A recent incident at my writers’ group sparked the idea for my post today. A writer submitted a piece where he offered no description of characters that exposed their race. However, the things he chose to write about the characters did make people wonder what race some of the characters were. The main character was a white man married to a black woman, and there were subtle hints — particularly around hair care — of the race of the wife, but nothing explicit. He’d done this on purpose, with the idea that he wanted the reader to imagine the characters to be however they wanted them to be. One of the ladies there, Pam, asked, “Why? Why would you want to be less specific about them? I’ve never heard a good reason for doing this?” Continue reading “Diversity Is About Inclusion, Not Exclusion”
Month: February 2016
Print Book Party
There are all sorts of parties – but how many parties can actually make you smarter? Why, a print book party, of course! So come on over and get some great reads at bargain prices! That’s right, it’s time for the Indies Unlimited Print Book Party.
Want to help readers discover some fine indie writing at reasonable prices? Here’s the deal: Continue reading “Print Book Party”
Flash Fiction Challenge: Food Unchained
Preston extended his arms and gestured around expansively. “It is pure Americana, snookums. I tell you, no one else is doing this. There is a fortune to be made here.”
Marina scowled, impatiently clicking her Prada heels on the floor. “Yes, the place is positively reeking of prosperity.”
“People complain all the time about chain restaurants replacing everything. What if there secretly was a chain of little diners like this – all different – unconnected by a unifying brand?”
Marina ran her finger over a dingy countertop. “Oh, I don’t know. Widespread food poisoning?”
Preston knew he needed Marina’s financial backing to make it happen, so he had to find a way to warm her to the notion…
Welcome to the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. Continue reading “Flash Fiction Challenge: Food Unchained”
Marilyn Vix Wins Flash Fiction Challenge
Marilyn Vix is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In the case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.)
Without further ado, here’s the winning entry: