Comments on: Does Fiction Matter? Fiction, Fantasy & Social Change

By: Diana

Diana — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 21:53:05 +0000

After reading your post I realized that all the women that I know that read and enjoyed FSoG and defend it as just a story have also voiced concerns on how women are portrayed in advertising (specifically around size, shape, and sexiness). What is advertising but the attempt to sell something by telling a story?

By: Does Fiction Matter? Fiction, Fantasy & Social Change | Show Me More Farms

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 03:30:37 +0000

[…] Does Fiction Matter? Fiction, Fantasy & Social Change. […]

By: katkent2014

katkent2014 — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 05:39:25 +0000

I think you are so right, Kristne. Fiction writing is a great responsibility and powerful writers should use their writings for good and not for evil; but they do seem to be very popular, like 50 Shades, and will buy the BMW’s many times over. Writers throughout history have created the cultural mores that people live by. We define what a villain and a hero is in every generation. The problem is there are many teens who don’t see the villainy in Christian Grey; he’s good looking, intelligent, rich and if you pay the asking price he will wisk you away into his “insane” world. I have heard so many young people refer to “50 Shades” as “a great love story.” Are they kidding? It’s a ‘Criminial Minds’ episode at best (like some have said). As a society; I’m afraid alot of young girls have lowered their standards and forgot to include being a “gentleman” as a pre-requisite for finding a partner to give their heart to. It makes me very sad and I feel very old-fashioned when I hear the young girls gush over someone like “Christian Grey”. Where are the mothers to teach their daughters they don’t have to lower their standards and its not just high hopes to have high standards? For my part, I want to inspire young people to rise above their own worlds and give them a deep desire to imitate the greatness in the characters I create in my books. As writers of YA fiction, I believe we are needed more than ever. (Writing with love and thank you for a powerful and articulate article.)

By: Conviction | Shea McIntosh Ford - Author

Conviction | Shea McIntosh Ford - Author — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 14:27:49 +0000

[…] believe that fiction reflects who we are as a society, and to me that makes the popularity of FSoG that much more terrifying. Maybe that’s why […]

By: Katy Washburn

Katy Washburn — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:50:53 +0000

I really like your POV, and I completely agree! Especially when you say that FSoG would make more sense as a horror

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 03:24:13 +0000

Your posts are always so interesting and they really make me think. I’ve been disapproving of this book since day 1, especially when I saw other teenage girls like myself reading it. My sister told me that, despite the sexual content, it was a good story. Not sure I believe that. And I scoffed at the idea of this becoming a classic until now. Your fact about The Jungle was fascinating and really, what IF this silly book becomes a classic? I don’t believe it has the hype that Twilight did, but it’s still an unpleasant idea that more books like this could come out as a result of its success. (I for one, wish Twilight wouldn’t get brought into the conversation. I think Twilight is a wonderful book, and should never be associated with this knock-off.)

By: April Moore

April Moore — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 21:57:17 +0000

Well this guy took it beyond fantasy: http://abc7.com/news/chicago-student-allegedly-raped-woman-while-recreating-50-shades-scenes/531401/ He raped a woman, claiming he was acting out a scene from 50 Shades. Knew it wouldn’t be long.

By: lisabuiecollard

lisabuiecollard — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 19:39:41 +0000

If fiction was innocuous, why is it so popular? I agree with basically everything you’ve said here. The fact that fiction IS based on human life and experiences is the reason I don’t read horror/abuse, or watch it, nor can I read books that make me too uncomfortable. What I don’t like about “dismissing” fiction as not real, is the very real affect it has on society if it gets this big. I certainly hope we’re not in for even more safety issues for women. Rape is a sick (IMO) male fantasy. Any woman who has ever lived it knows it is certainly not theirs. Very informative post. Thank you.

By: Author Kristen Lamb

Author Kristen Lamb — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 17:49:10 +0000

In reply to Sophie G.. If they truly believed it was harmless, they would feel no need to attack ;) .

By: Debbie Erickson

Debbie Erickson — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 17:41:01 +0000

You’re right on, Kristen. We need to be careful what we write. We need to set an example to others, especially our youth.