The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club discussion
Archive Before 9/2021
>
Discussion - Writing the Other
date
newest »
newest »
I'll pop in to kick things off...1. I think I use both.
2. One character I created, who is a bi-racial woman, I gave a bunch of my characteristics and likes/dislikes. She is a writer, a Halloween lover, autumn is her favorite time of the year, she’s never cooked a whole turkey before, and she loves her niece and nephew and would do anything for them.
A young character who is bi-racial in another story I've written is also a lot like me from when I was in middle school and ninth grade. We both love writing in journals, reading, and getting good grades. We’re both pretty nerdy. lol When I was younger, I was very shy, and so is she. I also fashioned her (and her twin brother) after my bi-racial nephews.
For my male POV characters, I always really connect to them. I think it’s because I can give them my characteristics that maybe aren’t so valued in women (grrr). My male POV characters can be stubborn and quick to anger, but also fiercely protective.
3. I have not used sensitivity readers, but it’s not off the table. I will always use the tools that will make me a better writer and my stories realistic.
4. The example about a cat being mentioned in a story was actually a really good example on categorical thinking. When a cat is simply mentioned without descriptive details, we usually picture that cat with fur, but not all cats have fur.
I’ve reflected more on these things while/after reading other books on these topics this year, but, yes, it did get me thinking at times.
5. I thought it had a good beginning on white privilege, etc. for people wanting to open their eyes, but a lot of it I just didn’t connect with. Mostly, I think that’s because I’ve read a lot of books on these subjects that delved deeper and also because of the writing style. It was hard for me to form a connection with the authors’ voices/styles. I also didn’t care for some of their examples.
The rest of my review:
This book is more like an introduction for writers wanting to educate themselves on how to write about characters unlike themselves, but, of course, it’s not complete (it’s very short) and is lacking. We don't get many tips on how to actually write about characters with different ROAARS traits, just some do's and don'ts. This “practical approach” should be looked at as a beginning, before delving deeper and seeking further information.
I've read better online articles -- more sensitive, more practical, more approachable -- than this book. You can read my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...But know: I don't recommend it to anyone – unless you really don’t get what “white privilege”, “straight privilege” and “monochromatic” means (in life and in fiction).
Now for the questions:
1. I use both.
2. A love for animals, a preference for vegetarian food and not enjoying crowds, are the first things to come to mind that I’ve given to many of my different ROAARS traits characters.
3. I have used various sensitivity readers for various aspects of my books and will continue doing so.
4. I know that sometimes I want to act on certain emotions and generalisations, but I’ve also learned to “check myself, before I wreck myself” and ask why someone did/say something – which comes from writing internal and external conflict which always hinges on why.
5. I didn’t connect with the book. Mostly because I didn’t care for the examples the authors used – or their own misbeliefs tinting their advice.
1. Do you write by instinct or use your critical mind? (Chapter 1 - talks about the reptilian brain.)I use both.
2. In Chapter 6, Congruence, they talk about a character Nisi created that was different from herself in several ways and what she did to connect to that character; she gave her character characteristics that they could have in common (being a picky eater and the love of words).
What sort of characteristics that you harbor have you given to your characters of different ROAARS traits (Race/Sexual Orientation/Ability/Age/Religion/Sex) than you?
I use astrology, Myers-Briggs, Color Code and Enneagram to help get idea about those different from me and use traits not like me when creating character. I have written men and children and personalities not like using the things I have named to help me understand how their reactions and perceptions might be different from mine.
3. Cynthia and Nisi suggest using critique partners with the ROAARS traits your characters have to provide necessary, honest feedback. These readers are commonly called “sensitivity readers.”
Have you ever employed the use of sensitivity readers? What did you learn? Do you plan to use sensitivity readers in the future?
No, not yet.
4. After reading this book, do you question your own generalization of people and the why's behind the actions? Do you find your thinking to be categorical? (Chapter 5)
I have always loved psychology and questions the whys of people including myself. I have always had a great need to understand the why behind people behavior, reacting, perceptions and thought processes. It is fascinating sometimes. But I have not written characters that different from myself except men, children but the WHY is my question for everything. I might not always get it but I ask it.
5. This is really a book that people will either connect with the subject matter and content or not. So…did you connect with this book? Why or why not? (Do your best to explain your feelings and the relationship you had with this book.)
No. I don't think the author achieve the goal about characters unlike themselves as their opinions shaded the book and the intellectual language created distance instead of an accessible and down to earth tone that include all--even those not like the author. There was information, points and insights that were helpful if you can finish it.
Juneta wrote: "1. Do you write by instinct or use your critical mind? (Chapter 1 - talks about the reptilian brain.)I use both.
2. In Chapter 6, Congruence, they talk about a character Nisi created that was d..."
I like the process you use to create your characters! I haven't tried using astrology, but I've experimented with Myers-Briggs which has been loads of fun.
Chrys wrote: "I'll pop in to kick things off...1. I think I use both.
2. One character I created, who is a bi-racial woman, I gave a bunch of my characteristics and likes/dislikes. She is a writer, a Hallowee..."
Personally, I value stubbornness and protectiveness in all people -- maybe because I have Rottweilers :-)
Chrys wrote: "I'll pop in to kick things off...1. I think I use both.
2. One character I created, who is a bi-racial woman, I gave a bunch of my characteristics and likes/dislikes. She is a writer, a Hallowee..."
I think you said that well.
Ronel wrote: "I've read better online articles -- more sensitive, more practical, more approachable -- than this book. You can read my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...But know: I do..."
I think you said it well too. Apparently we all had a hard time connecting with the language and style as Chrys said and overall opinion that influenced the presentation.
Juneta wrote: "Ronel wrote: "I've read better online articles -- more sensitive, more practical, more approachable -- than this book. You can read my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
Yes, it could've been better, in my opinion. I can't vet every writing book we read beforehand, and not everyone will agree on every book. There will be members, of course, who think differently and found this book to be very informative. For them, I hope they got a lot out of it. For the ones who didn't connect to it, I hope it'll create a great conversation, since that's what we hope for with a book club. :)
Ronel wrote: "Personally, I value stubbornness and protectiveness in all people -- maybe because I have Rottweilers :-)"So do I! :D Which is why a lot of my characters have those traits.
So, I want to address the last part first. I started out by liking this book and wanting to like it. In fact, I recommended this book on Instagram based on the first chapter, then wished I hadn't. I met Nisi Shawl in person at a writer's conference and thought she was brilliant in the class she taught there. I felt like I learned a great deal in her in-person class, probably more than I did from the book. But now, onto the questions about the actual book.
1. Do you write by instinct or use your critical mind? (Chapter 1 - talks about the reptilian brain.)
Answer: I try to write from my critical mind, but I'm pretty sure when I speed through rough drafts, there's a lot of instinct going on there, and in re-reads and revision, it's sometimes embarrassing to spot the instinctual stuff.
2. In Chapter 6, Congruence, they talk about a character Nisi created that was different from herself in several ways and what she did to connect to that character; she gave her character characteristics that they could have in common (being a picky eater and the love of words).
What sort of characteristics that you harbor have you given to your characters of different ROAARS traits (Race/Sexual Orientation/Ability/Age/Religion/Sex) than you?
Answer: My characters often have a sense of not fitting in with the rest of the world - this is usually indication of my lizard brain at work. Recently, one of my characters showed a particularly love of pop culture and storylines that I purposely put in there. (Purposeful connection with my character).
3. Cynthia and Nisi suggest using critique partners with the ROAARS traits your characters have to provide necessary, honest feedback. These readers are commonly called “sensitivity readers.”
Have you ever employed the use of sensitivity readers? What did you learn? Do you plan to use sensitivity readers in the future?
Answer: I have once. I think I need to do this again, especially since one of of my characters is bi-racial.
4. After reading this book, do you question your own generalization of people and the why's behind the actions? Do you find your thinking to be categorical? (Chapter 5)
Answer: I really try not to, because I get irritated by this when I read and view stories. I really don't like the stereotyped male hair dresser, or the abused football player, the goth/emo girl who is so-not-into-romance but secretly loves the abused football player, or the "plain" girl who turns out to actually be devastatingly beautiful, or the differently abled male who is the villain (this one really ticks me off). So, I try to avoid them, but I admit I have fallen down here once in a while.
5. This is really a book that people will either connect with the subject matter and content or not. So…did you connect with this book? Why or why not? (Do your best to explain your feelings and the relationship you had with this book.
Like I said earlier, I wanted to like it, based on the class I had at a writing conference. I wanted to like it based on the first chapter, but in so many places, I felt like this book fell into its own lizardly, categorical problems cushioned with intellectualism.
Tyrean wrote: "So, I want to address the last part first. I started out by liking this book and wanting to like it. In fact, I recommended this book on Instagram based on the first chapter, then wished I hadn't. ...""I felt like this book fell into its own lizardly, categorical problems cushioned with intellectualism." <--- That's a great way of wording it!
I had also liked Chapter One, but...
Tyrean wrote: "So, I want to address the last part first. I started out by liking this book and wanting to like it. In fact, I recommended this book on Instagram based on the first chapter, then wished I hadn't. ...""I felt like this book fell into its own lizardly, categorical problems cushioned with intellectualism." <------I agree!!!!
This was great wording. I wanted to like it.
Juneta wrote: "Ronel wrote: "I've read better online articles -- more sensitive, more practical, more approachable -- than this book. You can read my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
Thanks, Juneta :-)
Tyrean wrote: "So, I want to address the last part first. I started out by liking this book and wanting to like it. In fact, I recommended this book on Instagram based on the first chapter, then wished I hadn't. ..."Absolutely. I'm glad you enjoyed your class with her :-)
The book was well-written and contained important information, but it didn't speak to me. It came off a little too "woke" and social-justice-y, somewhat scolding and preachy. I guess I'm one of those people that the book really did not connect with.
Team wrote: "The book was well-written and contained important information, but it didn't speak to me. It came off a little too "woke" and social-justice-y, somewhat scolding and preachy. I guess I'm one of tho..."Thank you for joining the discussion!
Hello Writers and Readers!
If you posted a review of Writing the Other, please feel free to share it here.
Let us know your overall thoughts.
You can also answer the optional questions.
And we encourage you to reply to comments to create a conversation. Please be courtesy and respectful of other members' opinions.
Let the discussion begin!
1. Do you write by instinct or use your critical mind? (Chapter 1 - talks about the reptilian brain.)
2. In Chapter 6, Congruence, they talk about a character Nisi created that was different from herself in several ways and what she did to connect to that character; she gave her character characteristics that they could have in common (being a picky eater and the love of words).
What sort of characteristics that you harbor have you given to your characters of different ROAARS traits (Race/Sexual Orientation/Ability/Age/Religion/Sex) than you?
3. Cynthia and Nisi suggest using critique partners with the ROAARS traits your characters have to provide necessary, honest feedback. These readers are commonly called “sensitivity readers.”
Have you ever employed the use of sensitivity readers? What did you learn? Do you plan to use sensitivity readers in the future?
4. After reading this book, do you question your own generalization of people and the why's behind the actions? Do you find your thinking to be categorical? (Chapter 5)
5. This is really a book that people will either connect with the subject matter and content or not. So…did you connect with this book? Why or why not? (Do your best to explain your feelings and the relationship you had with this book.)