The right balance for violence or the threat of violence

Alexa is now on the space station, having spurned Pearson.

The first scene is in an initial draft. This is a first effort in threatened intentional violence; difficult for me since I am essentially a wimp when it comes to tension and violence in television or the movies. As a kid, I would inevitably run out of the theater whenever Godzilla began wreaking havoc (my, how this dates me) and that tendency continues today. In fact, I put off trying my hand at fiction because of a desire to avoid adding the influence of drama or scary things like violence into my life. I am, truly, a wimp.

There is a fine balance to threats and violence: too little, and the scene is a dud; too much or too graphic for the context, and you lose your reader. I'm hopeful I found a good balance.

A personal note: My half sister, Soraya Edwards, unexpectedly passed away yesterday, at age 19. A strong, diligent, happy young woman -- she would fit the mold of a truly enjoyable heroine in any story. She is deeply mourned.