What draws you into a book?
ETHNIC CHARACTERS IN STORYTELLING
Hello my friend,
In the tapestry of my novels, I strive to weave a rich mosaic of characters, each hailing from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This endeavour, while enriching, has not been without its challenges. Today, I wish to share with you the intricate journey of one such character, Vijay, who has become a cornerstone of my literary works.
At first, Vijay was just vaguely Indian. I gave him a Brahmin name, Subramanian (also spelled Subramanyan) and didn’t think much else about it. After all, he had been in my fictitious City for many years and so merged easily into the prevailing culture.
The evolution of Vijay's character led me down a path of meticulous research and discovery. Determining how Vijay would address his father was my first foray into the complexities of his background, settling on "Baba" as a term of endearment. This revelation was a key that unlocked the door to Vijay's roots in South India, likely from Kerala.
In Jennifer’s Vow, Jennifer was to wear a sari in the wedding scene. I knew from living in Japan, that ceremonial gowns were complex and required help to assemble. Thinking saris might be like that, I watched video after video of how to wear a sari, how to choose a sari, and how to deal with the restrictions of a ceremonial sari. I was fascinated to see how long strips of material could be transformed into a garment with stitching. I plunged into the question of bare midriff versus covered midriff, and learned the importance of the jewelled pin at the shoulder of a sari. You can read the results of my learning in Jennifer’s Vow. This journey of discovery was not just about the garment but about embracing and respecting the culture it represents.
Jennifer's Blessing introduced new dimensions to Vijay's world, as his sister and her boyfriend Kam ventured from India to join the narrative. The exploration of their relationship added layers of depth to the cultural tapestry, from the affectionate nickname Jaanu, meaning Sweetheart, or Honey as a term of endearment. Each step of this journey was a lesson in cultural sensitivity and authenticity.
When Shilpa first meets Vijay in Jennifer’s Destiny, she speaks to him in Tamil. She asks, அபார்ட்மெண்டிற்குச் செல்ல எவ்வளவு நேரம் ஆகும்? And Vijay answers, “About 25 minutes, not far.”
Perfect I thought until my audiobook performer, Chrissy Bienvenu, who lives in Louisiana, had to read the exchange. She asked me how she should read it. For a few minutes, I panicked. But then I remembered an author in our Toronto SFF writers group who had emigrated from India. As luck would have it, she spoke Tamil fluently and agreed to record the line as a model for Chrissy. That was the last piece. From then on, writing Vijay, his sister and Kam became much easier.
However, the challenge of cultural representation did not end with Vijay. Running from the AIs introduced Rafael Morales, a Latino character, prompting a new cycle of research and understanding. This continuous exploration raises an important question: does the inclusion of diverse cultures enrich our stories, or does it tread the fine line of cultural appropriation?
I invite you to ponder this question and share your thoughts. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate the complex landscape of storytelling, striving to honour and celebrate the rich tapestry of human culture.
Warm regards,
Kevin R Coleman
P.S. I am eager to hear your perspectives on cultural representation in literature. Does it enhance the narrative, or do we risk misstepping into appropriation? Let's discuss.
IN THE STACKs WITH KEVIN
To save her from the flames, the boy himself must die.
A.D. 526
Young nobleman Marcellus of Antioch lives a life of leisure and privilege with his lovely neighbor, Byziana. But when a devastating earthquake reduces their glorious city to ruins, Marcellus is thrust into a perilous journey which will demand far more than courage—it will demand the death of the boy he once was.
Armed with only a sword, his wits, and a trunkful of ancient scrolls, Marcellus must protect Byziana and her siblings as they journey across the wilds of Byzantium. Their mission to recover the family’s lost fortune comes at a cost—delivering Byziana into the hands of her future husband, the powerful and ruthless Belisarius.
Danger stalks their every step, and the closer they get to the capital city, the more they uncover a deadly conspiracy designed to destroy their family. Will Marcellus rise as warrior to save his loved ones, or are his family and even his nation doomed to ruin?
U.S. Marshal James Creed has known loss, starting from the untimely death of his wife and daughter in a sudden fire. His work, chasing down and arresting outlaws across the Wild West, is all he has left to live for. Then one day, in 1876, the infamous killer Corwin Blake catches Creed by surprise and guns him down.Creed awakes after a mysterious young woman resurrects him in a basement laboratory beneath a brothel.
Half alive, Creed feels torn between his need for justice and his desire to fall back into the peace of death. Creed's instincts drive him to protect the city of Santa Cruz, California, from the outlaws it harbors while searching for Blake. He uncovers a secret criminal organization, likely protecting Blake, determined to use resurrection technology for its own ends. The former marshal, now faster, stronger, and a more deadly shot than ever before, must work with a brothel madam, a bounty hunter, and the remaining marshals to uncover the criminal syndicate before they can misuse the machines of rebirth and create more mindless zombies. Meanwhile, he must also stop Blake, before the outlaw kills the only people he loves.
His own death can wait.
An ordinary girl with the will to change the world. A prince who hates the lies the Elite tell. A deadly game to marry a rich man.
Years after a deadly plague sweeps the globe, women rule and men submit (what's left of them). That is, unless you're part of the Elite - the rich families who still get to have husbands, children, and live above the means of the rest of the population. Elyse has had a privileged life, though not an Elite, and she has used it to help those less fortunate, even at the risk of her own freedom. When it comes time for the Choosing, a high profile competition where ordinary girls compete to marry the handsome, rich, and powerful Elite, she sacrifices herself again in hopes to make a difference if she wins. But first, she'll have to survive the intrigues, bullying, and deadly secrets that hide behind the pretty dresses and high spires of the capital.