The Author’s Views

29 March 2010 | Filed Under Age-Old Debates 

You might not have heard, but Nick Levasseur, a member of New Hampshire’s House of Representatives, made an insensitive comment about Japanese culture on his Facebook page. He wrote that “anime is a prime example of why two nukes just wasn’t enough…”

The sad part is, that if he were an author, and this statement came from one of his characters, no one would rag him about it.

We all know that some authors like to pound their readers over the head with their own worldview, either directly in the narrative or through a character-mouthpiece. For others, their approach is more subtle. Let’s face it, it’s impossible not to impart some of your views into your brainchild.

But [blatant pounding ahead] some views are just plain wrong.

I don’t care if you’re hiding behind a character or not. People are already inclined to hate what they don’t understand. Do we really have to add fuel to the fire by spouting hateful, insensitive blather?

No. No we do not.

If this character is essential to the plot, the least you can do is make that racist/sexist/orientationist/other-factor-ist prig suffer. Do not leave it to the imagination.

That way those who agree will have no reason to doubt what will happen to them.

Comments

Leave a Reply




  • Welcome

    new haircut

    Hi, I'm Jenn, new grad student and old YA fantasy writer. I've long dreamed of being a novelist, and I bet you have too. I hope you find my blog helpful, inspiring, and maybe just a little bit fun. (But not too much fun. Writing is serious business, you know.)

    You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or email me at:
    jennifer.a.johnson7 at gmail dot com

  • Official Progress


    4/21 segments

    A narrator hijacks a cliche fantasy story, much to the chagrin of its characters.

    Status: Second revision



    1,639/70,000 words
    A young noblewoman with strange powers must choose: her king or her soul.

    Status: First draft



    1,087/70,000 words
    When a girl's heart is stolen, she's plunged into a world of magic and shadows - but can she get her heart back before she loses it completely?

    Status: First draft





  • All writing, unless otherwise specified, is the property of
    Jennifer Johnson © 2010