Narrative ethics

Narrative ethics is a term covering multiple approaches:

1) To work through personal identity-creation and meaning-making through narrative (including the specific use of “narrative ethics” within medical settings),

2) (perhaps a less popular application) to ask how we “should” tell stories

What, I wonder, should we consider as we make narrative choices? As writers, are we trying to create full, well-rounded characters that showcase full, flawed humans, or are we succumbing to stereotype and lazy portrayals? How are we treating characters experiencing mental illness; how are we handling complex themes such as revenge, the glorification of heroes, Western storytelling tropes, and narrative possibilities?

I’ll be using this space to post articles and resources on narrative ethics — if you’re interested in collaborating, please reach out.