Tomorrow SINFUL SURRENDER will be officially released into the wild. It’s still hard to believe. It’s a day I never thought would ever come and then seemed to be coming too quickly, and I wish I were more prepared. Regardless, it’s a great feeling, all the excitement and anticipation of Missy and James’s story finally meeting the reading public. Of course I’m nervous to hear what readers and reviewers alike have to say about SINFUL SURRENDER. I’m terrified that no one will buy it. But I’m also so proud of this story and so happy I wrote it, and that it will forever be my first. 😉
I’ve included my picture once again not because I love it so much. No I included it because of the subject matter of today’s post: Writing Outside Your Race. The picture punctuates the point that I am a black woman and my characters are white.
No one had every asked me about the race of my characters until this summer at the RWA National Conference in DC. Who asked? A very lovely woman who used to work for Publisher’s Weekly. She was the first. Then I kid you not, an hour later a reviewer from a very popular blog asked the same question. Then just recently, one of my chapter members (who I might add is black) emailed me and posed the question to me this way, “What’s up with your cover?” Now I can only surmise that people who see me and discover that am a romance writer assume that I write about black protagonists. The cover of SINFUL SURRENDER tells the real story. But is that a problem that I chose to write outside my race?
For me, this wasn’t even a decision. I never once sat and debated when I decided to write a historical, should I make the hero and heroine black? Why? Well, I think a large part has to do with the genre: historical. As a black person, I know the history of my people. I understand what we suffered and our struggles, however, I don’t want to write about it. That isn’t the material I would go to when I sit down and want to escape into a good romance. Writing about blacks in the 19th century makes escaping the reality and cruelty of slavery, prejudice and discrimination unavoidable. When I write romances about black protagonists, I want them to have all the freedoms I enjoy now. I want them to be able to wealthy, respected, free, and capable of achieving everything the next man can. Now if I were writing a fantasy or something like that, I could conceivably invent a new history for blacks and exclude everything I don’t like (ie. slavery). But I write historical romance and our history is indelibly etched in the annals of time. It’s not pretty and it’s painful for me to think about, much less read or write about. I don’t think I’m burying my head in the sand, I just want the time I set aside to escape and enjoy a good romance to be just that for me. A pleasant escape.
I grew up in the fairly small city of Barrie, Ontario in Canada. I was usually the only black in my classes, my family one of only two black families in the entire school. I grew up reading everything from Henry & Beezus (Beverly Cleary), Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie, Anne Mather and Janet Dailey. Where I grew up, I can’t remember seeing one book that featured a young black protagonist. But even at a young age, I never questioned that. I could see the way things were. For a mostly white population, why would there be stories about black children, black people? Don’t your write about what you know? Write about people like yourself?
Well I continued to read and when I branched out to historical romance, I read Johanna Lindsey, Catherine Coulter, Virginia Henley, and Karen Robards. These authors’ stories were my influences. And from these stories I sorted out what I liked and didn’t like. I discovered that I liked–loved–reading about stories where the relationship was the biggest issue. Their struggles weren’t about where they could live, who would burn down their house because of racial prejudices, be they black or Native American. I didn’t want to read about a couple struggling financially and that being the cause of most of their strife–I’ve seen that enough in real life. I know there are people who like the Oprah-type books, where protagonists must overcome insurmountable odds to finally triumph in the end. That’s not why I pick up romances. Their triumph needs to be about love. (I’m like that, romances need to be about ROMANCE, mysteries should be about MYSTERY–I don’t need romance in my mystery–and suspense, same thing).
Will I make an effort in the future to have a mixture of nationalities, races, and differing social classes within my stories? Yes, I will. They may not be the leading characters, but to exclude them completely, to me, would be wrong. I do feel a responsibility as a black woman to write about my own race. It should be my first inclination, shouldn’t it? I feel a sense of guilt that I have not. But I am also conscious that in the genre that I write, it would be a difficult book to sell. Beverly Jenkins is one of the few black historical romance authors that I know, who has successfully managed this, and I completely respect her for that–she’s also a very lovely woman personally. However, for now, while I will try to test the boundaries of the historical genre, I will continue to write the kind of stories I want to read, and in time should I be fortunate to branch out into contemporaries, I hope to write about the protagonists I never read as a child, and the world as I want it to be.
Wow, even that felt way weighty to me, but it’s a topic I needed to post. 🙂
So what do you think, is it acceptable to write outside of your race? And would you or have your ever read books where the protagonists are of a different race?
Since Lisa Kleypas is currently the historical author who influences me the most, I’m giving away the entire set of her WALLFLOWER Series. Comment to win.
Great post Beverley
Colour or nationality dosen’t matter to me I too love a good romance and if the book hooks me from the blurb and the first chapter and I am pulled into the story it doesn’t matter to me what race the hero and heroine are. I really enjoy reading it takes me away from everything that is going on around me I love to loose myself in a great book and I will be ordering your book Beverley I am putting in an order later this week and it will be on the order can’t wait to read it.
Have Fun
Helen
I think it’s completely acceptable to write outside of your race. What matters isn’t what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside, clichéd as that may be. And while your race can certainly affect your experiences in life, part of being an author is being creative. Many of my favourite modern-day authors write Regencies, but none of them were born then. That doesn’t stop them from setting their stories in that time period. They’re creative and can combine historical information and their imaginations to write realistic stories set in the past. I don’t see any reason why an author couldn’t do and equally compelling job at writing about someone of another race.
I’ve read some books where the protagnosists are of a different race. I’m as white as white can be, but I went through a phase in high school where the only novels I read where either set in India or had Indian characters. Some of them were fantastic, and some were pretty bad. And I’ve read some books published by Kimana Press – same thing there. Sturgeon’s law applies everywhere, it seems. Oh, and I spent several years reading manga, and got so used to read about Japanese characters that I had a bit of a shock when I went back to reading YA set in North America.
Reading this post, I couldn’t help but think of my father. He grew up in Bowmanville, Ontario and almost everyone in his graduating class was white. There were two black people and a few Asians. I grew up in Toronto, and less than half of the people in my graduating class were white. He’s always found that contrast amusing.
One of the reasons that I admire you (just one of many) is that you can, and wonderfully so, write outside your race. I could never write an about parts of my heritage because it was full of tears. There weren’t very many happy endings on reservations. Tessa Dare had a supporting character in Surrender of A Siren that was of mixed heritage. All throughout the book I cheered for him, because his character had an inner strength to see beyond his heritage when his brother, the hero, couldn’t. (For those of you who haven’t read it, the hero meant well enough.)
You know, I can say, how wonderful Missy and James are. And I know everyone else will love them too. It doesn’t matter what color you are, you wrote one heck of a book.
I agree, completely acceptable of course. As a reader I have no trouble reading “out of my race” so why not writing ? It’s true I was very much surprised the first time I saw “the face” behind Sinful Surrender, but in a good way. It would be just horrible if a writer had to be exactly like his/her characters in order to write about them. Do you need to be a duchess to write about one too ??
Now speaking personaly, I’m a white woman married to a black man (and have been for the last 10 years) and have two “mixed blood sons (in french we have a word for it “métisse” but I’m not sure it exists in english). Some people may think I’m a fan of interracial romances… well no. I’ve read a few and I enjoyed them. But they’re not my favorite. Give me a duke or a wallflower or any historical character and I’m in heaven. 😉
Congrats on your release and Thanks for the great giveaway (LK is one of your genre’s queens !).
Wishing you and ‘Sinful Surrender’ all the best, Beverly. Race should matter less than writing the stories you want to write, about characters you love!
Bev, i just aware that you are black ! 🙂 No, I mean, when i read a book, i have never ever had to check the Author’s race.
if the book is great, then it’ll be great to read it.
i hope i’m not the only one that HAVEN’T read any of Lisa Kleypas’ books. I can say that I’m still new with Lisa’s works !
I don’t think the race, religion or even the nationality of an author is an issue as to what they can write. I just want to read a good story. I have been reading romance novels for many years and, before we had a home computer, if the author didn’t have a picture in the book I had no idea what he/she looked like and never thought about it. I can think of stories by Dara Girard and Suzanne Brockmann that I have read and enjoyed. Congratulations on your new book.
Yay, way to go, Bev, blaze your own trail–whatever that trail may be! What you had to say about why you write what you write, and why, was so beautifully put, and touched my heart. As you know, and for those who don’t, I won your contest (the Peter Senftleben side of it) and he requested a full of my manuscript. You, dear lady, may have given me the break I have been seeking, we shall see, but the point of all of this is: you and I e-mailed back and forth to get this manuscript to you and then on to Peter, and you exuded “nice”, “helpful”, “kind” and “considerate” at all times. In short, you left a wonderful impression with me. I have to honestly say, that when I saw your photo the other day, it had no impact on me that you were not of the same race as who you write about, or as me. I only saw the same kindness in your eyes, the same considerate demeanor that I experienced in our email exchanges and thought, “yes, she looks all of what I had gleaned through the emails.” I, for one, will be so glad when the day comes that no one notices the differences in our skin, but looks to the heart of an individual for the truth of who they are–and, Bev, you’ve got heart – it shows in all you write and do. Can’t wait to meet you at Nationals next summer! I am cheering you on and will definitely read Sinful Surrender.
Beverley don’t be terrified because you know I will definitely buy Sinful Surrender. =] I completely agree with all the people who comment that it is acceptable to write outside of your race and I admire you greatly for it. To write about a happy ever after romance novel that leaves reader smiling is just wonderful. Race is not a matter that should concern you.
I congratulate your first ever publish book Sinful Surrender and have all the best wishes =)
And remember don’t get to concern on writing outside of your race!!
Hi Beverley!! You don’t have to enter me to win the LK series, seeing is she happens to be my inspiration as well and I already have all of her books.
But, I just wanted to wish you luck with the release!!! I will definitely be among the many readers 😉
((hugs))
Barbara
As a reader I get to decide if your story interests me (it does, btw!) but not what you should be creating. It seems to me that this is your story to tell, your characters to create. I say “Brava!” for sticking to what feels right to you and “Boo!” to anyone who thinks your race dictates what you should be writing.
Ooops, forgot to add that I have this Lisa Kleypas series (a fine one!) and not to enter me. 🙂
Hi Bev.
You’ve expressed yourself beautifully! I believe any writer should write about what touches him or her, despite race, age, gender, etc. I admire the skill of a writer who crafts a good story and it doesn’t matter to me if that writer has included specifics about his or her life. I think what binds those of us who love romance is the heart and the soul and the search for happiness we all seek in this life. Our journeys may be different, as may be our pasts, but the need for love is inside us all. So much of who we are shows up on the page, but it may be through the voice of a Duchess finding real love amidst the ton or a 16-year-old finding love for the first time. And many a female author has written a male protagonist exceedingly well . . . There are parts in all of us that are the same and those are the parts of the story that speak to each of us.
I already know I’m going to love your book! What an exciting day tomorrow will be!
Huge hugs,
Bryn
(and Lisa Kleypas is an auto-buy for me, so please don’t enter me in the contest). 🙂
I didn’t have time to read the other comments but I do want to leave mine:
After reading your post and Barbara’s (Happily Forever After), I jumped over to Amazon and pre-ordered Sinful Surrender for my Kindle. I CAN’T WAIT to read it!
To answer your question, It doesn’t matter to me what the author looks like. In fact, I usually prefer not to know, lol. Certainly plenty of white authors have written novels with heroes/heroines being non-white. It’s all about the story in my opinion. Congratulations on your book and I wish you continued success : )
Hello! This is my first post here; I’ve been lurking for a while 🙂
I agree with you and it never bothered me what race are the authors or their characters. I only want the story to be good and for me to enjoy the book. I love reading about different cultures and a good romance book gives you a glimpse into the other people way of life and customs. But just because you are one race doesn’t mean you should (or you are obligated) to write about certain race.
Congrats on your release! I’m sure it will have a great sales record 🙂 Good luck!
I have had the link to your page on my FB for weeks now and did not open it until today. I was pleasantly surprised to see that you, like myself are a black woman and it make no difference to me that you are. I have loved romances since my grandmother gave me my first Harlequin romance over 20 years ago. The stories are my escape and they transcend race. When the demands of life are pulling me in every direction, I turn to my favorite genre to clear my mind and refocus. This is the joy of reading we get to choose where we want to be taken and it doesn’t matter who takes us there. Congratulations and I look forward to reading what I hope is only the first of many.
I’m a black woman and I’ve been reading romance ever since I was 11 years old and my cousin’s best friend came home with her from college for the summer (she was black as well) and forked over her copy of Jude Devaraux’s Velvet Angel. I’ve been a romance addict ever since. It wasn’t until the the mid to late nineties that I saw romance novels with black people on the cover. I’ve always wanted to write though I will admit, it wasn’t until I read a Carla Fredd series novel years ago and loved it (at the time it was one of the few AA that I read that I liked) that I truly believed that it would be possible for me to become published while writing books about people of color.
Bottom line, it’s not about color, it’s about passion for what you do and the desire to let the stories in your head come out on the page.
I have to echo the others here who’ve said that YOUR race shouldn’t matter as long as you’ve crafted a great story. From the blurb, SINFUL SURRENDER sounds like an excellent read and I’ll be excited to add it to my collection. I’m unpublished but my characters vary in their races and nationalities. You give hope to someone like me, who wants to be judged on the merits of my writing rather than the experiences my skin color brings.
Race of the author doesn’t matter to me at all and shouldn’t matter!
I totally think it’s acceptable to write outside your race. I also read books with protagonists of a different race. I’m white and I have many romance books with interracial couples, and I’ve got some books from Kimani Press as well. For me, it’s all about the story and if it’s a good book and well written, not the author’s or protagonist’s race.
Nice post Bev!
Beverley,
Kudos to you for bringing up this subject! I think it is wonderful, exciting and acceptable to write outside your ethnic background! I feel if anyone is offended by this then they are to shallow to be a true fan and you wouldnt want those kind of people as fans anyway! Race should not even be an issue EVER!
You keep doing what you love to do, write from your heart!
Wishing you the best on your release! How exciting for you!
First of all, thanks for posting your picture again. You are a beautiful lady. Simle : ) I would read anything that you care to write about, because I know you from following your site and blog for some time. What I look for in a writer is someone who has a true passion for character development and story line detail. I don’t care about the race of the author or the race of the characters in the book. I also watch movies and television shows which feature actors of all races. I think Gerard Butler is wonderful, but I also think Denzel Washington has the patent on easy-going charm with a killer smile. Yes, write outside your race, not just black or white, but the whole human race : ) Let’s really move forward and step outside the fiction box. Talent is talent. It doesn’t have a color.
I love a good story…..period! I also love reading about different cultures….that being said I will state what I have taught my children and preach loud and clear to all…”One planet, One people.” We are all beautiful, therefore, to put ourselves in boxes to read or write only within our “race” makes positively no sense to me.
Thank you for this thread Beverley, and I truly wish you all the best with your debut book!! I shall be looking out for it tomorrow in my bookstore, and by all that’s holy….it better be there! LOL!!
I say go for it. Love isn’t about race, it’s about emotion, one that transcends any and all sociologic boundaries. The cultures of the past are easily researched and, as the past tends to be, written in stone. It is this research and the excellence of the writing that will make this book succeed—which is exactly as it should be.
What a wonderful post Beverley! I agree that it’s completely acceptable to write outside your race. All I want from a romance novel is a good romance, no matter what they look like.
I wish you great success on “Sinful Surrender”, and can’t wait tell I can get my hands on it.
Beverly, that’s a great subject! You know, I never even noticed – or that the ‘subject matter’ didn’t even make a difference to me. I saw a cover I fell in love with…I read a blurb that grabbed me…that’s all it took. I was hooked! I love the authors you mentioned, too!!! Have you ever read Judith McNaught? She was another one of my favorites. And…LISA KLEYPAS! Yeah, I’m a fan of hers, too. I’d love to win a book…or yours. (grins)
~Phyllis~
Bravo, Beverley for your post! Imagine if those of us who write historicals had to be derived from the English aristocracy…we’d all be in big trouble! And how many of us write in English accents/dialect without having one! It’s all about imagination and research, not where we come from…and the fact that we believe love triumphs over everything else…or we wouldn’t write about it. I admire your courage for your post and want to wish you a fabulous debut day tomorrow…I’ll be running out for Sinful Surrender first thing!
(And I LOVE Lisa Kleypas too and have all her books, so no need to enter me.) Congrats again!
I think it is definitely acceptable to both read and write outside your race.
Hi Beverley! Yes, it’s totally acceptable to write outside your race. In fact, I can’t wait to read your book. 🙂
I have to admit, when you posted your picture the first time, it made me blink because I had unconsciously assumed that you were a white woman (perhaps because it is the majority demographic of romance writers?). That being said, I am fiercely glad that you have posted your picture: a good writer is a good writer, and race shouldn’t even be an issue (I mean, if we can read about beings who are essentially not of our species in science fiction romances…).
Technically, being an Asian woman, most of romances I read are of people outside my race, lol, but hopefully that’ll start to change someday; I’d love to read a romance set in Asia, with Asian protagonists!
I, of course, agree with everyone. I wish it wasn’t an issue at all, that it didn’t even need to be discussed, but more important, I wish that there were more books representative of all races, nationalities and ethnicities. But I am also mindful of the reading public at large. And let’s face it, I want to sell my books. I want to sell A LOT of books. And as a historical writer I know that selling books means writing for the majority of that market. And I’m part of that consuming market that LOVES reading about the aristocracy or well off gentry in 19th century England. Day to day struggling to survive doesn’t take me to the place I want to go when I pick up a historical romance novel. To me, money worries, which are the cause of over 50% of fights and divorces in this country, is just a bit too real for my romantic fiction.
When I do read AA contemporary, it’s usually Brenda Jackson. I think the reason she is so successful is because when you read her books, the race of her protagonists are no more an issue than if you were reading about white protagonists. They are the same wealthy, beautiful, powerful protagonists that you will find in any of the other Silhouette Desires.
And hey, I’m not knocking anyone if they want to read a grittier book, more realistic with real world issues and problems. I like to watch movies like that sometimes. I just don’t want them in my romances, that’s all.
And thank you everyone for wishing me success with SS. I TRULY hope that Alex’s story finds a home because that’s the book that is near and very dear to my heart, and it hosts a cast of characters that represent the kind of book I would love to see more of out on the book store shelves.
Good luck on selling lots of copies tomorrow!
I agree with there is no problem with writing outside your race. And while I don’t really mind the race of the characters, with historicals I do tend to stay with the white hero/heroines, much for the same reason. I like reading about an ideal world with wealth, beauty, power, etc. I admit to reading much of the time to escape reality and I don’t want too much reality in my reading. I must have my HEA. If I want to get depressed I’ll watch the news 🙂
I can’t see where race should make a differents in anything myself! To me we are all the same! I can’t wait to get my hands on your new book! It sound awesome! I wish you lots of sells in the coming years! I would love to win the LK books because I have never read her books before but have heard so much about them!
As long as a book is well written and drags you into its world it makes no difference to me the ethnicity, nationality, or sexuality of the author. And your book definitely sounds great!
Wonderful post. Thank you so much for writing it. I’m a woman of mixed race and when I was growing up I read historical fiction by a wonderful author named Frank Yerby who was African-American. His characters were mainly white. And Laura Parker who wrote wonderful historicals was also African-American. I love Beverly Jenkins’ novels, but I’m always aware that just outside the door could be the Klu Klux Klan or god only knows what. I read historical romance for escape. It’s hard to escape when the realities for 90% of the AA population in the 19th century was so hard, with segregation etc. The few African-Americans who were wealthy were the exception not the rule, and they ended up aping the manners and mores of white society. I also understand wanting to reach the largest audience with your books and certain popular settings like The Regency in England didn’t have a lot of black people! Like you, I love to read about the aristocracy, large country estates, beautiful gowns and England. Those are the types of books that I want to write.
I don’t think it should matter what color you are as long as you write a book that grabs people, makes them laugh and cry along with your characters, and makes them long for the book to continue after they finally reach THE END. That is what will make a reader continue to buy an author.
Only one day left till the release. It’s absolutely acceptable to write outside your race. I have read authors who write outside of their race and I’ve enjoyed their books.
Congrats on your release!! And great topic. I think it’s great to write outside your own race. I love reading about inter-racial couples because I think it’s very relevant to today’s society. I think authors would become limited if they didn’t venture outside their own race.
I m an avid reader and read any book that sounds like it might be a good story. Nationality or race does’nt matter to me.
Your name has been added to my TBR list.
how exciting!!!! I can’t wait to pick up my copy!!!!
I have read many books where the protagonists are of a different race and they were GREAT. Some books touched on the race differences, others just ignored it.
I think it’s acceptable to write a book outside of your race. People act the way they do because they are humans with emotions; race does not play a factor, in my opinion.
Thanks.
Great post, Bev. I applaude you for your talent and beliefs. I’m a great believer in doing what you love to do, not what people expect you to do. Again, I can’t congratulate you enough in your release. Way to go!!
Congrat! Now I got go get my copy!
Hi Beverly,
I just wanted to let you know that I already found a copy of your book the other day and I snatched it up! It does not matter what your race is to me or the race of your characters. I think that your should write what is in your heart. I have read many books with characters that were not of the same race as I am and it didn’t make any difference, I look for a good story.
I wish you the best of luck with Sinful Surrender, I am loving the story!
Chris
I guess I’m lucky to have been in the chair next to yours when you were asked the question about your characters being outside of your race for the first time…I remember the event with humor 😉 I think were were both thinking, “huh?” It never even occured to me that you were sailing in unchartered territory. But thank goodness you did, because you are a treasure for the genre! Sell thousands and thousands. I’m so proud of you!
Beverley, what a great post. Thank you, too, for posting your photo again. It’s a very lovely one and I like to put names and faces together.
I agree with all of the other posters here today. You have a love for reading historical romances, so you chose to write historical romances. The English aristocracy intrigues a lot of people and it is a popular topic for historicals, especially the Regency era. You also write about what you know and you know the historical genre. Yes, someday, I will pick up a book by Beverley Kendall that will have a story of a black hero and heroine.
I don’t think race matters in an author. A story consists of a hero, a heroine, and their developing relationship. Besides, what counts is the person on the inside and what is in their heart—-and, of course, a happily ever after!
Great post. I have read books where protangonists are different races, heck, even different species – but they’ve usually been fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, etc., not historical romance. I too enjoy the love story in my historicals, and that’s what I choose to read. I think it’s fine that you’ve decided to write outside your race, and for very good reasons. I think writers should write what they enjoy writing and reading about, and not be pigeon-holed into something specific, just because of who they are.
The authors race shouldn’t matter to anyone!
I have many books in which the hero and heroinne are of a different race. As long as the book is romantic, sexy, (not too much suspense), with great characters and a good plotline I’m happy! 🙂
Sandra
Fabulous post, Beverley ! And you are what the dream of what this country can be is all about. You write about what speaks to you as a woman – not a black woman, a woman. The day will come when we all think of ourselves that way – as simply a woman, a human being with no thought as to the things that make us different and a complete embracing of the things that make us the same. Those things include a desire to escape to another time and place, a more romantic time and place, the desire to read about sweeping romance, smart heroines and brave heroes and happily ever after born of the one thing that unites us all – love.
My mother is full-blooded Native American. She grew up on share-cropping farms in Alabama and was treated as less than human because of her ancestry. I would never want to write about the Native American experience in history. It is too painful and few romance writers get it right.
Keeping writing was speaks to you, Beverley! It’s obviously good stuff! I can’t wait to read Missy and James’s story! And in the historical romances I read the only thing I require of my characters is that they have one!
I don’t think race should matter at all.
I remember doing a . . . I guess it was a study, but anyway, in my english class in college. The teacher gave us all a packet of papers that had different parts of different stories, and we had write down what race we thought the author had cast the main characters as.
Most of the class was white, but a few were not. Amazingly almost everyone cast the main characters in the stories as white. It turned out that out of the 5 stories she gave us only one had the main characters as white. One was hispanic orgin, one was indian (from India, not native american), one was black/african american, and one was Native american.
Speaking of race though, I found out at a fairly young age that it is a touchy subject for most people. I remember in 6th grade I had a friend that was black, well she said she was black, and I said she was a nice chocolate brown. Which is how I found out that race is a touchy subject.
We were in science class, and something happened (escapes me at the moment what it was) but anyway, she stood up and said “I’m black and proud of it” I looked at her and said “Dude”, yes that is how I spoke, “Dude, you are so not black, your more of a chocolatey brown. Black is that burnt toast over there.”
WORST thing I could have ever said….only at the time I didn’t realize this. Anyway; she got all upset, and said some things and I said “Woah!, I’m sorry but I thought comparing my friend to a nice chocolate, like a hershey kiss which everyone loves instead of burnt toast which everyone hates and normally thows out, was a good thing. My mistake!”
Which she replied “That’s right noone likes black people we all just get thrown away.”
And then we both ended up in the principles office. Yep, race can be a touchy subject. . .
I think it’s perfectly fine to write outside your race. ^^ I’ve read a few books that stared hero or heroines that were outside of mine. I have two African American adopted brothers and my family is Caucasian so things such as race sort of passes right over my head.
I’m so happy that you guys feel the way I do. 🙂 And yes Dorthy, race has been, is, and probably will continue to be a touchy subject for some time to come. But I’m praying for a time and world when it isn’t.
I read romance novels for the simple fact that I enjoy them. When I buy a book, it is because it gains my interest to read it, and the race of the author or the characters doesn’t matter to me one bit. Bev, I am looking forward to reading Sinful Surrender and I wish you complete success with it!
Beverly, what an interesting post – and though I write, I never really analyzed in depth how I assign ethnicity to my characters. I think it might be because of where I live – north of Toronto (half an hour from Barrie!), which at various points has been listed as the most multicultural city in the world. Meaning it is utterly commonplace for people of every sort of background to live on the same street, send their kids to the same school, and marry across cultural boundaries. In my son’s first year at preschool, in a class of 18 kids 9 were of mixed background.
What this meant for my manuscripts is that I throw people of different backgrounds together, but in an incidental way rather than making the different backgrounds be part of the external conflict.
I’ve also never quite understood the online discussions about placing African American authors in a separate section in the bookstore. I’ve never encountered this practice in a Canadian bookstore.
I don’t really know what this all means, but I’m glad you raised these points for discussion.
I think it is perfectly practical that you have written outside your race, because you’re absolutely right that for a fun, romantic read set in a historical setting, the people will generally need to be caucasian. It would be much better if history were different and slavery didn’t happen (then or now to blacks, jews, Chinamen, or any one). If it makes you feel better or at least smile, think of all the paranormal writers and let’s hope/assume that they are writing outside their species. 😉
I don’t pay any attention to race in a book. I don’t think it’s that big of deal to write outside of your race. After all, you are writing about people and we are all people.
To one of your last questions first: Yes, I have read a number of books written by black authors and one by a Chinese authors. I have also read books by authors of quite a few different nationalities. I also enjoy traveling. In fact, I love learning or seeing how other people live and think.
I can see nothing wrong with your writing a historical novel as a black writer. Your view of that period can be just as good as that of white authors, and I think that is the main question. The author has to have researched that period.
Tomorrow you will see the results of your work on the shelf. I’ve heard that it’s a magical moment for any author. Enjoy it and many more seeing other of your books appear.
Beverly,
Glad you posted this today. I was surprised when I saw your picture and the book. Not because I didn’t think you could write the story, but because it is so rare. If you are writing English Regency stories and keeping the book accurate, you really don’t have a choice to write outside your race. A white school teacher in Kansas has as much in common with the characters as you do, but no one would think twice if she wrote an English Regency. You both have to do the research to get the information to write about any historical time period. As far as contemporary fiction is concerned, it would be more expected for you to write within your race siting your background and your growing up “black”. In reality you had more of a white childhood.
I find it interesting hearing all the hype about the new Disney movie The Princess and the Frog. I had seen the adds on TV for a little while and was surprised when they were making a big deal about this being the first black princess movie. Up until that point, it hadn’t really registered. It is a princess story and that is what counts.
You don’t have to be a vampire or werewolf to write a story about them. What counts is the writer’s abilities as a WRITER, not a black writer or white writer.
Best of luck with the release of SINFUL SURRENDER.
Wow – fabulous post, Beverley! I don’t think as a black author, you should feel obligated to write black protags. As an author, period, you should write about what moves you, what you feel, and what you choose to write about. And nobody should have to apologize for that. I think your reasoning is sound and valid. I do find it interesting when authors can include characters of different race into historicals and not have them be horrendously mistreated. It’s a fine line between making it believable and making it total fantasy.
To answer your question about reading black authors and characters: One of my favorite category authors is Brenda Jackson, whose characters are black. She writes what you said: characters who are wealthy, respected, free, and capable of achieving everything the next man can. To me, as long as I can find some way to identify with the characters, I don’t care what color they are. Her characters, for the most part, share my lifestyle (or my wannabe lifestyle, LOL)There’s always something to relate to in her books – whether it’s circumstances or feelings.
On the recommendation of other bloggers, I also have in my TBR books by Dorothy Koomson and Francis Ray.
Go you!
Hi Bev – congratulations and I can’t wait to read SINFUL SURRENDER. I totally agree about not wanting all the misery of real life to get in the way of my romance – that’s one of the major appeals of dukes and billionaires.
Beverly, I agree with your reasons for writing outside of your race. As an African American woman who loves historical romance, and reads nothing else, I totally understand. I read to escape reality for a while. That’s why I love to read about Dukes and Earls and heiresses who live in lovely mansions with teams of servants at their beck and call. I love to read about beautiful gowns, and fancy balls and town homes and country estates and people who bowed and curtsied and behaved with decorum. I have never been tempted to read any of Oprah’s book club picks! Too much harsh reality for me!
So keep writing books like Sinful Surrender! I can’t wait to read it!
An author writing outside her/his race is not an issue with me. Race of the H/H needs to be true to the story theme and it doesn’t matter the race of the author.
I think there should be no barriers to writing. I have read books several books where the protagonist was a different race and loved them.
I loved reading your post… what great insight in to you and you as a writer!
I agree with everyone that this was a very interesting post. Best of luck on your new release.
Hi Beverley,
I do think it’s ok to write outside of your race because love knows no color. The historical romance authors who write today didn’t live in the times they write, they rely on research, so why should it make a difference if the writer of a regency romance is black or white. At least it doesn’t to me. As long as the book is written well and I can feel a connection with the characters, the love story is emotional and compelling then I am so there. To answer your second question…that’s a little harder, especially with regency romances. England at that time, for all intensive purposes only had one race….different classes, but not a lot of color. If your talking historical romance set in England I would find that harder to believe. If you were talking historical set in the new world…now that’s more believable. So I guess I am saying it depends on the context and setting of the story.
Hi Beverly! Wow now I really wish had done my block hopping on a regular basis over the last week. This is certainly an interesting topic to post about. I am thinking that I might have to go on a rant on my own blog about this.
I don’t think it should matter what race the author is versus his/her characters. A good story is a good story! Today is the first time that I have seen your picture and you know it never crossed my mind to even wonder what your race is. I don’t question the race of any author. Yes I am a cover lover. It is what initially draws me to a new book while browsing the stores, both physically and (mind just drew a blank on the word I want to use) while browsing the internet. I admit that if the book has a cheesy cover I will pass it up, prime example is the Sookie Stackhouse series. I really dislike the cartoonish covers, think they are ridiculous. And a hot guy on the front, doesn’t matter what race, will grab my eye in a heart beat. But ultimately I buy the book because of the blurb, a friend referral, or a great review. So no Race never plays a part in my choices.
I read a few books this past year where the heroine was Black/African American. The author was Black as well. I read two or three by the same author before I gave up on her. Her writing did not sit well with me, the dialogue between the characters always seemed childish or like a B rate movie with bad acting. I quit reading the author for that reason and that reason alone. Her content was pretty good I just didn’t like the writing style. I read a few where the heroine was black and the hero was white, yes interracial relationships. I loved them and highly recommended the books on the review group that I was a part of at the time.
It really irritates me that something so trivial as the color of a persons skin causes so many irrelevant issues. I am looking forward to starting Sinful Surrender today! Lots of luck to you Beverly!!