Comments on: Cultural Appropriation in Fantasy Writing: Learning to Laugh With Each Other http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/ Feminist, anti-racist, pro-fat, plus whatever else we feel like talking about. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:52:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Alas, a blog » Blog Archive » Correction to Previous Post: Writing the Other is by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/#comment-298476 Alas, a blog » Blog Archive » Correction to Previous Post: Writing the Other is by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:46:00 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/#comment-298476 [...] a previous post, I attributed a concept that’s presented in Writing the Other to the writer Nisi Shawl. Shawl [...] [...] a previous post, I attributed a concept that’s presented in Writing the Other to the writer Nisi Shawl. Shawl [...]

]]> By: Tlazolteotl http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/#comment-296780 Tlazolteotl Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:35:46 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/#comment-296780 This is one reason I enjoy Kim Stanley Robinson's books. I don't think he's perfect, but all of his female characters, at least, are real human beings, rather than just sketches. Octavia Butler lived just a few miles down the road....I was so saddened by the news of her death. This is one reason I enjoy Kim Stanley Robinson’s books. I don’t think he’s perfect, but all of his female characters, at least, are real human beings, rather than just sketches.

Octavia Butler lived just a few miles down the road….I was so saddened by the news of her death.

]]> By: Jake Squid http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/#comment-296490 Jake Squid Sat, 16 Jun 2007 06:04:02 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/#comment-296490 <i>A: Was Octavia Butler the master of ambiguous utopic visions? Did James Tiptree like secrecy? Does Sheri Tepper enjoy preaching to the choir?</i> Ha! I actually got that. I never get references. Ever. A: Was Octavia Butler the master of ambiguous utopic visions? Did James Tiptree like secrecy? Does Sheri Tepper enjoy preaching to the choir?

Ha! I actually got that. I never get references. Ever.

]]> By: Beckyverb http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/#comment-296431 Beckyverb Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:42:26 +0000 http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2007/06/15/cultural-appropriation-in-fantasy-writing-learning-to-laugh-with-each-other/#comment-296431 Oh, I'll definitely have to check your podcast out when it's up. I love writing and reading fantasy, and one of my projects that I've been working on is set in a world that I'm drawing from Heian Japan and Tang China. I started the story as a reaction to all the stories I've read in which the WesternWorld characters go to the Exotic!And!Fascinating! EasternWorld and are amused at how Exotic!And!Different! it is. And I thought, why not write a story where the few characters from the western-type world are the weird and different ones, from the point of view of the usual "foreigners"? And instead of it an amalgam of Far Eastern stereotypes, I'm trying to draw on Heian Japanese culture and Tang Chinese culture (which the Heian court was emulating), while including some original ideas...since it's a fantasy world and there's magic and all. You've given me a good thing to think about, though - I have been doing a lot of thinking about being respectful to the cultures I'm basing mine upon, but I also need to think about making my characters breathe and live and shine in that culture. Which is really what I want to do...I want to write about people that feel real. It's a novel-length work, so it should have both happy and sad times in it. Unfortunately, it's a long way from being finished. I still have a lot more research to do, though I've finally bought a couple books after too many library late fees on <i>The World of the Shining Prince</i>.... It's been a while since I've looked at writingtheother.com...I think it's time for another look. Thanks! Oh, I’ll definitely have to check your podcast out when it’s up.

I love writing and reading fantasy, and one of my projects that I’ve been working on is set in a world that I’m drawing from Heian Japan and Tang China. I started the story as a reaction to all the stories I’ve read in which the WesternWorld characters go to the Exotic!And!Fascinating! EasternWorld and are amused at how Exotic!And!Different! it is.

And I thought, why not write a story where the few characters from the western-type world are the weird and different ones, from the point of view of the usual “foreigners”? And instead of it an amalgam of Far Eastern stereotypes, I’m trying to draw on Heian Japanese culture and Tang Chinese culture (which the Heian court was emulating), while including some original ideas…since it’s a fantasy world and there’s magic and all.

You’ve given me a good thing to think about, though - I have been doing a lot of thinking about being respectful to the cultures I’m basing mine upon, but I also need to think about making my characters breathe and live and shine in that culture. Which is really what I want to do…I want to write about people that feel real. It’s a novel-length work, so it should have both happy and sad times in it. Unfortunately, it’s a long way from being finished. I still have a lot more research to do, though I’ve finally bought a couple books after too many library late fees on The World of the Shining Prince….

It’s been a while since I’ve looked at writingtheother.com…I think it’s time for another look. Thanks!

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