writerly ways
In a way I'm glad that this topic got delayed. I mean to do it about three weeks ago after seeing an episode of NCIS New Orleans which was episode 3 (I hadn't realized the season had started) and it was obvious they were trying to work in BLM and police brutality issues but it was SO ham-handedly done (and has continued to be like a sledgehammer since). It reminded me that there can be very well meaning attempts (which I'm sure this is) that go awry or miss their mark.
For one that episode (and the two before) had White cops killing Black men but I missed too much of it to follow. Whatever it was, it was bordering on caricature it was so overwrought. Handled better was Dr. Loretta Wade's BLM story line, where her young son had arranged some BLM protests but she was too afraid for his safety to let him go. She's also dealing with PTSD (though I'm not sure if it's related to a crime that I've forgotten or BLM issues because I missed that). Honestly her storyline might have been enough.
The next two episodes tripled down on it and one I deleted half watched because I wasn't even sure what the crime was. they tried to do TOO MUCH (a good point when working with any issues, you can overreach) there was a committee (why Pride is on it since it's civilian I have no idea) trying to deal with police brutality and other issues but it descended rapidly into stereotypes, the young Black activist whose a harridan shrieking loudly listening to no one, the fat old white cop etc and all they did was scream at each other with Pride muting the zoom meeting off and on (they calmed it down in the next episode and approached it better) But also in this same episode we had Pride's girlfriend taking on bail inequalities and how it affects poor Poc more than others.
AND then Loretta's PTSD. Gregorio's LGBT issues. Everyone's Covid issues and it's like OMG PICK ONE, maybe two.
And maybe a sledgehammer is not the best way to do it.
Prodigal Son also is tackling it this year (I suspect most police procedural shows will be) and that's why I'm glad I got delayed because now I have a contrast to NCIS's handling. Their approach was much better. They picked their moments, like Dani's line about being a young black cop (something the media has ignored really. How has it affected them besides badly) and of course JT being stopped and nearly shot by white cops while he's at a crime scene. To my surprise this became a huge issue for some fans 'who want to escape reality'. Okay I get that. I do that too. On the other hand that's pretty insulting to PoC fans who can't just escape. To be fair, PSon has been a bit proactive in that at least it's very diverse (the team is two African Americans, two Asians, one White male) Also to my surprise a lot of fans I spoke to didn't know things like that have happened to cops who are PoC (if nothing else Law and Order shows 'ripped it from headlines' almost every time it happened in the real world.)
Anyhow that more subtle in some place, more in your face in others worked better for me. It felt less contrived than NCIS did. It's not over yet, I'm sure. And I hope they continue to handle it well.
But we also have to be conscious of is this our story to tell? I'm happy to have a diverse cast of characters. I feel comfortable with that. On the other hand telling a story of Black Pain, a Muslim immigrant trying to escape the label of terrorist, fighting to be the gender I know I'm meant to be might be better off in hands of those best able to tell those stories. Points to the controversy a year ago about the Oprah Winfry book pic American Dirt as far as that goes. Poc character yes, telling a story about living through the 1960s as a Southern Black, maybe not so much (speaking if which if you want good stories about those, points to yesterday's post about a story set in the Tulsa race riots, or City of the Plague God (and read the author's notes about being Muslim in England) or Cemetery Boys for a trans character in Latin culture)
On the other hand, the thing I'm hearing from a lot of PoC/LGBT/Trans etc authors is they're being pigeon holed in those 'own voices' roles. If they want to tell those stories, great but if they want to write a space opera, or a Supernatural like story etc that has nothing to do with social issues shouldn't they be allowed to do that too without being made to feel like they're betraying people? I'm put in mind about something Lou Diamond Phillips said (and probably pissed people off) about making too many, too small boxes and if he could only play a Filipino character he would never have worked. in nearly 40 years of acting, he's never played what he actually is. In fact, last year on Pson he was supposed to get the chance to be a Filipino man but it was cut due to covid shortening the schedule. I hope he gets the chance to add that to Gil's character this year.
I guess what I'm saying is, approach the subject reasonably, don't overstuff it and remember it's fine to write a story with diverse characters where the point of the story isn't about social justice (but it's great if that IS your point too).
How about some links?
From around the net
Comedy Or Not, Your Story Needs A Good Straight Man
Is Your Book Finished?
Book Writing Tips for Aspiring Debut Authors
From Betty Let's Talk Stakes
How to Start, Build, and Grow Your Email List I was just talking about this. I think it might be next week's post!
The Inner Struggle: Guides for Using Internal Conflict That Make Sense
Going from Pantser to Plotter (honestly not for me but others might like this)
It’s in the Details
Five Journaling Prompts for Writers for 2021
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Stalker & Target
Writing Better Dialogue
Publishing Scammers to Watch Out for in 2021
Things to leave out of your query
Myths Holding You Back In Your Writing Career
A Key Mindset to Achieve More
How Legendborn Created an Enthralling Love Triangle haven't read this one yet as I still need to read the book!
Feminists and Romance Fans: Let’s Fight Our Common Enemy honestly picking Twilight for this does NOT help their point because it's nowhere near as good as they're trying to make it be.
For one that episode (and the two before) had White cops killing Black men but I missed too much of it to follow. Whatever it was, it was bordering on caricature it was so overwrought. Handled better was Dr. Loretta Wade's BLM story line, where her young son had arranged some BLM protests but she was too afraid for his safety to let him go. She's also dealing with PTSD (though I'm not sure if it's related to a crime that I've forgotten or BLM issues because I missed that). Honestly her storyline might have been enough.
The next two episodes tripled down on it and one I deleted half watched because I wasn't even sure what the crime was. they tried to do TOO MUCH (a good point when working with any issues, you can overreach) there was a committee (why Pride is on it since it's civilian I have no idea) trying to deal with police brutality and other issues but it descended rapidly into stereotypes, the young Black activist whose a harridan shrieking loudly listening to no one, the fat old white cop etc and all they did was scream at each other with Pride muting the zoom meeting off and on (they calmed it down in the next episode and approached it better) But also in this same episode we had Pride's girlfriend taking on bail inequalities and how it affects poor Poc more than others.
AND then Loretta's PTSD. Gregorio's LGBT issues. Everyone's Covid issues and it's like OMG PICK ONE, maybe two.
And maybe a sledgehammer is not the best way to do it.
Prodigal Son also is tackling it this year (I suspect most police procedural shows will be) and that's why I'm glad I got delayed because now I have a contrast to NCIS's handling. Their approach was much better. They picked their moments, like Dani's line about being a young black cop (something the media has ignored really. How has it affected them besides badly) and of course JT being stopped and nearly shot by white cops while he's at a crime scene. To my surprise this became a huge issue for some fans 'who want to escape reality'. Okay I get that. I do that too. On the other hand that's pretty insulting to PoC fans who can't just escape. To be fair, PSon has been a bit proactive in that at least it's very diverse (the team is two African Americans, two Asians, one White male) Also to my surprise a lot of fans I spoke to didn't know things like that have happened to cops who are PoC (if nothing else Law and Order shows 'ripped it from headlines' almost every time it happened in the real world.)
Anyhow that more subtle in some place, more in your face in others worked better for me. It felt less contrived than NCIS did. It's not over yet, I'm sure. And I hope they continue to handle it well.
But we also have to be conscious of is this our story to tell? I'm happy to have a diverse cast of characters. I feel comfortable with that. On the other hand telling a story of Black Pain, a Muslim immigrant trying to escape the label of terrorist, fighting to be the gender I know I'm meant to be might be better off in hands of those best able to tell those stories. Points to the controversy a year ago about the Oprah Winfry book pic American Dirt as far as that goes. Poc character yes, telling a story about living through the 1960s as a Southern Black, maybe not so much (speaking if which if you want good stories about those, points to yesterday's post about a story set in the Tulsa race riots, or City of the Plague God (and read the author's notes about being Muslim in England) or Cemetery Boys for a trans character in Latin culture)
On the other hand, the thing I'm hearing from a lot of PoC/LGBT/Trans etc authors is they're being pigeon holed in those 'own voices' roles. If they want to tell those stories, great but if they want to write a space opera, or a Supernatural like story etc that has nothing to do with social issues shouldn't they be allowed to do that too without being made to feel like they're betraying people? I'm put in mind about something Lou Diamond Phillips said (and probably pissed people off) about making too many, too small boxes and if he could only play a Filipino character he would never have worked. in nearly 40 years of acting, he's never played what he actually is. In fact, last year on Pson he was supposed to get the chance to be a Filipino man but it was cut due to covid shortening the schedule. I hope he gets the chance to add that to Gil's character this year.
I guess what I'm saying is, approach the subject reasonably, don't overstuff it and remember it's fine to write a story with diverse characters where the point of the story isn't about social justice (but it's great if that IS your point too).
How about some links?
From around the net
Comedy Or Not, Your Story Needs A Good Straight Man
Is Your Book Finished?
Book Writing Tips for Aspiring Debut Authors
From Betty Let's Talk Stakes
How to Start, Build, and Grow Your Email List I was just talking about this. I think it might be next week's post!
The Inner Struggle: Guides for Using Internal Conflict That Make Sense
Going from Pantser to Plotter (honestly not for me but others might like this)
It’s in the Details
Five Journaling Prompts for Writers for 2021
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Stalker & Target
Writing Better Dialogue
Publishing Scammers to Watch Out for in 2021
Things to leave out of your query
Myths Holding You Back In Your Writing Career
A Key Mindset to Achieve More
How Legendborn Created an Enthralling Love Triangle haven't read this one yet as I still need to read the book!
Feminists and Romance Fans: Let’s Fight Our Common Enemy honestly picking Twilight for this does NOT help their point because it's nowhere near as good as they're trying to make it be.