Dia Reeves on the Dark Side
Posted by Dia Reeves on Feb 21, 2011 in Blog, Featured, Guest Posts, Young Adult | 32 commentsEven within a group of minorities, I’m that rarest of the rare — a black YA speculative fiction author. (I say speculative fiction because I’m not sure how to classify what I write. Horror? Fantasy? Don’t ask me; I just work here.) Wanna know how rare? Take a second to name all the black YA specfic writers you’ve ever heard of in your whole life.
Exactly.
The reason I think there are so few of us is because, for black authors, if you want to be taken seriously, you gotta write issue novels. If you write a story about slavery or civil rights or being oppressed in the ghetto or (if you’re really daring) being oppressed in the suburbs, then people will love you and give you prestigious awards and breakdance when you walk down the street.
But if you’re crazy like me and write about girls who don’t feel that being black is particularly difficult, who don’t at some point compare themselves to a white person and feel like they got the short end of the stick, who are in fact quite comfy their own skins and just want to kill monsters or bad guys and then find the nearest, hottest boy and make out with him, well … let’s just say that people won’t love you. They certainly won’t give you prizes or do breakdances in your honor.
Still, I wish more people would forego the praise and come join me on the dark side.
Writing for teens doesn’t mean we’re obliged to edify them or turn them into socially conscious, upstanding citizens. That’s what parents are for — they have the right to raise their kids to be nice people. And teens have the right to read gross, stupid, fun novels. It’s like eating strawberry cheesecake — you don’t need it, but who wants to live in a world without it? (Besides Cindy Pon, haha.)
So that’s what I’d like to see — more diversity in YA specfic. More fun novels about black teens fighting zombies or turning into faeries and whose only issue is trying to figure out how to sneak a boy or a girl (or both; I don’t judge) into their bedrooms at night without getting caught.
There’s no glory it, but sometimes all a teen wants is to be entertained, and if you’re the only one who can satisfy that craving, that is its own reward.
.
I enjoyed Bleeding Violet enormously, and I would so give you prizes and breakdances. I liked the additional fillip of a little mental health issue that ISN’T the main plot of the book. Thank you!
Here here! I got Slice of Cherry as an advanced reading copy and when I read the description I didn’t know what to expect. It turned out to be amazing and I genuinely loved being disturbed by the characters
I would love to see more diversity in my entertainment lit. Beyond the trend I am seeing now of the Black / Asian Gay / Lesbian bestie.
I’m in the middle of Bleeding Violet right now (well 45% according to my Kindle) and I’m really enjoying it. There’s been a lot of talk about how people want more minority authors who write books just to entertain like romantic comedies and well… scary blood filled killing books too. So yay! But your writing is superb which is the most important part.
I really enjoyed reading BLEEDING VIOLET and I’m reading SLICE OF CHERRY now.
It’s just SOO refreshing to read a story that doesn’t center around a character’s race. Dia is right. Why can’t we have a brown heroine just do her thing? Even if it’s — uh, killing and kissing hot boys.
Yes! Dia, preach! I am waiting, and have been waiting for these novels for years. I like how you call them YA speculative fiction because your work bleeds into many fantastical genres. I love your books and find them refreshing and creepy (which you know I love)! Can’t wait for the next book…
We just finished discussing Bleeding Violet yesterday. I felt much like the “OLD” one out with some of my concerns. Regardless of that, Bleeding Voilet is remarkable for so many, many reasons! I hope it is discussed and is debated because people will have to buy it and read it to talk about it! I am so glad to see books that allow African American writers to be truly creative and then for students to begin to have a larger vision of the world.
Love this post! I’ve seen the opposite with some Asian-Am writers – only writing white or non-Asian characters to appeal to the mainstream audience. (Not the ladies on this blog of course
) I also want to see a colored character be mainstream.
Keep going, Dia–you’re not alone! We recently compiled a list of African American speculative fiction (MG & YA):
http://zettaelliott.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/african-american-speculative-fiction-for-kids/
Right now, I could name half a dozen spec fic *writers*–the challenge is finding editors who will turn them into published *authors*…
I’m all for advocating more diversity, thus more stories in literature. One author who does a great job of blending both the cultural and speculative elements in her writing is Nnedi Okorafor. I love her books because in them, she doesn’t feel the need to limit herself, she doesn’t feel the need to choose a side from the line often drawn for black writers. Her stories erase that line; she creates worlds that readers of any cultural background can immerse themselves in and enjoy. Ultimately, it is my hope that more writers find the courage to write what’s in their hearts, regardless of what’s in demand.
Other than Octavia Butler, you’re the only black speculative fiction author I know of! And even though Octavia Butler is fantastic and in spot one or two on my favorite authors list, she occasionally slipped into the “issue book” voice, too. I loved BLEEDING VIOLET for being so “unique” (read: bizarre, in a good way) and would love to see more POC books in that vein! =) I can’t wait to read SLICE OF CHERRY!
Agreed.
I adore Dia’s work. (and did a little dance when I bought and read both books. Go Dia. Go Dia!)
It seems as though Dia is speaking up about her valid point, and I agree with her 100%.
For weeks now Andrew Smith has been making the same arguments, except his are about books for teen boys.
Go figure? Keep speaking up my friends & favorite authors! Someone is bound to listen.. And I will keep spreading the word.
I feel you on this. I write LGBT speculative YA, and it’s a similar thing, where if you take any two of those categories, there are a fair number of people who do that, but all three is a really rare bird. And I don’t want to write about coming out or how hard it is to be gay, I write about time travel and magic. So yeah, I know what you are describing is different, but I think I can relate.
Anyway, I just put Bleeding Violet on hold at the library and I can’t wait to read it!
i take you very seriously
dia, as a fantastic writer and
also, i’m a bit leery of the shy
sweet quiet ones.
and i got a shout out for my aversion
of cheese cake! it’s true. but i do love
most pastries–tho i favor a good crust.
wonderful post, dia. i can’t wait
to meet you in may!!
Thank you! I agree–we need more authors who are willing to write books like that. Of course, I’m not putting down the other subject matters, but it would be nice to see more speculative fiction with black heroes and heroines
Exactly! Why is the default color of sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal main characters white? And while we’re at it, why is white the default color of fairies, elves, and most other “good” supernatural creatures too? It’s annoying that fantasy authors slave over worldbuilding and yet they have snowy white maidens bursting forth from all corners of their “well-imagined world.” I’d love to see some historical fantasy based on non-European histories too, say, the ancient kingdoms of Mali or Axum. Or even just some spec fic that deals with the paranormal from a non-Christian perspective (a Muslim teen ghostbuster? That would be awesome and also probably educational…)
Liz — you need to read Elizabeth E. Wein’s quasi-historical Arthurian-rooted novels about Aksum, starting with THE SUNBIRD and going through to THE LION HUNTERS and THE EMPTY KINGDOM. Telemakos is amazing, as are the supporting cast of Aksumite (and a few transplanted Europeans, but they’re the odd ones out) characters.
Bleeding Violet was such a breath of fresh air. I’d love to see more stories like that. obvious there’s a market for stories like this.
Amen, Sister!
YES!!!! THISSSS!!!
I don’t write specfic, but I also don’t write super-literary issues novels either. My books are contemp, starring black ppl who aren’t struggling with being black. See, I’m from the Caribbean island of Barbados, a 96% Black population. So that issues bit is not my speed.
Adding your books to be my TBR and to my giveaway list. I give away a book every week on my blog. http://aclairedawn.blogspot.com
I’m totally with you that writing for teens does not = spinning morality tales. My first novel, What Can’t Wait, does address “issues,” but it’s not sanitizing reality. I’ve been surprised by a few people who find the absence of tidy lessons in the novel troubling. Why do some adults expect (all) books to be edifying?
http://www.ashleyperez.com/blog
OMG, just realized that you (Dia) are also from East Texas. How east? I grew up in Kilgore, TX. Top secret third novel may be set in the Piney Woods.
http://www.ashleyperez.com/blog
I completely agree! I’m not a fantasy writer (I’m working on a contemporary YA novel) but my main character is Black and totally comfortable in her skin. My story has absolutely nothing to do with race. I want to see more stories like this in bookstores.
Your books sound fantastic and I’m excited to check them out!
Issue Books are indeed what a lot of people put out there – but I think the lack of being taken seriously comes more from the speculative fiction thing – just look at the recent Oscars. SFF rarely ever wins the big awards.
However!
I am SO prepared to take you seriously, and join the ranks as one of those rare speculative fiction authors of color. When I read the book I had zero idea of your color or ethnic identity — I was just deep into the WEIRD of the book, which is a BIG win.
Fingers crossed that soon people will breakdances for you as you walk down the street. Promise.
I will gladly join you, and I’ve just added your first book to my TBR list
-Linds, bibliophile brouhaha
I agree wholeheartedly about the need for fun, adventurous, exciting, romantic stories featuring characters who are not pasty-white and are not hung up about it. In my own book with a brown faery heroine I felt I had to touch on race a little because she’d never encountered racial prejudice before and it seemed unrealistic that she wouldn’t run into the concept at least over the course of her adventures, but I definitely didn’t want the book to be ABOUT that and I really don’t think it is.
I definitely want to read more SFF by authors of color, and I definitely want to see more diverse heroines and heroes in YA.
Yay! I love this post!
Hooray for this! I completely agree with you on the idea that sometimes, teen readers just want to be entertained. They don’t always want an issue book. (I might further speculate that they USUALLY don’t want an issue book, maybe.) And I love the idea of more diverse characters in YA speculative fiction where their diversity just isn’t a big deal.
So inspiring! I am working hard now. I will visit this blog often!
I feel that way about Asian spec-fic. There aren’t that many authors (notably Cindy Pon and Malinda Lo are definitely blazing a trail) I hope all minorities get the chance to write what they want and not just book about their struggles, which, while interesting are not everything.
I haven’t read your books yet but, after hearing your thoughts here, I really want to now. I remember thinking a similar thought a few months ago (“why does it always have to be issues, can’t one protagonist just catch a break and have adventures?)so I’m happy to hear I’m not the only one.
awesome article! While I think “important srs bsns issues” books fulfill an important role for YA and adults, I absolutely agree that we need more novels–especially young adult novels–that are just about adventures and happen to have non-whites in them, especially in leading roles. There needs to be hero[ines] who are relatable and empowering in a way that has some kind of “normalcy” as well as in a “big issues” kind of way–both because people who are non-white are, y’know, gonna want to read about people who aren’t defined/bound by their skin color once in awhile (for good or for ill)–and because I think it helps white readers get out of the box where we’re trained to think of non-whites as somehow “other” and as people who inherently deserve pity or are the subject of our race-inherited guilt.
YES! I keep saying this! It is driving me crazy! I’ve been looking for silly, fun sff w/gay protags lately, and let me tell you, they are thin on the ground.
I LOVE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE. God, where is all the effing cheesecake?