Social Conscious?

[JamesSavik]

Question to Authors:

 

Do you use your work to raise awareness or make people think about social issues?

[lurker]

Question to Authors:

 

Do you use your work to raise awareness or make people think about social issues?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think this is an excellent question, but I didn't have a chance to answer it when you first posted and forgot about it until now.

 

I think the best fiction writing appeals on both the emotional and intellectual level. So, I like making readers have to think. But the best stories allow the plot and characters to carry along the social issues lying underneath. Once characters start stepping on a soapbox, my interest can start to wane. I spend a lot more time reading non-fiction than fiction. There are a lot of excellent essays, articles, books, blogs and the like, all devoted to raising awareness and social issues. The beauty of fiction writing is to craft a compelling story that can address the same ideas in a more subtle - and often far more powerful - way.

[reapersharvest]

If your point is too obviously made, then the plot drowns in it. However, part of raising awareness means providing people with a new perspective. That, in my opinion, defines an original, engaging story.

 

Unfortunately, I do not think myself ready to start taking my work in that direction when I'm still getting comfortable with the basics.