Gina, My heart breaks for your protagonist. I think you balanced the reality of the cultural times with her growing awareness quite well. It is hard to use language that readers today might find offensive, but that is the only way to stay true to the characters. I am looking forward to seeing how her story develops.
I realize everyone isn't going to care for the language or the attitudes of some of my characters. Some people will think it shouldn't be done the way I will do it, but honestly, I don't believe the story could have the same possibility of reaching readers' minds and hearts unless it reflects the realities of the times truthfully. Thank you for the encouragement.
I think you handled it well. But I'm not probably not the best judge of it. I definitely do not think we should gloss over past realities. That would serve no one.
I had a writing teacher once who said all he wanted from his writing was to get a reaction from the reader. He wasn't preoccupied with what kind of reaction, just a reaction. I'm not sure I'm in the place yet of releasing expectations about the kinds of reactions to my writing that I hope, but I understand what he meant. Thanks for sharing your reaction and support.
Gina, My heart breaks for your protagonist. I think you balanced the reality of the cultural times with her growing awareness quite well. It is hard to use language that readers today might find offensive, but that is the only way to stay true to the characters. I am looking forward to seeing how her story develops.
I realize everyone isn't going to care for the language or the attitudes of some of my characters. Some people will think it shouldn't be done the way I will do it, but honestly, I don't believe the story could have the same possibility of reaching readers' minds and hearts unless it reflects the realities of the times truthfully. Thank you for the encouragement.
I think you handled it well. But I'm not probably not the best judge of it. I definitely do not think we should gloss over past realities. That would serve no one.
Gina, That was intense. Wonderful. Painful. Gripping. Well done. Tears in my eyes...
I had a writing teacher once who said all he wanted from his writing was to get a reaction from the reader. He wasn't preoccupied with what kind of reaction, just a reaction. I'm not sure I'm in the place yet of releasing expectations about the kinds of reactions to my writing that I hope, but I understand what he meant. Thanks for sharing your reaction and support.