Write Away

Some people might be avoiding historical fiction because of that, but at the same time I'd argue that there's different factors at play there since - according to both interviews by historical fiction authors, and what various history profs have said - a lot, if not the majority of people, tend to view people from other time periods of history as "not human", along with a few other things that just don't seem up as much of an issue in a modern/sci-fi/fantasy setting. So, idk how well it works to use it as a comparison for why people don't write more diverse casts in their work, if that makes any sense?

Yeah...I can see the reasons behind both sides, though I'll admit I tend to lean towards being supportive *if* you can't find a way to strike a balance. If nothing else, it kind of buts guidelines in place that can be used to rein someone in if they're being almost abusively harsh. [Think: Your writing makes me want to not write anymore! - which is something I've actually seen, sadly.]

And...I forgot where I was going with that. Sorry!

Anyways, I dug around for a link that had an interesting take on things that, personally, I think may also play into why people avoid writing minority groups in some contexts here. It focuses on women, but I think what it's saying can be applied across various groups since it has to do with stories and the impact it has in the stories/roles characters of those groups tend to get that come from the stories we tell ourselves - and how those stories are, at best, wrong a fair amount of the time.


[And I do apologize if I come off snotty, or know-it-all-ish on the first part!]