for the writers and readers

 Despite this being April Fools Day, this is not a joke. It's very real for what is happening.

 

Someone might think that wokeism shouldn't a big deal for authors today. I have an example of how it even applies to authors from the past.

Rewriting historical authors

So, if it's not okay to say certain words, rewriting what sometimes have been seen as classics, even when it takes all the spirit out of the stores, what about today's authors?

Recently, I read that a writer had their book ad removed for using the word alpha? That's not a sexual term but does relate to powerful male figures. It apparently does not suit the woke culture-- strong male figures to them apparently mean bullies and abusers? Men are supposed to be more feminine or what exactly?

Wokeism isn't the only issue for writers. For a long time, and this includes all of the arts, cultural appropriation has been the complaint. A writer should not write or paint a Native American theme unless they are Native American-- as what can they know about it like someone would who had lived it. This has gone so far as hairstyles, jewelry and clothing in any ethnicity. 

By that thinking, a writer should not have a protagonist from a culture unlike their own. Except, the whole idea of writing fiction is to get in touch emotionally with stories other than our own. I guarantee that in my books what the characters experience I generally have not.

Where does that leave me when I come up with an idea for the books I write? I have dealt with some of these issues with my previous books, before woke became a term. I have had three male protagonists who were half Native American. Two were raised away from reservation life and by their fathers. That saved some questions, although I had studied a great deal about the cultures of their mothers. I had chosen their heritage based on interest in how that works for those with such divided backgrounds. I have another book in mind to write but have held off on it due to some of my own mixed feelings as it'd be a Native woman. I could relate to her due to how she lived but still have held off. Maybe someday...

One more thing, involving woke is the belief writers have to choose whether to write to the market (which means the money) or to write to the muse (the inner vision) and accept choosing the latter may mean not as many sales. Some need to earn a living and there is no real choice-- as with many other ways we market our wares. I had a choice, which doesn't mean I don't want sales. Every writer does as it's a sign of work being appreciated. In the end though, sometimes you can't satisfy both. I always hope that I can. *s*

An historical presents a different problem. We live in one era but when we write about another, we have to research what it would have been like for the ones living there. We rely on what others wrote and that might be accurate-- but will it suit a different time with different customs?

When one of my historical heroes had a half black brother, it gave me an opportunity to get into the cultural differences from back then and that many don't understand all of that in today's world. The hero had fought for the South due to his family being there. I wasn't pleased when it was due to come out, as we suddenly were bombarded by feelings against the South and the Confederacy. That hasn't abated much, but I did not want to change the hero. I don't know if it hurt its ratings. You never really know with such things as to what influences popularity of books.

Regarding the new woke rules, I don't see they'd be a big deal to romance readers-- but who knows. I can't see how you could write a book with proper pronouns for the genders (if the word gender is even okay). They, them, their just would not cut it in most novels given people want to know what the characters look like. A trans woman could work, but it has to have the woman/man in there also to be understood and carry the action forward. In romances, no way could it be other than male or female whether it's two males or two females or whatever else relationships might come across.

For language, I have never used crude words for other ethnicities and that includes European ones. I don't much like the word "white" as who is white-- who in America is not a mix of various groups? We are mutts. That's good for strength and longevity not to be purebred.