tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post4517254943919110697..comments2023-10-07T18:43:35.438-07:00Comments on My Life in Black and White and Sometimes Gray: The Silent RoarMelissa Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04575640016746601582noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-14009448680385508762016-01-31T08:21:09.124-08:002016-01-31T08:21:09.124-08:00@Jackie, thank you for stopping by and commenting....@Jackie, thank you for stopping by and commenting. Hopefully you'll find some new and awesome authors to glom.Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-30412415226662614132016-01-30T11:10:27.845-08:002016-01-30T11:10:27.845-08:00Thanks, Melissa, for writing this column. Very imp...Thanks, Melissa, for writing this column. Very important points, especially for white readers like me.Jackie C. Hornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04146684628443152376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-78641005224940571682016-01-30T07:07:47.401-08:002016-01-30T07:07:47.401-08:00What Ambrielle and Holly said. And as Melissa'...What Ambrielle and Holly said. And as Melissa's critique partner, I can tell you that her books do not in any way spotlight racial issues or racial tension. They spotlight romance. I could say more but I'd basically be echoing everything everyone else has said -- and probably said better. Cece Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07455966736573799614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-9985060297109036592016-01-28T18:49:57.947-08:002016-01-28T18:49:57.947-08:00Ms. Beverly (if I am assuming right) I am honored....Ms. Beverly (if I am assuming right) I am honored.<br /><br />And yes and more yes and all the yes. I think I'm just confused. People are saying to read more, write more, take chances, have fun and share with your group of friends. Read, write share all the books and have fun. Find/tell stories that resonate as widely as possible. And people are going NO and here are my reasons for not doing exactly what I already love to do.<br />*blank stare*<br />Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-76202791838604344552016-01-28T17:56:35.898-08:002016-01-28T17:56:35.898-08:00And to quote myself for the umpteenth time - You c...And to quote myself for the umpteenth time - You can relate to werewolves, vampires, shapeshifters and all the rest, but you can't relate to romances by and about POC?! I call bullshit! beverlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07046981596281844558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-23726215042497031342016-01-28T15:12:58.538-08:002016-01-28T15:12:58.538-08:00@Kirk
" I’ve been reading “romance” diversel...@Kirk<br /><br />" I’ve been reading “romance” diversely for decades now and I can’t recall any of the books where the one and only conflict was “racial tension”. There is so much more to making relationships work than overcoming “racial tension” about the relationship."<br /><br />And that's the assumption that makes me twitch. Just because a book features a non-Caucasian, non-straight, able bodied character, the book is automatically deemed an "issue" book. Therefore only Caucasian authors are "safe" to read.<br /><br />And even if you don't buy into that narrative, how often are you actively showing that with your actions?<br /><br />That's the point of the post. And it's not just limited to reading. Writing, reviewing, showcasing, etc.Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-44621398508804577912016-01-28T15:09:11.231-08:002016-01-28T15:09:11.231-08:00@Holley
"I don't think at any point Mel ...@Holley<br /><br />"I don't think at any point Mel professed that readers should seek out books for their social commentary about racial tension or any other thing. Mel doesn't write those."<br /><br />I did not and I do not. I write erotic romance. That's about as social as I get.<br /><br />" Readers make judgments about the contents of books without knowing a thing about that individual author's style or tone. Too often, authors of color get their works put into boxes even before a reader looks at page one."<br /><br />THIS.Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-41963835371871425582016-01-28T14:56:32.666-08:002016-01-28T14:56:32.666-08:002/2
"I disagree with a little of your tone.&...2/2<br /><br />"I disagree with a little of your tone."<br /><br />What tone is acceptable when talking about racism? Who should I have gone to make sure my tone wouldn't upset anyone or make them uncomfortable? The most important question: Does tone at all change the intent or the meaning of the post?<br /><br />If not, then I'm not sure why tone is brought up other than to dictate how I should have felt while I wrote it. Or to have used a tone that would make the reader more comfortable. Subjects like racism, rape are not comfortable subjects. Tone does not matter. I could have whispered it softly. I didn't. So not sure what you hoped to convey to critique my tone. But again it is your right to say you disagree with my tone.<br /><br />"Reader shaming is reader shaming and you practically said the only reason readers don't read the more diverse sub-genres is due to racism and homophobia."<br /><br />I'm not practically saying readers who don't read more diversely is due to racism or homophobia. I am saying directly, with forceful intent, members of the LGBTQ community, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, etc. ARE NOT GENRES. They are people. In this sense, they are characters. If you do not want to read a book solely because the character is Hispanic, Latino or gay is actively participating in the systematic oppression of another. That is when it stops being a matter of taste. Being able to say it is a matter of taste makes people comfortable. The idea that you are participating in something that you normally would not do is uncomfortable. <br /><br />"Perhaps the cause is a lack of reader identification, something outside of their fantasies?"<br /><br />I think of reader identification is "I can see myself in you." If the buck literally stops at you look nothing like me, that's a problem. You don't share the same traditions or culture guide posts as I...that's a problem. Because once you dig underneath all those layers at the core everyone wants to be loved. They wanted to be accepted. Their fantasy might include a CEO, a rancher, a playboy and to simply say because the romance features X ethnicity, sexual orientation, or is not able bodied then the fantasy is invalid? Because the CEO is homosexual then it's not a billionaire romance anymore?<br /><br />"I believe in embracing the various choices that are available to all readers is a valid and worthy pursuit. Just as I acknowledge that what a reader chooses to spend their money on is not a social commentary, but a personal choice."<br /><br />What you choose to read is a personal choice. But that choice does not mean it is not a social commentary. Or your personal choice does not effect anyone but you. The book industry does not happen in a vacuum. Now a person may not like what the social comment is, that doesn't make it any less true. You can love what you read, because no one is saying you have to stop. You can continue to read what you prefer to read, because there isn't any social justice fairy who forces books onto your ereader. You don't have to defend your choices either. You don't have to feel an ounce of shame for what you read. That is your right, your choice. No one can take that from you.<br /><br />Doesn't mean the books you consistently choose to read, purchase and share (and that makes you happy i.e. your corner of the world feels like a better place--the reason why most of us read), is not actively participating in the systematic oppression of another. These two things can exist on the same plane. Not a comfortable one.<br /><br />Either way, happy reading.Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-44348809084108465482016-01-28T14:56:06.493-08:002016-01-28T14:56:06.493-08:00@Bookdragon
"That being said, we all have a ...@Bookdragon<br /><br />"That being said, we all have a right to read what appeals most to us."<br /><br />You do.<br /><br />"In my case I am not at all interested in MCC, paranormal,YA, BSDM, LBGTQ or must vehemently books where sex IS the plot."<br /><br />Let me stop you here. LBGTQ is not a genre. Contemporary romance is a genre. Paranormal is a genre. Homosexuals, bisexuals, gays, trans and queer people are not a genre. So you are not at all interested in reading about romances, no matter the genre, that features homosexuals, bisexuals, gays, trans and queer people. That is your right. <br /><br />"The same way I am not a reader of YA, MCC, BSDM, paranormal sub-genres is the same way I am not into LBGTQ. Does this make me anti-gay, I do not think so. I read romance as a fantasy escape, and none of these sub-genres are my choice of escapes."<br /><br />I'll repeat, stories that features LGBTQ characters is not a genre, niche or theme. These characters can be featured in historicals, contemporaries, paranormals. Something about LGBTQ characters ruins the fantasy and escape of romance for you. That is your right to not read LGBTQ characters in any genre because for you it does not provide the fantasy and escape you are looking for.<br /><br />"I also never judge anyone for what their reading tastes are. I also refuse to apologize for my own reading choices."<br /><br />I did not ask anyone to apologize but to think about their reading choices. To consider the idea that their reading habits, no matter the reasons, contribute to systematic oppression of another. If you were to replace LGBTQ with almost anything else maybe the point would be clearer.<br /><br />"The same way I am not a reader of YA, MCC, BSDM, paranormal sub-genres is the same way I am not into African American romances. Does this make me anti-black, I do not think so. I read romance as a fantasy escape, and none of these sub-genres are my choice of escapes."<br /><br />"The same way I am not a reader of YA, MCC, BSDM, paranormal sub-genres is the same way I am not into Caucasian romances. Does this make me anti-white, I do not think so. I read romance as a fantasy escape, and none of these sub-genres are my choice of escapes."<br /><br />I would hope you would say the above, or even read it now, and have a momentary pause at how that sounds. I would hope you dig deeper and question what could be an unconscious bias. If the reason holding you back is that you can't find sweet LGBTQ romances then I would ask someone to give you recommendations on sweet LGBTQ romances as long as it's not YA, MCC, BDSM or paranormal.<br /><br />"I learned to stop apologizing for my reading choices from the romance community and feel a certain irony that this same community is not judging the reading habits with in its self, on BOTH sides it seems by your post."<br /><br />Again, I don't want an apology. I want people to stop and think about the larger scale of their actions, of what they are saying to a part of the romance community not with their words but with their actions.<br /><br />1/2Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-51828298291485582902016-01-28T14:21:23.481-08:002016-01-28T14:21:23.481-08:00No where in Melissa’s post did I get the feeling t...No where in Melissa’s post did I get the feeling that she was saying that “the only reason readers don't read the more diverse sub-genres is due to racism and homophobia”. In fact, in the top of the post it clearly states that this is about spotlighting more romance authors who write diversely. I’ve been reading “romance” diversely for decades now and I can’t recall any of the books where the one and only conflict was “racial tension”. There is so much more to making relationships work than overcoming “racial tension” about the relationship.<br /><br />One of the points- and a valid point- of this blog post is that books that obviously feature a POC as the main character aren’t books that necessarily need to be shoved on the “black people” shelf. They are romances, first. Therefore, if I go to a mainstream contemporary romance blog looking for a book with a trope such as “friends to lovers”, I shouldn’t see a dozen titles and all of them are nothing but white bread (no wheat - or not one drop of chocolate, as Mel stated). We don’t love differently because of skin color or gender.Ambrielle Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862989675026013379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-14521340513066992112016-01-28T13:42:14.556-08:002016-01-28T13:42:14.556-08:00I don't think at any point Mel professed that ...I don't think at any point Mel professed that readers should seek out books for their social commentary about racial tension or any other thing. Mel doesn't write those. I don't know many authors of romance who DO.<br /><br />What's she's talking about is scenarios such as readers choosing NOT to try a book because there's a person of color on the cover, or because the author's Amazon profile image shows they're obviously not white. Readers make judgments about the contents of books without knowing a thing about that individual author's style or tone. Too often, authors of color get their works put into boxes even before a reader looks at page one.Holley Trenthttp://www.holleytrent.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-38311526504848882182016-01-28T11:53:47.384-08:002016-01-28T11:53:47.384-08:00I care not the race of characters, especially if r...I care not the race of characters, especially if race is treated as a non issue. Meaning the focus of the book is not the race of the character (s), rather race is just a part of the character. Katie Reus did this wonderfully in two books in her Red Stone Security Series. A brother and sister whose backstory includes a mother was Jamaican and father disowned by his family for their interracial relationship. Yet this was just mentioned as a part of the tale it was not the focus. I can not think of the book, a recent read though, with a hero of Asian descent whose nationality is just a slice of the picture the author draws was also greatly enjoyed. Moreover, I adored the late Francis Ray because her books were simply romances in my eyes. What I dislike are books written around the premise of racial tension. Which is why there are some IR authors I avoid. Other IR authors do a beautiful job of writing a conflict that is not centered around the race of the characters and I gladly settle in for a good read with them. <br /><br />That being said, we all have a right to read what appeals most to us. In my case I am not at all interested in MCC, paranormal,YA, BSDM, LBGTQ or must vehemently books where sex IS the plot. I read books that sizzle and books with nothing more than kissing with equal enjoyment if the relationship is done well. <br /><br />The same way I am not a reader of YA, MCC, BSDM, paranormal sub-genres is the same way I am not into LBGTQ. Does this make me anti-gay, I do not think so. I read romance as a fantasy escape, and none of these sub-genres are my choice of escapes. I applaud and support all author's. I also never judge anyone for what their reading tastes are. I also refuse to apologize for my own reading choices. I learned to stop apologizing for my reading choices from the romance community and feel a certain irony that this same community is not judging the reading habits with in its self, on BOTH sides it seems by your post.<br /><br /><br />So while I absolutely agree with your post; diversity is a wonderful thing and the mainstream publishing houses should expand to be inclusive to all readers. By being inclusive to all readers, you than become inclusive to authors and genres - as the popularity of genres in the self publishing market has made so abundantly clear. I disagree with a little of your tone. Reader shaming is reader shaming and you practically said the only reason readers don't read the more diverse sub-genres is due to racism and homophobia. Perhaps the cause is a lack of reader identification, something outside of their fantasies? I believe in embracing the various choices that are available to all readers is a valid and worthy pursuit. Just as I acknowledge that what a reader chooses to spend their money on is not a social commentary, but a personal choice. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15180309206964467116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-42223050958499626002016-01-28T10:27:38.209-08:002016-01-28T10:27:38.209-08:00@Christine "We are all made of star stuff.&qu...@Christine "We are all made of star stuff."<br /><br />I just posted a Neil video on my FB. We are. And it's okay that we're different too and that's the point for me. Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-27154162847324453932016-01-28T10:24:23.552-08:002016-01-28T10:24:23.552-08:00"I think the society that is present today is..."I think the society that is present today is being reflected in the books out there."<br /><br />More than it used to, absolutely. I think the self-publishing boom did a lot of great things for fiction in general. <br /><br />"So why people discriminate is something I can't comprehend. Behaving like a decent human being is not much to ask, is it?"<br /><br />It is not. I was talking to my friend last night and she said we can get hung up on all the differences. We often forget or don't realize how much alike we really are. I think we do. I just want to be able to celebrate the differences. <br /><br />"And this phenomena is not limited to the romance books."<br /><br />It is not. I'm not trying to change the world, but if I can have my corner of it be a little more awesome then I'm all for it.Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-67784926287797710972016-01-28T06:28:35.131-08:002016-01-28T06:28:35.131-08:00We are all made of star stuff. Thank you for this ...We are all made of star stuff. Thank you for this post.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00781706524156351106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-14612484454117869592016-01-28T02:09:11.188-08:002016-01-28T02:09:11.188-08:00I think the society that is present today is being...I think the society that is present today is being reflected in the books out there. I for one am proud of myself, because I have read diverse romances. I've read African-American books<br />(though they were part of my syllabus, I was lucky enough to find them enjoyable and read more books by the same authors.), I've even read FF and MM books (I may not have reviewed then, but then again I haven't reviewed lots of other books too) I don't mind widening my horizons. At the end of the day black, white, brown (being an Indian, I am relegated to this category), we are all human beings. We breathe the same air, we bleed red and live on the same fricking planet. So why people discriminate is something I can't comprehend. Behaving like a decent human being is not much to ask, is it? When we can raise dogs and cats and even snakes and lions and tigers as pets, why can't we accept people as just that. People, not colored or white or gay or transgenders. And this phenomena is not limited to the romance books. What we see in the romance community is just a reflection of the society, which unfortunately is more a wild animal than human. <br /><br />Well I'm glad someone had the guts to speak up! Kudos for that Melissa Blue. Aaratihttp://theeverromanticarts.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-86813329868134197382016-01-27T20:04:48.872-08:002016-01-27T20:04:48.872-08:00@Evagenline "I don't even remember when I...@Evagenline "I don't even remember when I learned about Vivian Stephens, but when I did, I was like...wait...what?"<br /><br />After your comment, I went to do more digging. There was very little out there when I found out she was African American, a big time editor and a founder of RWA, which is a big deal within itself. Not only is she one of the main reasons why I can write African American characters and it's not brand new, but I currently work as a virtual assistant for one of the authors she discovered. Talk about coming full circle, and how much someone you never met can influence your life. <br /><br />"You mean to tell me there was a black woman with that much of an impact on the genre, but the only pioneers discussed in Romance history are Kathleen E. Woodiwess and whomever was the Avon editor who plucked her novel out of the slush pile?"<br /><br />PREACH! Like seriously. Do you know how hard I had to search even now, 2016? I went to RWA's website. Her involement reads almost like a throwaway comment. Oh, and there's an award named after her but no explanation why other than she wasn't a writer. (To give some credit it seems it's really hard to earn the award as in you need to live up to her standards.)<br /><br />But you really don't hear about her when people talk about pioneers in a genre that is the epitome of the feminist credo.<br /><br />"Then there's that article in Black Enterprise about how many black women editors created the romance genre as we know it."<br /><br />YES. That's where I found a chunk of the information. And this here: http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Vivian-Stephens/32814789 a list in which her name was invoked. Should be so much more. So much more.<br /><br />"It just boggles the mind that Stephens, Flournoy, et al were there in prominent, visible leadership positions, but the invisibility and erasure of WOC in the genre was never, ever questioned."<br /><br />You're going to inspire a whole other post. lol Or maybe you should write that one. The problem is so...ugh. All I can really say is that in 2008, I believe, I went to my first RWA event. Green as green can be. The big names had lines that blocked other people's table, but I just walked up to Francis Ray. Didn't have a book to sign. Nothing. I just wanted to tell her how much I loved Fallen Angel. She not only gave me writing advice, but career advice as a African American writer (not to forget she talked about getting prime store placement and how she didn't ask but demanded it which was a lesson within itself) and even sent me to another young author's table to get some more advice. She knew what I was in for and I had no clue. I wish I could thank her now.<br /><br />The moral is, how often is her name or Brenda's or Beverly's is brought up when people talk about pioneers in romance? Writing in an genre where people think you don't even have an audience and again and again you prove that shit to be so false...they should get more than a footnote. They shouldn't just be brought up when talking about diversity. Hell, I would think Brenda Jackson would be the go-to when anyone talks about how to build a career on series.<br /><br />How rich would the history of romance be if we were simply inclusive? How proud would we be to write in a genre forged mostly by women and for women, if we included every single obstacle all of us faced and still we triumphed? Ignoring how diverse we are does us no favors.<br /><br />Thank you so much for digressing.Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-11649671582657221612016-01-27T19:00:26.461-08:002016-01-27T19:00:26.461-08:00@Rachelle "Sometimes it's easier to take ...@Rachelle "Sometimes it's easier to take out the ethnicity factor because readers think it is distracting."<br /><br />I think when you do this specifically so it will go over well, it does the reader and you a disservice. But I do agree for some things, if you're not going to make it intregral to the character or plot then maybe it shouldn't be there. *Then again, realistically, I've seen people carry on traditions or still like things they grew up with in their culture even if they are not fully immersed in it anymore. Best example I can think of is a Mexican American who may not give their daughter a quinceañera, but make tamales or some other traditional dish at holidays.<br /><br />" I look forward to your Korean character. I fully understand the extra care you have to take to make sure you have him portrayed in a fully-fleshed way. It makes things harder to try to make sure you're not stereotyping, but then any trait you give him, someone will say you're stereotyping. He likes rap music? Or he plays soccer? Whatever. Someone will say something, so you can't worry too much."<br /><br />More so I know what it feels like to read a character who in theory looks like me, but makes me cringe. The ground I stand on is that I wrote a fully-fleshed out character. Be it a bad guy, good guy, comic relief or just in general the troll of the book. :)<br /><br />"That and the fact the books don't sell as well as the ones with the mainstream characters front and center, and it makes a hard proposition to keep going."<br /><br />And this I will wholeheartedly say is false. The readers are there. I have experienced it firsthand many times. Are their hurdles that don't exist for mainstream only authors, yes. THis is a false narrative I wish would die. Does mainstream romances have a different audience? I would say yes. Mostly because there are too many people who will ONLY read mainstream.<br /><br />"...once there are many, many books with all sorts of characters, maybe people won't be so sensitive anymore--that their one X character turned out to be the villain."<br /><br />Believe it or not, I think TV is paving the way for this inclusion more so than books right now. We have shows like Scandal, Sleepy Hollow, Mindy Project, a lot of shows on CW where there are leads or characters who get a lot screen time who are every shade, any orientation. We need to catch up. And that's a good thing.<br />Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-46762994203681943952016-01-27T17:39:52.488-08:002016-01-27T17:39:52.488-08:00(I had to post under anonymous last night because ...(I had to post under anonymous last night because my browser had me logged into my real life account!)<br /><br />@Melissa: "Do digress. I still remember when I first learned this romance factoid. I was thrilled. Then sad because come on romance industry."<br /><br />I don't even remember when I learned about Vivian Stephens, but when I did, I was like...wait...what? <br /><br />You mean to tell me there was a black woman with that much of an impact on the genre, but the only pioneers discussed in Romance history are Kathleen E. Woodiwess and whomever was the Avon editor who plucked her novel out of the slush pile? <br /><br />You mean to tell me that many can say whom the RITA Award is named after, but it's difficult to even find a photograph of Stephens on any official RWA media? <br /><br />Then there's that article in <i>Black Enterprise</i> about how many black women editors created the romance genre as we know it.<br /><br />Like...what?<br /><br />It just boggles the mind that Stephens, Flournoy, et al were there in <b>prominent, visible leadership</b> positions, but the invisibility and erasure of WOC in the genre was never, ever questioned. Evangeline Hollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132593133675388609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-65297733981464364532016-01-27T17:03:33.756-08:002016-01-27T17:03:33.756-08:00@Melissa I look forward to your Korean character. ...@Melissa I look forward to your Korean character. I fully understand the extra care you have to take to make sure you have him portrayed in a fully-fleshed way. It makes things harder to try to make sure you're not stereotyping, but then any trait you give him, someone will say you're stereotyping. He likes rap music? Or he plays soccer? Whatever. Someone will say something, so you can't worry too much.<br /><br />If I write all white people, I don't have to worry about whether this one is too evil, or that one is mean, or stupid, or gorgeous, or can't cook, or too smart, or too damaged, or any other number of things that my characters NEED to be for the story. They truly can be evil, deranged, angelic, idiotic, goofy, sharp, lustful, or lazy, and no one would criticize me.<br /><br />So... now you see the dilemma on writing POC or LGBT characters who might have these traits, but immediately, because they are POC/LGBT people jump all over you because you are portraying them in a "bad light." I have tire-tracks over my back for this. A friend of mine was upset because my Filipina character, Vera, sleeps around. Others felt my Carina, who is a serious business student who doesn't have time for fun, is stereotyped. Well, no one has said anything about crazy Choco because she's a busybody big sister, but someone was also upset that Lucas Knight was only half-black [biracial]. And then, his sister wasn't portrayed all that great because her role was to slump at his apartment and cause trouble for him. <br /><br />Now you see the handcuffs that impede a writer from adding diversity to her story? That and the fact the books don't sell as well as the ones with the mainstream characters front and center, and it makes a hard proposition to keep going.<br /><br />What I'm doing next is to start a series with mainstream characters, and then introduce the POC characters with them later on getting prime billing. Maybe this will pull readers in, sort of like the pot boiling a frog theory. To be fair, the ladies in my reader's club love every story, diverse or not, so there are a segment of awesome readers who will read with an open mind, and those readers are the bomb! Which means I should develop a thicker skin and realize whatever I do, someone will say I'm stereotyping or putting POC in a bad light, and once there are many, many books with all sorts of characters, maybe people won't be so sensitive anymore--that their one X character turned out to be the villain.Rachelle Ayalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11407777410120117945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-53232238963884670592016-01-27T17:01:43.587-08:002016-01-27T17:01:43.587-08:00@Kristan, I love that book with Colleen and Lucas,...@Kristan, I love that book with Colleen and Lucas, and yes, I did realize there was a tenuous try for a Puerto Rican hero. If we can only get half, we'll take it. My Broken Build also has a Puerto Rican/Cajun heroine and yes, her mother was also dead before the story. Sometimes it's easier to take out the ethnicity factor because readers think it is distracting. For example, if you have them drinking coquito and eating pasteles and that's the ONLY thing you did for them being Puerto Rican it would come off kind of shallow, so it's better to mainstream them in terms of what they say and do. As for Dr. Chu, ahem, she was more a stereotype of a hyperactive Valley girl who happened to be Chinese American, and she did bring in a few moments of comic relief.<br /><br />Anyway, I truly do like all your books and have seen you put in LGBT characters and others who are usually shunted aside. The biggest thing I see is that yes, there are POC and LGBT characters, but they are usually the side characters, or as my brother would say, they never get the girl or the guy. They're the intelligent friend, or the caring nanny, or the tough as nails badass or the clever sidekick. Lucas Campbell was a delicious hero and his Latin looks surely had a lot of appeal to him. You did blend in the story quite well with how his father tried to raise him by himself, and he did care deeply about his family the way we suppose he would.<br /><br />Me? it's been the opposite. I jumped in gung-ho with my diverse cast of characters because it is my reality. I grew up in Los Angeles, lived in the International Living Center at Cornell, and then moved to the SF Bay area. My neighborhood is naturally diverse, so it's just a matter of observing what's around me and writing it. Rachelle Ayalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11407777410120117945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-83416968709070944282016-01-27T15:25:41.432-08:002016-01-27T15:25:41.432-08:00@Kristan "The reason I had him be Latino: cru...@Kristan "The reason I had him be Latino: crush on Latino actor. Shallow, but there it is."<br /><br />First, whenever I write an African American hero, doesn't matter the bevy of choices, I always imagine them to be Idris Elba. You will not be judged here for crushes or hero inspiration. Perv on.<br /><br /><br />"This conversation makes me see I could do better."<br /><br />I had my own small epiphany when I decided I was going to write a Korean hero. I'm a POC. I should know the questions I should ask, the things to not say or have him do so I am portraying his character in a thoughtful way. In a fully-fleshed out he's a human, not a stereotype way. The book isn't out yet and I still worry about the choices I made.<br /><br />I'm a POC and I'm not immune. Sometimes we need something to reminds us or open our eyes.<br /><br />"I've been thinking about this topic nonstop for the past few days, and I've forwarded this blog to my entire RWA chapter and a bunch of friends."<br /><br />I hope it is received with the same openness.<br /><br />" I want to thank you (again) for pointing out some of the things I do without even realizing it."<br /><br />Thank you for coming back and letting me how it was a point of change for you. I was angry and frustrated when I wrote it. My hope was that it would jolt at least one person. (And, ya know, not wake up to pitch forks in my feed.) So thank you for spreading the word and hopefully it will continue to jolt folks.<br />Melissa Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198345807136455808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-41549108029168700582016-01-27T12:59:02.510-08:002016-01-27T12:59:02.510-08:00Me again.
In every book I've written, there&...Me again. <br /><br />In every book I've written, there's a teeny bit of diversity in the secondary characters: gay or lesbian, POC, differently abled. My books are set in New England, not the most diverse part of the nation, and usually in small, rural towns. I've had one Latino hero, and to be honest, he was barely that, because I killed off his Puerto Rican mother and had him raised by his white dad. The reason I had him be Latino: crush on Latino actor. Shallow, but there it is. <br /><br />This conversation makes me see I could do better. I've been thinking about this topic nonstop for the past few days, and I've forwarded this blog to my entire RWA chapter and a bunch of friends. I want to thank you (again) for pointing out some of the things I do without even realizing it. Kristan Higginshttp://www.kristanhiggins.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-84646707254400019512016-01-27T07:18:14.269-08:002016-01-27T07:18:14.269-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Devinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06611169799840685267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799621.post-58271698349112757952016-01-27T07:17:50.434-08:002016-01-27T07:17:50.434-08:00So Kelsey, if skin color doesn't matter, maybe...So Kelsey, if skin color doesn't matter, maybe you could show that on the page? Just mention it as if you would hair and eye color: this person has black skin, or brown, or white.<br /><br />Because what I'm hearing you say is "skin color doesn't matter" and then you go on to explain how it matters so much that it breaks your whole story to include POC.<br /><br />Do you think giving someone black skin makes them so fundamentally different that you have to rewrite the character? In a world where it supposably makes no difference? What???Devinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06611169799840685267noreply@blogger.com