Skip to main content

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!
Labels:

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I just want to ask if you know of any online chicklit writers club that are open for aspiring unpublished writers like me?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

Popular Posts

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...
18 comments
Read more

She insulted a hat 👒 and ruined her Season

Welcome! My name is Camille Elliot, and I write Christian Regency Suspense with slow-burn romance and a touch of the supernatural. Thank you for— “Cut!” Lissa, one of my characters, shouts and stomps onto the stage. I stare at her. “I’m not filming a commercial.” “It doesn’t matter. You’re being boring.” I shift uncomfortably, because she’s probably right. “Well then, what should I say? I’m writing a blog post for someone who doesn’t know anything about my books.” “If you start with pleasantries, I will hide your tea,” she threatens. “ All of it.” I gasp in horror. “You wouldn’t!” “Try me!” “I was just going to ask readers to subscribe to my newsletter.” “I shall topple into the shrubbery as I fall dead asleep on my feet.” “Rude,” I mutter. “Maybe start with an explosion. Or at least a hideous hat that ruins my reputation forever.” “Your reputation wasn’t ruined,” I protest. “You were simply unfortunately overheard.” “As I insulted a hat.” “Then maybe you shouldn’t insu...
Post a Comment
Read more

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...
2 comments
Read more

Mansfield Park (BBC 1986)

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Blog book giveaway: To enter, go to the blog links below and post a comment there. Valley of Betrayal by Tricia Goyer It Happens Every Spring by Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer Jane Austen miniseries I love Jane Austen. She’s my favorite classic writer, and I even bought audiobooks of her novels and listen to them again and again. I also love Amazon.com and visit my Gold Box every day (not that I buy that often). One day I had a deal for the entire set of DVDs of miniseries produced by BBC of Jane Austen’s novels. No, I didn’t buy the set—but it made me curious, and so I put the miniseries on my Netflix queue. The miniseries are all rather old. I just finished Mansfield Park . I’m quite divided on it. Costumes: score 4. They were mostly really rather nice, appropriate to the character’s background and income, and not too flamboyant, although there were several places the women’s headgear was just way over the top. Acting: score 4. I l...
6 comments
Read more

Blog guests - GUIDED BY HIM by Julie Morris and Sarah Morris Cherry

Guided by Him Lose the Weight...Lose the Worry! Mother and Daughter Team Up to Share the Plan Does the idea of starting a diet make you hungry? Can you eat more than your children's combined weight in twinkies? Don't worry! Help is on the way. Author Julie Morris, RN, and her daughter, Sarah Morris Cherry, have developed a proven method for losing weight and keeping it off permanently. The Guided By Him method not only helps people lose weight, it also helps participants learn how to cope with stress. After years of struggling with her weight, Julie has developed a strategic, humor-filled plan designed to keep participants motivated, laughing, learning and yes, even eating. I n Guided By Him , readers embark on an adventure in weight loss. Julie and Sarah use uplifting scriptures, thought-provoking questions, daily devotionals and fun-filled food facts to ensure readers keep a positive, light attitude toward learning a leaner lifestyle. Julie's experience as a nurse an...
16 comments
Read more