Comments on: Writing the Other http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:48:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Kevin http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/#comment-12696 Kevin Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:16:19 +0000 http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/#comment-12696 This is such an intriguing question Cassie. Why do we give race such a great place in terms of category? Doesn't a male writer have to write female characters? Or vice versa? Aren't wealthy writers writing characters who are impoverished? It would seem logical to me that race would also fall into this discussion. The same writer who can create entire worlds in science fiction should have the ability to write inside of someone's head no matter what their race, religion, or planetary status. Isn't the art of writing really about the interpretation and creation of an other? Sorry for the ramble. It is a bit late here. But, the idea really resonated with me. This is such an intriguing question Cassie. Why do we give race such a great place in terms of category? Doesn’t a male writer have to write female characters? Or vice versa? Aren’t wealthy writers writing characters who are impoverished? It would seem logical to me that race would also fall into this discussion. The same writer who can create entire worlds in science fiction should have the ability to write inside of someone’s head no matter what their race, religion, or planetary status. Isn’t the art of writing really about the interpretation and creation of an other?

Sorry for the ramble. It is a bit late here. But, the idea really resonated with me.

]]> By: Jenny http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/#comment-12701 Jenny Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:50:26 +0000 http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/#comment-12701 Lovely post, Cassie. Sounds like an inspiring three days. I love the thought that the writer ought to decide the voice(s) in which she wants to speak. It motivates me to start writing something fictional. One of these days. Lovely post, Cassie. Sounds like an inspiring three days. I love the thought that the writer ought to decide the voice(s) in which she wants to speak. It motivates me to start writing something fictional. One of these days.

]]> By: Anonymous http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/#comment-12704 Anonymous Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:30:27 +0000 http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/#comment-12704 I agree, Kevin. Absolutely. Writing should be about creating and interpreting, not just perpetuating the same old ideas. And we do see writers writing the other in all of the areas you mentioned. The human experience is complex and universal and how could this be explored if we impose rules which only serve to censor? It's great to hear from you both. Thank you. Jenny, I hope you do write something fictional one of these days - and that you let me read it. I agree, Kevin. Absolutely. Writing should be about creating and interpreting, not just perpetuating the same old ideas. And we do see writers writing the other in all of the areas you mentioned. The human experience is complex and universal and how could this be explored if we impose rules which only serve to censor? It’s great to hear from you both. Thank you. Jenny, I hope you do write something fictional one of these days - and that you let me read it.

]]> By: Kevin http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/#comment-13041 Kevin Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:35:43 +0000 http://cassandralewis.com/2008/01/27/writing-the-other/#comment-13041 I couldn't have said it better Cassie. I really cannot agree with the "essentialist" argument that you have to be of a certain race, gender, religion, etc. to be able to write about that experience. To truly be human, we must put ourselves in the position of others and understand them from the "inside" and not as the "other." I couldn’t have said it better Cassie. I really cannot agree with the “essentialist” argument that you have to be of a certain race, gender, religion, etc. to be able to write about that experience. To truly be human, we must put ourselves in the position of others and understand them from the “inside” and not as the “other.”

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