Why Giving Voice to the Voiceless Isn’t Optional in Storytelling

May 26, 2025 by Douglas Robbins

Stories shape the world. But if we’re not giving voice to the voiceless, we’re shaping a world that leaves people behind. Not just in fiction—but in real life.

We don’t tell every story—and that silence shapes everything.

Historically, literature—like history—has centered the same kinds of characters, the same kinds of lives, the same lens of experience. Everyone else? Relegated to the sidelines. Flattened. Forgotten. Or worse—never written in at all.

And yet, here’s the thing: there are no voiceless people. Only people the world has worked hard to silence.

As writers, it’s not just our job to entertain. It’s our responsibility to bear witness. To reach into the margins. To ask: Who have we never made space for? Who’s been told, again and again, that their voice doesn’t matter? And what does it say about us that we’re only just now listening?

Giving voice to the voiceless isn’t a trend. It’s not a checkbox for “diverse storytelling.” It’s an act of restoration. Of resistance. Of reckoning.

The Cost of Telling Stories That Center the Silenced

When I wrote Black Cloud Rises, I was haunted by the story of a man erased from the mainstream narrative—a Black officer in the Reconstruction era, forced to fight in a war that refused to make room for him. He wasn’t voiceless. But history had done everything it could to make him invisible.

I wrote it to make sure he wouldn’t disappear again.

In truth, representation in fiction isn’t just about identity—it’s about who gets to matter. Because stories grant humanity. And the people we leave out are the people we quietly dehumanize.

Why Giving Voice to the Voiceless Is Vital, Not Optional

When you write marginalized characters with depth, with agency, with inner life—you’re doing more than “including” them. You’re saying: you belong here. Your voice matters just as much as anyone else’s.

And for readers who’ve never seen themselves in the pages of a book? That kind of representation isn’t decorative. It’s life-giving.

So no, this isn’t optional. Not if you care about truth. Not if you believe fiction should reflect the real world—not just its comforts, but its injustices, its complexities, its wounds.

Giving voice to the voiceless means reviving stories history tried to bury—not out of guilt, but because the truth deserves to live.

What Happens When We Tell the Whole Story

Above all, tell the stories of those who’ve been denied the mic.
Write the characters who don’t usually make the cover.
Listen before you speak—but when it’s your turn to write, don’t hold back.

Because storytelling isn’t just about what happens.
It’s about giving voice to the voiceless—and choosing not to look away anymore.

And if we want a more just world, we need more just stories.

Coming June 25th: Black Cloud Rises

Black Cloud Rises tells the true story of a Black officer during the Reconstruction era—a man history tried to erase, but who demanded to be seen.

It’s a book for anyone who’s ever asked, Why wasn’t I taught this?
The world tried to silence that voice—but this story refuses to stay quiet.

Illustration representing giving voice to the voiceless in fiction

How to Find Your Writing Voice and Use It with Confidence

May 24, 2025 by Douglas Robbins

Author reflecting on how to find your writing voice through storytelling

If you’ve ever wondered how to find your writing voice, you’re not alone. Your voice isn’t just about tone or technique—it’s a reflection of how you experience the world, and how you’re brave enough to tell the truth about it.

For years, I thought finding your voice meant developing a certain style, or mastering rhythm, or imitating the writers I respected. Eventually, I realized that voice is less about form and more about freedom. It’s the moment you stop asking “What do they want me to sound like?” and start asking “What do I need to say?”

That’s when the real voice starts to emerge—layered, complex, raw, and real.

Why Writing Honestly Means Breaking the Rules

We live in a culture that rewards polish over honesty. It asks us to be more palatable, more professional, more like what already works. But if you want to learn how to find your writing voice, you have to resist that pressure.

Your voice is not a performance. It’s permission.

It shows up the moment you stop editing yourself for someone else’s comfort. Maybe it’s the sentence you almost didn’t write because it felt too close to the bone. Or the truth that makes your hand shake—but your heart relax.

How I Stopped Writing to Be Liked and Started Telling the Truth

When I wrote Max Johnny, I wasn’t trying to be profound. I was trying to survive. The only way the story worked was if I told the truth—even when it was messy. In fact, especially when it was messy.

That book—and others like Narican—taught me that voice isn’t a goal you arrive at. Rather, it’s a relationship you commit to. Day after day, page after page, truth after truth.

So if you’re wondering how to find your writing voice, consider that it might already be whispering. You just haven’t stopped long enough to listen.

Tips for How to Find and Trust Your Writing Voice

Say the thing you’ve been avoiding. The sentence you hesitate to write? That’s usually the one that matters most.
Write what scares you. Your fear is often a signpost pointing toward something honest.
Stop copying your heroes. Learn from them—but don’t borrow their voice. Use your own.
Speak first, then write. When you talk it out before putting it on the page, your thoughts often flow more freely. As a result, your voice becomes clearer—especially when you’re not trying so hard.
Let it be messy. Voice is not about perfection. It’s about truth.

Your Voice Will Change—And That’s Exactly the Point

Voice is not static. It shifts as you grow, as you heal, as you stop pretending. That’s a good thing. Learning how to find your writing voice isn’t about locking into one style forever. It’s about learning to trust your inner compass, again and again.

Every time you tell the truth—on the page, in conversation, in silence—you come home to yourself.

And that’s what readers connect with.

Black Cloud Rises Novel – Why Some Stories Never Get Told

May 15, 2025 by Douglas Robbins

The Stories That Vanish

The Black Cloud Rises novel was born from a question I couldn’t shake:
Why do some histories get remembered while others are intentionally left out?

Some histories don’t disappear.
We erase them.

Not by time or accident, but by design—through systems and stories that decide which voices we remember and which we bury.

We often describe history as a neutral record of the past, but it isn’t. History is curated. We filter what remains. We clean up or remove anything that feels uncomfortable.
Too often, we leave out the people who paid the highest price.

Why I Wrote Black Cloud Rises

There’s a reason we rarely hear about the Black soldiers who fought during Reconstruction, or the Indigenous communities whose lives were pushed aside in the name of “progress.” These stories still exist. They challenge the version of history we prefer to believe.

I wrote the Black Cloud Rises novel to confront what we often ignore.
To dig beneath the official version.
To explore the emotional cost of writing people out of history.

This isn’t just about the past. It continues today—when governments ban books, when leaders label truths “too divisive,” when communities stay silent for the sake of comfort.

But comfort doesn’t equal justice.
And silence doesn’t create peace.

Truth, Fiction, and Reckoning

Fiction allows us to speak into the silence.
Instead of statistics or slogans, it offers human stories—raw, real, flawed, and full of life.
These stories ask us to witness. To remember. To feel.

When we write fiction that refuses to look away, we do more than tell a story—we restore something.
We give back what history tried to erase.

Telling these stories has a cost.
People might say it feels too political, too emotional, too much.
But staying silent costs even more.

As a writer, I don’t smooth the edges.
I tell the truth—especially when it’s hard.

So let’s keep telling the stories they hoped we’d forget.
Let’s remember the names, the lives, the truths that never got their chapter.

Because without them, we’re only living in half a world.
And we were made for more than that.

Coming Soon: Black Cloud Rises

June 25, 2025

A novel about resistance, identity, and what happens when truth refuses to stay buried.

The Best Education Develops The Whole Human and Empowers Our Future

April 15, 2024 by Douglas Robbins

Our current education system is failing to develop the whole individual. It focuses solely on intellect while neglecting the emotional and spiritual aspects of human beings. This lopsided approach leaves many adults struggling with unresolved childhood trauma, limiting beliefs, and emotional immaturity well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

We enter school as children then come out the other side with little to no guidance on navigating the complexities of adulthood. We lack essential skills for jobs, finances, relationships, and parenting while often dealing with shame, low self-esteem, and other “darker” emotions. Consequently, these unaddressed emotions infiltrate our lives, leading to anger, violence, lack of communication, and bad decisions.

If we truly seek well-rounded individuals and a better future, we must nurture all aspects of our character during the formative years. This holistic development will empower our children to become capable, emotionally resilient adults, ready to tackle life’s challenges and contribute positively to society.

Emotions govern our lives. Unresolved trauma and limiting beliefs can impede even the most brilliant minds from achieving their full potential. By teaching emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and healing techniques, we can equip our youth with the tools to break free from generational cycles of pain and victimhood.

Education should not only impart academic knowledge but also practical life skills. Understanding personal finance, healthy relationships, proper diet, exercise, parenting, and self-care are vital for thriving as an adult. Without these tools, many succumb to debt, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and the perpetual cycle of blaming external factors for their troubles.

True happiness and fulfillment stem not from material possessions but from living a purposeful, meaningful life. By also nurturing the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of our lives, we can empower individuals to find their true callings and contribute their unique gifts to the collective whole.

It’s time to transform our education system to meet the needs of the whole individual. By cultivating well-rounded, emotionally intelligent adults, we can heal the wounds our society is suffering and pave the way for a brighter future. Let us prioritize the development of our children’s minds, bodies, emotions, and spirits, ensuring they emerge from school truly prepared for the journey of adulthood.

This is how we all live our most fulfilling lives.

Narican: The Cloaked Deception

September 18, 2023 by Douglas Robbins

A Cosmic Odyssey of Self-Discovery and Redemption

Author of this review: Maccabee Griffin, Host of Beyond the Pen

Narican: The Cloaked Deception, penned by Douglas Robbins, is a genre-defying journey that seamlessly

weaves elements of science-fiction, fantasy, philosophy, mysticism, and mental health into a tapestry of cosmic proportions. This novel takes readers on an exhilarating ride through the realms of human nature, the eternal struggle between good and evil, and the quest for self-discovery and enlightenment.

The story revolves around Reuben Mitchell, a seemingly ordinary young man who is blissfully unaware of his extraordinary destiny. Born on Earth through surrogates, Reuben is the last of the Sun Clan, the guardians of the soul’s highest order. As he ages, the nefarious Toxic Whisperers, an enigmatic and evil force, set their sights on him. These creatures threaten Reuben’s existence and the very fabric of human evolution.

One of the novel’s strengths is its multifaceted exploration of the human condition. Reuben’s struggles with a torn mind and the toxic influences of the world around him serve as a metaphor for the mental health battles many face in our reality. The author deftly portrays the frustration, confusion, and isolation that often accompany such struggles, making Reuben a relatable and empathetic character.

Amidst this turmoil, Reuben’s journey intertwines with Tanz, the Accountant, the Seer, and the Record Keeper of Narican. Stripped of their evolved powers by the Toxic Whisperers, these characters share Reuben’s quest to unravel the evil plans threatening humanity’s existence. Together, they grapple with questions of identity, the duality of human nature, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness.

At its core, Narican: The Cloaked Deception is a tale of self-discovery and redemption. The characters seek not only to protect Earth but also to evolve as human and spiritual beings. The novel’s profound exploration of the limitations of the human condition—how our bodies and minds often hinder our quest for enlightenment—resonates deeply with readers. It invites us to contemplate our inner struggles and the ever-present battle between our higher and lower selves.

Readers will immerse themselves in a richly developed world filled with intricate mythology, vividly described landscapes, and enigmatic beings as the narrative unfolds. The story’s philosophical underpinnings add depth and complexity, inviting readers to ponder the age-old questions of morality, existence, and the nature of good and evil.

In Narican: The Cloaked Deception, Douglas Robbins has crafted a captivating and thought-provoking odyssey that transcends traditional genre boundaries. This novel is a profound exploration of the human experience, a thrilling cosmic adventure, and a meditation on the eternal struggle for enlightenment. Readers who embark on this journey will be rewarded with a rich and immersive narrative that challenges their perceptions and leaves them pondering the intricate dance between light and darkness within us all.

Narican is available in (ebook, print, audio) formats.

The Battle for Truth: Navigating Fake News and Defending Freedom of Speech

July 25, 2023 by Douglas Robbins

An image of old newspaper or handwritten script

Freedom of speech is something we have held dearly to our hearts since we were born. Something we are told is an inalienable right. Our Constitution reads, “Amendment One. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances.” That’s it. Nothing more.

Amendment One is very short. Amendment Two, regarding guns is even shorter, but that’s for another day. So, we live by this doctrine, this creed, that freedom of speech needs to be held in high esteem, yet this document was written over 200 years ago. There was no internet. No trolling, no pervasive memes, no streaming on social media. There were political cartoons, but this was a very, very different time when religious freedom was in question.

In general, today, religious freedom is not a concern. So, the amendment did what it set out to do. However, this freedom is being abused for different reasons, unforeseen technological ones.

The definition of Amendment is to make a minor change or to improve upon a piece of text or legislation.

We may be due for amending our amendments. For we have a sickness in this country that is destroying it with rot from within. That rot is misinformation. We have political pundits, “news” agencies, endless groups, and endless social media platforms, streaming “information” that is literally bombarding our psyches. Information is how we make decisions. If we don’t have the right information, we don’t make the right decisions. Now we are often making decisions based upon misinformation and deliberately erroneous “facts,” put out by “news” agencies.

I don’t think the First Amendment was designed to destroy the country it was meant to free. It was designed to uphold people’s choices and rights. And as it said, the press, but who is the press nowadays? Printing presses are all but obsolete with a handful holding out, many owned by big businesses controlling the narrative.

Now every cable news station has a talking head 24-hour news cycle, even though what they present is not 24 hours’ worth of news. It’s really the same news regurgitated over a 24-hour period: the most dramatic news, the most divisive news in what is about a half hour worth of the worst of what the world had seen that day. It’s news that sells, not news that illuminates, if it’s news at all. Kim Kardashian’s ass is not news. You may be fascinated by it and her family drama, but it still isn’t news. News affects a population, not a hair style or gossip of who’s sleeping with whom.

And so, when you have pundits, political hacks, talking heads on either side, speaking as if what they’re saying is gospel when it is often hearsay or some narrative they’re selling.

Well, now we have a problem with freedom of speech, because now it is being used against the people, not for the people. It is now designed to divide the people, often turning this narrative into physical violence as we saw on January 6^th with the capital insurrection that came close to toppling this nation and putting an illegitimate narcissist despot in place as president who cares nothing for the law.

The definition of Insurrection is a violent uprising against an authority or government.

The definition of Treason is betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.

Now if many of these insurrectionists were not fed this misinformation about the election being stolen, would they have done it?

There’s a big difference between news and opinion, news and narrative, news and desire, news and belief. You know, it’s like my daughter can just say something crazy, right? But she’s a kid. When you take that into the realm of politics, information and climate change, there are dire, dire circumstances, with dire results if we do not get the right information out there.

We must hold these truths to be self-evident. And what’s happening is self-evident. If we want to hold freedom of speech in such high regard, we must hold the content of that speech in high regard as well. Not just the idea of it or blathering anything we choose to, because the unchecked narrative is destroying us. Our country, our beloved life raft of a nation for so many, is teetering right now. There is a hole in it draining the air. Our democracy people assume is going to last. If you look at history, it doesn’t last unless you tend to it and fortify it. Nothing does. We must keep strengthening it, not weakening it. Empires with huge debt, huge military spending and huge inflation crumble. Just look at ancient Rome.

Just like with censorship on music or television or movies, censorship that you cannot say whatever whenever it suits you, not in the public arena anyway. Bob at the bar on his third tequila shot can say whatever he likes. But there must be accountability and clarification if spoken by a “news” agency or politician. Your opinions, wants, and desires, Are Not News or Facts.

Facts are very different than someone whipping up the crowd into a frenzy, fear mongering. There must be something in place like there are with movie ratings. When whomever on whatever station you watch acts as an authority, as a news agency, they must site like a research paper would and prove that they are worthy of such a title. News was once revered. It shed a light on the world. In order for people to make informed decisions they must have the right ideas to shape their world and future. If not, we are playing with a fire we cannot extinguish.

Many people often vote against their own interests, and I understand that is the very point of manipulating information.

People can’t make decisions based upon misinformation other than making the wrong decisions. There was a study a few years ago when Obama was president, that people can’t tell the difference between fake news and real news. Well, if you can’t tell the difference between fake news and real news then we have a real problem, not a fake one.

And critical thinking, my goodness, I don’t know where that went, but not too many people seem to have it, acting without thinking and accepting blindly without considering.

The First Amendment was not designed to destroy us but lift us up as human beings. If we want to be free and informed, we must do better. We must require more. There are 1000s and 1000s of “media or news outlets” on social media, and on the internet. We don’t know who these people are. Some are fine. You don’t know. Just because they have some name and website and act legit doesn’t make them so. It is the wild west out there and it has our rapt attention. The algorithms of Facebook and all the other social media sites will keep giving you more of what you want. Oh, you like ice cream, your kids want more ice cream? Here you go. It is designed to feed whatever narrative you’re seeking and can fan the frenzy of the false narrative as we tumble further down the rabbit hole.

We must take these things very seriously and unbury our heads because freedom of speech is not free. It holds a heavy cost. And that cost is our integrity, our convictions, and our intellect to make informed decisions.

As a nation, if we do not uphold our convictions, we will spiral ever downwards, as we are seeing, and will eventually break apart as our threadbare fabric is already showing.

Most people want the truth. Do you?