Conveying a Message

[Superpride]

Hello, fellow writers!  Something that I always want to express or convey in my writing is a message.  In my stories that I have posted on this site there is a definite romance and supernatural elements like superpowers or magic; however, below the surface of my writing there is also a message that I want to convey as well.  The messages, for my stories, are usually a response to real-world events or issues that are happening within today's discourse, and I want that message to be discovered through the events in my stories that can be related back to the world we are living in right now.  I also do not want the messages to be too heavy-handed or so obvious that it can possibly turn readers away from my work.  For my story Charming, I want to convey the necessity for people to come and work together regardless of affiliation or identity, which is shown by the need for magic and technology to coexist rather than be split apart.  I think stories that convey their messages the best are ones that are delivered so artistically that I can still appreciate it even though I might not agree or connect with the message being conveyed.  So, to you writers, do you have messages deep within your stories, and if so, how do you convey them?

[Brayon]

I normally don't intentionally put messages into my stories. Having said that I've done it in three, and it was pretty in your face. In two the MCs were disowned for being gay, and in one they were killed for being gay. I fully admit that is was a political commentary and one that is very relevant, if people would take their Ideology blinders off and see.

[Valkyrie]

Sometimes.  I tend to ask questions and explore ideas, especially in my anthology stories.  For example, is it possible for a former abuser to truly reform and change his ways? (Maelstrom) or what would it be like to write from the POV of a stalker?  (Obsession)  

 

I'm not sure I can concisely state how I convey messages in my stories.  It depends on the idea, the characters, and how subtly I want to convey my idea.  Sometimes I'll smack readers over the head with it, while other times the message is more inferred and open to interpretation and discussion.  

[Superpride]

1 hour ago, BHopper2 said:

I normally don't intentionally put messages into my stories. Having said that I've done it in three, and it was pretty in your face. In two the MCs were disowned for being gay, and in one they were killed for being gay. I fully admit that is was a political commentary and one that is very relevant, if people would take their Ideology blinders off and see.

 

For me personally, I create the messages for my stories after I begin writing them.  By doing that, I get a sense of how the message I want to convey will fit into the story if that makes sense.  As for subtlety, I want my messages to be connected to not only today's issues, but will hopefully persevere time and be used to connect events in the future, not just a particular event in the present that could lose significance or relevancy over time.  

Edited July 10, 2018 by Superpride

[Superpride]

1 hour ago, Valkyrie said:

Sometimes.  I tend to ask questions and explore ideas, especially in my anthology stories.  For example, is it possible for a former abuser to truly reform and change his ways? (Maelstrom) or what would it be like to write from the POV of a stalker?  (Obsession)  

 

I'm not sure I can concisely state how I convey messages in my stories.  It depends on the idea, the characters, and how subtly I want to convey my idea.  Sometimes I'll smack readers over the head with it, while other times the message is more inferred and open to interpretation and discussion.  

 

That's really cool that you are exploring ideas that may be taboo to certain people like former abusers and stalkers since they should be talked about if any progress and knowledge should happen.  I also believe that messages that are very interpretable are good messages as well since different readers can relate and connect with them more than a message that is very straightforward and are only geared towards a certain group of people.

Edited July 10, 2018 by Superpride

[Carlos Hazday]

LMAO

 

I may do a bit of soapboxing now and then.

Bullying has been a recurring theme in a series which has also explored homophobia, religion, politics, veterans affairs, substance use and abuse, the environment, gun control, and a few other issues. I've also used my stories to promote support for certain charities and highlighted the work of a handful of favorite GA authors.

It's dangerous. I've been hammered a few times in the comments, I think mostly by readers who took the events/dialogue at face value. On the positive side, some of my favorite comments and reviews have come on the same chapters from readers who understood what I was trying to accomplish even if they did not agree with the position taken by the characters involved.

If the theme of mutant acceptance/rejection in the X-Men movies was an allegory for the GLBT community's struggle, I can do the same.

[Superpride]

32 minutes ago, Carlos Hazday said:

LMAO

 

I may do a bit of soapboxing now and then.

Bullying has been a recurring theme in a series which has also explored homophobia, religion, politics, veterans affairs, substance use and abuse, the environment, gun control, and a few other issues. I've also used my stories to promote support for certain charities and highlighted the work of a handful of favorite GA authors.

It's dangerous. I've been hammered a few times in the comments, I think mostly by readers who took the events/dialogue at face value. On the positive side, some of my favorite comments and reviews have come on the same chapters from readers who understood what I was trying to accomplish even if they did not agree with the position taken by the characters involved.

If the theme of mutant acceptance/rejection in the X-Men movies was an allegory for the GLBT community's struggle, I can do the same.

 

I really like that you brought up the X-Men since the message of their struggle as mutants can be connected to the struggle of any marginalized group, and how that connection can resonate with people from those groups, providing a way to spread positivity and enlightenment.  I'm sorry that you had readers who did not understand the message you were trying to convey since they only look at the surface, but I'm also happy that you also received positive reactions of your work.  I guess the message of a story can sometimes make or break a story like the ending, depending on who the message is directed at for example.

[Carlos Hazday]

Although my series is fiction, it's grounded in the real world.

 

One of the books revolved around the main character's involvement in the 2016 presidential campaign. As a surrogate for Clinton, the MC spoke about a variety of issues but the focus of the story was on him and his growth. It was satisfying to hear from readers who were Trump supporters, disagreed with my guy's views, but still enjoyed reading about how he handled himself. That was a highlight of my short career as a writer. Everyone knew how the story ended and what transpired during the campaign; my challenge was to keep the focus on CJ, his actions, reactions, and emotions.

 

And yes, the book ended on election night with whatshisname winning.

 

[Superpride]

17 minutes ago, Carlos Hazday said:

Although my series is fiction, it's grounded in the real world.

 

One of the books revolved around the main character's involvement in the 2016 presidential campaign. As a surrogate for Clinton, the MC spoke about a variety of issues but the focus of the story was on him and his growth. It was satisfying to hear from readers who were Trump supporters, disagreed with my guy's views, but still enjoyed reading about how he handled himself. That was a highlight of my short career as a writer. Everyone knew how the story ended and what transpired during the campaign; my challenge was to keep the focus on CJ, his actions, reactions, and emotions.

 

And yes, the book ended on election night with whatshisname winning.

 

 

That's a great message by itself, that people of an opposing view can still read the art you have created and appreciate it at different level.  That's exactly what we need more of in this world 😊

[Headstall]

4 hours ago, Superpride said:

Hello, fellow writers!  Something that I always want to express or convey in my writing is a message.  In my stories that I have posted on this site there is a definite romance and supernatural elements like superpowers or magic; however, below the surface of my writing there is also a message that I want to convey as well.  The messages, for my stories, are usually a response to real-world events or issues that are happening within today's discourse, and I want that message to be discovered through the events in my stories that can be related back to the world we are living in right now.  I also do not want the messages to be too heavy-handed or so obvious that it can possibly turn readers away from my work.  For my story Charming, I want to convey the necessity for people to come and work together regardless of affiliation or identity, which is shown by the need for magic and technology to coexist rather than be split apart.  I think stories that convey their messages the best are ones that are delivered so artistically that I can still appreciate it even though I might not agree or connect with the message being conveyed.  So, to you writers, do you have messages deep within your stories, and if so, how do you convey them?

I relate with your post, Superpride... I'm much the same in what I attempt to do. While mostly subtle, there are messages in most of my writings. My poetry, though, is seldom subtle.   As far as stories, I will use the right moments to make comments on the world around us, particularly as it pertains to gay people. For example, I've used a conversation to examine why marriage is important to some gays at a time when it is less important to the general population.

 

Also, bullying is a favorite target of mine, and I like to showcase the absolute ugliness of it. Religion too, takes hits when it's appropriate. But, as I said, the messages are usually subtle... readers can let them sail over their head, or take some interest in what's beneath the surface, and let themselves be riled. It is all about the story, first and foremost. One message I did enjoy exploring, in my latest story, was the judgement and discrimination I've experienced in the gay community as a whole. It wasn't preachy, but I got satisfaction in illustrating that very real predjudice, and the unfairness of it, in a main character. I did my best to show both sides of the coin. 

 

But, best of all, for me as a writer, was being able to comment on humanity in general, as seen by a race of wolf shifters. Fantasy gave me a new perspective to work from, and that was very satisfying. We humans still have much to learn... and relearn. Intolerance seems to be our recurring frailty, and apparently impossible to escape. Great topic, bud. Thank you. 

[Comicality]

Hehehe, dangit! I just recently finished editing an article on this very subject! Slightly different, but I think it's an excellent question to ask. So kudos!  

 

Honestly, the message that I want to convey is usually where the idea for a new story begins. I know that I write a lot of different stories at once, but they have different messages. The idea of, "How can I speak up about this issue?", is usually the inspiration for a new story. How can I tackle coming out of the closet? How can I talk about someone starting again after a massive heartbreak? How can I write about childhood abuse? The theme often fleshes itself out before the story even finds its footing.  But even if the whole story isn't based on a certain message, certain scenes may put my need to 'vent' on display every now and then. Hehehe!

 

I think that stories can be used as the sugar that helps the medicine go down. If you've got a voice, and feel the need to make a difference...go for it. Why not? You know?

[northie]

None of my stories convey messages as such, but some of them are set very much in real life. The questions that arise from those stories may make people think, reflect on their own lives, and those of others, and perhaps question some things. Never too late looks at loneliness, coming out late in life, and other social issues. Willpower is centred on dementia and its effects, and both that, and Life's Decisions , look at the consequences of not being true to yourself. Some of these topics are close to my heart, so it's not that surprising they make their way into my writing. 

 

Find a way that suits you and your writing, and pursue those things that interest you. But to my mind, the message mustn't subsume the story.