Kristin Ward – On Infusing Environmental Issues into Fiction

We have all come across stories about dystopia and real world issues. Whether it is speculation about what the world would look like if we continue to destroy the environment, or the story of people coming together and standing up for equality and injustice, many real world issues are infused in stories to get us readers to reflect on the world we live in. I have author Kristin Ward today on The Creator’s Roulette and we are chatting about the depiction of environmental issues.

I have found literature about real world issues categorized under realism. How did you start your journey in this genre, Kristin?

Realism is an important aspect of a fictional story. It is what can anchor a reader in the world an author creates and provides stories with elements of authenticity. When selecting real world components for a book, I look at relevant issues that I have a deep connection with and use these as a platform in the story building process. My debut novel, After the Green Withered, is a perfect example of this practice. While immersed in research for a graduate course I was writing in environmental education, a story idea crept into my mind and took root. That idea was grounded in the environmental issues that I had been researching and are a passion of mine. The research became the conduit for the development of fiction.

Your novels address environmental issues. Why is writing and reading about these issues important?

The environment is something we can all relate to. No matter our political perspective, we are all stakeholders in the future of our planet. As a writer, I wanted to tap into this connection and take readers on a journey from our current reality to a fictional world that still reflects what we are living on a daily basis. By infusing real, environmental issues into a piece of writing, I was able to blur the lines between fiction and reality. This blurring allows the reader to feel a connection with the story on a level of relatability because the fictional world itself is not so different from reality. Suspension of disbelief becomes easier when a story is grounded in current experiences which can allow a reader to become more invested in a book and the characters within the fabric of the story.

Another important aspect of infusing real-world issues into fiction is the ability to bring certain issues to the forefront and use this as a platform for positive change. If you look at many popular young adult books, you will find stories that reflect social issues readers may be living day-to-day. Within these narratives, readers have a book in their hands with characters and storylines that mirror their own reality. Perhaps the book will help someone work through their own experiences, or offer the reader confirmation that they are not alone, thereby further validating what they may be facing. It could also be informative for people who are far removed from the various contexts of the story and offer those individuals an opportunity to look at the world around them from a different perspective. It is this reflection of our current reality that can reach readers and become a catalyst for change.

My hope is that the books I write will tap into people’s perception of the planet in a way that encourages conversation and reflection about our habits and actions as a species. I feel that many books invite these conversations through their realism and through this dialogue we can look at various issues from a different lens. It is within this awareness and discourse that fiction, grounded in real-world issues, becomes more than a fanciful story.

What are some books you have found particularly helpful in starting conversations about the environment?

Writing that I have found to be conduits to conversation are an assortment of nonfiction texts I have read to stay informed or for work-related purposes. I enjoy taking the content of these pieces and infusing environmental ideas and questions into conversation to shed light on issues individuals may be unaware of or to add context to encourage a more global perspective. I try not to be preachy, as this is a turn-off, while also working to offer a different, and in some cases eye-opening, lens. It is essential to stay informed about environmental issues as they often do not make the headlines. We have one planet and we are all part of the solution.

I’ve read many books over the years but here are a few that stand out:

• Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
• The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
• Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
• Ecological Literacy by David Orr
• Earth in Mind by David Orr

I have also read many, many articles but no titles or publication dates come to mind. There are numerous organizations that people can follow such as National Geographic, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, and Greenpeace. Unbiased news outlets, like Rueters and Associated Press, also release informative articles that capture the latest environmental news.

Your books are categorized as Young Adult. Were you passionate about the environment when you were growing up? What are some things parents and teachers can do to help kids be more compassionate about real world issues?

I grew up in a coastal town in Southern California, quite a difference from Connecticut, where I live now! As a child, I spent summers at the beach, playing in the sand or visiting the tide pools. One of my fondest memories is of a time when I was trekking through the tide pools looking at the myriad of creatures tucked within these micro-ecosystems, when I looked up and saw a seal perched on a rock about twenty feet away. We spent some time just watching each other, both seemingly curious about the other. Eventually, the tide came in, forcing me to retreat. The seal watched my departure before slipping off the rock and into the sea.

Nature has always been a big part of my life and has truly shape many of the things I write. I’m an animal lover, and this was indulged in childhood as my parents allowed me to have pets from lizards to rats. LOL. I enjoy being out in the woods with my three sons and our home is filled with many furry and feathered friends. My first published piece was actually curriculum for a zoo exhibit. The research and writing were up my alley! I have also written a graduate course in environmental education, which was the conduit for my first published novel.

As we look toward the future, our youth are inheriting the consequences of inaction and environmental negligence. They will feel the effects of climate change on a scale that will be reflected in everything from economic impacts to weather. We are currently in the sixth mass extinction period in Earth’s history. The difference with this event is that for the first time it has been caused by a species rather than a natural event. While we can’t undo the damage we have done, we can improve technologies, protect natural places, and work to preserve what is beautiful and natural in this world for future generations.

For every action, whether it be in politics or with regards to sources of energy, various degrees of views exist about everything. What are some ways to balance polar outlooks in literature about real world issues?

Environmental issues have become so polarized that it can be challenging to have an open dialogue. At the heart of the argument to protect and preserve the planet and its resources is a simple idea of doing what is right for its own sake rather than for an agenda on either side. I feel that if we could see beyond party lines and simply ask ourselves whether certain actions or policies will be better or worse for the planet, we would know the immediate answer.  Let’s look at what has happened in the Amazon over the past year. All over the news, for a period of time, were alarming articles of the forest being burned at an unprecedented rate. Is that good for that habitat and all of the organisms within it?  The immediate answer is likely no, but that stance can be shaken and skewed when put into a context where people are looking at it through a political lens.

One way to cross the boundaries that have so polarized us it to infuse environmental ideas into fiction. The intent of the author may be there, but the landscape of the argument or awareness is not tied to something polarizing. It’s a book, a work of fiction, one that may cause you to stop and think and perhaps look at things from a different perspective. This is why I pour my passion into fiction. If one reader’s eyes are opened to a new awareness that affects positive change, then I have truly reached a pinnacle as an author.

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What environmental issues have you seen infused into mainstream fiction? Do you feel these issues are prevalent enough in fiction? 

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Kristin about real world issues in fiction. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Check out her work on her website.

Cover image: Photo by Matthew Smith on Unsplash