I don't know your target Tahoe tribe, but I know a little about Apache and Comanche. I also know an Apache. She makes no bones about what her temper is capable of, and the history books tell the story. I get why authors take those short cuts, there is a lot more story to tell rather to get caught up in those details. In my opinion if your story is in town, or out on the range, I assume the noted group is the group color, and to designate is to bring to foreground what we think we already know about the identified character. Personally, I like stories that are color blind, all inclusive, as we should be- it just shouldn't matter. BTW- I asked a black friend your quandary, absent description, he thinks everyone is black in his readings. Food for thought. Very cool of you to get Wá∙šiw input, your humble exposure to their opinion shows your upmost respect for them and the byproduct is, you are truly a class act!
Thanks UM for this insight. I'm glad this inspired conversation! I think that whether readers assume all undescribed characters are black or white or anywhere in between means they are bringing their own cultural expectations to the writing, which means the writer is failing to clarify important character (and thus cultural) descriptions. I'm trying to check my own presumptions and I think this practice of improving descriptions, to reduce assumptions, will help my writing be more inclusive. As always, thanks for your input!
Congrats on bringing your MS to Wá∙šiw readers for feedback. And thank you for your words. Working against default thinking through physically describing characters is the responsibility of all writers. Thank you for that message and reminder.
Thanks, Linda. I agree that metaphors and similes are very powerful, but they also require extra care. For example, one should never use food comparisons to describe characters because it implies ideas of consumption, which is dehumanizing. So it’s good to practice ways to describe characters, while alwyas being careful of what comparisons and descriptors are implying.
So so great! I needed to hear this. I'm gonna think about this while I'm reading. Love your ability to self reflect!
Thanks, Molly. Your comments mean a lot to me!
The journey continues...
Your understanding and vision,has a great appeal...I like what you have done
Thank you, Michael!
I don't know your target Tahoe tribe, but I know a little about Apache and Comanche. I also know an Apache. She makes no bones about what her temper is capable of, and the history books tell the story. I get why authors take those short cuts, there is a lot more story to tell rather to get caught up in those details. In my opinion if your story is in town, or out on the range, I assume the noted group is the group color, and to designate is to bring to foreground what we think we already know about the identified character. Personally, I like stories that are color blind, all inclusive, as we should be- it just shouldn't matter. BTW- I asked a black friend your quandary, absent description, he thinks everyone is black in his readings. Food for thought. Very cool of you to get Wá∙šiw input, your humble exposure to their opinion shows your upmost respect for them and the byproduct is, you are truly a class act!
Thanks UM for this insight. I'm glad this inspired conversation! I think that whether readers assume all undescribed characters are black or white or anywhere in between means they are bringing their own cultural expectations to the writing, which means the writer is failing to clarify important character (and thus cultural) descriptions. I'm trying to check my own presumptions and I think this practice of improving descriptions, to reduce assumptions, will help my writing be more inclusive. As always, thanks for your input!
Congrats on bringing your MS to Wá∙šiw readers for feedback. And thank you for your words. Working against default thinking through physically describing characters is the responsibility of all writers. Thank you for that message and reminder.
Thank you, Angelique! Please keep me updated on your project as well!
Thanks, Linda. I agree that metaphors and similes are very powerful, but they also require extra care. For example, one should never use food comparisons to describe characters because it implies ideas of consumption, which is dehumanizing. So it’s good to practice ways to describe characters, while alwyas being careful of what comparisons and descriptors are implying.