 For Authors: August 30, 2023 Issue [#12151] |
This week: Creative Control Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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For Authors Newsletter by Dawn
A quick ramble over some expectations of control and things that may never matter, but on the off chance they might it comes up anyways. |
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As an overthinker, it's safe to say that I ponder possibilities whether realistic or not. Assumption comes into play that having such thoughts cross the mind often is probably also a little related to working with creativity. Since we write stories, it's possible letting the imagination go when it comes to life as well, that probably comes with the territory. So, I will admit that I've wondered what could happen if things go well with stories and also if decisions would ever have to be made. Which brings up the topic for the newsletter: Creative Control.
An already published example that some of you may know is with Harry Potter. While I haven't read the books nor have I seen very many of the movies, I do remember there were some requirements put into place on who could play in the roles once they were made into movies. Which is an example of creative control.
However, it also doesn't have to be a specific requirement. Once can also be open minded to not having an extensive amount of control when it comes to the big league end results. Which is where I tend to go with my thoughts. Recently, some huff was put over a show created on Netflix from a manga/web-comic called Heartstopper. It's an adorable show but also deals with serious topics. Unfortunately, despite the show bringing to light how characters have to deal with bullies, the actors have had to face some things being forced into the light of public eye. In the beginning, it was name calling and claiming the guy playing a character was trying to bait the audience by "pretending" to be gay or bisexual. Granted the actor ended up coming out, not quite on the terms he would have liked, but that still sat with me for a while. Some people seemed to have forgotten the whole point of acting. They don't have to be the same as their character.
My guess is: they haven't watched Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother. Gay actors have played very straight men in roles before and they will in the future. Even Friends made a joke about an actress getting a role instead of Joey and when he mentioned she was a woman the agent just said "she nailed it." Granted that was more of a joke about his terrible acting but still a good point. Even I've played the role of a man in a high school play. My drama director really wanted to do Treasure Island despite it only having 1 female character in the entire play and our cast only had 3 boys in total. So, most of us played roles that didn't match our identity.
A little off track but back to my point. Since I write gay boy characters, I have thought about if I would have any standards or rules on the chance someone wants to make something more of my books. And I do have something I want creative control over.
It's not the identity of the actors if it's becomes a movie or a show. Who they don't in their personal life doesn't have to match the character they play on screen. The character is different than the actor. However, I also won't change the main character to make one more main stream. Years ago, someone asked me why I didn't just make the characters a boy and a girl instead because that stood more of a shot with publication. That is one change I will not make.
As for what country they are from or how they look... eh. I'm a bad fantasy writer because I don't do a lot of descriptions so I don't even know some of those details when it comes to my characters. So, whatever person can make the character come to life, I'm down. Minor adjustments to the story and cutting things for time (depends on what), I'm negotiable.
There is creative control. There is creative freedom. And there is a balance. If it ever comes up, at least I've already given it thought. First, however, I need to actually get the stories finished.
What do you think? |
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Are there aspect of a story you expect to keep control depending on how things go?
Last time, for this newsletter, I discussed the importance of representation. Here is a comment sent in relating to that topic:
Comment by Quick-Quill 
I began my WIP about a Latina girl and was told by my critique group I have to change her since I wasn't Latina. I was informed some people wouldn't read the book because the MC was Latina and me, the author am American. I was offended. After doing some research, I made her a Latina adopted by an Asian-American who are Americanized and without a true cultural influence. So she is basically a true American subject to all the cultures available to all. Like me.
I think this whole write only about your race/culture is bologna. That's what research is for. Ask questions if writing about a culture you may not know a lot about.
Thank you for sending in the comment and I understand how you feel. There are some who believe that it's impossible or even wrong to write a type of character if you don't match in their identity. However, they forget it's not a feasible case. If it were so then men could only write men, women just women and character representation would have to match those getting published. There is room beyond the "write what you know" to include those of us that write the characters that come to them and feel right. One character doesn't represent the mass of any form of identity. I say keep writing. And while critique groups can help, one opinion isn't the end all for an idea.
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