How do our economic and societal changes affect your writing?

MsK · Sep 16, 2008

For example, my two most complete WIP's stem from ideas I came up with back in the high falutin earliest days of the twenty-first century.
Generally speaking, many people in the US were spending money as if it would always be there and were less concerned with the environment and other ills of the rest of the world at that time.
The term 'bling' was used as a positive reference and excess seemed to be the rule of the day.

Fast forward a few short years later and our economy is in a shambles (Bad), but as a society, we have begun to take a more serious and empathetic look at our environment and the conditions throughout the rest of the world (Good).
The term 'bling' is always used as a negative reference and excess is tacky and looked down upon.

Since my WIP's were created during that earlier time, my characters and story themes reflected what was interesting and popular at that time and they did not reflect the new outlook of today.
Because of this, I have altered my MC's to be more in line with current values- For example, one of my MC's is an owner of a women's clothing boutique. Before, it was just a trendy clothing boutique. Now, it's an eco-friendly clothing boutique and my MC's desire to make a positive contribution to the world is her reasoning for opening an eco-friendly store.

I recognize that many of you write stories that are timeless (and that would be preferential), but the type of stories I'm writing -Women's fiction dealing with timeless conflicts (insecurity, marital infidelity, etc...) using current circumstances (cosmetic surgery, less stable family units, etc...)- seem to require a fairly accurate look at the world as it is right now.

I can see the problem of a short shelf life and I'm open to hearing all opinions about this, but...
my real question is; What (if any) changes have you made to your stories and/or characters to reflect our current way of life?

roncouch · Sep 16, 2008

My first novel, a work of fiction, deals with greed (i.e. economy) of a certain auto maker, and may not be interesting to many people outside the rust belt. The sequel continues with a similar plot - different characters - as does the third which I am currently working on. I wasn't thinking of a particular purchasing audience when I wrote the books, although there is probably enough action, suspense, etc to satisfy many readers. Good topic!
Ron

citymouse · Sep 16, 2008

The MC in my trilogy has known extreme poverty and extreme wealth.
This is a conversation with his confessor.

"I know you are a wealthy man. I also know you have been a good steward. Your rescuing the chapel from destruction is the mark of man who walks with God. As your confessor I know the burden you carry... . God regards the motives of your heart, rather than the deeds of your hand."

"Let's hope God is listening." Jan looked up at the vaulted ceiling and studied the hard stone. "As you know Jacques, when I was a boy I was immensely poor. Now I'm immensely rich. I'm not sure which is worse."
C

SPMiller · Sep 16, 2008

I write secondary-world fantasy (and sf, occasionally) specifically so I don't have to be constrained by contemporary real-world issues. I can tackle any subject matter I like, even stuff that hasn't yet entered our social consciousness.

maestrowork · Sep 16, 2008

This is just my observation... in times of peace and prosperity, there seem to be more drama and reality-based novels. In times of war and financial woes, there seem to be more fantasies.

Of course, I have no factual and empirical evidence to support that observation.

Aschenbach · Sep 16, 2008

I remember those times in the '90s when bling was great. Not a literary example, but Sex & the City was all the rage. When the film came out fairly recently all the reviews I read stressed how anachronistic it had become. Now people have deeper worries than the latest pair of Blahniks, and they can't afford to pay for them anyway.

I don't know if you should update your manuscript to keep up, unless you can do it and leave your characters and themes intact. You could keep it as is and have it as a (recent) period piece?

Chasing the Horizon · Sep 16, 2008

I was careful to avoid anything that could unduly date my lone contemporary novel (everything else I've written is fantasy). That's not hard to do when your setting is rural West Virginia. The computers may appear a bit out of date in twenty years. I seriously doubt the themes of revenge, religion, and insanity will ever go out of style. The only thing that could maybe date the work a little is the fact that one neighbor's husband is in the army and deployed in the middle east. However, since the wars in Iraq/Afghanistan will probably still be going on ten years from now, I'm not particularly worried. I was cautious not to include anything that would jump out as 'wow, soooo 2008' in five or ten years.

If you use a 'timeless' theme, you'll never have to worry about updating anything except maybe a few technology details. Human nature, unfortunately, never changes.

Deccydiva · Sep 17, 2008

I write in the here and now but I always avoid propaganda type references, political correctness and eco-stuff as it's largely irrelevant in what I am writing. I would NEVER try to preach to my readers or convey a "message". Some people will hold views over a lifetime despite what commentators may say to the contrary so a particular stance will still be relevant to a section of readers as time goes on. Anyway, when I read a novel that was written thirty years ago I reminisce, it doesn't jar me just because someone out there says it's not okay any more.

RJK · Sep 17, 2008

I'm new at this, with only two books so far, but I set my novels in a time period, working the date into the story. This way I avoid the problem the OP is facing. I do have to be careful about technology. (Did they have Garmins in 2003?) :Shrug:

Alpha Echo · Sep 17, 2008

IMO, it's not necessary to update your novel to reflect the current times. When I read novels, I get into its time rather than trying to relate it to mine. What I do relate to my life are the characters -their hopes and dreams, fears and goals, heartache and joys. Their economic status might reflect in their character, but I don't need it to reflect what I see when I look out my window. Does that make sense?

Sassee · Sep 17, 2008

maestrowork said:
This is just my observation... in times of peace and prosperity, there seem to be more drama and reality-based novels. In times of war and financial woes, there seem to be more fantasies.

Of course, I have no factual and empirical evidence to support that observation.

Even so, I would tend agree with you. I think it's part of the reason that urban fantasy has enjoyed a huge boom the last decade or so.

My stories don't directly reflect the world as-is. I won't insert, say, the Al Gores of the world into my story unless they are a character type I had planned to put in there from the beginning. I won't present my characters as pro- or anti-war unless there is a war going on that is central to the plot. What I will do is stick loosely to the current fashion trends, such as the layered effect for shirts which has gone on for quite a few years and probably will continue to do so even if the layers themselves change (tight shirts vs loose shirts, etc). I might also mention things like cell phones or iPods which also won't go out of style for a while (or just make up my own technology... i <3 contemporary fantasy for that).

Generally, if I'm trying to send a message about something, it'll be more about timless issues -- emotional issues, crimes, ethics, etc. The rest of it I leave to pop culture

MsK · Sep 17, 2008

Aschenbach said:
I remember those times in the '90s when bling was great. Not a literary example, but Sex & the City was all the rage. When the film came out fairly recently all the reviews I read stressed how anachronistic it had become. Now people have deeper worries than the latest pair of Blahniks, and they can't afford to pay for them anyway.

I don't know if you should update your manuscript to keep up, unless you can do it and leave your characters and themes intact. You could keep it as is and have it as a (recent) period piece?

In my case, I don't think the period elements are strong enough to create a period piece.
But the reaction you are citing to Sex & the City is exactly what I am speaking of. My conflicts and issues are timeless, but the setting and the mindset of my characters have changed to reflect changed values.

MsK · Sep 17, 2008

maestrowork said:
This is just my observation... in times of peace and prosperity, there seem to be more drama and reality-based novels. In times of war and financial woes, there seem to be more fantasies.

Of course, I have no factual and empirical evidence to support that observation.

That does make sense.

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 17, 2008

Current events have little to do with my stories.

gypsyscarlett · Sep 17, 2008

maestrowork said:
This is just my observation... in times of peace and prosperity, there seem to be more drama and reality-based novels. In times of war and financial woes, there seem to be more fantasies.

Of course, I have no factual and empirical evidence to support that observation.

You are right. Lavish musicals like 42nd Street were huge during the Depression. So were comedies. People wanted and needed escapism.

As for the original question, it really doesn't concern me. None of my works seem to take place in the current time.

scheherazade · Sep 17, 2008

It's interesting. I tend to write horror, and I remember Stephen King had written somewhere (probably in his book On Writing, or in his book about the horror genre, Danse Macabre) he mentioned that it is rare to see "economic horror" as the basis for a story. But this seems like such an attractive story idea today. For many people, there is not much scarier than the prospect of losing your house, your retirement plan, your way of life, and everything else that comes with it.

The only example King could provide for economic horror was the Amityville Horror film (about a couple who buys a haunted house, but can't leave because of the financial loss). I imagine there will be many more economic horror and thriller novels in the near future.

ishtar'sgate · Sep 17, 2008

KrystalR said:
What (if any) changes have you made to your stories and/or characters to reflect our current way of life?

None. I write historicals.

Linnea

MsK · Sep 17, 2008

ishtar'sgate said:
None. I write historicals.
Linnea

And if I don't hurry up and finish one of these, mine will be historicals.

Telstar · Sep 17, 2008

SPMiller said:
I write secondary-world fantasy (and sf, occasionally) specifically so I don't have to be constrained by contemporary real-world issues. I can tackle any subject matter I like, even stuff that hasn't yet entered our social consciousness.

ditto.

a_sharp · Sep 17, 2008

Unless you're deliberately writing a period piece, you run the risk of certain story scenes becoming outdated. Consider the likelihood that from the time you type "The End" to the time it hits the shelves, a couple or three years will pass. That's a long time in the fickle stream of American culture.

Economic change is one thing but I've bumped into this simply with technology change. Most people in the city aren't banging on the door of a pay phone. You can almost date a movie over the last decade by the telephone, mobile phone, or cell phone size in use.

If you have to highlight the personal economics of the day because your story calls for it, you may be well advised to characterize the whole novel as a period piece somehow. I don't have any suggestion for something as recent as the early 2000s, but in two or three years we may be pulling out of recession into an eco-centric economy with totally new emphasis, so how will you anticipate that?

Since you can't guess how the near future will turn out, you should just write faithfully to your story idea and not worry about "economic correctness."

(Jeez, did I just coin a new phrase of the day?)

maestrowork · Sep 17, 2008

To answer the OP: no, not really. If I'm writing contemporary, I'd do general or at least time-appropriate. But I wouldn't necessarily change it to be more time-relevant. By the time the book's finished and published, the world may have changed already. Still, certain social awareness may seep into the story, but I don't get affected by what's going on currently.

Willowmound · Sep 17, 2008

ishtar'sgate said:
None. I write historicals.
Linnea

Seconded. Aren't we lucky.

ccarver30 · Sep 17, 2008

I was going to answer- since I got laid off, I have lots more time to write!
I don't think that is what you were looking for though... LOL

NeuroFizz · Sep 17, 2008

Since it can take up to two years from contract signing to actual launch of a book, I don't think the original question is anything to get gray hairs over. Unless, or course, the author has a crystal ball that is better than mine (which only gives hindsight).

WendyNYC · Sep 17, 2008

One of my characters is an investment banker and there might not be any investment banks left!

Maybe he can be a lawyer.

How do our economic and societal changes affect your writing?

The Couchmeister

fantasy dweller

Prodigiously Hanged

Fear the Death Ray

Moral Marjorie

Blowing in the Wind

Back from the dead

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

I should be writing.

Momma Wolf

Court Jester

Ma fin est mon commencement

Human

living in the past

I create people

Somebody give me an A

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Lightly salted

Nicole Castro

The grad students did it

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