You address some interesting issues, Caroline. I think that although we may not set out to write 'a manifesto' as you ably put it, it's almost inevitable our writing will reflect our world view. In my first published novel, my main character, a police inspector, is held back by anti-Semitism and needs to overcome its barriers in order to move forward in his life. This issue grew from the times in which the novel was set, pre-WWII England.
Yes -- exactly this, Charlie! The issue we prioritize in our lives inevitably spill into our writing, and this is an excellent way to inspire curiosity about social issues. Your inspector needing to change his beliefs in order to move forward is a great example.
I find fiction is a profound way to introduce concepts in a relatable way. Seeing a character find more compassion for people and overcome anti-Semitism, even in a historical time when this prejudice was sadly common is a chance for us to ask ourselves, "What beliefs are holding me back now, and who am I prejudiced towards, even if many other people have this same lack of compassion in the time and place where I live?" Reading fiction helps us to ask how we can do and be better. It's one of the things I love most about writing.
Certain themes become more or less stigmatized over time and I think that when it comes to money in particular, there's less stigma to discussing money as the access to certain information becomes more available to people. I believe there's less stigma around that discussion because it's easier than ever to figure out how people use their money, the concept of monetary value is being challenged, and the answers to deeper questions than the dollar amount come up more often now than ever before.
The amount of money made, while still important, isn't actually what drives most of the ire, in my opinion; I think seeing which people make money, and how those people spend or invest it sheds light on other issues: societal norms, historical context, and personal biases are all made abundantly clear by what people do with their resources.
Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to read more! I'm a bit backlogged with reading at the moment so you may see comments on your past stuff as I catch up.
Great points- I think systemic differences in who has money and how they received it are definitely taboo topics in many places still. Same with how they save, spend, or invest, as you said. I am heartened to see more discussion, but there is still a long way to go.
Comments welcome any time. Thank you for being here!
Your post is really interesting as a new writer often dancing around some ‘itchy’ ideas and wondering if I should broach them. It certainly makes me recall some taboo subjects that have been openly raised or embedded in novels I’ve read over the past few years. I have often thought how much I’ve learned about writing such real world subjects or subjects I’ve had no prior knowledge of through reading novels. It’s somehow made me want to find out more when they’re part of a really good crime thriller or the like. Yet my husband reads only non fiction for the same learning and sometimes mocks my fiction reading saying I won’t learn such things from ‘made up’ stories. Little does he know 😉
Little does he know, indeed! I have learned just as much from reading fiction as I have from nonfiction — I enjoy both for different reasons, and I read three times as much fiction as nonfiction.
I love that there are different ways we can all engage with learning, but it is definitely frustrating when others don’t understand an approach that looks different than theirs.
You address some interesting issues, Caroline. I think that although we may not set out to write 'a manifesto' as you ably put it, it's almost inevitable our writing will reflect our world view. In my first published novel, my main character, a police inspector, is held back by anti-Semitism and needs to overcome its barriers in order to move forward in his life. This issue grew from the times in which the novel was set, pre-WWII England.
Yes -- exactly this, Charlie! The issue we prioritize in our lives inevitably spill into our writing, and this is an excellent way to inspire curiosity about social issues. Your inspector needing to change his beliefs in order to move forward is a great example.
I find fiction is a profound way to introduce concepts in a relatable way. Seeing a character find more compassion for people and overcome anti-Semitism, even in a historical time when this prejudice was sadly common is a chance for us to ask ourselves, "What beliefs are holding me back now, and who am I prejudiced towards, even if many other people have this same lack of compassion in the time and place where I live?" Reading fiction helps us to ask how we can do and be better. It's one of the things I love most about writing.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Certain themes become more or less stigmatized over time and I think that when it comes to money in particular, there's less stigma to discussing money as the access to certain information becomes more available to people. I believe there's less stigma around that discussion because it's easier than ever to figure out how people use their money, the concept of monetary value is being challenged, and the answers to deeper questions than the dollar amount come up more often now than ever before.
The amount of money made, while still important, isn't actually what drives most of the ire, in my opinion; I think seeing which people make money, and how those people spend or invest it sheds light on other issues: societal norms, historical context, and personal biases are all made abundantly clear by what people do with their resources.
Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to read more! I'm a bit backlogged with reading at the moment so you may see comments on your past stuff as I catch up.
Great points- I think systemic differences in who has money and how they received it are definitely taboo topics in many places still. Same with how they save, spend, or invest, as you said. I am heartened to see more discussion, but there is still a long way to go.
Comments welcome any time. Thank you for being here!
Your post is really interesting as a new writer often dancing around some ‘itchy’ ideas and wondering if I should broach them. It certainly makes me recall some taboo subjects that have been openly raised or embedded in novels I’ve read over the past few years. I have often thought how much I’ve learned about writing such real world subjects or subjects I’ve had no prior knowledge of through reading novels. It’s somehow made me want to find out more when they’re part of a really good crime thriller or the like. Yet my husband reads only non fiction for the same learning and sometimes mocks my fiction reading saying I won’t learn such things from ‘made up’ stories. Little does he know 😉
Little does he know, indeed! I have learned just as much from reading fiction as I have from nonfiction — I enjoy both for different reasons, and I read three times as much fiction as nonfiction.
I love that there are different ways we can all engage with learning, but it is definitely frustrating when others don’t understand an approach that looks different than theirs.
Great post. And I'm looking forward to your writers and money series, for obvious reasons!
Thank you so much. I am especially eager to hear your thoughts on these episodes, Keris!! 🩷