I’ve been thinking a lot about storytelling and how stories wire and rewire our brains. The way facts can obscure the truth. The way a tiny whisper can overpower a scream.
How a story is told alters the truth that emerges from the narrative. Stories can drive us apart from each other, and they can illuminate our common humanity. Stories teach us new perspectives.
As a fiction writer, I am not necessarily bound by facts. I do, however, feel beholden to truth. But as we stand here together on the rubble of 2020, how do we even discern what truth is?
This election season has been an exercise in truth-telling and truth-denying. It has been a colossal experiment in story. No longer do voters simply ask, Which facts do I believe? They ask Which story resonates with me? Which narrative do I choose to believe?
We all know that data can be manipulated. Facts and figures can be selectively pieced together to convey a predetermined message. Polls can be wrong. So, so wrong. When I look back on the 2020 election, I will not remember the voter turnout in Florida or the number of mail-in ballots from Michigan.
I will remember the picture of a young girl being torn away from her parents by border control agents. I will remember the faces of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. I will remember the devastation of historic forest fires and record-breaking hurricanes that crashed into Gulf Coast communities. I will remember the captivating eyes of Selena Reyes-Hernandez, one of the many transgender people murdered in our country this year. I will remember the refrigeration trucks filled with victims of COVID-19 lined up outside New York City hospitals.
These are the stories, the truths that moved me in 2020.
But another version of 2020 also exists. This other version includes brave militias valiantly defending Confederate statues, unmasked customers asserting their ‘right’ to shop mask-free, proud sports fans clinging to culturally appropriated team mascots while ignoring the Indigenous people they disrespect.
One America. Two stories.
The problem is that most of us live in echo chambers and hear the same plotlines parroted back to us from our like-minded friends and insular social media circles. We tune in to the news we agree with, unfriend the people whose narratives deviate from ours.
Our truth becomes the only truth.
Fiction, however, is a stealthy device, a Trojan horse that sneaks different perspectives in unnoticed. Story presents an opportunity to share the truths we believe in with people outside our bubbles.
Although we can certainly learn facts from fiction, most people come to novels for entertainment and pleasure. We want to get lost in the story. Inhabiting characters and living their desires is a boundless act of empathy that enables us to experience someone else’s story as truth. As we step into perspectives different from our own, fiction implores us to bear witness to racism, homophobia, fatphobia, xenophobia, and misogyny. It allows us to live in futures that have not yet happened and see the after-effects of climate crisis before they play out.
I recently sat on a panel at the Brattleboro Literary Festival with author Andrew Krivak, author of The Bear, a gorgeous novel about a father and daughter who are the last two humans on a future Earth ravaged by climate change. His imagined future is not based on fact, but it is steeped in truth.
I have a particular interest in fiction that engages the climate crisis. My debut novel Waiting for the Night Song, which comes out in January, is set in a slightly speculative New Hampshire where an uptick in local temperature attracts an invasive beetle which is killing trees and leaving the forest ripe for a forest fire. This beetle is not actually in New Hampshire – not yet, anyway. But there is still truth in my story.
Like Andrew Krivak, I want readers to imagine ‘what if?’ What if New England was burning like California and Colorado? What if we lack the political will to address climate change before humans become an endangered species?
I’m drawn to stories like The Bear, Migrations, by Charlotte McConaghy, and Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler because they extrapolate small truths about our changing climate and magnify them until they become impossible to ignore. I do not want to be the last person on Krivak’s Earth. I do not want our planet’s creatures to become extinct the way McConaghy prophesizes. I do not want our country to fall into the climate-ravaged anarchy Butler portrays. The inherent wisdom in these stories haunts and motivates me.
Writing is a political act, an act of resistance, an act of love. It requires digging deep for the truths we hold dear and packaging them in narratives that penetrate readers’ defenses. In telling stories, we can share ideas that might not resonate when presented in graphs and charts.
To all you writers working on manuscripts, please finish them. Fight to get your stories out in the world because someone out there needs to hear your truth — even if they don’t know it yet.
On election night 2020, as the maps started turning a shocking shade of red, I began to panic. My son said, “Remember when Odysseus had to win back his home by shooting an arrow through a bunch of narrow targets, and no one thought it was possible, but he did it? That’s what Biden needs to do.”
His literary metaphor conveyed the high stakes, drama, and emotion because the image was loaded with a backstory I recognized from this familiar story that we all share. He did not explain the polling data he was tabulating. At that moment, numbers and facts didn’t mean much. Instead, my son told me a story about courage, fortitude, and love.
Facts can be distorted, but I have to believe that truth rises. Stories matter. The stories we listen to. The stories we share. And the stories we tell.
As I write this post, I do not yet know the results of the 2020 presidential election. Odysseus’ arrow is still in the air, powered by the hope, courage, exhaustion, and resiliency of an electorate that wants to tell a better story.
Have you ever read a book that made you see the world differently? Is there a book or author who particularly resonates with because of the big truths in their writing? Are you writing a story you think people need to hear?
About Julie Carrick Dalton
Julie Carrick Dalton is a writer who farms. Or maybe she is a farmer who writes. It depends on which day you catch her. Her debut novel WAITING FOR THE NIGHT SONG is forthcoming from Forge Books (Macmillan) in January 2021, with her second novel, THE LAST BEEKEEPER, following a year later. WAITING FOR THE NIGHT SONG won the William Faulkner Literary Competition, The Writers’ League of Texas Award, and was a finalist for the Caledonia Novel Award. Julie is passionate about literature that engages climate science and is a frequent speaker on the topic of Climate Fiction. Originally from Annapolis, MD, (and a military base in Germany,) Julie is a graduate of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator, a year-long, MFA-level novel intensive. She also holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and Literature from Harvard Extension School. Her work has appeared in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, Inc. Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Electric Literature, and other publications. She is represented by Stacy Testa at Writers House and Addison Duffy at United Talent Agency (for film rights.) Julie also owns and operates a 100-acre farm in rural New Hampshire. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her skiing, kayaking, trying to keep up with her four kids and two dogs, cooking vegetarian food, or digging in the dirt.
WOW!! What a great post. Thanks.
Thanks for reading, Bob! I’m glad it resonated for you!
Julie
I can appreciate your analogy but Joe Biden is no hero. He’s a self-serving politician who’s been in the “ game “ for 47 years. He drafted the crime bill in 1994 which put 100,000 new officers on the force. Are these the same officers (who received training under the new crime bill ) who shoot first and ask questions later? Is the current aggressive policing towards blacks and minorities over the years a result of this bill? Americans don’t want to look to closely at Joe Biden or his record. He has never been a woman’s right supporter. He’s blocked funding for medical services by supporting the Hyde Amendment. Only very recently as of 2019 has he changed his stance on Hyde. Because it’s good for his election chances. If Biden’s current narrative is the one you choose to believe then so be it. Thanks for letting me share my opinion. Having the freedom to express our different opinions is what this country is all about.
Yes, I agree, we all deserve the right and the space to express our opinions. I also agree that Biden is not necessarily a hero. He wasn’t my primary pick (or my second choice.) I think the real hero is of this story is the electorate who showed up during a pandemic and made their voices heard that they wanted a change from the messages coming out of Washington. I hear you, Karen. And thanks so much for your comment.
I am confused by the idea that a hero is someone who has made no mistakes.
Also, am I supposed to agree that Biden’s legislative record and its *possible* consequences are worse than Trump’s actions? That Biden is more “self-serving” than Trump? That Trump is not “playing a game”?
Rhetorical questions, obviously.
Thanks for letting me share my opinion.
Kristan,
You are spot on. No one is perfect, and while a candidate may not be perfect, they can ABSOLUTELY be better than what we have right now! When we put politicians – or anyone – on a pedestal, they are doomed to fail. I have so much hope all of a sudden. It feels pretty good.
Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Julie
1994 “ Biden Crime Law” Incarceration rates (after enacted) exploded. What exactly are president Trump’s actions? What laws has he changed, enacted or repealed what rulings has he over turned? I’m curious because I hear the concern and fear in peoples voices about their civil liberties and freedoms being taken away but no laws have changed to the best of my knowledge. Thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts.
Karen, I’m going to assume you are asking this in good faith, and give you some resources to answer your question.
Here’s a link to a list of things Trump’s done that harm the trans and queer community (I’m most acquainted with this because I and many in my circles are trans and/or otherwise queer): https://transequality.org/the-discrimination-administration
Here’s a link to a list of further attacks he and his administration have perpetrated on human and civil rights: https://civilrights.org/trump-rollbacks/#
Here is a much longer, but better sourced list of general awfulness from him and his administration: https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/atrocities-1-to-111
Biden was far from my first choice, but at least he’s proven he’ll take the current pandemic seriously, actually acknowledges climate change is real, listens to scientists, and shown he can be pushed to improve his stances on civil rights among other things. I’ll take him over the anti-science fascist we’ve been stuck with the past four years any day.
Thanks for this post and the reminder that fiction can be a Trojan horse! As well as the distinction between “the facts” and “truth.” It’s so easy to get caught up in the details (both writing, and watching the news) and forget that what we’ll remember 10 years from now is the story. Can’t wait to read your debut!
Hi Carol!
Thanks for reading. I am so guilty of being caught up in the details (the news) right now, but I know this minutia will not be what I remember in 10 years.
And thanks for you kind words about my book. I’m getting excited. Only two more months!
Julie
There’s another story here the one Americans love the most. The Outsider who is sent to clean up the corrupt town, business, industry or government. From Eric Brockovich to Silkwood to The Insider. The one person who will do the right thing against incredible odds and suffer a gauntlet of cruelties in the process. Ring any bells?
Karen,
Absolutely! Those are great examples. Thanks!
Julie
As I write this, I’m sitting here in eastern PA waiting for the arrow to find its mark and to see if we’re going to embrace the narrative of inclusion. I’m a long-time fan of James Lee Burke. His Dave Robicheaux novels take place in LA and offer a big-picture view of the politics there. Dave is flawed. Who isn’t? But he leads with his heart, and his observations ring with truths about what it is to be human. To make horrible mistakes and have regrets and to find a better way through. It feels like our whole country is doing this right now. And it feels like just the beginning. If anything I write contributes in any small way, I’ll be content. Thank you for this thoughtful and potent reminder of the ways in which stories empower us.
Hi Susan,
I haven’t read anything by James Lee Burke. Thanks for the recommendation. Yes, keep writing! We all have a contribution to make. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Julie
Beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
Hi Tiffany!
I’m so glad you enjoyed my post.
On a completely unrelated note, I owe YOU a huge thanks. My second book was due recently and when I was in the final stretch I was having some plot issues, but I wasn’t sure what was missing. I did your online webinar. I broke out the colored pencils and posterboard-sized paper. I filled in every worksheet, plotted every point. I graphed my “W” with all the critical points. And I had a giant “Aha!” moment which helped me finish the book. It was wildly helpful!
Julie
I really enjoyed this post… are you able to tell me which webinar Julie would have done? It sounds amazing
Thanks for your feedback, Cassandra.
Tiffany has a website called Foxprint Editoria. I did the Five Foolproof Steps to an Airtight Plot class. Really helpful — and affordable.
Julie
I recommend “An Unkindness of Ghosts” by Rivers Solomon. It was their debut novel, and it made a lot of “best of” lists in 2017.
The main character is queer and neuroatypical. The story is a dystopian sci-fi as the last of humanity tries to flee to safety.
The copy I read had some editing errors. But the story it told stayed with me long after I returned it to the library. So much so that I bought a copy to re-read at some point.
Ruth,
Oooooh! That sounds like just the kind of book I would love! Thanks so much for the recommendation. And thanks for reading.
Julie
Brave, true and wonderful post, Julie. Looking forward to your debut. Beth
Hi Beth!
Thanks for the kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed my post. I can’t wait for you to read my book either! Let me know what you think of it.
Julie
“Writing is a political act, an act of resistance, an act of love. It requires digging deep for the truths we hold dear and packaging them in narratives that penetrate readers’ defenses. In telling stories, we can share ideas that might not resonate when presented in graphs and charts.”
Brilliantly said, in an overall lovely and inspiring post. Thank you.
Kristan,
Thank you so much. I appreciate your words.
Julie
Wow. That was rather powerful and expressive writing.
That’s so kind of you. Thank you, Jeralyn!
Julie
That’s quite the son you have there!
My father was an amateur environmentalist when that was barely a thing. My grandfather was a wildlife officer and tracked poachers. Needless to say, I was taught to revere the natural world from a tender age.
Though there are aspects of the book that now make me cringe, Girl of the Limberlost was the first place I remember meeting their fictional counterparts. I think that’s a reason behind Where the Crawdads Sing’s ginormous success. Some people–my people–are hungry for a time when we looked after the Earth and each other.
Jan,
Thanks so much for your comment. Like you, I’m always on the lookout for books that treat nature with respect. It sounds like you had a lot of hands-on experience with the natural world from a young age. A brilliant education! And yes, I’m quite proud of my son’s spot-on metaphor!
Julie
Loved this article. It reminded me of a C.S. Lewis quote: “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.”