A beautifully put sentiment throughout, one that has, sadly, not garnered the volume it should have. The attitude of "You and/or your work MUST represent persons of Group X, Y and Z in %A of principle cast, and MUST present issue Q from a PROGRESSIVE LENS view, or we won't support/promote/produce/advertise it, now fall in line and support The Current Thing or be forever labelled a bigot and cast out", is one that has become almost the norm, even here on Substack. It's peculiar and disheartening.
I often turn to fiction as a form of sweet escape, as well, so why in the world would I enjoy diving into narrative as either an author OR a reader that shoves me back into the whinging and resentment of the "modern audience"? I'm trying to get away from those cringe-inducing cretins, not bathe in their ideals!
It is very disheartening, but I think it's also important to remember that most people read for the same reasons you mentioned. The sad part is that most publishers and algorithms don't care, and still want to cater only to the modern audience.
Chekov's Gun is a good thing to think about for this. Additionally, as a fantasy writer where the world is only mostly similar to reality, I perhaps have to think about this a little more. Example:
"This is in the southern US; what demographics will show up?" Well, you would expect a good mix of European and African descent, normally, but in this world, magic took the place of importing foreigners. So if the "progressive" reader looks at this and says, "Where are all the darker people?" the answer is, "Back where they would have come from."
A good fiction will have a consistent setting. Why bother with sailing across a treacherous ocean when you can just modify the local wildlife? And if the current trend is redirected, a good fiction will still be worth reading, and not just as a picture of the times.
I try to keep “Chekov’s Gun” in mind as well when writing. But I’ve noticed that axiom is being ignored not only in modern literature, which sometimes can be forgiven depending on the story, but also in modern movies and television shows.
There’s a certain appeal to outcast-ism, which is why Theater Kids tend to perpetuate their own class. So now the outcasts have created a new brand of outcasts who wish to remain outcast, because the previous outcasts have created the exact sort of system against which they thought they rebelled.
Good thoughts here. I’ve always liked this quote from C.S. Lewis’ book An Experiment in Criticism regarding readers who only want to see themselves in a book:
“Some people read simply for amusement, or only to support their own ideas. These readers do not immerse themselves in the literature, but rather use it to build their own sandcastles.”
Always glad to introduce new people to that book. It was hard for me to read at first (because it is old and I am dumb) but once you get used to the language it provides a great mental model for evaluating art.
So much modern fiction is just boring tropes. I see titles recommended, check them out of the library, try and fail to read more than a chapter or two - done.
This is why I use the library. At least I didn't help make Jeff Bezos richer.
That is also true. You can easily see which "trend" is in because everyone is writing the same tropes, usually knocking off something that did well using them when they were fresh.
Unpopular opinion: If we play the representation game, we need more stories from small towns. Not just the same big coastal cities. And not just as a token "heartland" thing like Hallmark. Dang, that's demeaning.
I grew up in a town with one stoplight. I find nothing about NYC or LA relatable. But perhaps only as fictional places like Middle Earth. Like, y'all got... traffic? Where are the cornfields?
Yes! Actually, talk about people being "under-represented" in literature is actually what made me think, "Huh. Where are working class people from rural Maine in literature? Am I represented?" (And yes. . .there are a few such books. But not a lot, relatively speaking.) My main literary goals aren't to see myself represented, but it did make it easier to value writing about people of my own background.
One of the biggest reasons I've given up on Big Publishing and am sticking with indie. Also why I no longer buy fiction, unless it's from an indie author I know I can trust not to punch me in the face repeatedly with their ham-fisted agenda and simply tell a good story.
On the flip side, as an indie author I agree that the shallow tropification of books is super frustrating. If you’re not rehashing certain tropes it’s hard to get traction and find readers. As a creative I find myself between a rock and a hard place. The cold stone of anxiety of picking a popular trope and writing in it crushes my creativity and motivation. The jagged floor of being invisible if I don’t is a continual source of despair. Lots of readers want those center of market books I guess. It’s why they sell. As both a reader and writer I’ve come to grudgingly accept that 99.9999% of both books I find and readers out there won’t be a good fit for me.
Oh girl, I feel this. None of my fiction fits neatly into the genre boxes and it makes it SO hard to know how to market it and connect with the right readers. The good news is that it’s slowly but surely finding its audience here on Substack.
That’s wonderful!!!! Mine, too is market adjacent. Not going overly well yet finding traction. I’ve only been posting here a month. I do best on Kickstarter tho! We’ll both get there!
I think the secret is to hint at tropes to draw readers in, then learn the skill of deviating from the expectations of said trope only gradually in ways that you properly foreshadow. Like a bait-and-switch except more of a bait-and-evolve.
Thank you for your point on the power of stories to promote empathy. Empathy doesn't come naturally to me -- I wish it did, but it doesn't. I think it might literally be true to say that, whatever level of empathy I have built over my lifetime is solely due to the power of stories. Fiction allows me to see what is human, when all else is stripped away. When I take away culture, language, appearance, sex, time period, vocation, religion, station in life, and all else, what is left between that character and me, and why should I care? The most powerful stories answer this question beautifully and stay with us forever.
This is great. Sums up the situation very nearly. It absolutely stymies writers to be more concerned with "representation" (and not being cancelled) than with story.
Yes, I think lots of us have been thinking about this for a while - you’ve articulated it brilliantly. The good thing about it, from my pov, is that it sorts the wheat from the chaff. If writers get caught up in trying to be ideologically pure, then I know it’s not worth bothering with their books. On the downside, there are many disappointing writers out there.
I have taken to reading known authors and literature from no earlier than the 19th century. Such quality is almost impossible to find in new works unless another serious reader recommends something. Compiling a list of humbly excellent novels and stories could ameliorate some of the nonsense of narcissism.
We read to escape, to get away from this crazy world. why would i want to read something that takes me back... thank the lord for second hand book shops and libraries. there is soo much to choose from.
I went to the mall the other day, and the store was stacked full of books. but by all the same authors, same stories etc.
I just started doing that a couple months ago. things is, now instead of only having one book to read for the month, i have about 4 waiting for me, waiting patiently for me to finish my latest so that i can decide who's next😂
You have put into words the thoughts that I've been trying to formulate over the past few years, but I've managed to get no further than "There's something wrong here" coupled with a feeling of unease.
.. didn’t deploy appropriate credit .. not even close..
could reread seven times & still get stoked by more of the ‘spirit in this most excellent takedown .. Not following ‘mainstream commercial fiction a’tall to the promised lands.. am a free rangerman & not enuff time n my hands to snorkel into Fiction Hedonism.. My ‘reading habits are Orca level currently.. so ain’t hard done by.. but the ‘writing time’ is equally consuming.. & besides - most of ‘my writing’ eating time - is breathing life into a few existing ‘well developed commercial properties’ (review revise - pimp) plus develop my spy ‘outpost here - The ‘hypermedia gallery is my table in the vast ‘substack flea market.. am ‘as fringe as fringe can be.. out here in the notorious flea market badlands
so really really ! dig your shot across the bows.. and the raking fire.. .!
.. go big or don’t go .. take no prisoners .. 🦎🏴☠️🎬
A beautifully put sentiment throughout, one that has, sadly, not garnered the volume it should have. The attitude of "You and/or your work MUST represent persons of Group X, Y and Z in %A of principle cast, and MUST present issue Q from a PROGRESSIVE LENS view, or we won't support/promote/produce/advertise it, now fall in line and support The Current Thing or be forever labelled a bigot and cast out", is one that has become almost the norm, even here on Substack. It's peculiar and disheartening.
I often turn to fiction as a form of sweet escape, as well, so why in the world would I enjoy diving into narrative as either an author OR a reader that shoves me back into the whinging and resentment of the "modern audience"? I'm trying to get away from those cringe-inducing cretins, not bathe in their ideals!
It is very disheartening, but I think it's also important to remember that most people read for the same reasons you mentioned. The sad part is that most publishers and algorithms don't care, and still want to cater only to the modern audience.
Chekov's Gun is a good thing to think about for this. Additionally, as a fantasy writer where the world is only mostly similar to reality, I perhaps have to think about this a little more. Example:
"This is in the southern US; what demographics will show up?" Well, you would expect a good mix of European and African descent, normally, but in this world, magic took the place of importing foreigners. So if the "progressive" reader looks at this and says, "Where are all the darker people?" the answer is, "Back where they would have come from."
A good fiction will have a consistent setting. Why bother with sailing across a treacherous ocean when you can just modify the local wildlife? And if the current trend is redirected, a good fiction will still be worth reading, and not just as a picture of the times.
I try to keep “Chekov’s Gun” in mind as well when writing. But I’ve noticed that axiom is being ignored not only in modern literature, which sometimes can be forgiven depending on the story, but also in modern movies and television shows.
There’s a certain appeal to outcast-ism, which is why Theater Kids tend to perpetuate their own class. So now the outcasts have created a new brand of outcasts who wish to remain outcast, because the previous outcasts have created the exact sort of system against which they thought they rebelled.
Good thoughts here. I’ve always liked this quote from C.S. Lewis’ book An Experiment in Criticism regarding readers who only want to see themselves in a book:
“Some people read simply for amusement, or only to support their own ideas. These readers do not immerse themselves in the literature, but rather use it to build their own sandcastles.”
That is an excellent quote, and I probably would have referenced it had I heard it before. Thanks for sharing!
Always glad to introduce new people to that book. It was hard for me to read at first (because it is old and I am dumb) but once you get used to the language it provides a great mental model for evaluating art.
Well said!
So much modern fiction is just boring tropes. I see titles recommended, check them out of the library, try and fail to read more than a chapter or two - done.
This is why I use the library. At least I didn't help make Jeff Bezos richer.
That is also true. You can easily see which "trend" is in because everyone is writing the same tropes, usually knocking off something that did well using them when they were fresh.
Unpopular opinion: If we play the representation game, we need more stories from small towns. Not just the same big coastal cities. And not just as a token "heartland" thing like Hallmark. Dang, that's demeaning.
I grew up in a town with one stoplight. I find nothing about NYC or LA relatable. But perhaps only as fictional places like Middle Earth. Like, y'all got... traffic? Where are the cornfields?
Yes! Actually, talk about people being "under-represented" in literature is actually what made me think, "Huh. Where are working class people from rural Maine in literature? Am I represented?" (And yes. . .there are a few such books. But not a lot, relatively speaking.) My main literary goals aren't to see myself represented, but it did make it easier to value writing about people of my own background.
Haha, yes! I am also from a small town, although I have spent time in a city as well. I love stories about small towns.
The town I grew up in *still* doesn't have a traffic light. And it's the county seat.
Why do you think this is an unpopular opinion?
One of the biggest reasons I've given up on Big Publishing and am sticking with indie. Also why I no longer buy fiction, unless it's from an indie author I know I can trust not to punch me in the face repeatedly with their ham-fisted agenda and simply tell a good story.
There are lots of small presses popping up that may fit your bill.
I know! I think that's great.
On the flip side, as an indie author I agree that the shallow tropification of books is super frustrating. If you’re not rehashing certain tropes it’s hard to get traction and find readers. As a creative I find myself between a rock and a hard place. The cold stone of anxiety of picking a popular trope and writing in it crushes my creativity and motivation. The jagged floor of being invisible if I don’t is a continual source of despair. Lots of readers want those center of market books I guess. It’s why they sell. As both a reader and writer I’ve come to grudgingly accept that 99.9999% of both books I find and readers out there won’t be a good fit for me.
Oh girl, I feel this. None of my fiction fits neatly into the genre boxes and it makes it SO hard to know how to market it and connect with the right readers. The good news is that it’s slowly but surely finding its audience here on Substack.
That’s wonderful!!!! Mine, too is market adjacent. Not going overly well yet finding traction. I’ve only been posting here a month. I do best on Kickstarter tho! We’ll both get there!
I think the secret is to hint at tropes to draw readers in, then learn the skill of deviating from the expectations of said trope only gradually in ways that you properly foreshadow. Like a bait-and-switch except more of a bait-and-evolve.
Writing that only reflects the viewer is a mirror that only sees self; writing that opens eyes to others is a window to worlds unknown .
Thank you for your point on the power of stories to promote empathy. Empathy doesn't come naturally to me -- I wish it did, but it doesn't. I think it might literally be true to say that, whatever level of empathy I have built over my lifetime is solely due to the power of stories. Fiction allows me to see what is human, when all else is stripped away. When I take away culture, language, appearance, sex, time period, vocation, religion, station in life, and all else, what is left between that character and me, and why should I care? The most powerful stories answer this question beautifully and stay with us forever.
This was excellent! The Critical Drinker (on YouTube) echoes these sentiments perfectly...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ngB-zjVmM&pp=ygUcY3JpdGljYWwgZHJpbmtlciB0aGUgbWVzc2FnZQ%3D%3D
I love The Critical Drinker. I'll have to give that a watch!
This is great. Sums up the situation very nearly. It absolutely stymies writers to be more concerned with "representation" (and not being cancelled) than with story.
Thank you! I've been thinking about this for quite some time. It's such a travesty.
Yes, I think lots of us have been thinking about this for a while - you’ve articulated it brilliantly. The good thing about it, from my pov, is that it sorts the wheat from the chaff. If writers get caught up in trying to be ideologically pure, then I know it’s not worth bothering with their books. On the downside, there are many disappointing writers out there.
Very true. I wish it weren't so difficult to find the gems, but that's by design. I think a lot of people are looking though.
I have taken to reading known authors and literature from no earlier than the 19th century. Such quality is almost impossible to find in new works unless another serious reader recommends something. Compiling a list of humbly excellent novels and stories could ameliorate some of the nonsense of narcissism.
I meant "neatly" rather than "nearly"!
I've seen this happen with all manner of things trumping story. Story comes first. BTW, who's gotten canceled for a lack of representation?
We read to escape, to get away from this crazy world. why would i want to read something that takes me back... thank the lord for second hand book shops and libraries. there is soo much to choose from.
I went to the mall the other day, and the store was stacked full of books. but by all the same authors, same stories etc.
Second hand bookstores are wonderful! I buy most of my books from there as well.
I just started doing that a couple months ago. things is, now instead of only having one book to read for the month, i have about 4 waiting for me, waiting patiently for me to finish my latest so that i can decide who's next😂
You have put into words the thoughts that I've been trying to formulate over the past few years, but I've managed to get no further than "There's something wrong here" coupled with a feeling of unease.
Straight fire, girl. Well said! 🙌🏼
Thanks! Also, great to hear from you again!
Modern everything has a narcissism problem…
Im reassuring myself that because it really is tiresome, it will stop selling and fiction can move on. Maybe.
We can certainly hope so.
.. didn’t deploy appropriate credit .. not even close..
could reread seven times & still get stoked by more of the ‘spirit in this most excellent takedown .. Not following ‘mainstream commercial fiction a’tall to the promised lands.. am a free rangerman & not enuff time n my hands to snorkel into Fiction Hedonism.. My ‘reading habits are Orca level currently.. so ain’t hard done by.. but the ‘writing time’ is equally consuming.. & besides - most of ‘my writing’ eating time - is breathing life into a few existing ‘well developed commercial properties’ (review revise - pimp) plus develop my spy ‘outpost here - The ‘hypermedia gallery is my table in the vast ‘substack flea market.. am ‘as fringe as fringe can be.. out here in the notorious flea market badlands
so really really ! dig your shot across the bows.. and the raking fire.. .!
.. go big or don’t go .. take no prisoners .. 🦎🏴☠️🎬