That said, I think you have to be careful here and employ a good bit of subtly. As a reader, i don’t want to “know” I’m being taught/preached to even if I am. I want an escape first and foremost.

It’s a fine line. For example, and this certainly isn’t as serious as child abuse, but I’ve read those pages and pages where the noble heroine flies in the face of convention and, heaven forfend!, breast feeds her own baby. I know it wasn’t done, but because the author made such a HUGE HUGE deal about it in order to be historically accurate, it pulled me out of the story. And I’m all for breast-feeding, if you can. Fine line. Write for your modern audience but be careful that tuck all that soapboxing so neatly into the story-line, I’m not going to pause and yell out, “AMEN.”

J

Hi Annie! Thank you for your thoughts. Bedlam, that’s another asylum and set of stories that frustrate me to no end. Getting caught up in the issue and not pushing the story forward seem to be the problems of this.

I was just thinking about my motives and goals in my writing last night. I think it’s good to question ourselves sometimes. Keeps us humble, etc….

What an interesting topic. I’m a history buff from way back and reading about past attitudes and behaviours can be so trying (I specialised in ancient history - you should try reading early Greek authors on the subject of women! Bound to make your blood boil). I don’t write historicals though I love them. I think my problem would be that I’d be tempted to write a story set in the past but give the characters a 21st century perspective, which just wouldn’t work. Having said that though, I think it’s natural to draw attention to inequities and awful situations when you find them. A friend of mine (historical author) was telling me about women being locked up in Bedlam and similar places because their families didn’t want them. Grr!

In my own writing I’ve only touched on ‘conscience’ issues once or twice. I’m always afraid I’ll get on my soapbox and forget to carry the story forward. I’ve read some wonderful books though, where that’s the central theme and it’s so strong.

Thanks for raising this. It’s a good topic to mull over.

Annie

I don’t think you can escape letting your feelings/views seep into your writing. Isn’t that what it’s all about - kinda digging deep and finding the emotion and the drive to write that awesome scene. But I do agree that you have to be careful not to be preachy. I don’t think you’ll have a problem!

That’s what I think is so neat about romances… you can tell an awesome story and still stick a little message in there about whatever (child abuse, neglect, alcoholism, etc.) and kind of educate a little in the process. I’m thinking about Lisa Kleypas’ Blue-Eyed Devil now, but I believe that book contributed to kicking up the awareness of the nuts and bolts and intricacies of spousal abuse. It also entertained. Not a bad bargain.

I don’t think it matters whether you are writing a contemporary or a historical. You can easily let your world view into the book, perhaps champion a cause but it has to make sense to the story. And, since we are talking about the romances we love to read and write, those issues need a resolution at the end or at least a sense that anyone can make a difference.

If written well it can provide food for thought or impetus for action. WOrks for me.

Ter - I am inclined to agree, that on some level our bias is probably apparent if we’re looking for it.

Kathy - letting our characters make choices? It’s sorta like sending our kids off into the world and watching them muddle through, huh? Scary and wondrous at once.

Julie - I think bringing truths, uncomfortable or otherwise, is relevant too. Persuasive and invasive, what a good word choice.

And Mshellion, Not only is “History is written by the winners”
In many cases it is Rewritten by the winners.

As a writer, I find that to be my greatest challenge, to research the era and let my characters make ‘their’ choices. Consequences follow, of course, and so does the plot. The Civil War is a wonderful example how this works. The same historical figures went to the same schools, lived in the same towns but chose different sides to fight for, turning their backs on neighbors, family. Why? What led them to make that choice?

Ah, herein lies the most significant question to ponder and produces the most gratifying triumph for a writer.

I write contemp and can’t think of anything right now that I’m working into the story. But as opinionated as I am, I’m sure something will show up along the way.