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Trendspotting: For Every Trend…There’s a Counter-Trend

Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant

Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Thinking about all the changes in publishing can be mind-blowing, can’t it? I saw an author the other day who was literally walking around in a daze as she thought about all the ways she needed to revamp her view of herself to stay up on what it means to write today–a presence on Facebook and Twitter, sustaining a blog, finding reading communities online, and oh, yes, writing.

Let’s take a deep breath and realize that the faster and more plugged in our world becomes, the more we long to linger, to slow down. I’ve  heard of several books recently that were written by people who chose to find ways for their families to become detached from their technological gizmos and what affect that change had on the family.

Those books are a reflection of an important concept to remember: For every trend, there is a counter-trend. When mass market books first burst onto the scene, readers rushed to buy these handy, fit-in-your-pocketbook reads. At the same time, a love for a beautifully bound book that was luscious just to hold let alone to read also arose.

That means the more we feel enslaved to technology, the more we long for ways to stop the madness. That translates into the increasing popularity of novels–long stories that take us away from our cell phones, emails and texting. Novels explore human connections that go much deeper than an email exchange. They portray individuals’ interiors in ways we can never gauge as we stride through life with our earbuds blocking out bird calls and people’s voices.

What other types of writing create a meandering mentality? How do you unplug? What books enable you to lounge?


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  1. When our children were little, we noticed how enslaved our family had become to the television. It was too easy to fall onto the couch after supper and stare in unison at the blue glow, unspeaking, until bedtime. So we staged a little counter-trend that I always remember fondly, especially as night falls earlier.

    We wanted our children to value classic literature over seasonal sitcoms, so we started reading aloud in the evenings. At first we were afraid their attention would wander after half an hour, but they surprised us by begging for “one more chapter.” We took to passing the book to another reader as our voices gave out. In this process, the kids learned to read with expression. We loved Watership Down, the Chronicles of Narnia, the Little House collection, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy among many others.

    Viva la counter-revolution! 🙂

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  2. I think you have described me perfectly in this. I have definitely felt the desire to “unplug” more than ever these days. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a trance to my computer, and then I look up and think of all the things I could have been doing!
    My favorite type of books to escape from all this, is historical fiction. It transports me to a time where technology was primitive, and times seemed simpler (well in their ways, not their struggles!). I reflect on times in my life where I felt more balanced with technology and giving myself time to be “unplugged”, and can think of the specific book I was reading to help in this balance.
    Angie Dicken

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  3. I’ve often wondered if the popularity of Amish and historical novels is a sign of the technology counter-trend. Those types of books, where technology is absent or in a totally different stage of development, allow the reader to disconnect from our information-overloaded society.

    Reading any sort of novel strictly for fun is a big lounging activity for me. Sadly, this doesn’t happen very often. If I need to unplug, I’ll take my notebook (the paper kind) to a quiet corner and brainstorm about future plot ideas, and such. I also like to edit by hand, which creates the additional step of having to enter those changes into the computer file. But it’s worth it, as I find the process relaxing when done by a pen and not a keyboard.

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  4. I agree with the benefit of novels being able to allow us to lounge (rather than watch TV, which can “amp” us up anymore… even many shows aren’t as relaxing anymore!).

    I feel like going back to read children’s books can often help the mind meander, especially those I grew up with. There are also so many great, contemporary children’s books that capture kids’ attention now, but still focus on the simpler joys of life (away from hustle and bustle and gobs of technology). I also find that working on my own children’s book manuscripts helps me to view aspects of life in a pure, less hectic light.

    I feel that some nonfiction books can help me unplug, as well. When a piece of nonfiction deeply discusses one topic, it helps me to focus in on that, rather than be pulled in so many directions. I actually find that refreshing.

    The existence of counter-trends again encourages me that perhaps there is a place for all of our writings where some reader can benefit from our words (though maybe not always a published place).

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  5. Historical fiction is my pick for lounging. A book that really transports me to a different place and time. But a good cozy mystery is good for this too!

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  6. Yup, I’d say historical novels, Amish novels (which are historical in their own way), cozy mysteries and children’s books (I hadn’t thought about them) all tuck us away from the glare of technology.
    Lynn, I love the reading aloud that your family engaged in. What a delightful idea!

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  7. A few nights ago, I went to a reading done by a writer who built his entire career through his online presence. He works tirelessly blogging, tweeting, interacting with fans online. At first it was inspiring, knowing how well that kind of work could pay off. But he finally admitted the one thing that gets pushed out of his day is actually writing his next book.

    Unfortunately, as I try to keep up with technology, I even find myself reading less. Magazines are about all I can take. Yikes!!! But I have resolved to schedule a time to write and read. Those are the two things I never want to give up. Wish me luck!

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  8. There is no question that Social Networking is all but a must for aspiring writers to get published, and for published writers to maximize their sales. But, one of the other real dangers is the addiction to “instant feedback.” It can add discouragement to the novel writing process because in contrast you feel as if you’re mining alone in a dark cave with a teaspoon.

    I am heartened to hear the encouragement shared for authoring historical novels. I’m going to grab my spoon and continue working.

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  9. Interesting and true concept. I feel I write better if I counterbalance my creative side with my logical side, so I do Sudoku puzzles. It’s a welcome break!

    Also, when I’m writing a first draft, I read more non-fiction, but when I’m revising, I read more fiction. Don’t ask me why!

    Love this topic!

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  10. Due to a series of strokes, my mother has lost the ability to read, but she has not lost the joy of stories. We are currently meandering through THE SECRET GARDEN – the actual copy that she owned as a child. What a privilege to read those lovely words to my mom and treasure our remaining garden moments.

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  11. Lindsey, you are so right about the Amish novels and historical novels. I write historical novels and this is my way of escaping the modern world of technology. When I am writing I am transfered back in time to when people had to be creative and self reliant. I love finding out how things were done back then and learning all the ways people used every single thing they could. They did not have a lot of waste or garbage. Everything had a purpose.

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  12. I agree with the Amish and historical reading choices. I also find myself drawn to quilts. I just finished hand piecing the top of a star quilt. I plan on posting a picture to my website this weekend. There’s something about the functionality of a quilt and it’s beauty that I love.

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  13. Reading is an absolute joy for our family. I can be transported out of my reality by most stories. It is difficult to stop reading and go on to other things,and I work hard to be pleasant when interrupted by “real life”.

    When our children were young, we tried to balance the family reading hour with limited television. It seemed to work. Then our son went to high school. Sports and activities became paramount. I despaired that he had lost his love of reading. One summer he had to stay, every other week by himself, at our very remote ranch in Northeast California. The T.V. reception was terrible, and there was no such thing as cable or satellite, and he discovered Louie L’Amour!

    I believe the love of reading is passed from generation to generation. Our parents were avid readers, we love books, our children continue to enjoy books,and I am blessed to see my grandchildren delight in reading!!

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  14. I read this while sitting in a cabin in the middle of the Hiawatha National Forest in the U.P. of Michigan. Getting away from the noise (and people asking me to work extra in the NICU) really helps. We have internet here but no TV. I disconnect as much as possible when I write. I’m blessed to be able to be where it’s quiet and beautiful.

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  15. Like Lynn we unplugged by having storytime with our kids in the evening. We did this until my kids were well into their teen years, and I’m looking forward to it with our new baby girl.

    Other ways we unplug are having family dinners. Counter-cultural to fast-paced, fast-food lives.

    I love writing historical fiction and I’m excited about my new Amish series. As I write these I do feel I get to enjoy a slower-paced life for a while.

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