Okay so I just need to go off for a minute. On someone's page, not naming names or anything, I saw that they thought all of the authors who included self harm in their stories should basically be ashamed of themselves for portraying it as "tragically romantic". I for one am NOT one of those people. I don't view it as that and will NEVER portray it as that in my stories.
I just want all of you to know that I don't use it for attention but to add reality to it. I have a past with self harm myself and I'm only a few days clean right now. I want to use it to add to the story and show people, that do self harm and don't, can go to others for help if they feel down. Going through that makes a person stronger. I know for a fact because there have been times that I would have overdosed or died if it weren't for my friends or self harm. I view my scars as something positive and something that shows what I've gone through.
The character Clarissa in "Angel on Our Shoulders" is based off me. The chapter where she talks about how she views her scars is exactly how I view mine. Please don't group all of the authors that have self harm in their stories into the same group as it's "tragically romantic".
So to you who's page I saw that little bit on, you should know who are by now, I respect your opinion but you need to think before you say that we should be ashamed because of the influence we set on younger minds. My stories are not finished yet and no where near being done. It's stupid of you to think that and I'm sorry if I sound like a bitch. It honestly pissed me off that you think all authors are the same when it comes to self harm in their stories. People will use self harm to add depth. It is about being a writer, planning ahead, creating more of a plot, developing a character, etc. I hope you change your opinion and realize not everyone is the same.