How and Why to Break the Ten Commandants When Writing Fiction

In a writer’s workshop I gave a roundtable workshop on Breaking the Ten Commandments in writing. The writers who attended had never thought of the concept of Breaking the Ten Commandments.

I shared my experience with the daily news. Think about it when you read a newspaper or headlines in a the news one or more of the Ten Commandments has been broken. Stories that pique most people’s interest has to be one of shock and awe. What goes against the moral code of our culture? Breaking the Ten Commandments because doing so brings danger, fear, shame, and guilt into whomever has walked on the dark side.

When the writer’s group dug deeper into their stories each of them could see how breaking one or more of the rules could make the motivation of the characters more engaging.

Breaking the Ten Commandments when writing fiction can be a powerful tool for creating compelling narratives, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. Here's why and how you might choose to break each one in your storytelling:

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Why: Exploring different belief systems and questioning established religions can add depth to your world-building and character development.

How: Create societies with varied religious practices or characters who struggle with faith, worship false gods, or question the existence of deities. This can lead to rich, nuanced conflicts and growth.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

Why: Idolatry can serve as a metaphor for obsession or misplaced priorities.

How: Develop characters or societies that create and worship idols, whether literal statues or abstract ideals like power, beauty, or technology. This can highlight human flaws and the consequences of misplaced reverence.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Why: Using sacred names irreverently can reveal a character's attitude towards religion or authority.

How: Show characters using religious language in profane ways to indicate their rebellion, disrespect, or struggle with faith. This can add realism and complexity to dialogue and internal monologues.

4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Why: Ignoring or challenging sacred traditions can underscore themes of rebellion or cultural change.

How: Portray societies or characters that neglect traditional observances for various reasons, such as personal ambition, societal pressure, or apathy. This can illustrate conflicts between tradition and modernity or personal beliefs and societal expectations.

5. Honor thy father and thy mother.

Why: Familial conflict is a rich source of drama and character development.

How: Create characters who defy their parents, question their upbringing, or break away from family expectations. This can drive plotlines about independence, generational conflict, and the quest for personal identity.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

Why: Killing raises profound moral questions and drives intense narrative stakes.

How: Characters who commit or contemplate murder can explore themes of justice, revenge, guilt, and redemption. This can add psychological depth and propel plots through high-stakes conflict and suspense.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Why: Infidelity can reveal deep emotional and relational complexities.

How: Introduce characters involved in adulterous relationships to explore themes of betrayal, desire, and the complexities of love and loyalty. This can create intense interpersonal drama and character arcs centered around forgiveness and consequence.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

Why: Theft can be a symbol of desperation, rebellion, or moral ambiguity.

How: Feature characters who steal for various reasons, from survival to greed. This can highlight socioeconomic issues, personal ethics, and the lengths people go to achieve their goals, revealing character motivations and moral dilemmas.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.

Why: Lies and deceit are foundational elements of conflict and tension.

How: Develop plots where characters lie or spread falsehoods, leading to misunderstandings, betrayals, and dramatic revelations. This can explore the nature of truth, trust, and the consequences of deceit.

10. Thou shalt not covet.

Why: Envy can drive characters to action and uncover deep-seated desires.

How: Show characters coveting what others have, whether it's wealth, power, or relationships. This can drive plotlines about ambition, jealousy, and the destructive nature of envy, providing rich material for character development and moral exploration.

By breaking these commandments in fiction, writers can delve into the darker aspects of human nature and societal norms, creating stories that are not only engaging but also deeply reflective of the complexities of the human experience.

Check out my fiction and non-fiction books. Modern Mystic Media.