You conclude, "In the end, the goal of an author should be to foster an environment where all voices can be heard without stifling the imaginative freedom that lies at the heart of creative expression nor demanding that others conform."
I disagree. the goal of an author should be to tell his or her story. Period. Real writers don't set out to write stories that will make all people feel included. Real writers just write what they want.
Well, I don't read that stuff. But people can write and read anything they want. Has to be that way... although now certain people are trying to cut other people out, to make it impossible for them to sell what they write. I agree, writing is a business. But it's also an art and a calling. Especially in my case since I don't make enough money in a month to buy a 12 pack of beer. That's not a lament, BTW, it's just what it is.
While I agree with your article when it comes to creativity, what you don't appear to acknowledge is how our unconscious bias affects the worlds we create, even down to perpetuating the notion that the bad guys are "dark", following on from the white good black bad that has was part of our upbringing. And yes you should write what you want to write, but that doesn't mean that everyone will want to read it. I spent all weekend at a comicon selling fantasy books, and talking with readers, and they want to see themselves reflected in stories. Even my straight, while son won't read books that don't reflect a more positive and equal society. Again, write what you want to write, tell your stories, but be aware that your readers may want more than a traditional perspective, and it never hurts to question why your "bad" characters aren't blonde haired and blue eyed.
It has been a blessing seeing myself in more of the characters being written now. And being less turned away by some of the tropes used—they just seem tired (bitter, childless witch hag anyone, lol). I wonder to what extent valid criticism is being labeled as “woke.” Overall, I’m just grateful other voices are getting to shine too. 🙌🏽
Well as an author, I've always tried to make more diverse casts and be aware of the injustices of society. It's made me appeal to a lot larger audience and I think improved my writing as a whole. I'd write a whole essay on the subject but let's just say I disagree. Woke can be done poorly and superficially but it requires you to ignore a lot of books authors are asleep.
Please let that person know I'm available as an editor, would you? I've been looking for work. Developmental, Line, Copy, Proofreading. I have references. My specialty is in genre fiction, especially S&S and Epic F. My very first client received a positive review on Kirkus and so far, his YA Fantasy is 4/5 stars. I cut my baby teeth on Sword & Sorcery, (Howard, Moorcock, etc) and played D&D. Dark Elves imo were cemented into the fantasy staple in the 1990s thanks to Forgotten Realms, D&D and Dragon Magazine. 😁
This so absolutely factual it’s scary. Many times have I warned about the dangers of becoming that which you hate. Example… hating haters makes you a hater. Pity them instead. Regardless, when even our fictional escapism is censored by a VERY vocal minority there is no safety left. Creativity is indeed being stifled… strangled. It is unconscionable and frightening. On another note… look for another editor.
The Editor’s job is to do what makes the Publisher money.
i say that to say two things:
1.) Call them “drow” and tell your story how you to tell it ;), and,
2.) It’s YOUR art. At some point artists tend to have to fight for their vision and art against the moneyed interests. Maybe it’s your time in the octagon.
Yuuuup. Woke values are not an issue but woke-washing everything (which is usually done by execs who literally don't have a bloody clue what they're talking about and yes I'm mostly pointing fingers at Disney live action remakes) is ruining things in the opposite direction.
...Like, Snow White got her name bc she was born in a snowstorm? Would her name have been Mudslide if she was born in the spring? Make good stories. Woke will come naturally 😪
Well said. As an author I feel strongly about this issue, not least because of the destruction to immersion. When stories carry an agenda, a conformation to modern trends, it takes me out of that world - which was the whole purpose for me engaging with it in the first place.
Thanks a lot! My novels take root in social injustice and environmental collapse, but I am not trying to be woke, I am just describing the tendencies that I see and imagine them evolve in a near-future dystopia. Besides, self-censorship is detrimental when you write about this kind of things.
You conclude, "In the end, the goal of an author should be to foster an environment where all voices can be heard without stifling the imaginative freedom that lies at the heart of creative expression nor demanding that others conform."
I disagree. the goal of an author should be to tell his or her story. Period. Real writers don't set out to write stories that will make all people feel included. Real writers just write what they want.
I don’t have the motivation to write. Ideas, no motivation.
It’s a business. No one wants to read about queer love and sexual perversions.
Really? Surely I´m not the only one.
Well, I don't read that stuff. But people can write and read anything they want. Has to be that way... although now certain people are trying to cut other people out, to make it impossible for them to sell what they write. I agree, writing is a business. But it's also an art and a calling. Especially in my case since I don't make enough money in a month to buy a 12 pack of beer. That's not a lament, BTW, it's just what it is.
Thank you for defending the grand escape of fantasy. Fiction does not need to be a reflection of present day issues. Well said.
While I agree with your article when it comes to creativity, what you don't appear to acknowledge is how our unconscious bias affects the worlds we create, even down to perpetuating the notion that the bad guys are "dark", following on from the white good black bad that has was part of our upbringing. And yes you should write what you want to write, but that doesn't mean that everyone will want to read it. I spent all weekend at a comicon selling fantasy books, and talking with readers, and they want to see themselves reflected in stories. Even my straight, while son won't read books that don't reflect a more positive and equal society. Again, write what you want to write, tell your stories, but be aware that your readers may want more than a traditional perspective, and it never hurts to question why your "bad" characters aren't blonde haired and blue eyed.
It has been a blessing seeing myself in more of the characters being written now. And being less turned away by some of the tropes used—they just seem tired (bitter, childless witch hag anyone, lol). I wonder to what extent valid criticism is being labeled as “woke.” Overall, I’m just grateful other voices are getting to shine too. 🙌🏽
Well as an author, I've always tried to make more diverse casts and be aware of the injustices of society. It's made me appeal to a lot larger audience and I think improved my writing as a whole. I'd write a whole essay on the subject but let's just say I disagree. Woke can be done poorly and superficially but it requires you to ignore a lot of books authors are asleep.
The dark elf white supremacy thing is stupid. Typical industry stupidity. As tired of this nonsense as you are good sir
*Smirks* In my world, the bad guys are green.
That’s fine.
Please let that person know I'm available as an editor, would you? I've been looking for work. Developmental, Line, Copy, Proofreading. I have references. My specialty is in genre fiction, especially S&S and Epic F. My very first client received a positive review on Kirkus and so far, his YA Fantasy is 4/5 stars. I cut my baby teeth on Sword & Sorcery, (Howard, Moorcock, etc) and played D&D. Dark Elves imo were cemented into the fantasy staple in the 1990s thanks to Forgotten Realms, D&D and Dragon Magazine. 😁
This so absolutely factual it’s scary. Many times have I warned about the dangers of becoming that which you hate. Example… hating haters makes you a hater. Pity them instead. Regardless, when even our fictional escapism is censored by a VERY vocal minority there is no safety left. Creativity is indeed being stifled… strangled. It is unconscionable and frightening. On another note… look for another editor.
The Author’s job is to tell their story.
The Editor’s job is to do what makes the Publisher money.
i say that to say two things:
1.) Call them “drow” and tell your story how you to tell it ;), and,
2.) It’s YOUR art. At some point artists tend to have to fight for their vision and art against the moneyed interests. Maybe it’s your time in the octagon.
Yuuuup. Woke values are not an issue but woke-washing everything (which is usually done by execs who literally don't have a bloody clue what they're talking about and yes I'm mostly pointing fingers at Disney live action remakes) is ruining things in the opposite direction.
...Like, Snow White got her name bc she was born in a snowstorm? Would her name have been Mudslide if she was born in the spring? Make good stories. Woke will come naturally 😪
None. I was waiting about lesbian relationships long before, in a world without religion so no one is afraid or persecuted. I still do
Excuse the language but anyone who thinks dark elves = white supremacy is straight up r*tarded.
It’s the Woke themselves that are writing it. Borderlands 4 possibly. Hopefully not.
Unfortunately, I suspected we'd get here eventually when this started becoming very prominent over a decade ago.
Well said. As an author I feel strongly about this issue, not least because of the destruction to immersion. When stories carry an agenda, a conformation to modern trends, it takes me out of that world - which was the whole purpose for me engaging with it in the first place.
Thanks a lot! My novels take root in social injustice and environmental collapse, but I am not trying to be woke, I am just describing the tendencies that I see and imagine them evolve in a near-future dystopia. Besides, self-censorship is detrimental when you write about this kind of things.
It’s like that for sci fi as well.