Continuing from my last post, here are the final two reasons why I love writing gothic fiction:

5. Writing for Change

Words are powerful.

I first harnessed the power of words as a grant writer. My words literally amounted to grant funding for nonprofits that were helping to save the world. Every dollar meant that people had food, shelter, and education. That felt amazing, using my power for good.

When I switched to creative writing, it was difficult at first to rationalize how my writing was creating a better world. Then I realized, just because I’m not raising money for those in need, I can still make a difference.

That’s why I love gothic fiction: because it may entertain first, but it often carries a message of social change.

Given the origins of gothic fiction (finding meaning in the face of crushing social, political, and religious constraints), its themes inherently aim to create social progress. Female gothic writers used their novels to write in a socially acceptable way about the constraints of rigid gender roles. They wrote about domestic violence, gender identity, and marriage reform before these things even had a name!

Now that’s a tradition I want to be a part of!

6. Psychological Realism

I am a psychologist. Not by trade, but by education at least. I am fascinated by why people are the way they are. I am fascinated by (not to go Gone Girl, but…) people’s heads and what’s going on up there.

It’s no surprise I was drawn to gothic fiction, then, since psychological realism plays so heavy into the genre. Heck, gothic fiction made psychological realism a thing (thank you Wilkie Collins)!

Psychological realism gives us an up close and personal view of what a character is seeing, thinking, and feeling. Not only is that powerful, and draws the reader in, it allows for some fun writing. You get unreliable narrators. You get skewed perceptions. You get realistic interpretations of mental illness, a topic that desperately needs more attention.

Psychological realism: I love to read it and I love to write it even more!

That’s it, dear readers, the six reasons why I love to write gothic fiction. Now go out to your local bookstore, buy some gothic books, and get to reading!