Thanks to a friend from a dearly departed writing site for bringing this to the fore.

Balance is not just side-to-side. It is also forward and back. In this metaphor, sides are character interactions and relative positioning. Power, prestige, knowledge, etc. Forward and back are the risks, rewards and what the character are willing to do to attain (or avoid) them.

The story in question was published and is quite good. The author asked me to read it and for my impressions. My impression is that it was very raunchy, and the justification at the end was not enough to balance the earthy presentation.

We can look at the story as simple erotica for erotica's sake. It could simply be a story to titillate, to arouse. The punchline could simply be an added bonus.

in this case, it was meant to justify the whole explicit narrative, and in that it didn't have the sufficient weight, in my mind. Remember, it was published, so what do I know? This is not an absolute decree, but an insight into a writerly kitty's thoughts. Nothing more.

Balance is a consideration in other extreme depictions, too. A gory combat cannot be simply for a petty prize. A campaign of skulduggery that results in a man's ruin cannot simply be for small gain. It is inherently unfair for a tagonist (pro- or an-) to risk or suffer so much and have the result revealed to be so inconsequential in comparison.

If there is insufficient rationale, then the story feels like it is firstly an attempt to revel in the glory of the excess, and secondly a lame attempt to claim some literary worth. In my eyes, far better for the story to simply be what it is, to revel in said same excess and dare the reader to disapprove.

If the reason behind the conflict is too weighty, then the story feels unbalanced, incomplete. To fight for the future of humanity, but over a game of checkers. There is mockery in the seriousness and limited scope of the conflict. Yes, I do mean playing chess for one's soul, as well.

Balance. I feel it is a subtle requirement in writing any conflict. It may be ignored or neglected and still the story receives accolades. However, I still would rather see that published piece have some sent of cost-to-worth.