In a post on DIY MFA, Ellen Barker says literary fiction is the perfect vehicle for writing about troubled times, when purely escapist fiction feels too slight. “Literary novels give us a great platform to enlighten readers without straying from the genre we love,” Barker says. “Not only do we get to share our thoughts or experiences about a societal issue not directly related to our storylines, we can actually enhance and humanize our lead characters and write a better novel.”
She suggests five ways to go about it:
- Reveal it in the secondary characters. Use supporting or subplot characters to carry what you want to say. A friend or family member may be struggling with a problem, even if it isn’t your main topic.
- Use flashbacks or a subplot. Use your societal issue as leverage for your character’s backstory or with a subplot.
- Write a surprise ending. Use your topic to develop your main character, but don’t reveal their struggle until the end of the novel. You should leave clues along the way so that your reveal isn’t abrupt, but you can create a powerful impression by giving readers a new angle on a character they’ve come to love over the course of a novel.
- Hit it full on. If you’re feeling bold, tackle your topic head on. Do your research and remember that you’re writing a novel, not giving a lecture.
- Look for a different point of view. Alternate POV between characters on opposing sides of an issue. Can both be right? Can you understand the motivation of someone who isn’t in the right, but feels justified doing wrong?
