In a post on Writer Unboxed, Randy Susan Meyer shares her rules for sharing politics in fiction. “There is no separating my belief systems from my storytelling,” she writes. “But what about when I step out from behind my characters? Should I reveal my politics, fears, and convictions?” Her personal guiding principles include:
- Spread awareness with ideas for action, not pure anxiety – I want to inform, not overwhelm.
- Freedom before popularity – I will work against diluting my convictions for the sake of broader appeal.
- Persuasion over pounding – Few can be bullied into changing their mind.
- Balance outrage with hope – Acknowledge injustices but also highlight progress and solutions.
- Engage beyond social media – Contact elected officials, read deeply, and participate in real-world activism.
- Invest in reliable journalism – Social media is an echo chamber; I must actively seek out (and pay for) trustworthy sources. And, even then, verify.
- Accept that I will sometimes fail – Some days, I won’t have the energy. That’s okay.
- Downtime is essential – For this, sitcoms rule.
