Dealing with politically sensitive issues in your Writing

[falafel_musings]

Two things. Firstly I wanted to say there is a Hurley character discussion posted and it's only had two responses so far. Don't forget to show the big guy some love!

Secondly, I wanted some thoughts from my fellow writers on dealing with so-called politically-charged issues in your writing. Things like portrayal of gender, race, sexuality, etc.

Comments

[elliotsmelliot]

Thanks for starting this discussion. I know I’d answer the questions differently if I were discussing original writing where I had full control over character creation. In the world of Lost fic, I find myself struggling with my politics because canon has made a lot of choices I know go against my values. Yet my interest in writing fic is to immerse myself in an existing world, so I don’t go about radically altering existing power structure, but I try to add my own touch

[elliotsmelliot]

Continued because I am on a roll here...

3) What is great about Lost is the multi-cultural characters and how there is a lot of narrative freedom to explore their histories. Because of my academic training, I’m aware of the reliance on racial stereotypes in storytelling, especially in terms of heroes and villains and the trope of power and sacrifice. I try to be conscious about this in my own writing. I also acknowledge that as a white woman from an Anglo-Saxon background, it is those characters who come more naturally for me, and that is probably a reason I choose them most often as protagonists.

I’ve dealt explicitly with racism in From Where We Stand, pre-06 rescue about Jin, Bernard and Sayid, which featured Jin’s dislocation in the English speaking world and how Sayid’s race and country’s history was used to construct a conspiracy story that made him a scapegoat for the 815 crash

[falafel_musings]

Oh, you do such a great job characterising Penny. I think not only do you give her independance, but her mission to find Desmond often has the larger goal of foiling her father and investigating the 815ers. You do a great job with multi-cultural characters too. I love 'From where we Stand' particularly the Sayid strand. I wish I could write Sayid that well.

On one hand Locke’s story is an interesting exploration of challenge and survival, but the fantastical elements that led to and then cured his “don’t tell me what I can’t do” side, detract from the real pain disable men and women would feel in his shoes, so to speak. I do feel Locke's disability story was quite moving in the FBs, but I also feel dubious about the island's magical cure for him, especially when the island "takes away" Locke's ability to walk as a punishment and then heals him again as a reward. The island does a similar thing with Charlie by tempting him with heroin to see if he can resist his addiction. It really makes the island seem like a scary old Testamemt

[elliotsmelliot]

Regarding Locke, I do like his flashbacks too. They have always been among the most compelling ones for me. However, I think how his injury occurred is almost as problematic, in terms of realism, than his healing. The multiple betrayals by Cooper took a great toil on John’s mind and body, and it is this trauma that seems to overshadow the actual paralysis.

The island is fucked-up. It's curses far out weigh its good deeds. I feel Locke should have been more suspicious of its choices by now.

[aboutbunnies]

Great discussion topic! I'm looking forward to reading all the responses.

GenderFirst of all, yes, I consider myself a feminist - though, the definition of 'feminist' varies so much from person to person that I'm not sure I'll further comment on that one at the risk of writing a book on my own personal definition

[aboutbunnies]

and more...

ReligionReligion, and how it's portrayed in television, is so fascinating to me. I was raised Protestant Christian, and I think sometimes I'm a bit too sensitive about how the Christian faith is portrayed on TV (fanaticism and extreme conservatism and religious nutjobs seem to rule the day, unfortunately). Lost, I think, does a better job than most of portraying religion in a sensitive - or at least neutral - light. Perhaps it's because the characters are such a diverse bunch, with such a wide variety of belief systems. In a show like Lost, probably the most obvious way to deal with religion is through death and the afterlife. Obviously, the island has a mysticism - perhaps even a religion - of its own that is interesting to explore. Add to that people who are dead-but-also-here, and you've got a lot competing with the more traditional religious beliefs

[elliotsmelliot]

I equally dislike strong female characters who can do no wrong. I like realism. I like strength that comes through adversity.

I really like that about your writing. You do an excellent job celebrating the mess that is Kate. I always end up liking her more after reading your stories because you don't skip around her flaws, and you make her feel real. Nothing ruins a good story faster that perfection.

I write relationships, not sexualities.

That's an interesting perspective, and I think it works in terms of how many of your stories are so intimate that it is always about the two people right there, rather than society's label and issues.

[falafel_musings]

I totally agree with your policy that to write "strong women" is not to write a woman without flaws or even frailities. I think you have a great perspective on this. I agree with your feelings on how the Christian faith is often depicted in TV/film too. You're right that Lost is more neutral, even pro-Christian, I would say. Eko, Rose, Charlie, Desmond and Hurley are all Catholic/Christian and none of their religions have been portrayed in a negative light. I agree (for a third time) on your disability stance.

[falafel_musings]

I'd love to hear your answers to these questions Cappy. Okay then. I'll come back later to discuss everyones answers but for now I'll just put mine on the table too

[falafel_musings]

4. I feel very UUist about religion. I don't have my own dominination, but I'm interested in all types of belief systems. When I write for religious characters (like Rose and Charlie as Catholics in 'Only the Good Die Young') I write in a pro-religious tone, because that's how the characters feel, even if I don't. I think a sense of spiritualism sits better with me than a belief in a higher power. I do not cherish the thought of God/fate governing or judging humanity, though this is funny, because as a writer you are the creator and God of your own characters, deciding their paths and fates. But within my stories I like to write from a humanitarian perspective; the humans are responsible for their own triumphs and failings, rather than being the subjects any sort of divine plan

[elliotsmelliot]

I agree with your point about writing or enjoying slash being primarily about eroticism. Yet I am pleased to see, at least from my most of my slashy flist's perspective, that this interest usually comes paired with very open minded ideas about sexuality.

In terms of religion, Only the Good Die Young, is a great example of letting the spirituality of a character really shine, even if it is not your own beliefs.

When I wrote XF fic, I mainly wrote about Krycek and at a certain point, had to address him losing his arm. I think myself, and many authors, approached it far too romantically, as a sacrifice, rather than deal with the practical and psychological issues of living with that loss. I feel if I was writing those stories now, I would have a more mature approach.

Can you explain what you meant by disability and delicacy? When I first read your question, it didn't strike me as being all that different than being realistic. I though you just meant sensitive to the realism.

[janie_tangerine]

Mm. This is a very, very interesting topic.

1) I consider myself a feminist in the sense that I think that there's absolutely no difference between what a woman can do and what a man can do and I hate gender discrimination fiercely. And as elliotsmelliot said, if I were a better one I'd have more problems than I have with Lost, but I just take it as the show it is and just enjoy what I like and try to dismiss the rest (see after 1x20 policy). It could also be that I'm way more bothered with Heroes right now on both racism and women issues if I have to be sincere

[janie_tangerine]

4) Ouch, I hate dealing with religion. I find it such a personal and private issue that I just don't feel like I should do it especially since it's not a topic I can say anything on.

How do you feel about writing atheist characters?

They are the only characters I can write on that aspect because being an atheist myself I feel like I can give my two cents on the issue.

Does your own belief system influence how you portray religion or spiritualism in your writing?

Yes because I feel like my atheism could make me portray religion in a negative way and it wouldn't really be fair. I'd just rather not deal with it at all and I carefully avoid it. Which is also one of the reasons for which I feel like I don't exactly get Charlie and, to be honest, the main reason for which I never really warmed up to Eko as a character even if I liked him just fine. And the reason for which the island part on Fire + Water bothered me like television has rarely bothered me, which is why I just try avoid it while writing Lost

[elliotsmelliot]

Your story about Boone surviving and living with one leg is so memorable. You addressed the pain involved in this tragic act, and how it was complicated by their poor living conditions. Plus I like how you handled Jack responsibilites there too.

That's an interesting comment about Fire & Water. I actually found the religious imagery the most interesting part of that episode.

Do you think the final episode will have the Flying Spaghetti monster besting Jacob and turn the islanders into rollicking pasta-eating pirates!

[janie_tangerine]

♥ Thanks again. I kind of didn't spare him anything there and it was probably the hardest thing I've ever written in emotional terms, but there I figured it was the only way I could deal with it. Especially regarding the responsibilities. ;)

You know, maybe Fire + Water could have been interesting, but I found the whole on island Charlie story ridiculous (baby stealing? *rolls eyes*), the whole 'what do you know about baptism' issue pretty implausible and in the end it just felt forced.

Do you think the final episode will have the Flying Spaghetti monster besting Jacob and turn the islanders into rollicking pasta-eating pirates!

If it happened it would make the BEST FINALE EVER IN HISTORY. And I'm sure that Sawyer would be on board as soon as he knew that he was going to get strippers in Heaven!

Response, part I

[bachlava]

Jumping right on in to this excellent set, with thanks to falafel_musings for getting the discussion going and to elliot_smelliot to making it all possible. ;)

1. Gender: I actually don't consider myself a feminist, which surprises people. On political/human rights issues, my views are typically feminist, and yes, I write my legislators and contribute time/money where I think it will be effective. (And when my grad-student self has money.) I just can't identify with the potpourri of academic navel-gazing, slacktivism, and outdated and lacklustre campaigning that too much of organized feminism has seemed to become, at least in North America

Re: Response, part I

[falafel_musings]

Wow! Thanks so much for a detailed response. I'll look forward to reading more.

I agree with you about organised feminism. It's not something I'm really invested in either. I've sampled a range of academic feminism and gender studies, but these days I just stick to my own concepts.

I've never heard of Frank/Danielle before but that's an awesome pairing idea! I like your scenario of the post-island life very much. It would have been fascinating to see them re-adjusting after all those years.

Danielle is an awesome character to work with in terms of extreme strengths and intense vulnerability. I wish I had attempted to write her, but she always intimidated me. Great character though.

Re: Response, part I

[bachlava]

Thanks to you again for getting and keeping this discussion going! You are awesome... I agree that academic feminism and gender studies tend to be more of a hindrance than a help to one's own mental clarity. ;)

Danielle can be pretty intimidating, but she will allow herself to be written! It requires some risk-taking and weird explorations and willingness to feed her mango slices out of your hand until she trusts you, etc., but it can definitely be a rewarding effort. In case, you know, you ever want to try it or anything. ;)

Frank/Danielle is indeed an unusual pairing, and one I haven't come across often at all. I've just got a bit of it here (which is fairly explicit) and here (which is completely tame). After all, who if not Danielle deserves a nice man with his own shiny helicopter?