Being Black,it is almost expected that I should write urban fiction and/or erotica.
Neither appeals to me. At all.
I write horror,science fiction,urban&epic fantasy,paranormal romance,young adult and when I really get high on my own hype,dabble in literary erotica.
But these genres aren't expected of Black writers. We are assigned to categories such as the following:
A)Literary Fiction such as Toni Morrison.
B)Men have skull dragged my ass through life and I HATE them such as Terri McMillan.
C)I've fallen in the hood and can't get up genre that is urban fiction.
D) Sex,Sex,and MORE sex such as Zane.
E) The dreaded "issues" book.
Now there are excellent examples of writing in all of these genres. E. Lynn Harris stunned the publishing industry with his success. Terri McMillan proved that Blacks do read. Sister Souljah's "The Coldest Winter Ever" is a hood classic.
But being a writer who writes something completely different garners accusations of "White folks only write that" or "Girl,are you crazy?"
I write what speaks to me the most. I wonder if it's similar for other writers. Do any of you find that when you mention what you write,strange looks and odd comments follow?
Neither appeals to me. At all.
I write horror,science fiction,urban&epic fantasy,paranormal romance,young adult and when I really get high on my own hype,dabble in literary erotica.
But these genres aren't expected of Black writers. We are assigned to categories such as the following:
A)Literary Fiction such as Toni Morrison.
B)Men have skull dragged my ass through life and I HATE them such as Terri McMillan.
C)I've fallen in the hood and can't get up genre that is urban fiction.
D) Sex,Sex,and MORE sex such as Zane.
E) The dreaded "issues" book.
Now there are excellent examples of writing in all of these genres. E. Lynn Harris stunned the publishing industry with his success. Terri McMillan proved that Blacks do read. Sister Souljah's "The Coldest Winter Ever" is a hood classic.
But being a writer who writes something completely different garners accusations of "White folks only write that" or "Girl,are you crazy?"
I write what speaks to me the most. I wonder if it's similar for other writers. Do any of you find that when you mention what you write,strange looks and odd comments follow?