User blog comment:ShawnCognitionCP/Pushing the Limits? (Mini open collaboration, in a sense part 2)/@comment-9584883-20150128135910

Although I do believe as Banning in freedom of expression, the torture and rape of children are subjects one should not be going into detail about. If in the story, a character had an incident in their past which has shaped them into the person they are now, or if they are getting revenge, I'd say keep it brief. If one is going to write about it (in graphic detali) for the sake of shock value, then that person shouldn't be on here. Some lines shouldn't be crossed. In my story http://creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/Chago  (true story btw)  I recounted a particular summer when I was around 12 or 13 in which my best friends neighbor ended up molesting him, then the sicko was murdered shortly afterward. I didn't get into detail at all. I almost danced around it actually but you know what happened, even without me saying it or going into any detail whatsoever.

As far as extreme gore, I think many people have a slight curiosity about it until you see it in person. Once you do, you don't want to see it again! It changes you. I think if written in the right way, it can send chills up your spine. Especially using your imagination in picturing it. The things that scare us individually are not going to be the same for everybody. Extreme gore might scare the hell out of somebody while it doesn't scare me. Where as Once a year, my Wife's best friend who is a Curandera (Mexican Witch/Folk healer that deals with the Supernatural world on a regular basis) will tell a large group at my house stories and experiences she has had first hand with the supernatural that year, can scare the crap out of me. If you ever meet one, ask for a story. Absolutely bone chilling!!! She even taught me the Curandera method of Tarot Card reading and have witnessed some crazy events in that sense. Anyway, I'm getting off course.

Any extreme subject can be touched upon if done in the right way. Again in agreeing with Banning, Less is more. You can traumatize the reader just as well with that. I guess it all depends on ones morals. Older guys like Banning and I come from a generation (born in the 70's) where you showed respect toward your elders and some things you just didn't talk about and if you did, you went about it in a sensitive way. Today, people are so de-sensitized. There isn't much left that will shock you. I say good ole' suspense is always effective in tugging at the reader. Good luck on this guys/gals. Looking foreward to seeing what you come up with!