Writing Question: Best Method for Introducing People of Color?
I’m currently writing a relatively far future military SF novel (or revolutionary military SF, since it involves revolution). One thing that I want to indicate about this future and its wide-reaching human empire is its relative inclusiveness. Race is not as much an issue there as it is today, which means that the cast of characters I intend to show will embody a mixed world. To make that clear in the story, I feel as though I need to identify several characters by their race (or everyone by their race, really). But I don’t want to in part because I really don’t know how to go about doing so without essentializing or reducing characters to their race (or even identifying them by something that I personally feel has no say on one’s character). What exactly is the best method for introducing the race of a character (any race)? I honestly don’t know…and I’d much rather have an idea on how to go about it before shoving my foot in my mouth. The comments are yours.
Source Help: Books on Race in the Spanish Empire (and Mexico)
The other day, I stuck my foot really far into my mouth. While recording an episode of The Skiffy and Fanty Show, we managed to get into a discussion about race in the various colonial empires (a discussion that is not part of the actual episode — beyond off topic, really). I managed to say something that, moments later, I realized was phenomenally stupid. Why was it stupid? Because I simply did not have enough information to make any reasonable assertion whatsoever. If it’s not already obvious, the topic was race in the Spanish Empire (Mexico in particular — pre- and post-independence). I caught myself fairly quickly (which is nice, considering the last time I said some stupid stuff on the show), but I still feel pretty damn bad about it. Julia Rios has already suggested one book related to the subject of race in the Spanish Empire or Mexico (pre-/post-independence), but I was hoping some of you folks might have some good suggestions. Basically, I’m looking for books that explore the relationship between the Spanish and the native populations at any point from the start of colonization to at least its end (if not later). I have a preference for academic books (stuff printed by actual academic presses, rather than one of the big six), but even a really good popular text will give me a lot of gateways into exploring the topic in depth. Any help here would be greatly appreciated! Education is wonderful, and since the Spanish Empire and Mexico are not my strong points, I’d like to do some educating…
Comic and Graphic Novel Suggestions: First Comic Book Shop Trip…in a While!
I’m going to run off to the comic book shop at some point this week. And that means I’m going to buy me some comics…which is where you lot come in. Since I haven’t been in the comic/graphic novel world in a while (aside from some manga here or there), I really don’t know what’s interesting and what’s not. I’d like to know what kind of stuff you have enjoyed that you think I might enjoy too. What I’m looking for: SF/F-ish stuff (broadly speaking) Things that won’t require me to be overly familiar with preceding material (so don’t drop me flat in the middle of a story arc if I need to have read the previous two to figure out what the hell is going on) Graphic novels OR standard comics (or collections/omnibuses) No “universe” restrictions (you can throw me into DC, Marvel, or whatever) Pretty basic wants, no? Superheroes, space stuff, dragons, whatever. I’ll take my list of suggestions and go play around. So have at it!
Comics and Tablets: Your Thoughts?
I’ve recently become interested in reading comics again. I used to read them as a youngin’, but sort of gave up on them for one reason or another (I used to collect all the trading cards from Marvel, too, and probably still have some floating around — there’s a box of comics somewhere in my closet). But rather than jump in to whatever is going on right now, I want to read a lot of the backlist to get a sense of how things have progressed. Understandably, that means doing so digitally (through the Marvel database, etc.), as trying to buy all those older comics would probably bankrupt me. What I’m wondering is whether any of you have experience reading comics on any tablet. I know there are a lot of different types out there, from the ASUS Transformer to the iPad to the Galaxy, but reviews can only go so far for me. I need a bit more before I make that investment. If you have read comics on a tablet, or at least have experience with one, let me know your thoughts about that particular device: pros, cons, recommendations, etc. I am partial to tablets that are connected to a vibrant app community, as reading comics will probably requiring the use of apps (PDF and CBR/CBZ readers). Thanks!
Hugo Award Recommendations Needed! Inquire Within…
I’ve never voted for the Hugos before, which means this year is a huge “first.” Regardless, I’ve always had a problem filling out some of the categories, sometimes because I’m not familiar with the field (comics, for example). This is where you all come in. Below is the list of all the categories in which my nominations are either entirely absent or not firm. What would you recommend I check out to help me fill the gaps? Best Novella Best Novelette Best Related Work (I’ve got four ideas, but maybe I missed something you all know about?) Best Graphic Story Best Dramatic Presentation (minus Game of Thrones, as I’ve already seen it) Best Fan Artist Best Fanzine (I have ideas, but only one standout thus far) Best Fancast (ditto) Have at it!
Writing Wonders: Are Flashbacks Evil?
I think with all writing concepts, there are no simple answers. Flashbacks are no different. Just as you can ruin a book with poorly constructed multiple POVs, so too can you ruin a book with flashbacks. It all comes down to how and when you do it. Case in point: I am currently reading Tobias Buckell’s The Apocalypse Ocean, the fourth book in his Xenowealth series. One of the POVs in the book is of a woman born from genetically augmented stock by an alien race known as the Nesaru. But the only way we can really understand what her past means to her in the present of the novel (after the events in Ragamuffin, in which a human revolution against alien control had its first and most important victory) is by flashback. Buckell could tell us her history in an infodump, but the result would lack the emotional impact we need in order to sympathize with the character. Thus, Buckell uses the flashback. Only rather than shove it in the middle of an important sequence, he uses it as a way to further the plot point (specifically, her plot) — it occurs in a chapter devoted specifically to her reaction to a previous scene; we know something will happen in this chapter, but we don’t know what, and so Buckell uses this flashback as a way to show her motivations as an individual. It’s a smart move, I think, since it avoids all the problems that can come with flashbacks — pulling the audience out of the story, destroying pace, etc. It also helps that readers of Buckell’s work will recognize familiar themes in this flashback, which might not be something to be expected in other works with such devices. That’s really all it comes down to. If you’re going to use a flashback, you have to use it with the awareness of its impact on the rest of the narrative. If inserting a flashback will hurt the pacing or if it appears in a pointless moment in the story, then you’re probably going to run into problems. What I’m curious about are those books which experiment with the flashback form. One example that comes to mind is Brian Francis Slattery’s Lost Everything, in which much of the story meanders through different points in the character’s lives. Think of it as a long series of interconnected flashbacks. Much of his writing follows this format, including Spaceman Blues. But what other kinds of experimentations are there? Do they work? Feel free to leave a comment! (Question suggested by Paul Weimer on Google+.) P.S.: One might also consider The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers as a kind of flashback-infused text, though that’s difficult to argue since most of the book takes place in the flashback, rather than in the “present.”