Writing in Troubled Times

I feel distraught for all of us, but I am especially saddened for young people coming of age in the past five years. As a nation, it feels as if we are caught in a maelstrom of vitriol, division, and uncertainty. We are witnessing the rise of authoritarian challenges to our long-established democracy, as well as an all-out assault on shared truths that used to be commonly held by the vast majority.

 Since 2017, our news feed has been consumed by disheartening events: raging forest fires, devastating storms, racial unrest, dysfunctional government, a deadly pandemic, and a violent coup attempt designed to overturn a fair and free election. We live in an era where social media promotes a proliferation of disinformation, leading millions to accept lies about election results and common sense health measures that could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. The acceptance of these lies has had a devastating impact on our national dialogue.

As a writer, I feel challenged by our recent history. Do I lean into our dystopian present and create stories that reflect the times? Or do I provide an outlet for the reader to escape the grim reality that surrounds us? In my daily routine, I pay close attention to local, national, and world events, and none of them brings me particular comfort. When writing stories, however, escapism is winning the day. I know that I need balance between acceptance of reality and the need to dream of a more magical world. For me, diving under the covers into a fantasy gives me the strength to confront the difficult challenges before us.

  For now, I will remain engaged in fighting for causes that I care about and can impact. But at the same time, I also plan to divert a portion of each day hiding in worlds of my own making, hoping that by doing so, I will eventually provide readers with relief from the stresses the real world imposes upon us.