Fiction in the A.C. (After Covid) Era

I recently read on a friend’s blog “About” page that when Covid arrived, writing fiction started feeling wrong. So, I wanted to share my thoughts on the subject. As this friend is none other than acflory, I couldn’t resist the temptation of using the A.C. abbreviation/pun. 😇

Getting Ready – An Abandoned Project

In 2019 I came up with a male nude photography project under the title “Getting Ready”. The photographs would show the “story” of Edgar Allan Poe’s Red Death getting ready to go and crash the party. It was supposed to be a pleasantly and slightly humorously presented critic on society and human arrogance. By October 2019 I was happy with my plans, and I had started discussing them with my desired model. Since he doesn’t live in Greece, we arranged the photo-shooting for Easter 2020, when he could be here.

But Covid came first.

By Easter we were in lockdown and travelling was forbidden. Therefore, the project couldn’t happen. Moreover, by the time these restrictions eased, things around the world had changed. Many people had died and even more had lost their loved ones to Covid. And Covid was now eerily close to Red Death or, more accurately, to Black Death which Poe alludes to.

And thus, suddenly my “Getting Ready” project could be interpreted as ironic, or a mockery of those people. Therefore, I abandoned the project. Didn’t just shelve it. Even if I live to reach a hundred, I think it will still be too early for such a project to see the light of day.

The Pandemic Trend

On the contrary, too many authors and other creators used Covid as a theme or inspiration. Taken individually, I’m not against each work. It’s just something I wouldn’t do. But every artist – and for Greeks an author is an artist, and literature is an art, not a craft – should feel free to express themselves and their thoughts and feelings through their work.

But, to be frank, the flood of Covid-related creations – this trend – felt unpleasant. It was as if people were trying to make money or a name. I didn’t like that trend and I stayed away from it.

But at the same time, speaking lightly and writing humorous stories and the like became something of a taboo. Not banned, but seen as a “behaviour” to frown upon.

That was “okay”. Lockdowns had already reduced my ability to write, so I didn’t have a story to share or promote. Then, less of a problem this was.

Still, though, tweeting became more of a challenge – or a chore – than a pleasure. If you know me from Twitter, you know that – more often than not – I speak optimistically, make jokes, and try to bring a smile to people. And suddenly, this loony bunny had to act seriously all the time?

Yeah… I couldn’t do that. That’s one of the reasons I wasn’t very active on Twitter during that period.

So what did I do?

Escaped to painting and drawing. That was good. I improved my skills a lot, as it seems.

Other than that? I was watching and reading pleasant things. The world felt too dark, so I needed an escape. But reading can offer much more. Let’s take a look:

Escapism, of course. Engaging with a good book can transport you to another world, providing a temporary escape from your current circumstances. This can be a healthy way to cope with stress and anxiety, giving you a mental break from your problems. But that’s just the start.

Emotional Catharsis. Literature often explores a wide range of emotions, from joy and love to sadness and anger. Reading about characters who experience and overcome similar emotions can provide a sense of release and validation for your own feelings. This cathartic process can be therapeutic and help you process your own emotions.

Perspective and Empathy. Literature allows you to see the world through different eyes, fostering empathy and understanding. This can help you gain a different or more complete perspective on your own situation and realise that others have faced and overcome similar challenges.

Connection and Community. Even when physically isolated, reading can make you feel connected to others. You get in contact with the characters of the story, and if the book is good, these characters become very real. From the perspective of the author, a reason I love so much having the narrator discussing with the reader is because while I write this way I feel more connected with the readers.

Learning and Growth. Literature often explores complex themes and ideas, providing opportunities for personal growth and learning. This can help you develop resilience, adaptability, and other skills to navigate difficult times. It can even give you an idea for dealing with certain issues. And I’m not talking about self-help books and the like. I am still talking about fiction. A character might use a certain way or strategy to deal with a similar situation, which takes us to the next point.

Coping Strategies. Characters in literature often face and overcome significant challenges. Observing their coping strategies and resilience can provide you with ideas and inspiration for your own coping mechanisms.

Mindfulness and Relaxation. Reading can be a calming and relaxing activity, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. It can also promote mindfulness, as it encourages you to focus on the present moment and engage deeply with the text. A pro that watching movies, series, anime and the like can’t provide just as strongly. At least not to me.

And last but not least, reading provides Hope and Inspiration. Many stories, especially those with a positive narrative arc, can inspire hope and optimism. They remind us that even in the darkest times, there is always the possibility of a brighter future. Okay! Horror and drama might not fit the bill for this one, but they still tick the rest.

Why Fiction Still Matters

So, yes, fiction can feel fake if we focus too hard on reality, but its help is absolutely real and valuable.

Covid has passed – or “passed” – but the scars it left in our lives and our world haven’t healed. And, on top of that, instead focusing on healing, humanity decided to start wars. Things still don’t look bright, and they may not get brighter in our lifetimes.

But that’s exactly why it’s important that we – the authors – will keep writing, and keep offering our audiences, however small or large, the chance to find something in our stories that can help them. Precisely because our stories aren’t the news.

So, keep writing people! (Or re-start writing)

Love and Kisses

💖💖💖💖💖
😘😘😘😘😘

Yorgos KC.