Disclaimer: As expressed in my first post in this series (see here), I’m struggling with how to approach my own writing in this era of political instability. I don’t have an answer, so I’m writing this series to explore possible answers. The arguments expressed aren’t necessarily my opinion, but possible opinions on the issue. I’m hoping to spark dialogue to help me find my own answers. Please comment with your own reactions to these opinions. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Why? All polite replies are welcome.

I had a couple of interesting replies yesterday. My favorite included this quote: “The most radical thing we can do is not allow ourselves to be downtrodden. In the face of pain, we have spite and hope. If we have the ability and the will, I think we owe it to ourselves to be self indulgent.” (See responses to this post for the full comment). I like this sentiment. How often has a book taken us out of our own problems and allowed us to breathe free and happy if only for a few hours? How many of us have found joy not only in reading the stories of others, but in writing our own? Grabbing for and spreading joy in the face of negative events we can’t control can be a radical act.

Sometimes I think that continuing to write my fantasy stories in the face of this political instability is an irresponsible act. That I should be doing something, anything, to combat what is happening to my country. But am I thinking about this all wrong? Is there anything wrong with writing fiction that brings joy to myself and others, even in a time like this? Is laughing in the face of pain the radical act I should be engaging in? Does the writer who takes us out of this world and into other do us a favor or does it encourage escapism in a world falling apart?

Again, I’m not writing this series because I have the answer, but because I’m searching for it, or at least for an answer that works for me. I would love to hear the thoughts of other writers on what, if anything, is our responsibility of writers in this time? Have you found any answer to these questions that has worked for you? Or are you untroubled by them? Or as a reader, what do you want from writers at this time? I would love to spark a dialogue on the topic, as I search for an answer of my own.