Following one’s instincts
The more I read the more confused I get. I just wanna write about stuff I’m interested in and stuff that I think will benefit readers. Here’s what I wrote in the manuscript synopsis I had to turn in during my first semester: American society is increasingly secular and is undergoing increased polarization between the secular and religious as well as among faiths and denominations. In the 2012 presidential election we saw representation from two historically marginalized groups – Mormons and African-Americans. Clearly the influence of European-derived Protestantism is diminishing. And with change comes the potential for conflict. We see this in so-called “anti-sharia” bills and in massacres in Jain temples. Stories have the power to change perception and feelings – that’s what narrative is about, whether fiction or nonfiction. Understanding has the power to prevent or mitigate conflict. That is my over-arching goal with this manuscript: to tell stories that have the power to open minds. As I report and write more, I will have a more detailed view of how the stories will go together. So I just want to write about that stuff. I don’t want to write a magazine article and then try to turn it into a nonfiction novel. I don’t want to crack my knuckles and start an essay as though I’m composing a sonata. I just wanna write about what’s going on and what I think about it. I am driving myself absolutely […]
