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Should You Write that Pandemic Story?
Several years ago I wrote and published a collection of three novellas entitled The Silent Years. It was my one and only venture into the world of zombie fiction, but was more dark SF than true horror (I don’t do gore).
I’ve had mixed feelings about promoting this work during the pandemic. Fact is, I personally can’t read plague fiction right now. The last time I tried it gave me an anxiety attack.
So, if you’re working on a pandemic story, should you set it aside? Here’s my thoughts on the matter:
Some People Are Reading Pandemic Stories
Believe it or not, some people want this kind of fiction right now. I may not understand it at the emotional level, but academically it’s about catharsis. If you can find your audience you may actually be helping people deal with this.
Don’t believe me? Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 thriller “Contagion” soared in download numbers in early to mid March.
The other thing people are likely to want is stories about pandemics being beaten. Reminders that we have beaten them in the past.
In other words, your pestilence story might actually represent hope to some readers.