When you get your copy of Good Game, you may be surprised to find a content warning. Considering my debut novel, A Talent Within, had beheadings, lots of sword violence, and other assorted melee, but didn’t need any warnings, I was surprised to find out that I needed to add a warning to Good Game.
At first, I thought, there’s no violence in this book and surely it isn’t the sex. There’s a little bit of sexy stuff in the book, but it is an adult romance, and it’s more fade-to-black than descriptive sex. So what was up?
Turns out it was for several sentences of online trolling and messaging my main character receives after she begins winning tournaments. So let’s talk about why these sentences are important to the novel.
First, my author’s note reads as follows:
The racist, sexist, homophobic online trolling Sam O’Brian experiences from time to time is included as a small sample of the abuse online gamers endure.
Let’s ignore the fact that this is the reality for nearly every gamer, casual or professional, and talk about the narrative reasons for including the content. It adds internal struggle for the main character. Will she stay or will she quit? Also, it adds tension to the romantic relationship between the two main characters. If one is receiving this messaging, it will effect her moods and her choices. Lastly, the theme of the book is about trying to change a culture that doesn’t allow authenticity. Hard to change something if you don’t show why it needs to change.
I could have left out those sentences and just said, “she received more online insults,” or ignored the issue completely. But I want my characters to face reality and come out the other side somehow stronger.
You may be surprised to learn that the comments are quite tame compared to what I’ve personally received. You have to really love gaming to put up with it.
Good Game is a romance novel that ultimately has a hopeful tone. Give it a try and let me know your thoughts. Did I get the mix right?