Comments on: Story Power: Why the Lecture? Why Can’t a Book Just Be a Book?

By: doktertubagus

doktertubagus — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 08:10:30 +0000

All what you write is like a poem

By: Jean Lamb

Jean Lamb — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 03:32:52 +0000

I have anything by N.K. Jemisin on instant order. I’ll bet you can read 50 pages of THE FIFTH SEASON and then, it’s suddenly 3 am and howinhell did THAT happen? Splendid SF in a bit of fantasy clothing, and if you think earthquakes make you nervous *now*, well, it’s nothing to how you’ll feel later on.

By: Rita

Rita — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 22:21:35 +0000

As a writer of African American time travel romances, I really appreciate this blog post. It expresses exactly how I feel about the issue. I write my books to entertain my readers and don’t always include heavy issues. Sometimes it’s good to settle back with a good read and escape to a fantasy world, leaving behind the problems of today. Thanks Lynn and Kristen.

By: Deborah Makarios

Deborah Makarios — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 00:08:33 +0000

It seems ridiculous to me, the suggestion that race somehow defines (i.e. limits) the stories people ‘should’ tell. Or that anything can dictate the kind of stories someone ought to write (or read!).

Example off the top of my head: the Napoleonic Wars had a profound effect on Regency England, but do people diss Jane Austen for not writing scenes of battlefield butchery, and accuse her of being an inauthentic Regency voice? No. (OK, some do, but I don’t think anyone’s taking them seriously.) There is no sole authentic voice of any group or experience, and not all aspects of identity are defining – let alone defining in stereotypical, limited ways.

I say write whatever you want to write. Especially if there’s a dead body in there somewhere!

By: Judith Rook

Judith Rook — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 23:57:24 +0000

That’s a very good point, regarding the ability of stories – any stories – to shape cultural values. And on the question of colour, if the story appeals, race will become increasingly irrelevant. We’re still shaking off the last 200 years. Give us another couple of generations of natural integration dating from primary school, and we’ll do it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent newsletter. Thank you.

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 23:04:38 +0000

In reply to Lynn Emery. *kicks laundry back under couch* Sure! Any time! Thanks for coming over and for the wonderful reading list :D .

By: K.S. Hernandez

K.S. Hernandez — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 22:47:04 +0000

Ugh! Yes!! I had this very conversation a few days ago prompted by an old Toni Morrison interview that I saw. Where she stated this very thing that simply because she is Black and she writes about Black people, she’s criticized as always writing socialogical tracts. Sometimes a story is just a story where I have a hangnail just like anyone else. Oh yeah and I’m Black. I’m confused as to why that concept is so difficult.

By: Lynn Emery

Lynn Emery — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 22:40:13 +0000

Thanks for me over to your house! 🙂