That’s actually the lovely title my Harlequin Love Inspired editors chose for my January 2021 book and I’m super excited to see what they do with the cover, which will be the heroine with her golden retriever Sissy.
But today it’s my own heart I’d like to open, baring my soul, so to speak. Frankly, this is kind of scary for me because I’m serious in my endeavor to discover reader input and yet I know my questions may be sensitive for some, which is exactly why I’m asking here on the blog, with readers I love and trust. And because these are tough questions, I’ll select one commenter to send a copy of my Harlequin Love Inspired July book The Black Sheep’s Salvation.
It all started when my prince story was flat-out rejected by my traditional publisher. I wasn’t really surprised, although I personally disagree. Do you all like royalty stories or not? I can’t imagine Disney did as well as they’ve done, not to mention Hallmark, without stories about royalty. So you tell me—yea or nay on the prince?
And now comes the question that I’ve been tiptoeing around ever since my rejection. We’ve all heard, and I believe, that there is a serious lack of diversity in romance novels. So here’s the thing—I would love to write more diversity into my novels. It’s not going to happen in my traditionally published novels because of something known as Own Voices, meaning if I’m not Asian, I should not be writing Asian characters, and so on. And while I deeply respect that I cannot fully understand what it’s like to be Asian or African American, neither have I ever been a man, yet I write the male point of view as honestly as I can.
So here I am looking forward to writing a self-published Christmas novel with a hero who hails from a fictional island south of India. I intend to approach diversity with the utmost respect. But because of Own Voices, I’m hesitant. So I would appreciate your thoughts on diversity in literature, specifically as it relates to the author writing the story.
What do you think? Is this an issue for you, or would you be willing to read books about diverse characters written by authors of different backgrounds?
I sooo look forward to and appreciate your kindhearted responses. Remember, one commenter will get an autographed copy of my next release!
The Black Sheep’s Salvation will be available starting June 16th online and at retailers wherever books are sold.
~~Love Courageously~~ Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives. Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
I think a prince story depends where he comes from and what he’s like. With many princes and princess especially in Europe being royalty in name only and holding down real jobs I think a book could be done well. Royalty from Asia and India are a different feel too and would be intriguing to read about. As for writing from own voice Christine Lindsay wrote a historical set in India and at least one book featured Indian leads and she did a good job of it. I think it would be harder to write from the view point of native American just like it is hard for Australian’s to write from the view point of an Indigenous character although being contemporary its is probably much easier.
I think if you were worried at all you would probably find beta readers from the nationalities or people you are writing about to check for inconsistencies. I have been a beta writer for a couple of Americans writing an Aussie character. (one of the biggest things was explaining most aussies don’t say g’day every time we say hello in fact the majority don’t say it that much at all).
Yea on the prince! Also, I would read diverse characters written by authors of a different background without hesitation.
I will just tell you to be ready for backlash no matter how respectful and accurate you are. There are people who look for diverse characters written by authors not of that race who then go on to harass that author because “you have no right to write that sort of character.” One lovely lady told me I was racist and that a white woman writing a Black character was no different than wearing Blackface.
So. Be prepared and pray hard about it.
It’s really hard, isn’t it?! Because our world is diverse, our communities are diverse, so why not our stories? Yet there does seem to be a backlash against authors writing a different ethnicity than their own, at least for the major characters. I get it… but I don’t get it. We’re writing fiction, and if we’re not cookie-cuttering ethnicity, I would think it could only make our story worlds richer. Cookie-cuttering is lazy writing anyway. Not all redheads have fiery tempers, after all!
Hi Deb! For me, I love prince stories. As for diversity, when I’m reading a book, as long as the character is portrayed in a way that doesn’t raise any flags, I wouldn’t research why the author thought they could write that character. Does that make sense? Using an example from above, if you were writing about a red-headed character, I wouldn’t look to see if you were red-headed or had a red-headed best friend.
What Elizabeth said.
Diverse reading in books are very good for me. I cannot always relate but it helps me to look people deeply. I say go for it. I read Jodi Piccoult Small Great Things and enjoyed all the perspectives she portrayed in the story. I feel that it is a good thing to write from another culture’s view because it may open you up to what we deal with on a daily basis. Yes, you will not fully understand but you will experience a shift in your thinking. When you see another story on the news it would be just about another minority but it will be about another human being who deserves to be valued and treated with dignity.
I think prince stories can be a lot fun as long as they don’t veer into hokey territory. I’m fascinated with what their lives must be like, living in the spotlight constantly and having to be a good example for their entire country. I also like the idea of more diversity in literature, and I don’t see an issue with someone that’s not Asian or African-American writing a story featuring those characters. No matter our race or skin color we are all human after all. I’m sure you can speak with different people and get their input to make it as authentic as possible. You may not know what its like living in their particular situation but at the same time people are people either way.
Hi, Deb! I’ll take the easy one first…of course I love royalty! Lol….what girl doesn’t want a prince in shinning armor, lol??
Now to your next question…sigh… I love diversity in stories, and I love to learn different cultures. For me, I don’t really care what the writer’s ethnicity is as long as they have done their research…but that’s my humble opinion.
I agree with the comments above. Having beta readers from the ethnic background you’re writing about sounds like a valuable idea.
I love royalty :) Go for it Deb!
It is not an an issue for me and I love to read books about diverse characters written by authors of different backgrounds!
Actually, my friend from college (she is Russian) married a man from Morocco who was studying in Medical School in Russia at that time…..she is living in Morocco now with three kiddos :) the point is – many readers can relate!
I think you should write your books about what you feel is right.
I think it sounds like a wonderful book!
Yes to the prince! I don’t know why, but I’ve always been attracted to Hallmark movies about royalty.
As to the diversity topic, that’s a lot harder. I don’t even know exactly where I fall on this issue. If I know that an author is not the ethnicity that is portrayed in the book, I come in with a certain amount of skepticism. Have they done their research? I don’t really know how to know for certain.
Maybe I’m totally off the mark here, but I thought the whole point of including more diversity in the first place was so that we would have more authors from minority ethnic groups. I want to hear the stories that have been colored by their own ethnic cultures. I don’t necessarily want to hear stories imagined by white people trying to put themselves in that ethnic culture but not really being of it. Now, stories about white people trying to fit into other cultures, like traveling or missionaries or something would be fascinating.
But I do personally balk at knowing the author is white and writing from a different ethnic culture. If it’s spelled out that the author has a close friend or family member from that culture, that’s different. But I need to know that before I pick up the book. And I don’t know that I would pick up a book that’s marketed with ethnicity as the main point. I care about characters being relatable and authentic.
I don’t know if I’ve come to any conclusions, but I hope some of these rambling thoughts may have helped in some way. :)
My perception of royalty is similar to celebrity, it may be fun to dream, but I imagine the reality of no privacy and the entitled perception that others have a right to judge you could be utterly dreadful.
For diversity, it never fails to amaze me that where an indigenous character is not acceptable a purple alien is or the roles that prejudice and stereotypes demand for characters, or what is acceptable in one culture is dreadful in another. When stepping into writing a character from another culture, I imagine it can be a minefield, but written with respect I personally support encouraging diversity. There is no doubt we all display prejudice, especially micro-prejudice and maybe your writing can inspire others to recognise that too. There will be people who will attack you no matter what you write, so I say write well researched, respectfully and what you are passionate about.
I’m not big on prince stories for the most part but some are ok. I enjoy reading diversity but I think people are so sensitive to everything anymore that it could be hard. Blessings
I say yes on the prince! And, it doesn’t bother me if an author writes about characters of other nationalities. I know that some African American authors write books about African Americans and white, and other ethnicities. White authors have done the same. I think you’d just need to be careful about stereotypes; however, that’s pretty much a given, anyway, so I see nothing wrong with it. If your traditional publisher can’t/won’t publish, then do it yourself, for you’d definitely be in good company!!!
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for all your suggestions, especially about beta readers. I’m old enough to remember Crocodile Dundee and that probably really messed it up for poor Australians, right?
Thanks, Ellie. Good to know!
Thanks for your straightforward answer, Elizabeth. That’s exactly why I wrote this blog post, and I even struggled writing this. I have lovely African American and Asian friends and would love to include more diversity, but I’m scared to death of the backlash. I don’t see any way around it, frankly.
Have you ever taken the leap, Kimberly? What was the response?
That’s why I understand and respect Own Voices. I know I will never really KNOW what it’s like to live in a diverse world, and yet I don’t see how having all my characters be white helps in the long run.
Hi Sally,
That’s the thing–you could stretch the logic out quite far to the point where it makes no sense at all.
Ha ha. I’m writing a redhead right now that is the total opposite of fiery. She’s a soft spoken, cup half full kind of heroine. I just wish to avoid the backlash where diversity is concerned. I thought perhaps I’d start with a secondary character, but I’ve got a diverse hero who is just screaming at me to be written.
You’ve really hit the nail on the head for me, Megan. We are all humans, and though our experiences are different, our hearts are the same.
Thanks, Paula. I’m with you on reading about royalty.
I agree. I’m definitely going to reach out for some beta readers.
I adore my friends with diverse backgrounds and love that looking out off the choir loft at our church I see so very much diversity in the pews. I want my writing to reflect that.
Thanks, Mary. I suppose I can’t live in fear.
Hi Lila,
Thanks so much for your thoughts. That’s what #OwnVoices is all about–finding more diverse authors to write those diverse stories. And there is so much good to say about that. I know I thoroughly enjoy stories written by African Americans and Asians that embraces their culture.
Thanks, Dianne. I am the first to recognize that even though I believe I carry no prejudice, I’m sure micro-prejudice is there. That’s why this topic is so important to talk about even though it can be scary. How do writers (and people) overcome prejudices they may not even recognize they have?
Hi Lucy,
Definitely a very sensitive topic. Thanks for your thoughts!
I intend to write the book as the second in my Last Chance Ranch series. It’ll be a Christmas book.
Concerning princes: I have enjoyed a good number of stories including royalty (e.g. Carol Moncado’s Serenity Landing series). But to me, the appeal is more in the idea that the character has wealth and tradition and how will that affect his choices as a romantic hero (or heroine).
Concerning diversity: Western culture seems to be riddled with pockets of political correctness. This subculture claims the right to be offended on behalf of others and to take the judgement into their own hands. It can get very ugly depending on the topic. You have to pick your battles, I suppose.
It sounds like “Own Voice” is an oversimplification of “write what you know.” Is your experience diverse? Then, by all means, write for characters who bring their diverse nature to the richness of the story. Are you wanting to add diversity as a decoration, a quirky add-on to increase interest? Don’t bother. I agree with Lila’s thought about authenticity. It extends to authentic purpose in the story.
If you want to write about diversity from a minority perspective, how about a love story where a straight-laced publisher’s rep falls for an author trying to publish a story which includes multicultural characters. :)
I’m sure it’ll be good!! If God wants you to write it, He’ll give you the words and pave the way!! I love Christmas books!
I forgot to say I like reading different cultures and locations and people.
Steve Erwin also is one who used lots of colloquialisms which is used more in certain parts of Australia like the outback and parts of Queensland.
I had a friend who would use lots of the words on a forum and I thought she’s just hamming it up for the Americans and then found out its how she speaks. Most of us use some phases but we normally will say hi or hello or how you going when we great someone.
Oh wow I didn’t know people were so nasty. I can understand it if you completely trash or get the character wrong. Like when an American writes an Aussie character but the only thing Aussie is they are and Aussie. (One author of a teen book wrote a book set here with all Aussies but it could have been set anywhere in America the only thing Australian was she lived in Sydney. Spoke how an American speaks etc).
I think Australians are more forgiving when it comes to authors writing different races etc. I do know An aussie writing with an Aboriginal character will get help from someone from the area to get it authentic.
When we talk race Do the Irish or Scottish, Welsh or even European readers get nasty if you write books about them?
I would love to read books with diverse characters. I love princes too! We are all different people and I enjoy different people in the books I read. I had the privilege of spending most of my life near Washington DC which is a huge melting pot as well as diplomats from every where. I was spoiled and thought that was normal until we moved west and south. Here people think it’sdiverse if there are two or three nationalities or races present.
I would love to read your novel.
If it’s not just blatantly ripping the culture off and making them out to being “less than”, I see no point in it.
As for Own Voice… it’s rather comical to think that someone who is different doesn’t have the insight to write about diverse characters.
I mean, come on… can someone really ONLY write about the same type of person/people to them. A heavy set person who writes can ONLY write about a chubby (sorry, someone will probably get offended here 😉).
A skinny woman can only write characters that have trouble putting on weight.
That means those princess characters are off limits to pretty much EVERY writer out there. 🙄 because you know… that’s NOT your voice.
At some point, we need to allow this sort of thing as long as the author remains respectful. I mean, I absolutely love certain things about some different cultures, and would have another point of view looking “in” on those traditions etc.
That being said, yes, to both questions. I am not particularly drawn to diverse characters in books though. Princes though. I’m drawn to those!
I say yes I love to read so As long as it is a good book I have no problem with reading it You Got this Deb I would love to read your book!