The problem with fiction

Is there a problem with fiction?

I’ve had many many conversations with friends, acquaintances, and family who believe that fiction should not be read. They have said that fiction is too unrealistic, delusional, or has no productivity. This mindset bothers me because there is so much truth written in fiction.

People equate fiction with the word “lie”. If it’s not real then it cannot be true… right? Yes, but no.

It is within stories that so much goodness, truth, and beauty can be spoken. Everyone is naturally drawn to a good story. People go to the movie theaters to watch their favorite story. It is there where our mind is immersed and we can cry, laugh, become angry and even fall a little in love.

I love stories. Good stories. When stories bring about harm or promote something evil it breaks my heart. Because it is within stories that we find something relatable. We often find ourselves agreeing with the characters and as if we find a resemblance of ourselves there. They give us hope and inspire us.

About a week ago, I was at my local Barnes & Noble and saw the diversity of stories. Nowadays it is difficult to pick up a book for fear of what may be written in those pages. Will I find the dignity of a person destroyed or will I find something hopeful and sweet?

Now, I'm not saying - at all - that fiction needs to be lighthearted. In fact, I write quite the opposite of said sweetness. My books dive into the emotional turmoil of trauma, abuse, and death. There are some stories I’m considering finishing with the death of a character. Why? To emphasize what love versus lust looks like. What evil versus good looks like. What “I love you” versus “I use you” looks like. These are the stories that will have dark themes but something greater will be drawn out of them. It is these things that I can’t convey with just writing about them on here or telling you about it. They need to be written in fiction.

I love fiction. But you also know that I cannot agree with the portrayal of evil as something good.

So yes, there is a problem with fiction in the way it can be used, but no it should never be replaced by nonfiction.

What do you think?

Praying for you <3