Writing with an outward gaze

There's an image of writers as self-absorbed navel-gazers. Alone in the attic with a typewriter, capturing important words that the cruel and/or philistine public doesn't want to read or hear. These days, of course, it's been taken to a whole new level by bloggers and self-publishers (yes, like me). It's so easy to sit here and tell as much of the world as cares to take notice how your novel's doing; how many submissions, rejections, invitations and events are filling your world; how many books you've read; how many words you've written...

Sometimes I'm reminded that it doesn't have to be like that, or not all of it at any rate (I kind of like reading the personal side from other writers so I hope some of you enjoy similar from me). Applying to be a writer in residence focusing on climate change last month made me properly consider the possibilities for writing as a force for good (or for change, anyway - 'good' is often a judgement made in hindsight).

Anyone who's ever written sci-fi has probably consciously chosen to use fiction to highlight the bad things about the present or to show the better things that could be, whether it's to do with discrimination, the state of politics, or the environment. Personally, I think it's harder to do outside of genre fiction (you can do it in crime or historical fiction to a certain extent as well as in SF) but not impossible. As readers, you know how a powerful story can stay with you and maybe change your views or attitudes, it can certainly make you have a long, hard think about the views you already hold. So, remember you can use your fiction to make people think.

Non-fiction is more obvious but is further from my comfort zone and if you're predominantly a writer of fiction that probably goes for you, too. Creative non-fiction (real events relayed in a style more usual in fiction) or a personal essay can be more effective for persuasion than haranguing the reader in an article, but a concise, factual article can raise awareness of a situation or issue that's not widely known.

Plays, films and podcasts can be anywhere on the spectrum between the two: from documentary via dramatisation of real events to full-on fiction. Events featuring readings (which again can be a blend of fact and fiction such as Alice Courvoisier and I have done in the past) can also be used. Even the (ahem) self-absorbed blog can be used in this way.

If this is getting your writing gears turning, the Royal Society of Literature have the Literature Matters awards (this year's deadline is December 5th) to fund work which:

(a) will help connect with audiences or topics outside the usual reach of literature, and/or (b) will help generate public discussion about why literature matters.

Of course, writing an original work isn't the only thing a writer can do to create change. You can help other people's voices be heard, and depending on the type of change you're after, just giving those workshops or providing that platform can be a change in itself.  You might be able to join (or create) a local group, festival, initiative, or community arts project. I say this knowing full well that it's not always that easy (you may remember the cancellation of our Bradford libraries writing festival project a couple of years ago).

I'll end with a mention for Chapel FM in Seacroft. I've loved being involved with Chapel FM, I'm continually amazed at the breadth of their output and the work they do as a community arts project. For the first time in a few years it looks like I won't be taking part in their Writing on Air festival in March 2020 (I don't drive, it's a pain to get to by public transport from where I live, and previously I've been lucky enough to be collaborating with kind friends who gave me a lift) but I thought I'd give a small signal boost to their call for board members, and a couple of new staff members - they're expanding again and I wish them the best of luck.