Do that. But don't teach, don't preach, don't virtue signal, don't take obsessive attitude or don't locate yourself (or story or characters or...) above reader.
Alan is right. But what I meant was to 'orient yourself' as an author. In other words, adopt a perspective. All you need to do is show a slice of life as you see it, and if you do it well enough, your readers will get on board.
On the other hand, your characters can do all those things, and probably will. After all, they're human. Well, many of them, in most stories. The distinction between the author doing it and the characters doing it may be subtle, but I think it's important.
I agree partly. Characters can and should take positions. But character teaching, preaching... Very rarely works well. Character virtue signalling or locating him/herself above others... The main effect will be opposite.
One of my characters is called Teacher, and appropriately so. But I think it works. She's not of a traditional teacher mold. But then, I think R. Lee Ermey would make a good psychotherapist. Exactly! A very useful tool.
What inspires you? For me, disaster movies and aftermath documentaries made me start asking 'what if' questions.
