Write on White

There’s been a discussion going on for a while (and most recently on a forum I belong to) on the lack of non-Caucasian MCs in books. I won’t get into the statistics and the reasons put forth – some I agree with, some I don’t – but what I’m looking at today is the expectation – or demand – that white writers make their MCs non-white. I say ‘demand’ because there are some who think white writers who don’t do this are close-minded, narrow-minded, lazy, or even bigoted.

WTF?

Realistically, yes, there are white writers who are some or even all of the above (just as there are non-whites who fill the bill). But to lay those terms on every writer who doesn’t write based on what certain groups think they should?

I’m sure we’ve all heard of Chekhov’s Gun:

“Everything that has no relation to the story must be ruthlessly thrown away. If in the first chapter you say that a gun hung on the wall, in the second or third chapter it must without fail be discharged.”

I take this very much to heart. If making my MC black, or Asian, or Catholic, or Jewish has some importance to the story, then the MC will be black, or Asian, or Catholic, or Jewish. Otherwise… well, no.

Now, bear in mind that I don’t believe in physically describing my characters at all unless, again, it is of some importance to the story. For example, if I have a fight scene, I may include my character’s height or weight or musculature if it explains why the characters will have a difficult (or easy) time of it. But things like eye color or hair color? Who cares? Let the reader see the character whatever way they wish to. I may think jet black hair and smoldering eyes are God’s gift to women – others will completely disagree. So why should I insist that my characters have jet black hair and smoldering eyes?

And it’s for that very reason that I will not make my characters any particular race, religion, gender, sexuality, whatever just because they aren’t ‘represented enough’ in literature. If that is the one and only reason to describe the character – well, sorry, but it ain’t gonna happen. If I’m writing a story where it is important, where it flavors the entire story, where their being something has an impact on the story – damn right I’m going to make them be whatever they need to be.

And that’s the crux of the matter – what the character needs to be. For the story. Because the only thing that’s important is the story.

The only thing that’s important is the story.

 

Vindicated

I left a writing forum over one major issue – the idea of being respectful when giving critiques. It was, basically, the straw that broke the camel’s back. My contention (as a beta for several years) that there was absolutely no reason to get nasty or arrogant when giving a critique (and let’s be sure to distinguish between a critique and a review). For that, I was labeled (along with anyone else who might hold the same opinion) a ‘speshful flower’. (My own betas know that’s so far removed from the truth it’s laughable. Loudly laughable.) Now, I knew there were others who felt the same way (and who posted thusly in that discussion), but in a recent look-see at another forum, I discovered I was not the only one who left Forum A because of this attitude. Quite a number were so dismayed at the attitude of the other forum they not only left, they wanted to warn others about it.

Now, this is not to say that, after working with someone for some time, one has to be as tactful. With those who really want the honest feedback, it’s easy to start jokingly ‘bashing’ something (“You didn’t really write that, did you? “) or getting more firm (“You need to correct this [continual problem] in future postings or I just can’t work on it any more.”). Then there are others who just want you to gush over their golden words – and after a point, it’s difficult to remain polite, much less tactful. (I told one person sometimes it takes getting hit with a pile of bricks for it to sink in.) But again, this is after you’ve worked together and gotten to know each other. You don’t do those sorts of things on a first post (or even the first couple of posts), or [especially] when the writer is new and genuinely seeking help.

It just is beyond me why writers, of all people, can’t seem to figure out how to word a critique without getting arrogant, nasty, or snarky. I mean, that’s what we do – use words and phrases to communicate effectively. So I was left wondering who the ‘speshful flowers’ really were – those asking for help or those deigning to respond.

So anyway – glad I left one, even gladder (is that a word? lol) that I found the other.

[I'm deliberately not mentioning either forum because I don't want to provoke any snarkiness between the two - anyone interested can pm me. One for a warning and the other for a recommendation.]

 

Writing forums/communities

Having stopped logging in/posting to one writers’ forum, and joined a couple others, I’ve discovered one thing – writers tend, at least in these communities, to have an overblown sense of their own importance. Now, that’s not to say that all are like that. There are a great many who are sincerely and truly helpful and open-minded. But there are far too many who, either from being members of these communities for eons or from already having an overabundance of self-worth, think their advice is golden. That if they state an opinion, it should be taken as fact. That if you don’t do what they say, or if you dare to disagree, you’re stupid. And I won’t even get started on the self-publishing “gurus”…  (until another post )

I’ve also realized that there are a lot of writers who refuse, absolutely, to listen to any of the advice given, good or bad. Now, having been a beta, I already knew that occurred in the fanfic world. There are prima donnas out there who think because they’ve got groupies that their writing is perfect. I guess I was naive thinking it didn’t happen in the ‘real world’. And at the other end of the spectrum are those writers who want people to tell them how to write – everything from basic grammar to how the story should evolve (ie, “Write my story for me!”). It amazes (and frustrates) me that these people waste the time of forum-goers asking questions they could (and should) find the answers to themselves (What – you didn’t know there were grammar books out there? Or articles online?) If one is confused about the information found, that’s when the forums should be utilized – but really. “When do I use a comma?” WTF?

Connected to that is my discovery that there is very little about writing per se that I haven’t already learned. Publishing is a different story, of course, but writing… yeah. Now, I realize that that statement sounds every bit as egotistical as those I just complained about. But writing is a craft – and of that aspect, I am very confident. What few grammar questions I have typically turn out to be matters of style and ‘currency’ – things that are not rules so much as how one ‘authority’ prefers things versus another ‘authority’. But I definitely know how to string together a coherent sentence, how to form dialogue, how to weave a story together so it holds the reader’s interest – with the given regarding that last item that everyone improves the more they write.

Now, when ones talks about methodology, my preferences are no better – and no worse – than anyone else’s. What works for me works for me and may or may not work for someone else. And that’s what separates me from the blowhards above. I recognize that each writer needs their own style and their own methods for completing a book.

So, I’m finding myself glancing through the various communities, reading with half-interest those newbie questions about how to write, shaking my head at the “You have to do it this way” replies, and noting those who offer suggestions versus commands (ie, who recognize the individuality of the writer). Otherwise…

What it all boils down to is this: I started looking at various writing communities because I thought they could teach me things about writing. I was wrong. There’s very little a seasoned writer can learn about writing on these forums. There is, however, a lot one can learn about publishing and when I am to the point of actively pursuing that (ie, when my first book is completed), I shall certainly be going to these various forums to glean whatever knowledge and insights I can. But I shall do it with one caveat – not everyone really knows what the hell they’re talking about. Even the published authors. Those who are in the publishing business – agents and publishers – certainly need to be listened to. But even those need a grain of salt, as one will inevitably find they contradict each other. But reading their advice, and finding that which seems to be a consensus (or at least, makes more sense), will be invaluable when I start querying for my book. And there will be a few individuals (again, see above) to whom I will listen with more than just mild interest, and those to whom I will not listen at all.

So, I will be spending a lot less time on these communities and a lot more time actually writing. Because that’s really all that’s important.

 

Another frenzy in the self-pub world…

Okay, so how many people have read this?

http://kianadavenportdialogues.blogspot.com/2011/08/sleeping-with-enemy-cautionary-tale.html

I thought about responding to her diatribe with some rational questions and comments, but I think she’s too far into self-pub madness for that.  There’s obviously a lot more to this story than she’s putting forth – frankly, as soon as I read her statement about being ‘coerced’ to sign this really horrible contract ($20k as part of her advance?) I knew what court she was playing in. And it offers yet another haven for those who want to paint the Big 6 publishers as evil demons because they A) haven’t gotten through the door yet or B) didn’t get everything their own way. And she has a ‘heavy-weight’ supporter, which only adds fuel to her fire.

I read things like this and can only shake my head. One-sided, much? Self-publishing is trying very hard to make itself ‘legit’ – people like this certainly don’t help.

 

New start

So it’s been a long, long time since I’ve been here, and I’ve decided to come back. I’ve edited/deleted some earlier posts, and will use this blog for my writing flotsam and jetsam.

General recap: I’m just now starting to write original stories for publication. I wrote original fiction for many years, eons ago, and then stopped as real life got in the way. A few years ago I discovered fanfiction and that got me started writing again. Thank God. I’ve written a ton of fanfiction, all in the A-Team (series) universe. I like that universe because I like adventure stories and I like looking at the psychological makeup of guys in adventure stories (and I’m a big fan of the show). I’m not ashamed of or embarrassed by writing fanfic, and I’ve learned a great deal about story-telling through it. So if you look down your nose at fanfic or its writers – well, you can leave that attitude at the door.

I’m now working on original fiction again, along with the fanfic, and hopefully will get published before the final curtain. I’ll be discussing the path I end up following, and also various issues in writing.  I don’t know a heck of a lot about the publishing business yet, but as I learn I’ll share some of it here. And part of what I talk about here will be my impressions and opinions about the “writing community” – which may or may not set well with the members. I do seem to have a knack for pointing out the emperor’s new clothes, which has gotten me in not a little hot water on various forums. But hopefully that will lead to some interesting discussions.

The only thing I ask (okay, demand) of any comments here is that you remain respectful and polite. It is possible to disagree without getting nasty. Writers, especially, should be able to handle that without too much problem.

 

Critiques in fanfic

I write fanfic – fiction based on characters from a television show, movie, book, whatever. It’s a curious combination of original writing and “borrowing” – much as story-tellers have done for eons, but now prolific thanks to the world of the Internet. And there are so many different reasons for writing – but most seem to feel that it allows them to not only keep alive a favorite, but take their heroes/heroines to greater depths, either character-wise or adventure-wise.

My own began because I renewed an interest in an old show, and, having been away from writing for many years, I saw an opportunity to “ease back” into it, slowly building up my confidence. And it was extremely enjoyable. It was also a lot of work.

Many people disdainfully dismiss fanfic writers as “mere hobbyists”. I wish they knew how much work many fanfic writers go through, trying not to just “have fun”, but trying to delve into the characters and really improve and refine their craft – for writing, of any kind, is a craft. And as with any craft, there are those who do only what is necessary, and those who take it very seriously, and spend hours trying to get that chapter, or even that paragraph, “right”. Maybe the characters are borrowed – but they are also enhanced, and grown, and the stories themselves are taking the originals into new directions and new situations. Not to mention that new truly original characters are introduced, which is particularly difficult to “get right” when one has to make them as real to the reader as the established (and beloved) characters.

As much as “outsiders” may put down and criticize fanfic, there is, unfortunately, almost as much contentiousness within the realm. The conflict between those who write “just for fun” and really aren’t worried about the writing as much as putting their heroes into a different situation. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, except it gives fanfic’s critics more ammunition. There’s also the world of “slash” – putting characters into romantic relationships which, many times, means same sex relationships which were not even hinted at in the original. This puts fanfic writers, in general, in another quagmire, not only with the “outsiders” (GASP! How *dare* they?!?!) but within the ranks – “slashers” do have a tendency to be overly-sensitive about their writing, mistaking honest critiquing of their writing for a put-down of their genre. And, equally bedeviling, some non-slashers tend to color their view of slash with their distress at the genre, rather than the craft. No matter how well-written, they will find something wrong with it.

But in other ways, fanfic writing is no different than “mainstream” writing. Finding someone to give honest critiques in fanfic, compared to finding a good editor in MS. While it’s gratifying to have someone say they love your writing, that’s what you want to hear *after* the draft has been finalized. Which brings me to the point of this posting.

I have been very lucky, in my “fandom”, to have found a critiquing group that knows the difference between a “critique” and a “bashing”, and between honesty and stroking. At least, I thought I had. Now, I’m not so sure. I had a member critique a draft, and was quite “strident” in her objections, not so much to the story, but to the way I had constructed it. While I found her choice of phrasing irritating, she made some good points – and some that simply aren’t relevant to the way I write (I might add that I am not exactly a novice at this). Rather than accept my decisions (which is a focal point of the group – that the writer has the right to accept or reject suggestions), this person decided to withhold further comments – at least, in an open and obvious way. Instead my story was used as an example of a “problem” when another story by another author was critiqued, something that has never been done in that group before. Comments I made in group discussions were misconstrued, and several people in the group apparently did not read my corrections. I felt I had a major-league target on my back. So I dropped out. Temporarily. Hopefully.

The reason I even bring this up here is because my concerns were not adequately addressed in the group – indeed, they were not addressed at all, at least in the “public forum” in which the problems occurred. And I would truly hate to see this sort of thing happen to another writer, where a member decides they like a story idea, but want *their* story written, not the one the author wants to write. I think that’s what occurred here. At least, that’s the only reason I can come up with. My only other choice would be that this person is such a control-freak, they can’t stand it when someone disagrees with them. Neither is very flattering, but at least the former is understandable.

So, in the meantime, I continue to work on the story, although much of the enjoyment has gone, and the excitement of experimenting is in great need of CPR. I have two writers who have agreed to “beta” my work as I progress – one who’s relatively new, but has a wonderfully fresh eye as a result, and another “old hand” whose grasp of the characters is tremendous. Both have always shown an ability to be honest without being crabby, an asset to be sure.

I guess my final take on all of this is that it’s one thing to criticize, but another to critique. If you haven’t read fanfic, try it. If you haven’t found stories worthy of your time – try again. It’s out there, and getting better all the time. And if you don’t like a story, try to be honest with the author as to why, without getting vitriolic. None of us is perfect

 

Writing

Finally finished The Children’s Hour, my latest fanfic. Did a lot of rewriting on it – I haven’t been writing as much as I used to and it showed in the original version. I’ve been doing a few little things, as well, but mainly finishing that and starting to work out the plot lines for a couple others. Now that I’ve started writing again, I’m mystified as to why I moved away from it for so long. Got too involved in research, I guess. Learned a few lessons from all of it.

 

More writing musing

Well, I recently set up my own website for my fanfic, and I’ve discovered one of the nice things about that (besides having all my stuff in one place) is that if I need to revise the stories, it’s a heck of a lot easier to do there than when it’s posted on other sites. I do want to remember to note the revision dates, though. And when I add stuff. That’s one thing that’s always frustrating when I visit writing websites – people may or may not make a note of a change, or they don’t let you know what’s been added or changed.

I’m going to start on my next story in a few days. Actually I’ve already started it; I’m re-working a very short piece I did back in June to use as the first 2-3 chapters, and then go from there. I do love writing, but it’s getting started that’s always hard. Just trying to figure out what to start out with; once I get the first couple of sentences down, I usually can keep going fairly easily.

One day I’d really love to be able to support myself with my writing. Thank God it doesn’t cost me much to live…

 

Writing

Well, just completed my latest A-Team fanfic, a supernatural/horror type story called The Children’s Hour. It was the first story of that type I’d ever tried, and it seems to have been fairly well received at ATSB. One thing I tried to do, and I think I managed, was to write it in such a way that I can “exchange” TAT characters for originals, and drop some sections that are strictly TAT. Thus, I can go to expand the story, build my own characters, and who knows – have a completely original, and possibly marketable, work of fiction.

Well, what the hell.  Worth trying anyway.

 

Introduction

Well, this is my first blog and I’ve already managed to lose my first comment. Anyway, I’ll be posting random thoughts and voicing my opinion about various things, so if you want contemplation and rabble rousing, this might be a good place to look.