Yes, this is a common issue for a lot of writers, especially people newer to fiction, though we all face it. I see it with my students sometimes: they want to write the “Message Story” that feels like it has a thesis statement. They lead with it, but then remember they’re supposed to tell a story so they try to paste some one-dimensional characters and plot onto their sexy idea after the fact. -WF

Check out other work in the Racists of America series here.