Too much violence?

I've been really busy the first part of this year. Being a rugby coach and other commitments have meant I really have not written much at all in 2013. But if I'm honest with myself, and my readers, I'm just making excuses. I've had the time, but I really have not had the drive or desire to bring Scott Adler back to life. This time last year, it took me less than six months to crank out Imperial Blood, from conception to being available on Amazon.

With two Scott Adler books out there in the public domain, everyone is telling me too write a third. I have a story ready to go and I'm sure it wouldn't take me long but there is something else that is bothering me.

The whole gun debate issue since the terrible shootings in Newtown have left me wondering whether or not I want to keep writing novels that include any kind of violence. I'm in favor of tighter restrictions on sales of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines and tighter back ground checks. But I also think there is too much violence on film and television and on bookshelves that is being viewed and read by children who are far too young.

But isn't that the height of hypocrisy?  I hear you ask.

I've read and watched 007, Clancy and King books and violent films all my life. I'll be watching HBO's Game of Thrones later this month and the History Channel's new drama this Sunday called, Vikings. And both my novels contain portions which are very graphic and violent.  And I cannot help but feel like I am a part of the problem (all be it - microscopic), which has led to a massive de-sensitizing of society where violence is concerned.

Obviously its part of life, so it becomes part of our culture. But I think we all have to do a better job of not only making sure we are careful who gets their hands on guns but also who we allow to experience entertainment that is gratuitously violent.

Whether or not I bring Scott Adler back to life in a third novel is up in the air right now, but I am getting back to writing and that is a good feeling.