In the dark times, will there be singing?
Yes, there will be singing about the dark times.
- Bertolt Brecht
Some would say we’re passing through some dark times right now, although to be fair, that can be said of any time period in history, though a mix of nostalgia and propaganda will try and trick us into thinking differently.
As we rise each morning to news of war, inequality, and the reversal of progress, we may feel like the dark times are upon us, and as writers, we will be tempted to address them. Writing can help:
Clarify what’s actually going on, with a dispassionate overview of the facts
Raise awareness, and help readers see things from another perspective
Offer hope, solutions, and actions that readers can take to make things a little less dark
If you’re writing essays, articles or any form of non-fiction about sensitive issues, here’s what you need to include.
Research
Here’s where a dispassionate overview of the facts, with evidence, comes in. There is so much ‘opinion as fact’ parading around the internet. You need to make sure the assertions you make are backed up, with reliable sources and robust data. And if the data can be interpreted in different ways? Acknowledge that. Cover it. Head the ‘what about-ists’ off at the pass.
Balance
If you ever find yourself in the middle of a one-sided rant in a piece intended for publication, stop, re-group, look at things differently. Look at the topic from the point of view of the readers you’re trying to persuade, not the ones who already agree with you. Acknowledge why they may feel the way they do. They might actually read your piece to the end.
Analysis
The powers that be rely on us not over thinking. That’s why propaganda includes so much emotive language and bold statements that ‘everybody knows’ are true. Deconstruct those statements. Use clever analysis to reveal what we actually know, what we don’t, and what we may think we know, because as Mark Twain puts it:
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”
Solutions
You don’t have to have all the answers. You can write about a problem, purely to raise awareness, without offering a single solution. But if you have them, share them. Even if your solution is a simple one, like having a little more compassion and understanding. Have a bigger, better solution? A non-profit that’s addressing the issue, or an everyday action that individuals can take? Share that too.
Want an example of writing about the dark times? Here are three books that helped me feel less depressed and anxious about the state of the world.
Want to write a life-changing book? Check out Write a Must Read: Craft a Book That Changes Lives - Including Your Own (I haven’t read this one yet, but it was recommended to me by a reader and I’ll be getting around to it soon).
Some thoughts from others I’ve been enjoying this week
Substack’s “Your Note Made You $” Notification Is the Best New Feature by
Here's the secret to writing that trumps all other hacks... by Alex Mathers
Exploring Mindfulness Practices for Writers by
Boost Your Book Sales Today with Promo Bundling Strategies by
The Truth About Those Big Milestone Moments in Writing by
What else I’ve been up to this week
Reading: We Were Liars by E Lockhart
Listening to: Essentialism (free with new Audible subscriptions)
Enjoying: Visits from family
Not enjoying: One family member’s ongoing health crisis
This week’s Medium posts
(Friend links, as always, so you can read for free)
Personal Finance Books to Read Now, to Get You Ready For Retirement: Financially and personally
Medium Earnings Do Fall Off Over Time: But there’s still earning potential in older stories
That’s all for this week. If you’re reading this online, feel free to subscribe to get future posts straight to your inbox.
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- Write with vigour,
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