Writing - a discussion

[amberdreams]

I was on tumblr the other day and I came across some writing advice in the form of a long list. I didn't make a note of the blog I was on, or copy the list itself but basically, it went along the lines of:
By all means, include African Americans in your story - BUT do not presume to tell their story, it is theirs to tell.
Include Native Americans in your story but do not presume to tell their story, it is theirs to tell.
Include gay men in your story but do not presume to tell their story, it is theirs to tell.
Include transgender characters in your story but do not presume to tell their story, it is theirs to tell...
and so on.

I'm sure you get the gist, and the point they were making.

At first sight, I was nodding in agreement - this is merely an extention of the old adage 'write what you know', isn't it? So yeah, I could see some validity in what they were saying. But then I got to thinking. Surely, by the time I'd eliminated all the categories of people in their list whose stories I was not qualified to tell by dint of being who I am, the only protagonist remaining for my stories would have to be a short, fat, middle aged white woman.

Who the hell wants to read about me? I (and everyone else) would be reduced to self insert fic, which I abhore.

I feel suddenly I'm sounding like a Daily Mail reader, but surely this is political correctness gone mad.

Or am I missing something here?

Feel free to pitch in!

Comments

[alexisjane.livejournal.com]

Thisallofthis!
I think as a writer you have to second guess yourself all the time when you're writing from a different perspective, not as a "oh, I'm a terrible writer" thing but just as part of the craft. Someone somewhere will always be offended, but making an effort goes a long way. I was thinking about the whole JK Rowling snafu and couldn't understand why she didn't get the opinions of any Native readers before she erased the whole culture. Surely someone would have said something?

I think it really helps to be in a writing community where you can ask questions. I know one of my characters wanted to use the term "colored" and I was having five fits about it as I couldn't find a way around it. But I spoke to a couple of POC writers and they all said it was appropriate for the time period and were completely fine with it. I'm still expecting shit for it from someone but I know I've done my due diligence...even though the line is still making me squirm : ) x

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Due diligence is actually a good term for it, I think. Otherwise you'd be writing something that wouldn't ring true to ANYone, let alone whichever minority/culture/gender you are supposed to be inside the head of at the time.