Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/32859
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

It is not **your** problem. The one having the problem is your character. **Your** job is to figure out how he solves it and convey that to the reader.

As such while the other answers gave some good advice on how to deal with such issues, there cannot be a general answer that works for all characters. The solution necessarily depends on the values and personality of the character. Unless they see it coming and can prepare it will also depend on the situation and the circumstances.

I think the correct mindset would be too see this as an opportunity to add some depth to your characters by letting us see them struggle with an issue that doesn't have an obvious correct solution. And it does not end with the action either. Problems without clear correct solution usually result in regret and rethinking of your choices based on your experiences. In short, character growth.

Also the problematic nature of solving problems with violence does not actually depend on gender of the target of the violence. The distortion really is not that violence towards women feels wrong, it is that we unthinkingly accept violence with certain pre-conditions. I am mentioning this here (with an edit) because if using violence towards the villain causes the hero to question his choices that can extend to him questioning his right to use violence as a solution in general.

Original score: 4