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As an author,
there are certain responsibilities that come with the territory. We have a
platform and, therefore, should respect the reality that our words will reach
beyond our own minds and impress our personal views and opinions upon
others—regardless of what those views and opinions may be. On some level,
others will get a glimpse into our imaginations, personal experiences,
thoughts, and doctrine. Intended or not, this is simply the way of it.
Personally, I
write fiction. And although fiction is technically defined as a work of the
imagination, all writers draw from personal experience by some degree. As
people who believe that the words we place onto paper have value, value enough
to submit to others for their enjoyment…judgment…education…I ask you, what is your goal? Beyond the monetary
achievement of provisions, what, if anything, is the deeper meaning to your
prose? How do you want to affect readers? To sum it up, what is the most basic
feeling you want them to walk away with?
In the next few
hundred words, I want to explain why I do what I do. At the very least, I hope
you find it interesting. At best…well, I hope you find it inspiring.
The number one
question I am asked as a thriller writer is this: “How can you write about such
horrible things?” The second most asked question about my writing is: “How do
you capture so much raw emotion?”
If you read my
debut novel, First Night of Summer, you don’t have to go far before realizing
that I am going to confront an exceedingly taboo subject. Having said that, you
don’t have to read much further to understand that the deplorable subject
matter is balanced by the deep love of family, the indelible gumption of the
human spirit, and the profound power of forgiveness that has the ability to
soothe the evilest of wrongdoings.
My most
influential author, Dean Koontz, said, “If we are not willing to acknowledge
evil, we will never stand up to it.”
Another of my
favorite quotes is by Edmund Burke. He said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good
men to do nothing.”
My
purest passion in life—writer or not—is to shed light on issues that the world
at large is unwilling to acknowledge. The kind of issues that when finally
talked about are referred to with benign words and phrases in order tame their
despicable nature. In doing so, those who have not suffered such atrocities may
digest the information in a manner as to not disrupt the delicate balance of
their daily existence.
As
strong a statement as that may be, I go back to where I began. As an author,
who is my responsibility to? Is it to the reader? The real life people who
inspire my characters and their hardships? Perhaps even the demons I strive to
expose through metaphor and analogy. Or, why not all of them? Why can I, we, the creators and directors of fiction,
not deliver the goods to all concerned?
If
a villain in a story is not exposed for who they truly are, who does that help?
My opinion is that it only helps the people who are like that in the real
world. The last thing evil wants is a spotlight, so I turn on the lights and
show the truth.
If
the struggle of a parent…spouse…lover…friend…is not accurately portrayed, who
does that reach? Who does it assist in their personal life? To me, it seems
like it helps no one—no one except those who wish to turn a blind eye on those
who have suffered deep tragedy.
The
old saying, don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, is
as accurate today as it ever was.
To
readers, be not afraid to feel emotion—deeply.
Be not afraid to learn about the real truths. Be not afraid to understand—the
good and the bad.
Writers,
be not afraid to stretch the boundaries of your characters. Be not afraid of
putting true meaning into your stories. If you make it personal, I promise it
will glow brighter than you ever imagined. Lastly: Be not afraid of criticism.
When someone goes to the effort to criticize, it’s because you struck a chord.
I’d
like to leave you all with something; something that provides both peace and
motivation for me—not merely with writing, but also my daily walk.
You
can’t change everyone’s mind, but you can
show them a different perspective.
I
believe this to be the truest task of good story, fiction or otherwise.
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| Landon Parham |
LANDON PARHAM is a bestselling author who
lives in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas America
Parham’s debut novel, First Night of Summer, became a bestseller in August 2013 when it hit #21 on Amazon’s Top 100 overall paid chart, and #2 on Barnes & Noble. It has garnered attention from FOX News, NBC, numerous law enforcement personnel, social workers, child-care advocates, and parents around the globe, as an emotional and true-to-life story. ”If we choose not to recognize the evil in our world, we will never stand up to it.” He is currently working on his next suspense novel following his debut. It will tackle a different, but no less suspenseful issue.
Award-winning 2013 Readers’ Favorite International Award Finalist- Suspense/ Fiction
Sony e-reader and #1 NYT Bestselling Author, Sandra Brown’s Debut Author Pick 2013
Become a fan and “like” my author page on Facebook to find out more. Get social with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
Parham’s debut novel, First Night of Summer, became a bestseller in August 2013 when it hit #21 on Amazon’s Top 100 overall paid chart, and #2 on Barnes & Noble. It has garnered attention from FOX News, NBC, numerous law enforcement personnel, social workers, child-care advocates, and parents around the globe, as an emotional and true-to-life story. ”If we choose not to recognize the evil in our world, we will never stand up to it.” He is currently working on his next suspense novel following his debut. It will tackle a different, but no less suspenseful issue.
Award-winning 2013 Readers’ Favorite International Award Finalist- Suspense/ Fiction
Sony e-reader and #1 NYT Bestselling Author, Sandra Brown’s Debut Author Pick 2013
Become a fan and “like” my author page on Facebook to find out more. Get social with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
