I used to ponder the utility of fiction. My view was partly predicated on my training as a political scientist, but it was also because I found non-fiction much more interesting than any made-up story. But I write fiction now, and so unless I concede that what I write is useless, then it must be that made-up stories have real-world significance. The question becomes just what form that takes.
First, I think we should ask why people read fiction. One reason is for entertainment. Another reason is to better understand the thoughts, experiences, beliefs, and psychology of others. Third, people might turn to fiction as a way of learning. This is especially true of historical fiction, as some folks find reading straight, non-fiction history a veritable snooze-fest.
There are countless other reasons why a person might pick up a novel, but these will suffice for now. So getting back to our original question, what is our role as fiction writers?
First, we are storytellers and providers of entertainment. The value people place on escaping from reality is enormous, as evidenced by the astronomical incomes of the top entertainers in our society. While this is particularly true of actors and sports figures, authors like Stephen King, James Patterson, and J.K. Rowling have incomes that would make Midas blush. Consequently, some argue that our role as writers is to entertain the most people we can, as measured by book sales and revenue.
This is perhaps the most popular conception of the fiction writer, but there are others. Some writers consider increasing awareness and understanding of a particular character/viewpoint crucial. Presenting the viewpoints of underrepresented voices in fiction can help increase understanding of marginalized people. Understanding can promote empathy, and empathy can lead to tolerance and then acceptance.
This leads to my last point. I think that one of our most important, and currently neglected, roles as fiction writers is to take part in the societal debates that shape our times. In the past, great novels often had sociopolitical implications—think Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, 1984 by George Orwell, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and, more recently, Toni Morrison's Beloved.
If we look at wildly popular books in recent decades, we see they have little to do with important issues of the day: The Harry Potter books, Fifty Shades of Grey, The Hunger Games, and Game of Thrones. I'm not saying that all books should take part in societal debates, but I think the fact so few highly "successful" books do is an abdication of an important role of the writer.
This is especially true in these divided times, where, regardless of your beliefs or political stance, being a well-informed citizen is crucial. Fiction has a way of reaching people in a way that non-fiction doesn't and can be an important tool in raising awareness. I think we as writers almost have an obligation to do so.
What do you think?