel productive reading your edge if there's no promised light at the end of the tunnel or at least, some lamps on the side to illuminate your way.

This is why stories have a comic relief of that bottle episode where they fluff with the main/side characters. It is so that they show both sides of the world and tell the audience the dark shit happens in tandem with the good shit, bringing believability to the plot.

This isn't to say PURE edge isn't wrong. It's the antithesis to fluff story. Some people just enjoy reading that very edgy rape and murderhobos - I myself included. It's comical, appeals to my tastes, and gives a good evening's read. It may be cringey to some, yes, but for me, that's what I'm here for.

You should also give reason for dark shit to happen. Subjects like rape/death are VERY volatile. It could become darkly comical if you didn't set it up well. Take the example of Berserk. Rape horse is the product of over 100+ chapters of set-up. There's established elements since before, so it didn't seem far-fetched for it to show up. Still, many people treat it as one of the inside jokes in the series.

And if you DO kill a character/puncture their asshole, make sure there's consequences, or at least the allusion to it. Dark shit turns cringey if it isn't given the proper weight. Take the usual raped slave troupe in isekai. She isn't gonna simply trust the main character and want to sleep with him from show of simple kindness by chapter 4. She's gonna be VERY reserved, avoiding men a fuck ton, and would probably take 60 chapters and 3 important plot points before she can even open the chance to be physically romantic to the MC.

 

[SakeVision]

Re:zero and Darker Than Black did a good job with that. you should try reading and watching those for inspiration. Eminence in Shadow also did a great job but they used it for comedic purposes so I don't think that's what you're looking for.

You're really recommending darker than black to me?

 

[Representing_Tromba]

You're really recommending darker than black to me?

of course! I know that your profile pic includes Yin (also known as best girl). It's just a great show to rewatch. I've been a fan since it first aired and I've gotten all of my friends into it.

 

[SakeVision]

Don't kill people for the sakes of killing people

Don't worry, I won't kill them.
*creepy smile, edgy music*

of course! I know that your profile pic includes Yin (also known as best girl). It's just a great show to rewatch. I've been a fan since it first aired and I've gotten all of my friends into it.

Tbh, I need to rewatch it, since it's been many years...but I never saw it as particularly dark or edgy, other than literal edges in the first opening.

 

[DutyInternal]

Write about people licking public toilet seats for clout. I’d personally want to die and not be the same species if I read that.

Seats go unlicked all around the world, donate 5 cents today to support your local seat lickers

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Tbh, I need to rewatch it, since it's been many years...but I never saw it as particularly dark or edgy, other than literal edges in the first opening.

The show is just edge. You have the cold silent protagonist with PTSD, an emotionless heroine, various dark and mysterious antagonists, a secret organization, and an ex-cop-turned mafia worker who looks like Danny Devito. On top of that, you have an episodic plot that always makes you feel sad. Though the edge dies down once he becomes an alcoholic abusive dad to two kids which he definitely kidnapped to get his girlfriend (and probably his only friend who isn't dead) back.

 

[SakeVision]

The show is just edge. You have the cold silent protagonist with PTSD, an emotionless heroine, various dark and mysterious antagonists, a secret organization, and an ex-cop-turned mafia worker who looks like Danny Devito. On top of that, you have an episodic plot that always makes you feel sad. Though the edge dies down once he becomes an alcoholic abusive dad to two kids which he definitely kidnapped to get his girlfriend (and probably his only friend who isn't dead) back.

That's one way to put it, but I liked it for cool fights, interesting plot, and electric batman.

Never felt it particularly shocking, saddening, gory, or depressing.

 

[BenJepheneT]

Seats go unlicked all around the world, donate 5 cents today to support your local seat lickers

"5 cents a day may seem small, but overtime, it is enough to pay bail and send them out to lick yet another toilet bowl in the taco bell restroom"

 

[Agentt]

Take relatable things, and bring them up the notch.
Getting anxiety during exams, getting imposter syndrome during job~
Getting depressed that all your friends are now better than you.
Getting depressed that you have wasted all your life studying, gave up on your hobbies and love life, and still have a job which barely pays your rent.


And then add a bit of the spice called insanity~~
Insanity is my favourite actually.

Insanity makes them roam at night, insanity makes them buy kid's toys when they pass the toy store, insanity makes them lick a lolipop furiously and suck it as if their life depends on it.

Insanity makes them chop the vegetables hard enough to create scratches on board, insanity makes them hoard knives, insanity makes them buy a telescope and peep, insanity makes them cut off their finger print because they are too ugly, insanity makes them not care anymore, insanity makes them not iron tjeir shirt, insanity mzkes them not cook food, insanity mzkes then say insanity many times, insanity makes them talk fast, insanity makes them not correct speliing mistaes, insanity makes them happy, insanity makes tjem laugh, insanity makes thema remaimenber the childhoon days, insanity makes them belueve ther have wings.

 

[Motsu]

Embrace monke.

 

[greyblob]

tragedy is subjective but it'd fall under anything excessively negative happening to your main cast. for shock value you need build up. have the character slightly off and slowly hint at their problem. maybe they're completely bald. or maybe they suddenly lash out at someone without proper cause from the readers' prespective.

orher than that it's all in the narration. comedic undertones would most likely be cringe. being overly dramatic or blowing something out of proportion would also be cringe. however, being completely dry would lose the oomf. it'd be best to just experiment and ask for feedback

 

[Representing_Tromba]

That's one way to put it, but I liked it for cool fights, interesting plot, and electric batman.

Never felt it particularly shocking, saddening, gory, or depressing.

The fights were definitely one of the best parts of the show. I really enjoyed the plot as well but I think the show had some fairly sad parts that made the show even more enjoyable.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Carefully