New Ideas

I have a new idea for another book that could turn into a series. Again, I'm working on a project that takes me back through history. What's up with that? At least this time it's not ancient history, only about 300-400 years instead of 3000. The research is great. I'm learning things that give me insight into my life today.

Looking at the culture of then explains some of my culture now. This is so fascinating! I can't wait to tell you what all I find. I'm really excited about this new idea. I haven't decided on the plot, yet, but when I do you can count on it being action-packed and having to do with my culture.

I've got to get back to the research end of this. C'ya.

The Gaps in Life

Yesterday I was sitting in one of the critique groups a belong to. We were discussing the differences in age related thought. It struck me as funny that each of us belong to several different groups, those formed by age, economics, or profession. Then there a the separators of region, politics, and faith. I have to remember to keep all of this in mind to create rich characters.

Today I'm working on a story with a 12 year-old male protagonist. What helps me some is remembering my brother at that age, but what helps the most is watching boys at sports meets or in the mall, wherever they congregate. Boy thought is very different from girl thought. Their actions tend to be larger than those of girls, although it does appear to be changing some.

What is the most interesting to me is watching the 'mating dance'. Male and female alike have a need for the other to see them as attractive and neither wants the other to know that they know they're being watched. Then the fun begins.

The guys become more masculine and cool (they don't use that word so much anymore). Making a point of making sure the intended girls is watching is very cool behavior and conversation. And when he works the nerve up to approach her, he puts on an air of extreme confidence. It's really fun to watch.

Come to I think it, that's the same at every age.  I guess we don't really change so much. Kids still need to be different, especially using clothes, speech, and the shock factor to set them apart from adults. For me it was Afro's, mini-skirts, and lots of color. Today it's emo, skinny jeans, and the color isn't so much on the clothes now it's in the hair.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Research

I've been thinking about a new story. One that takes place around the 16th century. That means it's back to the library. I always start with general history. What was happening during that period. Who was in power. For this book, I'm most interested in trade and trade routes. Then I'll look into piracy to see how that would effect my characters. England and Spain were big traders during that period and had command of the seas, and so was Portugal.

These are the things that will give me hints about the culture of the time and area. It gives me some insight into daily life and values for the characters I'm building. I get an idea of their hopes and dreams, fears and concerns. It even helps me to understand disease and medical treatments of the time.

I'm really excited about what I'll learn. It's like a treasure hunt. Some writers I know hate this part, but I love it. It's a window into another world. I get a picture of some of the ways it has effected the world I live in and shaped the people in it.

I often learn strange bits of trivia, random facts. I love these nuggets. I'll keep you posted on the cool stuff I find.

Fear and Trembling

Today I submitted to a writing contest. I did it with fear and trembling. Part of the anxiety was due to my fear of not being proficient with computers. I was afraid that I would hit some snag or glitch and I wouldn't know what to do about it. But I got prayed-up and plowed right in.

I managed to log in with very little problem. Then I started inputting the information. I clicked the save button and I got this screen that said it was 'working'. The screen stayed like that for some time. I didn't really pay much attention to it or become concerned. I just assumed that there were so many people logging in that the server might have been overloaded and it was just taking some time to get the job done.

So I waited and waited. I waited for two hours! Finally I asked my daughter what she though about it. She said that I could be right or that something went wrong with the connection. I asked her how could I tell the difference. She told me to open another window and see if it would let me log in. I did and everything went smoothly from there.

What's really sad is that I was prepared to sit in front of the computer and wait for it to finish 'working'. It probably would have gone on like that all night. And there I would be sitting and waiting. I am so not of the computer age and culture.

Now I'm ready for a long, hot, bubble bath. Calgon, take me away.

And Here We Are Again

Today I was thinking what I should say in this blog. A sage blogger told me that I should write whatever I happen to be thinking about. So here goes.

I was reading another blog, one by a writing professional, who remarked about writing with characters of color. I absolutely am in favor of including everyone. I don't think someone should stick a description on a character just to include someone of color. That would be a bit insulting. But if they made the character a whole person including their culture, minus the stereotypes, it would not only be complimentary, but helpful. It doesn't matter to me if the writer is one of color or not, so long as they do it well.

What does bother me is that these professionals stated that it is easier for a book with characters of color to be published if the author was not of color. I can't tell you how crazy that makes me. It's not only crazy, it's infuriating! I could brush it off if it was only one person's perspective, but I keep running into it over and over.

I write with characters of color for many reasons: a) they look like me; b) they fall within my standard of beauty; c) this is a culture I am most familiar with; and d) there aren't that many inclusive  mainstream books. Does this mean that I will only write with these characters? Never. If I did that, I would be as guilty as those who never include them, besides that's not what my world looks like whether public or intimate. So, when you read something of mine, you'll get a peek into my world.

Sincerest Apologies

I must truly apologize. I've been quiet thinking about what I want this blog to be. My first entries had to do with writing struggles and my determining how I want to be perceived. I guess that is still has been resolved, yet.

I know that the way I want the world to think of me is as a 'great' writer. It isn't important to me that my chocolateness be the determining factor of whether or not people read what I write. Quite the opposite is true. I want to be known for my craft.

So the question remains: what part does culture play? It's still very important to me that my grandchildren are able to see themselves in my characters and that children of color have heros and heroines that look like them. With that said, it is most important to me that the world-at-large enjoy what I write.

I don't want to be shelved in an area that has only to do with who my parents are. I want to be right there on the shelves next all other books of my chosen genre. How to pull this off is still a dilemma that I haven't yet found the answer. For one thing, I still have to write the piece that makes it onto those shelves!

So the my mind churns on. But that doesn't answer the more immediate question: what direction should this blog take? I still want it to be about writing and culture. I don't want it to be a place of ranting.

As my fingers fly across the keyboard, ideas begin to form in my mind. They're not ripe enough to pick yet, but when they are I'll be sure to let you know.

Is There a Culture of Genre

Yesterday I was attending one of my critique groups where I presented a science fiction (sci-fi) piece and another member read her romance and still another read from her historical saga. What is interesting to me is that each genre has specific requirements. It is understandable that the historical piece must be grounded in a particular time-frame. The year is likely mentioned or the plot revolves around a known event. For romance time period is not so important and the setting is not dependent upon when. It seems that the what and with whom are more necessary. For science fiction it is most likely assumed that the plot takes place in the future, and unless earth is mentioned, the expectation is that it takes place on a different world.

The reason I bring this up is that the historical writer is not as familiar with science fiction and was concerned that my piece did not delineate a specific year. At first I thought I had left out a vital piece, but after careful consideration and research I realized that it was not necessary. In sci-fi, it is the world-building that helps the reader with time.

For the members of the group that are more familiar with sci-fi it wasn't a problem. Which brings me to the place of norms and dictates. Each genre has requisite themes, settings, or action for a piece to be listed under that heading. And, each genre has its own language that is most easily understood by those who frequent it. Does that qualify as a culture? I wonder.

The Importance of Truth

How important is the truth? It's extremely important. I could make excuses for not having blogged in a while, but I think the truth is best, no matter how it makes me look.

Okay, here's the truth. I've been busy working on a short story. It's been a bear keeping the story tight, concise, and flowing. I've been so buried in that and rewriting other works that I haven't taken the time to blog. I know, I know...bad blogger, bad blogger. I considered putting myself in time out, but that would just keep me away longer.


Several people I know are gearing up for Nano. How can I write fifty thousand words when I'm trying to get these five thousand words to work and flow? Who would have thought it would be this hard. Well, actally I did. I went into this thinking that it would make my writing tighter, and it is. But figuring out changing scenes with a smooth transition and very few words has got me stumped.

So if anyone has an idea or suggestion, I would gladly hear it.

Beauty

I'm sitting in front of my computer trying to decide what to write about. I've been stuck for the past few days and am now so late with my post that I needed to do something. So today I am telling you that I don't know what to tell you except what is on my mind.

This world is made up of so many beautiful people. How do I define beauty? I don't think I can. Like the editors, I know it when I see it. Sometimes it comes in the form of someone's actions, something as simple as a gift of chocolate or as great as a life-saving event. Other times it comes in the form of their words, words that encourage someone in the pit of disappointment or helping another to find direction in their life.

I guess beauty is also made up of people's hopes and dreams. Sometimes it is defined by ethnic influence or cultural constraints.

What I would like to ask is how you define beauty. Tell me what you find beautiful. The two greatest forms of beauty will be rewarded with, drumroll please.....SEE'S CHOCOLATE. My personal favorite. So let me hear from you. You've got seven days to share your form of beauty with me. Ready, set, go!

Culture at Home

I was talking with my mother the other day and made a reference to my being southern. She asked me how could I be southern when I wasn't born anywhere near the south and hadn't grown up there? Culture isn't so much the place you've grown up in, but more the environment.

I'm talking about the atmosphere my parents created in our home. Both of my parents are from the south and everything in our home reflected that. From the way they raised us to the food we ate down to the expectations they had for us.

All of my life I heard things that would make no sense to a child from another culture. Sometimes what they said didn't make sense to us either. Like the time I was in the backyard bouncing the ball off of the side of the garage. This was a problem because there was a huge window with lots of glass.

My father yelled (hollered) out the back door, "Stephanie, quit chunkin' that ball upside that wall." Now I grew up with the man and I was about nine at the time, but I had no idea what he was talking about. My only acceptable response was, "Yes, Sir." And because I had no idea what he was talking about, I promptly went back to what I was doing.

You've got to know that it wasn't that long before he was back at the door hollering, "I said, quit chunkin' that ball." To which I responded, "Yes, Sir." But I still didn't know what he meant and kept throwing the ball against the wall.

Then I hear the backdoor open and my older sister comes running out screaming at me in a stage whisper, "Are you crazy? You're going to get it if you don't stop. Daddy's talking about coming out here." Okay, I'm a little slow because I still was clueless. I guess the look on my face said it all because she said, "You know he's talking about throwing that ball. You'd better stop it."

Of course I stopped it even though I was still not clear what chunkin' was, but I knew if my father had come out there I was getting a wuppin' for  sure. That's spanking for those who aren't familiar with that word.

So you ask, what has this got to do with writing? I'm sure everyone has something from their history that is culture specific, make sure your characters share it with your readers.

Life is Good and People are Great

This weekend I attended a writing retreat sponsored by SCBWI-LA. It was awesome. I learned so much thanks to Martha Mahalik,  Associate Editor of Greenwillow Books and Arthur A. Levine, Vice President at Scholastic, Inc.

These two awesome editors were kind enough to facilitate critique groups. Yeah, I know, what an incredible opportunity. Their help and direction were priceless and their manner was most gracious. I was also impressed by the manner in which they treated the works that contained cultural repesentation other than their own.

Their comments were respectful and encouraging. It gives me such hope and joy knowing that there are editors willing to stretch themselves and reach beyond the boundaries of their own culture.

This weekend gave me two things; opportunities to improve my work and encouragement that the world has room for everyone.

What a great weekend!

Strong Women Make for Strong Characters

Last night I was thinking about being of color and what it means to me. I felt a smile spread across my face and wonderful memories flooded my mind. Growing up Black and female is an awesome thing. I am taught I can do anything I set my mind to and work hard at. So I was strongly encouraged educationally and not just that, but I was encouraged in living life. A life of purose. A life of courrage. A life of strength.

What does this have to do with writing? Everything! It helps me work through the crazy process of attempting publication. I am encouraged by friends and family and told that I will make it as long as I keep at it. I have a whole cheering section all my own. When I'm knocked down by a rejection, my community and family are right there reminding me that I can do it. My husband's mother has always said, Nothing beats a failure but a try. That is absolutely the truth.

I have an unquenchable desire to write stories that captivate. Stories that encourage. Stories that change lives. Everyday my writing improves and grows.

The strength of my culture helps me to write strong characters. Characters with depth. Characters with drive. Characters with voice. (yes, the ever elusive, but necessary, quality).

In the immortal words of Worf, with a slight spin, of course. Today is a good day to be Black!

The Brighter Side of Culture

Now that I've gone on and on about the negative and difficult things about being a writer not of the majority culture, I'm ready to tell you the good stuff. One of best things is that I have a wealth of emotions to pull from, mine and others. It helps me to create realistic characters and their reactions.

Someone recently asked me to consider writing about the more difficult things I've experienced, but I'd rather focus of the funny things; like statements having different meanings in different cultures. Someone once said in a group, "That dog is not gonna run." Because I'm of southern extraction I knew what he meant and laughed out loud. Everyone else in the group just stared. I would have thought the context made it clear. I guess not. It took a while to explain. Honestly, their response was funnier than his comment. I think there's a book in there somewhere. If not, there's definitely fun stuff to blog about.

Life can be a living comedy when I choose to see the lighter side. Sometimes it's not so easy to do, but I keep working at it. So today my question is, what double meanings have you run into?

Memoirs and Me

I've been away for a while. Then I went to the SCBWI Summer Conference, all resulting in the neglect of this blog. There is no excuse except that preparing for retirement and then attending the conference distracted me. At the conference I was getting so much information and attending so many breakout sessions that I am exhausted. I've been home for two days and I'm still exhausted. I experienced something very interesting; at least to me.

I had the pleasure of having an editor of a large and growing house critique my work. During that conversation we talked about my experiences as a teen growing up in a world where my dark skin brought varying responses from those around me. She suggested that this would be great written as a memoir. I've been thinking about what she said and trying to determine if I have anything of interest to say.

While this could be an interesting endeavor, I have concerns about what might get tapped into. There are feelings that lie unresolved because there is no resolution. And how do I express these without awakening the rage that sleeps within? How do I create a work of this nature without overwhelming the reader with that rage?

Maybe that would be the thing she's looking for, an emotional piece that a teen could identify with and be absorbed by. As a psychologist I am aware that for the reader walking though a piece like this would beneficial. I am also aware that writing a piece like this might dispell some of my own demons, or maybe not. Unfortunately it is very possible that the rage awakened, without the possiblity of resolution, could remain awake and become destructive, not just to me, but to those around me.

I have worked so hard to understand what the world has and doesn't have for me without uselessly pointing fingers or placing blame. I have worked to maintain as much balance in my life a possible. I fear this balance could be destroyed. Even writing this much saddens me.

My desire is that my writing would leave the world a little better for my grandchildren, giving them a positive place to see themselves in literature. Will writing this piece aid in this? I don't know. And before I attempt something like this I really need some answers.

I am open to suggestions.

Making a Decision

I've been thinking about writing and who I am and I've made a decision. I started this blog because of an ongoing internal argument. How do I see myself as a writer? With what do I identify? Then a short time ago I read posts from the blogs of  Editorial Anonymous and Justine Larbalestier which gave rise to even greater struggle. It affirmed what I already believed.

My thought process went something like this. If I identify myself as a writer of color does that mean I only write for that group? That is not my intention. When I write, I envision every group enjoying my stories.

Will others think I only write for a particular group? I hope not. I would like to think the world is beyond that, but I fear it is not; as evidenced by some of the comments on the afore mentioned blogs.

Am I pigeonholing myself? That is a risk I will have to take, particularly if I would like more representation of my community in literature.

So here is my decision. I am a writer of color whose protagonists represent the community to which I belong. To further clarify, my intention is not only to represent those that look like me, but to place these characters in a world where others are also represented. Not so much like a melting pot, but more like a stew. Who ever heard of or enjoyed a stew with only one ingredient. That would be exceptionally bland and it wouldn't be considered stew.

I would like my grandchildren to be able to see themselves clearly in literature as strong characters, but also understand that strength includes participating in the world around them. This then precludes writing to the exclusion of characters of different communities or groups.

My desire is to be read far and wide. So that means more time spent on writing and improving my craft. Making sure that my writing transports the readers to the story setting, involving them personally in the plotlines. I will get there if I continue to work at it. I will succeed!

Here We Go Again

In a blog I follow, Editorial Anonymous, the post for today commented on the odd cover Bloomsbury selected for a book for one of its authors. The problem is this. The protagonist in the book, Liar, is clearly described as an African American and the cover that was selected depicted a person that was NOT. Needless to say I had to comment.

There can be no mistaking the position that Editorial Anonymous is taking and I applaud him/her. While the choice of cover this house has made is quite an affront to me and those like me, it is refreshing to see that it offends more than people of color. One must ask, should an author of color create characters that represent themselves or are they better off (with respect to getting published) creating characters that represent the majority group? And, if things are to change, who are the ones responsible for that change?

I have always believed that if I want something to be different then I must do that something differently. Yet in doing this am I shooting myself in the foot with regards to my career as a writer? The risk is a large one, regardless of the beliefs of those around me.

In the blog by the author of Liar, Justine Larbalestier, she addresses this topic. What she says is that when authors of color write with characters that represent themselves (whether African American, Asian American, or Hispanic), many publishers respond: we already have 'a' book like that. Larbalestier says this is the reason her characters are always people of color, because of the paucity of representation in the publishing community. Further, when someone of the majority group writes with characters of color they are seen as enlightened and publishers almost rush to get it out there. Is that crazy or what?

There are those of you that would argue that these views are only the opinion of a prescious few. Well, here's the good news. When I read the comments on both of these blogs, the majority of responses were supportive of creating characters of color and offended by the American cover of Liar (the Australian publishers have a different cover). Not surprisingly there were those that believed the argument to be specious, using arguments such as business is busines or argued that this has nothing to do with racial issues. I guess it takes all kinds to make a world.

I would love to hear what you have to say on the subject, even if you disagree with me. But first I invite you to read the original posts.

Editoral Anonymous
 http://www.editorialanonymous.blogspot.com/

Justine Larbalestier
www.justinelarbalestier.com/blog/

Culture and Me

Right now I'm wondering if I have anything of importance to share. It occurs to me that when I write I often censure myself and attempt to scub out things that might be culture specific. Why? I'm not really sure.

I know that some of my concern is that people are often lazy. I wonder what will happen if something in my writing causes the reader to sort through the meaning of what a character says. Will it motivate them to keep reading or will the bump be are reason to put the book down.

Here's the rub. If I don't take the risk, then the world at large will never be exposed to my culture. Lack of exposure creates more of what already is. If I throw caution to the wind and lace these things throughout the piece, will it be overload and put the reader off. Trying to find the right balance between the spice of difference and overwhelming suffocation can be difficult to discern. Writing and the reader's connection with the piece is so subjective.

My decision is to work for that balance. If I want to be represented in the world of literature, then it is my responsibility to make it a priority and be willing to take certain risks. That's a little scary since I'm a new writer trying to break into the industry.

There are those that would argue that I should go with the flow until I get published then make the change. That feels a bit deceitful to me on so many levels. Just thinking about it brings up feelings that I'm not writing with my true voice and changing that midstream would be offensive.

I think genuineness is important and produces longevity in the market. I know how I feel when I pick up a book from a particular author expecting a certain type of read and am sorely disapponted when that is not there.

So, like the song says, "I've gotta be me."
...oops, I've dated myself again.

The Culture of Age

I've been thinking about all of the different ways culture affects our lives. I thought about the differences between generations and what that looks like. It brings me to a place which requires that I hold to a looser concept of culture.

Having crossed over the Mason-Dixon line of age changes how I see the world and everyone in it. And yes, I'm aware that the concept of Mason-Dixon could date me, but it's also possible that I'm just a really good student of American history. In either case, it's obvious that I'm no spring chicken.

Using these expressions belong to a particular time period and those who are cohorts of this era constitute another culture. Then there's the culture of the electronic age and technology. You know, the whole web-Facebook-My Space-Text-Twitter thing. It appears that those who indulge in these practices routinely have created yet another culture. It's one whose boundaries are much more fluid than the typical. All it requires is knowledge of technology. My participation is proof that the required knowledge is very minimal.

Writing any contemporary piece must incorporate at least one of these social networks if not all of them. I can't imagine anyone who has not at least heard of one of them, regardless of age.

How about a quick count. Is there anyone out there over the age of thirty who hasn't heard of one of either of these: email, website, blog, My Space, Facebook, texting, Twitter? I would love to hear about it. Drop me a comment.

Gender and Culture

Each culture has different rules and roles regarding male and female. Many cultures are male dominant, but it is important to know which cultures are not.

In research for an historical novel I found that particular culture was neither male nor female dominated. Both were expected to share leadership and neither was assigned to a particular role. How cool is that! It caused me to think about the cultures that are a part of my everyday life. I thought about the people I know from groups different than my own and how things work in their worlds.

The importance of this to a writer is huge. Imagine writing a story that is set in a distant land and the author of that story assumes that the roles in their own culture are global. Let's suppose the story has the male as the leader/family head and the writer attributes to him decision making power. But in the culture that is being portrayed the opposite is true. Suppose again, this error in the manuscript makes it past the agent and the editor and neither having caught the problem, the ms gets published.

Credibility of the author is destroyed and that of the agent's and publisher's is at risk. The trust of the reading audience has been lost and may never be able to be recaptured; all because of an assumption.

Even when you believe you are correct in the assignation of gender roles, check to be sure. Things are never as simple as they seem. An example is in western culture, specifically the United States. The male is assumed to be dominant and is designated family head/leader. Have you ever noticed that on Mother's Day there are more cards bought and sent than on Father's Day.

More and more families are becoming duel income households, partly due to economics or duel careers, the latter gaining more popularity. We are also experiencing more single parent homes, head by male or female. These examples do nothing to change the designation, yet they add a small twist to the thought of gender value that could have great ramifications on a story.

Bottom line, always do you research.

Here's a new question. How do you represent yourself, your culture, in your writing when you're different than the majority culture? How do you create the bridge from your culture to others? I guess that's really two questions.

As an author of color I often find myself in a difficult place. Do I write to my community or do I write more globally? My desire is to do both in each and every piece. But the real difficulty for me is when I write something that is culture specific making sure I put it in a context that is readily understandable by all. What is most problematic is when things don't easily translate or their is no readily identifiable similarity.

When I write science fiction it is so much easier because there I am creating worlds, and not just worlds, but cultures within those worlds. When people read science fiction they expect to have to learn as they go along. I have to admit that's half the fun, whether reading sci-fi or writing it. However, I find that when I'm writing contemporary fiction people aren't so fluid in the willingness or ability to learn as they read.

The challenge then is to make my characters so compelling that the reader experiences emotion in that context. To do this what needs to happen is the same thing that I do for science fiction. Build an emotional bridge for the reader by creating an intermediate world with anchors in both cultures. Not an easy thing to do for contemporary fiction. But if doing that was easy everyone would be published.

The answer then, lies in finding metacultural anchors. The greatest metacultural anchor is emotion. And the trick is building up the scene around it so that no matter what language you use the emotion explains it all.

I'd love to hear what you think.