Writing As Preaching

I come today, my friends, to tell you how to live.  I want to impart a set of values I know you will fully embrace, mostly because you likely already agree with me.  There are new social values that are in breaking with the past, which are controversial(and scorned by many), that are divisive, but which I know my browbeating will convince you and the rest of the masses.  Can I get an amen!

Does the previous paragraph sound like lots of fun to plow through?  Does it draw you in to want to read hours upon end?  If not, join the rest of the audience.  Most of us, when we read for fun, like to…have fun.  We don’t care to be preached to, yet I’ve run across more and more writers trying to do just that.  And it’s very irritating.  Very.  Irritating.

Unfortunately, so many writers looking to make a mark don’t get this.  They want to preach at us in their stories, making the sermon more important than the story.  Look, I get that we all have strong feelings on lots of issues, but there are forums for that.  And if you want to write about social or economic justice, go right ahead.  Have fun.  There will be an audience for it.  However, that’s a separate genre from science fiction or fantasy or romance.  Sure, there are points one can make through writing, but a good writer knows how to do it subtly rather than beating everyone over the head with it.

If you want your character to be from some subgroup of society, or dealing with a grand societal issue, make it an organic part of the story.  Have that characteristic be part of character development, or have the issue be part of setting the scene, but don’t make it the focal point, no matter how good it may make you feel, because that’s the point readers will either a) focus more on your message rather than your story, or b) put your work down in disgust because being preached to wasn’t why they picked up your book.

Again, if you want to preach, fine, but understand how limiting you are being to your audience.  In our polarized world, most folks don’t care to be preached at, especially by those they disagree with on a political or religious level.  They get angry, and maybe you wanted that, but they not only won’t buy your next book, but they’ll likely start flame wars(if you’re lucky, just on Amazon reviews), which will further alienate potential readers.  Maybe that’s what you wanted, but I know that I prefer for lots of folks to want to read my work.  Along those lines, also understand that many of those who may share your views on whatever social issue you cling to will not be fans of the genre, so that readership potential will continue to narrow.  It may make you feel good, but you’ll be feeling it by yourself(or in a limited crowd).