I am often asked if a novelist should inject his or her political leanings in a book. There is no easy answer other than to say nothing should stop the flow of a narrative. Most readers are interested in murder and sex. It would be highly inappropriate for a couple locked in a steamy sexual encounter to stop what they are doing to reflect on the mid-term elections.
Sometimes an author has to give a character an unpalatable opinion, usually in a conversation. Such conversations define the character as a racist, a bigot, a chauvinist, a sexist pig, ax murderer, pederast, serial killer, or even a Red Sox fan.
But authors don't inhabit an ethical vacuum. My
protagonists are basically moral people, who usually know right from wrong and
are offended by injustice. When they offer an opinion, you can be pretty sure it’s one I hold.
Interestingly enough, some of the villains in my books also have a moral code, and I like them to express it on occasion.
In fact, I think that coming from them, righteous indignation is very powerful.
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