Multicultural fiction is fun!

Captain's Log, Stardate 02.06.2009

I’m over at Christian Fiction Online Magazine this month talking about ~~hunky guys~~ why multicultural fiction can be for everyone!

Many people tell me, “I don’t know if I’d like your books because I’m not Asian,” or, “I don’t think I’d like your books because I don’t know any Asian people.”

To which I reply, “If you like fun fiction, it doesn’t matter if the heroine is Asian or African American or alien. Fun fiction is fun fiction.”

Click here to read the rest of the article!

Comments

Barb said…

Multicultural fiction is a must! As the body of Christ, we need to mix and mingle more, including in our reading.

Fri Feb 06, 04:49:00 AM 2009

Deborah said…

"I don’t think I’d like your books because I don’t know any Asian people"

being Asian, that's really sad to hear that. i'm glad that i make it difficult for people to say that. :)

BTW i made fried rice for the first time last night (by myself that is). i think homemade taste SOOO much better than take out!

Fri Feb 06, 05:23:00 AM 2009

Anonymous said…

Hi Camy,

I just want to ask if you know of any online chicklit writers club that are open for aspiring unpublished writers like me?

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!
Joy

Fri Feb 06, 12:38:00 PM 2009

Camy Tang said…

Hi Joy,
The only really active chick lit group I know of is an online chapter of Romance Writers of America, and it's a bit pricey to join. RWA costs $100 for the first year, and $85 each year after that, and then it costs $25 a year to join the chick lit chapter.

Here's their website: http://chicklitwriters.com/

They have a very active email discussion loop that can be very helpful for new writers, and they are the only group I know of that is dedicated just to chick lit.

Camy

Fri Feb 06, 02:47:00 PM 2009

Camy Tang said…

Barb--I think so too!

Deborah--isn't fried rice just awesome???? I make it all the time because it's fast, easy, and cheap and it tastes great!

Camy

Fri Feb 06, 02:48:00 PM 2009

tricia said…

How sad that someone would dismiss your books without even trying just because they have Asian characters. I LOVED the stories and it didn't matter that the characters were Asian. Well, actually, it did because I learned new stuff and I think it develops me as a person to expose myself to things that are different than me and not just live in my own little bubble. But to my enjoyment and appreciation of the story as a whole - NO it did not detract from it in any way. that is silly thinking.

Fri Feb 06, 04:41:00 PM 2009

Inda Lauryn said…

I write neither romance nor Christian fiction, yet I feel compelled to reply.

I love books from all types of cultures and must say that Banana Yoshimoto is one of my favorite authors of any genre. I just love her characters. I could care less that they are not black or even American for that matter. They are always compelling and make a good story.

I include characters from other cultures for two primary reasons. One: They exist. I don't live in a world with just one race or culture. Two: Some of the people whom I love and care for most in this world are not black. They have had a profound effect in my life, so I try to create characters that reflect the inspiration they have given me. I know it may be in vogue to be multicultural, but I can only write what's in my heart and head whether or not it's trendy.

Yes, I gravitate heavily toward black female authors, but that does not stop me from enjoying texts outside my own experience. To do so would be just ignorant.

Fri Feb 06, 09:24:00 PM 2009

Anonymous said…

Hi Camy,
Yes, I have read about the RWA. But not quite ready to get into membership as I'm still concentrating on finishing my non-fiction book about teaching young kids. Will do that very soon. I just figured that there may be some free online groups that I could explore while waiting for the right time to write a real chicklit.
At any rate, thanks so much for the suggestion. Will surely get into RWA soon.

Sat Feb 07, 06:36:00 AM 2009

Shelley L. MacKenzie said…

I agree. You don't have to be from a particular culture in order to enjoy books about multicultural characters. We are all people no matter what colour our skin, no matter what our heritage is, no matter what. We all go through similar experiences and can identify with characters. I don't let any of those things interfere with a good book. If it sounds good and the characters are Asian, African American/Canadian, male or female...then I read it. The writing and the story are what's important to me - not the culture or colour of skin of the characters.

Sat Feb 07, 06:51:00 AM 2009

Anonymous said…

I'm with you! I'm not Asian and I enjoyed your book. You had a good reply.
Something's wrong with that person.

Thu Feb 12, 07:05:00 PM 2009

Bethany House Publishers Cover Survey Invitation

Captain's Log, Supplemental I just got this from Bethany House Publishers: Hello Reader, We at Bethany House Publishers appreciate our readers opinions about the books we publish. Occasionally, we seek your input about upcoming products. Currently, we are conducting a survey about the cover image for an upcoming novel. For your time, we are offering a giveaway in conjunction with this survey. You will be able to choose from ten recent Bethany House novels, and there will be ten winners. Winners will be notified within two weeks. Click here to take the survey, which should take about 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation, and feel free to forward this email on to your friends or link the survey on your website. The survey will be available through Monday, September 17. Thanks for your time and your opinions. We value your feedback. Sincerely, Jim Hart Internet Marketing Manager Bethany House Publishers

Save the Date - Camy's Patreon Launch

My Patreon will launch in 1 week! I took all the results of the poll and I have hopefully created fun and appealing tiers. About my Patreon: I'm trying something new for the next 6-7 months. If it works, I'll continue, but if I end up not liking it, I'll stop it in September or October. I will be starting a monthly subscription membership on a new Patreon account. I will be posting the chapters of my current book ( Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7 ) so you can read ahead of when the ebook will be edited and published. My current plan is to post 1-2 chapters weekly. One reason I’m switching things up is that I want to get closer to my readers and build a tighter, more intimate community with you. You can comment on each chapter of my book, give a reaction, ask a question, or even correct mistakes. My books will become a dialogue with you. If you subscribe to my Patreon, you'll be charged monthly and have access to all the benefits for the tier you subscribe to. The

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

Psalm 103:2-3

Psalm 103:2-3 Dear Lord, Thank you, Lord, for all you’ve done for me. Don’t let me forget that you are always blessing me whether I notice it or not. Thank you for forgiving my sins, and thank you for healing me. I trust you and love you, Lord. Amen 詩篇103:2-3 親愛なる主よ、主よ、あなたが私のためにしてくださったすべてのことに感謝します。私が気づこうが気づくまいが、あなたはいつも私を祝福してくださっていることを、私に忘れさせないでください。私の罪を赦し、癒してくださってありがとうございます。主よ、あなたを信じ、あなたを愛します。アーメン

Sweet Romance Reads: How do you celebrate accomplishments?

I’m at the Sweet Romance Reads blog and Facebook group talking about finishing my book and posting a poll about how you usually celebrate accomplishments. Check out the blog or Facebook group to weigh in!

FREE: Hidden Currents by Christy Barritt

Join Christy’s email list to get this story free! A notorious gang puts a bounty on Detective Cady Matthews’s head after she takes down their leader, leaving her no choice but to hide until she can testify at trial. But her temporary home across the country on a remote North Carolina island isn’t as peaceful as she initially thinks. Living under the new identity of Cassidy Livingston, she struggles to keep her investigative skills tucked away, especially after a body washes ashore. When local police bungle the murder investigation, she can’t resist stepping in. But Cassidy is supposed to be keeping a low profile. One wrong move could lead to both her discovery and her demise. Can she bring justice to the island . . . or will the hidden currents surrounding her pull her under for good? Hidden Currents is the first book in the six-book Lantern Beach Mystery series. Each book contains a standalone mystery, but there are overarching mysteries within the entire series. Get it now for

Chopsticks and knitting

Hahahahaha! My husband, Captain Caffeine sent me this cartoon. The Asian and the knitter in me loves this one: My parents taught me to use chopsticks at an early age so they’re pretty comfortable for me. Did you know there are differences between Japanese and Chinese chopsticks? The Chinese ones tend to be blunter and more slippery whereas the Japanese ones are pointier and sometimes have a textured tip to make it easier to grab food. My mom will eat salad with a chopstick, which I have to admit is a bit easier than a fork, for me. Any of you knit? Any of you use chopsticks?

ICRS, part 2

Captain’s Log, Stardate 07.14.2006 For all you writers —check out my Story Sensei critique service Summer Sale ! Ends tomorrow! Blog book giveaway: My Monday book giveaway is ARMS OF DELIVERANCE by Tricia Goyer. My Thursday book giveaway is TANGLED MEMORIES by Marta Perry . You can still enter both giveaways. Just post a comment on each of those blog posts. On Monday, I'll draw the winner for ARMS OF DELIVERANCE and post the title for another book I'm giving away ICRS, part 2 (continued from part 1 ): Sue Brower had invited me to the Christy awards that night and I was so thrilled to get to go. Everyone looked gorgeous. I’ve never seen Brandilyn Collins or Meredith Efken in anything besides jeans before. I hadn’t seen Sue Brower in two years and I was deathly afraid I wouldn’t recognize her, but Wendy introduced me and saved me from doing anything remotely stupid like, oh, walking past her. Sue immediately slammed me with the big dogs—she introduced me to the VPs of sales and

Grace Livingston Hill romances free to read online

I wanted to update my old post on Grace Livingston Hill romances because now there are tons more options for you to be able to read her books for free online! I’m a huge Grace Livingston Hill fan. Granted, not all her books resonate with me, but there are a few that I absolutely love, like The Enchanted Barn and Crimson Roses . And the best part is that she wrote over 100 books and I haven’t yet read them all! When I have time, I like to dive into a new GLH novel. I like the fact that most of them are romances, and I especially appreciate that they all have strong Christian themes. Occasionally the Christian content is a little heavy-handed for my taste, but it’s so interesting to see what the Christian faith was like in the early part of the 20th century. These books are often Cinderella-type stories or A Little Princess (Frances Hodgson Burnett) type stories, which I love. And the best part is that they’re all set in the early 1900s, so the time period is absolutely fasci

Search This Blog

Psalm 103:2-3