Let's talk honestly about a major fiction turnoff: using a story as an excuse to
preach, moralize or convince others of the author's opinion.
But we all have opinions, don't we? (You know what they say about opinions,
right? Something about we all have them just like that lower gastrointestinal
sphincter and well...I just won't go there). Our opinions are likely to ooze
through what we write whether we want them to or not. So how do authors avoid
being preachy?
1-Keep story as your first priority. Make the craft of telling a great story
come way ahead of any message.
2-As the author, stay off stage. Let your characters interact and if you find
yourself straying out of your point of view character's head, make sure the
opinion being expressed is your characters, not yours. If the author intrudes,
it takes the reader out of the story.
3-Watch dialogue for clues that you might be "speechifying." Any time a
character has more than three sentences in a row is a yellow flag that should
alert you during revisions to be sure the character isn't getting preachy.
4-Articulate good arguments for the position opposite the one you hold. If
you're pro-life, put a character in an impossible position, and argue strongly
for the pro-choice option. Better yet, the old adage "show, don't tell" is
applicable here: it is better to let the reader experience the emotions of both
sides of an argument through the lives of your characters and let them make up
their own mind.
My personal philosophy is to use my writing career not as a platform to proclaim
my version of truth, but to use it as a footstool to love my readers by giving
them what they want: a great story. (Think in Biblical terms about a footstool
being where someone sits to wash the feet of another).
My latest release, LIP
READING, carries my worldview, but the longer I've been in the business,
I've learned to stay off stage. My protagonist faces a tough choice:
pharmaceutical researcher Rebecca Jackson can save her own life, or...save the
lives of many others. There are a lot of factors, present and past, and many
emotions (love and guilt) that are brought to bear to help her make a nearly
impossible decision. My job, was to stay off stage and let the reader experience
the dilemma through my character.
What do you think about the writer's "platform?" One commenter will win a
tube of Revlon Red lipstick and a copy of LIP READING.
She Could Save Millions, or Save Herself
She just needs a little longer. She's really close. Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a
medical researcher, stands on the verge of a breakthrough that will transform
medicine. But she soon discovers the reason behind the miraculous progress in
her research, and it leaves her with a nearly impossible choice . . . and little
time to decide. More than her research is at stake. And more threatens it than
this latest revelation. Something she's tried hard to cover up. There is a high
cost to some things in medicine and it's not always the patient who pays. Can
Rebecca find the faith and wisdom she needs to make the right call? The clock is
ticking and the pressure is on.
About Harry
Harry is a board-certified surgeon and medical missionary to East Africa. His
novel, "Could I Have This Dance?" was the number one CBA bestseller in the
contemporary category. His novels are laced with his signature of medical
realism. He has been both an ACFW Book of the Year and Christie Award for
Inspirational Fiction finalist.
Harry loves miniature Schnauzers and motorcycles and is passionate about
spreading the good news of GRACE. In addition to his love of writing fiction, he
has written two non-fiction books: "Breathing Grace" and "The Cure."
9 comments posted.
Any books that are written as "preachy," are really written for what I consider to be the easily-swayed person, or someone who can't think for themselves!! I know many people like that. If you plant a seed in their head, they believe it to be the truth, and can't think for themselves. They believe everything they read, and don't bother to look for further information, or don't bother to know both sides. They already know everything!! These are the types of books I normally stay away from, unless the viewpoint is so spot-on to my way of thinking, that I know I'm going to thoroughly enjoy the story!! I have to commend you for your comments and opinions regarding writing your stories, and am looking forward to reading your book!!
(Peggy Roberson 8:23am March 7, 2014)
For some reason reading your post brought to mind a movie I just watched last night, "Dallas Buyers Club" which was quite good and based on true life events. For a guy that was supposed to live a mere 30 days, he found his own survival cure to live longer, and he lived another 7 years. He spent many hours helping others with his disease and going to lengths to obtain the products needed for himself and others. I'm sure your book has a lot to do with your background in the medical field. It must be a great outlet for you to write in what spare time you do have.
(Linda Luinstra 4:43pm March 8, 2014)