Would you ever write a book to prove a point?

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KS Crooks
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Re: Would you ever write a book to prove a point?

Post by KS Crooks »

Only if the point had some greater significance to other people, such as the origin of the universe or the nature of Dark Matter. I guess this is me channeling my inner Stephen Hawking.
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Post by csimmons032 »

Although I don't have much interest in writing a book at the moment, I would do it to more like prove a point to myself instead of proving a point to someone else. I wouldn't really have anyone else to prove a point to. My parents are always supportive of everything I do, so they wouldn't have any problems with me writing a book. I also don't really have that much friends that would care whether I wrote a book or not. So it would definitely be to prove to myself that I could do it. Like I said though, I don't have much interest in writing right now. Maybe in a few years or so, I might be looking for something different to try. I guess we will see.
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Post by theredhairedcrow »

In fiction, I have never written a book just to prove a point, nor would I ever, but I do often write down points I wish to include in a work and then do so. I try not to write it as part of the narrative, but instead make the point(s) through character dialogue, interactions or descriptions given by a character. I think of it is as logically and/or subtly making a point in a reasonble way so that the reader(s) might learn something that might not otherwise have known or realized. I think it can have a longer lasting, more positive effect in that way.

In non-fiction, I still would not write a book just to prove a point. Instead, I might and have written a book to explain or expand on a topic, but it's not to prove a point. Its to inform, often simply from a different perspective from the average or majority view. For example, I am working on a Native American themed scholarly work on a certain topic that has been written about before, but primarily by non-native writers without direct personal experience. As a native writer and academician, I and others like me might provide greater insight.
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Post by zeldas_lullaby »

Huh... you know, I write middle-grade crossover stuff, and every agent out there says, "Don't send me a book that teaches a moral lesson." I like to include moral lessons in my books, mostly about compassion. But apparently, you're not supposed to do this.

I'd be as likely to stop as I would be to sell out.
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Post by faeryfyre »

I think a lot of books are written to prove a point. I definitely would, though maybe I would end up writing the book because I want to and hinting at a point within it. But isn't that nearly the same thing?
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Post by Morgan Jones »

No, because whenever I am forced to write something it usually ends up being a complete disaster. I have to write something that inspires me and drives me to complete it, and not to prove my side of the argument.
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Post by Sushan Ekanayake »

Can you please elaborate on what you say in the post. If I have got what you are trying to say correctly, I think it is a useless thing to do
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Post by DATo »

Voltaire did it with Candide.
“I just got out of the hospital. I was in a speed reading accident. I hit a book mark and flew across the room.”
― Steven Wright
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Post by clint_csperry-org »

Absolutely. Especially to prove a point.
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Post by Florence Nalianya »

Yes if a situation call for this I would definitely do.
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Post by Wanja Hannah »

Yes I would actually I write poems especially when I am thinking a lot.
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Post by Chelsey Coles »

Of course I would! I would try at least, because just because I want a certain point to be proven doesn't mean it will be. At the end of the day, a little ambiguity never hurt my readers; they can come to their own conclusions and prove their own points. Sure, I might be a little sour about it and feel misunderstood, but I'd be happy with something being taken from my work than nothing at all.
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Post by AdamRedWolf »

Stick it to the haters. Just write it. No more excuses.
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Post by hotnicey »

I know this is an old thread. I would like to make my point. Writing a book to address an issue, is okay, if it relates to academics or non-fiction genre.
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Post by Prometheus_emissary »

I wrote my book to get the message out there and solidify my own understanding of the thoughts and emotions that flew around in my head.
Even if something doesn't sell, having your whole argument in a book form you can just throw at someone is pretty powerful in comparison to not having that.
So, yes. But isn't everyone that writes something new trying to do exactly that?
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