This isn't in any way a shade to anyone who prefers to write in a calm and peaceful settings. We have different moods for everything. In what we read, in what we play, and of course, what we write.

But I know sites focused on conflicts and grand concepts can get too "shounen-like", far from reality and stepping into the zone of fantasy beyond us ordinary people. Things like global politics, inter-dimensional combat, ideals and principles with karmic weight, and things like destiny. I can totally get why they seem over-the-top to step in. Like, why can't we have something simple and easy to comprehend? Why can't we focus on making giant pizzas before a nice autumn backdrop instead?

Because, to me, the value of making a giant pizza in a troubled, chaotic world far outweighs doing it in a safe and uncomplicated setting.

When I join sites with tension and clear conflict, I don't focus on tackling larger-to-life problems. What I love about conflict-focused settingss is that I can depict how ordinary life changes, and how it persists no matter the circumstances.

Growing up, I've always hated slice-of-life. I thought they were boring. I like action. I grew up watching space drama with Gundam and existential angst from Digimon. But older now, I realized the best part about them that I liked the most was when they acted like me. Like human beings. Despite these global crisis and these supernatural things beyond them, I can see how friendship persists. How family bonds continue to thrive. How people seek normalcy, and how people truly live with a little light in them amidst dark times. I love thes stories because they teach me - remind me - of values and moments I take granted of IRL.

To some, it's a mood whiplash. It seems silly, unrealiastic. But imo the truth is, edginess and silliness are two sides of the same coin. When I was saying goodbye to my dog, sobbing and crying my heart out, his last moments was to sneeze at me and chomp on reese chocolate relentlessly. As a writer, you might find that painful. You didn't get to make it a perfect scene to really make the audience cry. Or to make it the perfect flashback to drive the character further on the edge, bit by bit. But I think we shouldn't focus too much on the reader reaction. Just more humanity, not because it's realistic or relatable. But because humanity makes things more unexpectd.

I don't know how else to go on from this topic, but I just wanted to share my thoughts. Maybe reflecting a bit, as every writer does. Made me think about things I like to read/watch/consume, and why I write certain things. Feel free to hijack this thread with your own experience writing in "edgy" sites!