Writing as a moral act

“True art is moral. We recognize true art by its’ careful, thoroughly honest search for an analysis of values. It is not didactic because, instead of teaching by authority and force, it explores, open-mindedly, to learn what it should teach. It clarifies like an experiment in a chemistry lab, and confirms.”

– John Gardner, On Moral Fiction, 1978

Okay, so this is a bit high-minded, but is this something we, as authors, should aspire to?

How then does a writer, if so inclined, build their fiction on strong, ethical and moral ground?

I subscribe to the method suggested by Carol Bly, Author of The Passionate, Accurate Story: Making Your Heart’s Truth into Literature. She suggests that even before beginning to write a story, consider composing a “Values Listing,” a written record of the things that are most important to you.

Then, throughout the writing process ensure these values continue to be identified in your work. That means these values are present in the issues and conflicts your characters confront and that they themselves are grounded in or address these same principles.

Here’s her Value’s Listing Questions though each of us would likely want to prepare their own.

VALUE’S LISTING:

1. Two goals or values which make life good or bearable or would if they were in operation.

2. Two goals or values which cause injustice and suffering or lessening of joy.

3. Two missing goals or behaviors. As a child, you thought grown-up life would have these. Now that you are an adult you don’t see them around.

4. Two injustices you see about you and should keep an eye on, even on your wedding day.

First and foremost, our stories must be entertaining, but being given the opportunity shouldn’t we at least attempt to influence our readers in a positive way about important issues, in a way that benefits everyone?