Normally, I detest dichotomies. I firmly believe that things are never either/or, black or white, this way and never that way. I'd be the first person to argue that things are "more complicated" and there are always more than two sides to any story. So it seems only fitting in an entirely too ironic way that my life seems to have broken down into weird dualities that seem to be in constant opposition with one another.
There are three questions that I get asked all the time that I never really know how to answer. The first question has to do with the amount of reading I do. People always ask, how do you read so much and still find time to write anything? The second question has to do with writing? People want to know how do you move between fiction and nonfiction? The third question is related, but more focused on the career aspect. People want to know how do I navigate being a college professor and a romance writer? Since my first novel was published this past March and I've only been a published romance writer with books on the shelves a little under a year, I haven't been asked these questions a whole lot. (I mean, let's not get it twisted. A sister realizes that she hasn't had tons of interviews and media coverage. LOL.) But these questions have come up enough and the issues they bring up are starting to represent these seeming points of confliction in my life.
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Wednesday, December 20, 2006
A Tale of Two Writers: Some Thoughts on My Double Life
Posted by Gwyneth Bolton at 2:09 AM
Labels: Blogging In Black, Career, Commentary, Writing
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8 comments:
I think when I do get published I better sit down and read all the authors' blogs for all the potential questions I'm going to get asked over and over. Then, I'll write out simple answers to them on a little card and keep it in my pocket until I have them memorized. Otherwise, I'll either stare at the person like a catfish out of water or I'll come up with some snide, stock answer like I do with my children.
1) No.
2) Mars. (answer to where something is)
3) Because I said so.
4) Chicken-fried hog legs (answer to what's for dinner)
I just don't think these four stock answers would work at a writers' conference. Do you?
No, Kimber An, I don't think they would work... unless the Space Captains' Daughter takes a trip to Mars... But writing my responses down on note cards is good advice. Now I just need to coem up with the answers...
Hi there, fellow writer. You asked, so here's my answer (love your blog, btw!).
Sometimes I don't feel black enough. I don't mean by skin tone or lineage. There's no doubt about that part. What I mean is in my writing. Let me explain. I didn't grow up with any experiences that allow me to write the kind of books that target a more hip/street audience (which by book stats looks like the majority). I feel like I lack legitimacy. In fact, I can order a double-latte-frap-with-an-extra-
shot-hold-the-whipped-cream faster than I can think of the title of the latest, hottest rap. I am not jiggy with it. I've been called an Uncle Tom. I often feel as connected to the black culture as I would to some obscure nomadic tribe. Not much going on there but the nappy buckshots (sorry, don't mean to offend). So, you see, my struggle is in writing the kind of book that would have some resonance in the black community. How can I possibly have any 'legitimacy' as a black writer if I don't? Faking it would be like faking an orgasm. Why bother?
Aha, you say, wagging your finger at me - I should write something other than hip/street lit. And I agree. But you get where I'm coming from, right? Although the market seems more diverse now than a few years ago, editors aren't nibbling, and the edits in my rejections point to a lack of understanding of the black culture. Argh, don't know if I've stated my case, but I would sincerely love to hear your slant/advice on this.
:D
Thanks
Latte Laurie
Uh, then maybe THAT is what you ought to be writing about. Caught between two cultures. Not feeling black enough. You're not the only person who feels that way. Actually, it was always a very popular theme in Star Trek. (I choose that as example because I write romantic science fiction.) Spock was half human, half Vulcan. Worf was a Klingon raised by loving humans - but humans just the same. Seven of Nine was human raised by the brutal Borg trying to be human again. Polish your craft and research more widely for agents and editers. Success doesn't happen overnight. But, if you hang in there and write about what you DO know, one day it will happen.
Latte Laurie,
This advice is going to sound so-oo cliche... But, as I read your post, that old advice "write what you know" comes to mind. Yes, that does sound cliche... So, I'll put it this way, if you aren't 'feeling' it then it will be impossible for you to really make readers 'feel' it.
Now, I really don't think that people have to grow up in the heart of the hood or listen to nothing but hip-hop all day every day to write for the hip/street audience. Because I think a look at rap music and certain rappers who grew up middle class but rap about their gangsta street lifestyle and sell prove that theory wrong.
Writing comes from the imagination. I've never been rich, but I can do research and I can read and learn and gather enough information about how rich folk might live in order to create characters in my romance novels that are from my imagination, but real enough for people to 'feel' them. I didn't grow up as a member of the Black elite, but I researched the group and came up with the characters in my first novel.
So I guess, I say all of this to say that although you may feel like you don't know enough about black culture, you could learn enough to let your imagination soar. That's what all of us writers do. But if you aren't feeling your topic you won't make others feel it. So you have to write what you feel. That's the only way you are going to make it real enough for the readers to want to engage with the tale you're telling.
Thanks for the telling me you liked my blog, by the way. And be sure to stop back.
Gwyneth
Thank you, Gwen! :)
Latte Laurie
Sometimes I hate the double life, the writer/the 'normal' person. Sometimes I love it. Great post.
Happy holidays, Gwen!!!!
Yeah, Nancy, I hear you... My 'normal' person is such a kill joy. She has to do things like go to bed early for work when all my writer wants to do is stay up until the wee hours writing because that's when the muse is best... oh well...
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