Tackling Turmoil in Writing #OpenBook Blog Hop

Feb 27, 2023

Do you tackle current political turmoil in your stories or avoid it? Tell us why.

Truth is, I have avoided delving deeply into current political topics. I may touch on an issue here and there, but I’m writing to entertain my readers, not to push a political agenda.  So yes, I’ve mentioned marijuana and women’s rights as part of a storyline, but it’s rarely more than a mention.

There is another reason for doing that. It dates the story. For example, in several of the Harmony Duprie Mysteries, I mention that one of the characters was arrested for a marijuana offense. The arrest was valid at the time I wrote the book. Now, the laws have changed and what my character did would no longer be an arrestable charge. I don’t think the difference will jar readers, and I don’t plan to update the book to reflect the new rules. Who knows what changes will happen in another ten years that will leave the story behind again?

That’s created some interesting conundrums in one of my works-in-progress. The Rise of Jake Hennessey is set 20 years in the future, and I tried to anticipate not only changes in technology but in laws. It’s not that far ahead, but think of all the changes that have happened in the last 20 years. I prefer not to imagine we’ll be in the middle of a apocalypse or a zombie invasion.

(Speaking of The Rise of Jake Hennessey- it’s off to my editor, but I haven’t set a release date yet. It depends on how much additional editing it’ll need. I’m thinking the middle of May. Here’s the current tagline:
Jake Hennessey: Bar owner (twice). Jewel thief (retired… almost). He’s a good guy, it’s just that his hobby is mostly illegal. Mostly. OK, completely.) 

Would I ever include a political battle in one of my books? Sure, if the story demanded it. I just don’t see it happening soon. It’s similar to sex scenes—I haven’t felt the need to write one of those either.

I expect a different answer from at least one of the regular authors on this hop, but the only way to make sure is to go check them out. Just follow the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

Feb 27, 2023

Do you tackle current political turmoil in your stories or avoid it? Tell us why.

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1. Link your blog to this hop.
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