Writing Diversity. Not a Black and White Situation

I am struggling with a quandary: Can a straight white person successfully write characters of different ethnicity and orientation?

I haven’t included LGBT characters in my books. It’s not from a judgmental ’tude or even a religious bent. I told myself that I couldn’t write from their standpoint since I am not of a gay person’s mindset.

But somehow, I manage to create characters that do magic, have powers. 

Now, maybe I can do a little magic, making a perfect strawberry rhubarb pie.

But performing real magic—as Justus did in Wilder Mage, releasing the elements he gathered and "...fire shot into the sky from around him, splashing the undersides of the cloud with ebony..."—is beyond my abilities.

So what is the difference between writing about magic that I don’t do and a person of the gay persuasion when I’m not?

The answer might lie with people's taste in literature. At a recent book fair, a person asked me about Wilder. I said Justus is a modern wizard who is hiding his powers from those who would bond him to their cause. As soon as I said the word wizard, she snorted, turned away, and said, “I don’t read that crap.”

Ah. Okay. Well have a nice day.

Maybe there is a kernel of truth to that sentiment, but way less harsh. If it is well written, I read all genres, including non-fiction and LGBT, but my meat-and-potatoes love is Sci-Fi and Fantasy. If it doesn’t interest me—like a tech manual or sports—then trying to create something out of my disinterest seems like hauling a ton of rocks up a steep hill...all work and no joy.

One last word on this subject. As I said, all genres are welcome in my brain. But I would hope the writer doesn’t create diverse characters as a token gesture. Write from the heart. Not the trend. Make them your own and don’t let others judge or decide for you. 

Charity's Birth of a Novel. Every Friday you post a quick update on how you're doing on your writing projects. It can be combined with Camp Nano or whatever personal goals you've set.

All you need is a line or two added to the beginning or end of whatever post you already had planned for the day.Then visit the others in the list to encourage them to keep moving forward.

This week was of time, goals, and structure. I didn't make my thousand words a day goal on my WIPs due to Life and other nuisances. But I did create a better work ethic and participated in blogging and commenting. So Yay for me!

Chimera Mage-27,382
The Adamant-First Edits, first chapter
Of Oak and Dragons-102,000, re-write
Diamond Black-8834 

How did your week go? Do you write what you know and love? Do you try to include all persuasions?

What Do You See...

...when your characters come to life?

I need a reference when describing or interacting with my characters. I need a mental image, a face, or person. 

Actions, whether in a book, music, or on the movie screen, help me to define and shape my people.

And yes, they are people, as real as the cat sitting beside me. 

I have conversations with her also.

A little older but still the Wilder Mage

Justus Aubre, the wilder mage, is a strong man. He doesn’t think so. He thinks he’s broken, has nothing. Needs no one:

Crystal Ball by Styx
I used to like to walk the straight and narrow line.
I used to think that everything was fine.
All alone and trapped in time.

At war always with the ones who would enslave him. Running.

Bad Company by Five Finger Death Punch
...always on the run.
Destiny is the rising sun.
Oh, I was born shotgun in my hand.
Behind a gun I'll make my final stand.

The people in his life are fleeting. He accepts that they are like the seasons, they come and go. But that is fine. To tie himself to a person, especially a romantic alliance, is to lose his existence. 

Wicked Game by Chris Isaak
No, I don’t want to fall in love.
With you.
What a wicked game you play
To make me feel this way.
What a wicked thing to say
You never felt this way.

Who do you see as Justus Aubre, my wilder mage.

How to join the Self-Pub Club

It is ridiculously easy, hitting the “save and publish” button at Amazon’s KDP site.

And there it is, in front of God and everyone. My first self-published event.

Out of Magic is the prequel to Wilder Mage, book one of The Magic Withheld series. 

The short story is about Sable, a young woman, who learns there is magic in the world. Finally, her life makes sense. She is a mage. And nothing good can come of it.

My series is about four main characters. Justus, the wilder mage, who fights against the one who would take his freedom. 

Sable, the adept, who holds the ability to do magic, but can’t use it. 

Bert, a young man in his first full bloom of adulthood. His saga is strangest of all. A human youth, in love with magic; until he gets in the middle of a battle between wizards.

Tiarra, head of the magical guild, holds all five elements. She wants all those with magical ability under her bonding collar. Her strength is mighty but underneath, she fights her own demons. Alone and silent.

I invite all to check out my short story. 

Reviews are desperately needed. 

Justus is Center Stage and Irritated. Matthew Keith with Alex Witney's Review

Justus Aubre, my MC for Wilder Mage, doesn't care for the spotlight. Or for answering questions. Too bad.
He's squirming over at the Musa Publishing blog.

* * * *

Zombies: They're Not All Brain-Eaters by Alex Witney

A review by Matthew Keith.

The title of this book had me hooked before I read a single word. I'm a big fan of zombie movies, even the ones on Netflix that are truly awful. In fact, I may be more of a fan of the awful ones than the ones that made it into theaters.

This had a Shaun of the Dead feel to it: two roommate slackers who go on an adventure in a zombified world. The difference in this story is that the world has been zombified for a while, and one of slackers is already a zombie thanks to a serum that brings dead tissue (mostly brain tissue) back to life. The serum has become mainstream across the entire world and a great portion of the population is now undead, and thanks to pro-nameyourcause movements, they've been given most of the same rights as the UN-undead population.

The concept behind this book is wonderful, witty, and presented in a comical light. The first few pages of the book really set the tone-loved it. There is no way you could interpret this story as anything but humorous.

There are a few very glaring editorial issues, which unfortunately took away from the story. The author, while having put together a great plot and back-story, could have tightened up many of the scenes and made the comedic portions of the story a bit more 'silly'. After all, the premise of the book is, in itself, very silly, so why not capitalize on that aspect as often and as prominently as possible.

I did enjoy this book overall, and could easily see it ending up as a screenplay. I absolutely LOVED the way it ended. Kudos to a very creative author who could probably use a more aggressive editor.

I give Zombies: They're Not All Brain-Eaters 3 of 5 stars.

* * * *

Check out Alex's book then go to Musa's blog site and give Justus a hard time. He needs a dose of humility.