I am a science fiction writer...
"I'm a science fiction writer."
Repeat.
Take a deep breath.
"I'm a science fiction writer."
Repeat.
No, I'm not suffering from an identity crisis. Some people may think I am. Relax. I'm nearly positive that I am a science fiction writer despite the tone of my flesh. Although there are naysayers who murmur and whisper "politely" about the fact that I'm not a sf writer, I know that I am.
It seems there are two camps. SF writers who believe that true science fiction must contain copious pages of accurate real science. Then there is the other camp, which dictates that my work (and others like it) aren't quite multicultural enough.
That's the wonderful thing about science fiction. It's like pizza. You can have it any way you want, with any toppings you want. Pepperoni? Sure. Mushrooms? Fine. Carrots and onions? All right.
So, why not sf? We're a prickly sort and somewhat elitist, to be frank. This author isn't good enough because he/she doesn't do this. Isn't that the role of a creative being? To push the envelope? To strive for different things, to stretch ones craft to new heights?
For me, that's what being a creative spirit means to me, to narrow the gap between what I have achieved and what I want to achieve. This is the very meaning of writing. The process of growing as an author and as a person.
Science fiction is pizza. There are dozens of varieties and flavors for all tastes. Urban science fiction, cyberpunk (my personal fave), futuristic, near future, romantic, horrific/sf, military, space operas, and on and on. This diversity is the very crux of the genre, and like most well managed mutual funds, sf is diversified.
When I hear other writers completely dogging out a new author on the scene (or a well established one for that matter) for not writing a sf book, it makes me wonder what the real motive behind those comments. It's never a horrid thing to try something new as an artist (barring experimenting with things that can physically harm you).
I'm a science fiction author.
Repeat.
Take a deep breath.
"I'm a science fiction writer."
Repeat.
No, I'm not suffering from an identity crisis. Some people may think I am. Relax. I'm nearly positive that I am a science fiction writer despite the tone of my flesh. Although there are naysayers who murmur and whisper "politely" about the fact that I'm not a sf writer, I know that I am.
It seems there are two camps. SF writers who believe that true science fiction must contain copious pages of accurate real science. Then there is the other camp, which dictates that my work (and others like it) aren't quite multicultural enough.
That's the wonderful thing about science fiction. It's like pizza. You can have it any way you want, with any toppings you want. Pepperoni? Sure. Mushrooms? Fine. Carrots and onions? All right.
So, why not sf? We're a prickly sort and somewhat elitist, to be frank. This author isn't good enough because he/she doesn't do this. Isn't that the role of a creative being? To push the envelope? To strive for different things, to stretch ones craft to new heights?
For me, that's what being a creative spirit means to me, to narrow the gap between what I have achieved and what I want to achieve. This is the very meaning of writing. The process of growing as an author and as a person.
Science fiction is pizza. There are dozens of varieties and flavors for all tastes. Urban science fiction, cyberpunk (my personal fave), futuristic, near future, romantic, horrific/sf, military, space operas, and on and on. This diversity is the very crux of the genre, and like most well managed mutual funds, sf is diversified.
When I hear other writers completely dogging out a new author on the scene (or a well established one for that matter) for not writing a sf book, it makes me wonder what the real motive behind those comments. It's never a horrid thing to try something new as an artist (barring experimenting with things that can physically harm you).
I'm a science fiction author.
- Yes, my characters are from a variety of cultures and ethnicities.
- Yes, my heroines kick butt (especially Cybil).
- Yes, I write stories that are different from other African American sf authors, but that doesn't mean my stories are invalid or not "Black enough."
- Yes, I'm published by smaller presses, but it doesn't mean my books aren't real sf.
You'd think by 2007 we, as a society, has moved beyond these little things that widen the divide, the chasm grows ever deeper.
You'd be wrong.
Nevertheless, I'm going to pick up my pen and get started on the latest Cybil Lewis novel.
Don't be blinded by labels. Peel them off your eyes and remove them from your mouth. Speak loud and clear and let others know that labels are only good for one thing...separating items into categories, nothing more.
Enjoy,
Nicole
