I was chatting with a friend recently about the dissolution of their writers’ salon. They meet monthly in one person’s living room to discuss their works and bounce ideas off each other. One of the few rules they had was, no talking politics.
No Politics is Political
But a writer joined whose novel was a political thriller. And instead of saying “your manuscript does not fit our group not,“ they welcomed him in. Fast forward a few months later, half the members had left. No conflict, they simply didn’t want politics in the salon. Soon enough the host stopped hosting, and the salon dissolved.
I was invited to join the salon but declined because they did not want politics. I have no idea how a writer can build their fictional world without including the society, politics and the culture. By it’s very nature, creative writing is a political act.
What is a Political Act?
Women writing crime? A political act. With female leads? A political act. Who are queer? Political. Who fall for women of another race? Political.
I am a lesbian, ergo, a political woman. I am a political woman, ergo, a political writer.
I keenly remember a time when children were legally taken from their lesbian mothers during divorce. When you could lose your job or housing for being queer. When governments said we weren’t human enough to have all the human rights bestowed on straight people.
No Ignorance
It was long ago, and yesterday. Over years, we battled and fought and won. The threat of losing those rights-human rights-is on the rise. How could I ignore that in my writing?
My writing is not without politics. I have to create a believable world in my fiction, and I, for one, would never believe in a world without politics. And so you will find scenes of homophobia, racism, sexism.
No story is without political content. Here’s the thing: when writing fiction, we’re world building, no matter the genre. Readers come to our books to experience our worlds, whether they’re dystopias or set in New Brunswick or inside a house in an unnamed suburb. Our job as fiction writers is to deliver on this world and its inhabitants. The readers need to believe that this story could really happen, in this setting, with these characters.
Personal Politics / Societal Subtexts
Crime novels, encompassing a wide spectrum from detective stories to noir murder mysteries and the classic detective versus serial killer tales, serve as a fascinating medium for exploring profound personal politics I.e. societal subtexts.
These novels employ captivating narratives to peel back the layers of society, revealing underlying issues such as class, gender, sexual identity, and so on. By weaving these themes into their stories, authors prompt readers to contemplate the impact of political and societal divisions on crime and justice. For instance, they might depict detectives from different social backgrounds navigating cases, highlighting how privilege or lack thereof can affect one’s approach to solving crimes.
Privilege, Race and more
In my novel, Murder at Sunny Lake, my white, upper middle class protagonist, Caitlin Murphy, is aware of her privilege and power as a cop, and she can unapologetically take advantage of it. On the other hand, when she tries to use her privilege to get cheap flowers from Sun, she is challenged. This is just one small scene that can either sail past or engage the reader.
Racism, another pervasive social issue, often finds its way into crime novels. Authors use their characters and plots to dissect racism’s presence in everyday life. Whether it’s a detective facing prejudice while investigating a case or a minority protagonist battling experiences of personal racism, these stories confront readers with the harsh realities of racial discrimination.
Sun said she had dated both men and women over the years,
but was never able to find the right person. She struggled with the
stigma surrounding her race and her bisexuality. Men expected
her to be erotically gifted. “Always asking about the Kama Sutra,
I hate that so much,” she laughed. Women expected her
to provide enlightened criticism of the white heterosexual patriarchy.
~ from Murder at Sunny Lake
Alienation
Crime novels excel at portraying the general alienation experienced by individuals within society. The anti-heroes, morally ambiguous characters, and bleak atmospheres commonly found in noir fiction, for instance, mirror the feelings of estrangement and disillusionment prevalent in modern life. This emotional depth allows readers to connect with the characters on a personal level, fostering empathy and understanding.
In essence, crime novels can serve as powerful tools for societal reflection. Through thrilling narratives and relatable characters, they may compel readers to examine class, racism, and alienation, ultimately encouraging a deeper understanding of these complex issues and their implications in the real world.
Later, friend…
P.S. photograph by Pixabay
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