Yesterday, I was honored to receive a couple of letters from readers of “Riding With Rosa,” a short story of mine that was published in the March/April 2005 issue of Cicada, a YA literary magazine, (p. 69, Vol. 7, No., 4).
Thematically, the story looks at the dynamic of a biracial boy, passing as white, and that of a gay boy, who’s just been “outed,” in a contemporary high school plagued by racism and homophobia. Though their personal circumstances are unique, the commonalities are explored.
The letters focussed on praising the sensitive portrayal of diversity of sexual orientation and the anti-bigotry subtext.
I write stories as stories first. I start with the character, consider his/her circumstances, etc. That’s the literary writer’s place. But certainly, it is gratifying when young readers say that my work challenged, enlightened or validated them.
Cynsational News & Links
Author Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, whose debut book (Sketches From A Sky Tree (Clarion, 2005)) I just recommended a few days ago, now has a debut blog, too. Surf over to Vaughn Zimmer to celebrate the launch, and shower Tracie with congratulations and good wishes.
Jacqueline Davies has added a few nifty PDF updates to her author Web site, including: (1) An Editorial Correspondence on The Boy Who Drew Birds between Jacqueline and Houghton Mifflin senior editor Ann Rider; (2) Booksignings: Stepping Into the Abyss. Note: the first took a while to download on my dial-up, but since I’m the last person in the world on dial-up, this probably applies only to me.
Building on Wednesday’s news about the L.A. Times review and signing for A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire by Amy Butler Greenfield (HarperCollins, 2005), surf over to hear “Seeing Red,” an interview with Amy about the book on “The Exchange” from New Hampshire public radio. Available on Real Audio or Windows Media. See also Amy’s About the Book: Inspiration.
Inspired by One Writer’s Journey, Debbi Michiko Florence‘s LJ (May 19 post), I found out my aura colors. They are: violet, green, and, to a lesser degree, yellow. Thanks for welcoming the newly syndicated spookycyn to LJ, Debbi!
Speaking of spookycyn, lately, I’m blogging about my ballgown & boots dream.