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by Laura Dennis, @LauraDennisCA
Christian Grey is “fifty
shades of f—ed up” according to EL James … because he’s adopted. Popular fiction
(eh hem, Twilight) uses adoption as a
cop-out to explain vampires living among humans.
shades of f—ed up” according to EL James … because he’s adopted. Popular fiction
(eh hem, Twilight) uses adoption as a
cop-out to explain vampires living among humans.
If we desire to inspire, surprise,
and even educate our audience, why not learn
more about adoption, and flesh out adopted characters’ inner life?
and even educate our audience, why not learn
more about adoption, and flesh out adopted characters’ inner life?
Why care about adoption in fiction?
Nearly six of every ten Americans have had “personal
experience” with adoption (Adoption
Institute). These potential readers have a close friend or a family member who adopted a child,
was adopted, or placed a child for adoption.
experience” with adoption (Adoption
Institute). These potential readers have a close friend or a family member who adopted a child,
was adopted, or placed a child for adoption.
This 6-in-10 figure
doesn’t even include co-workers, friends, and the extended family of adoption.
doesn’t even include co-workers, friends, and the extended family of adoption.
Guess what? I’m
adopted. So congratulations! By meeting
me, reading this blog (drumroll please)—you, however
peripherally, are connected to adoption.
adopted. So congratulations! By meeting
me, reading this blog (drumroll please)—you, however
peripherally, are connected to adoption.
Understanding adoption = dynamic characterization
Elizabeth Craig recently
posted great advice on how not to
be boring, listing of “ingredients
that can help spice up a story.” Out of eleven items, at least seven relate to
characterization.
posted great advice on how not to
be boring, listing of “ingredients
that can help spice up a story.” Out of eleven items, at least seven relate to
characterization.
Brainstorming an adopted character? Whew, here we have a vibrant, conflicted personality with
a secret past, who changes as the story progresses. Throw in a biological
family reunion for an instant subplot.
a secret past, who changes as the story progresses. Throw in a biological
family reunion for an instant subplot.
Need a complex antagonist?
Try a loving adoptive mom, conflicted about her daughters’ biological reunion. Our
protagonist feels guilty, wondering how to reunite without seeming ungrateful
to the woman who raised her.
Try a loving adoptive mom, conflicted about her daughters’ biological reunion. Our
protagonist feels guilty, wondering how to reunite without seeming ungrateful
to the woman who raised her.
Or a birth father who
wants nothing to do with the adoptee. Facing rejection, how will our
protagonist cope?
wants nothing to do with the adoptee. Facing rejection, how will our
protagonist cope?
With these subplots as
fodder, an imaginative fiction writer can up the stakes, adding drama to the
adopted protagonist’s adventures.
fodder, an imaginative fiction writer can up the stakes, adding drama to the
adopted protagonist’s adventures.
Brief history of adopted characters
Does all this adoptee family
conflict sound a lot like women’s fiction, or even memoir? You got me; those ideas
above are true stories.
conflict sound a lot like women’s fiction, or even memoir? You got me; those ideas
above are true stories.
“Upping
the stakes” in my memoir was fairly straight-forward.
After I reunited with my birth mom, I entered a paranoid delusion that I was a bionic spy
responsible for 9/11. No joke.
the stakes” in my memoir was fairly straight-forward.
After I reunited with my birth mom, I entered a paranoid delusion that I was a bionic spy
responsible for 9/11. No joke.
Memoir aside, exploring the political, emotional and social issues connected to
adoption can work in any genre. For
historical fiction, look to Roman and medieval aristocrats who used adoption to
solidify political ties and enable smooth transitions of power.
adoption can work in any genre. For
historical fiction, look to Roman and medieval aristocrats who used adoption to
solidify political ties and enable smooth transitions of power.
The 19th century Catholic
Church developed institutionalized foster homes and orphanages. Think Oliver Twist, Little Men, and the orphaned Jane Eyre living with her cruel aunt
and cousins.
Church developed institutionalized foster homes and orphanages. Think Oliver Twist, Little Men, and the orphaned Jane Eyre living with her cruel aunt
and cousins.
In the last forty years, we’ve seen a shift from closed adoptions
like mine—clouded in secrecy and shame, to reality TV teen moms participating
in open adoptions.
like mine—clouded in secrecy and shame, to reality TV teen moms participating
in open adoptions.
Then there’s the ever-fashionable
Jolie-Pitt transracial adopted/non-adopted family. Add in zombie paparazzi, and you’ve got your next
best-selling YA fantasy!
Jolie-Pitt transracial adopted/non-adopted family. Add in zombie paparazzi, and you’ve got your next
best-selling YA fantasy!
Seriously, though, the
“mystery” and secrecy that surrounds adoption in media could also be re-told in
today’s fiction. Writer and adoption activist Amanda
Woolston points out that this
portrayal “has contributed to the cultural atmosphere that says mystery is ‘normal’
in adoption. It’s not normal, nor should
it be.”
“mystery” and secrecy that surrounds adoption in media could also be re-told in
today’s fiction. Writer and adoption activist Amanda
Woolston points out that this
portrayal “has contributed to the cultural atmosphere that says mystery is ‘normal’
in adoption. It’s not normal, nor should
it be.”
Food for thought? I hope
so. In Part II on Tuesday, November 6, I’ll discuss solutions for using adoption as a literary device in fiction.
so. In Part II on Tuesday, November 6, I’ll discuss solutions for using adoption as a literary device in fiction.
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I’m so happy to be guest
posting, as November is National Adoption Awareness Month. If you have a question
about adoption, please comment below.
posting, as November is National Adoption Awareness Month. If you have a question
about adoption, please comment below.
To learn more about my adoption
reunion and brief bout with insanity, read Adopted
Reality, A Memoir, available in paperback and ebook on Amazon. Or check
out my blog, The Anxious Expat Mommy.
reunion and brief bout with insanity, read Adopted
Reality, A Memoir, available in paperback and ebook on Amazon. Or check
out my blog, The Anxious Expat Mommy.
I look forward to seeing your future post on November 6th. I’m using adoption as a subplot to make one antagonist and a main problem in the story incredibly complex.
While I’m not adopoted myself, When I was 25 I found out about a half-sibling who was 2 years younger than me. So I understand the earth-shattering-family-secret-regarding-unknown-family-members angle to a certain degree.
Ash,
Very cool, yes, adding in adoption definitely can create complexity! I like the idea of secrecy, revelations, people wanting to cover things up. It makes for a good answer to the eternal question, “What is this character’s objective?”
Yes, please comment again on your thoughts after 11/6–I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts …
Laura
Thanks so much for posting today, Laura. You’re shedding light on an important topic and one that doesn’t receive much attention. Thanks for, indeed, giving us that “food for thought.”
Well, thank you, Elizabeth for hosting me! I hope that by shedding light on adoption-related issues, we can add nuance to the rhetoric, and to our writing.
All the best,
Laura
Adoption is so complex (both my brother and sister are adopted) and I’ve never actually read fiction where it’s handled well. I’d like to see adoption in fiction portrayed in a positive light, shown that it’s not some earth shattering horrible thing.
Looking forward to your next article on the topic.
Xan,
Thanks for sharing. It’s so interested that you have two adopted siblings. The adoption experience is varied – I mean, I felt like being adopted defined my childhood and young adulthood. But my (also adopted) brother is okay with knowing only his adopted family.
Yes, can’t wait to hear what you think of Part 2.
Laura
Love this post! I’m a mom of two (openly) adopted kids. ADOPTION ROCKS.
And I agree — there are so many ways to handle the topic. I don’t know why people’s first jump is to how “tragic” and “damaging” it must be. I am thrilled to have my kids and they are thrilled to have me. (Until they turn into teenagers from what I hear. LOL. )
Anyway, I look forward to reading more.
Wendy,
Open adoptions are a “whole other thing” for me. I really like to learn from those participating in open adoptions how they handle developing the relationship, keeping it open, and explaining things to your children.
I mean, I think I would have benefited from less secrecy growing up, but then when I read about others’ experience LIVING open adoption, it feels like the hurt is re-experienced. I think it takes a lot of openness, and humility, on all the adults involved–to follow the lead of the adoptee!
Okay, I’m going on and on. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
Laura
When I was 19, I adopted the 3 yr old daughter of an acquaintance. I was the most unqualified and unrealistic single father ever — but 37 years later, I look back on it as the best & craziest thing I ever did.
My upcoming novel stars an adopted young woman without diving very deep into the issues (saving that for later). Thanks for bringing this up. I’m going to order your book right now.
Peace, Seeley
Elizabeth – Thanks for hosting Laura.
Laura – As an adoptive parent myself, I couldn’t agree more that there are lots of ways to integrate more about adoption into what we write. It can add so much to characters and it’s an important part of many millions of people’s lives.
Great post. One of my best friends growing up was adopted and I’ve had many students over the years who’ve been adopted too. Each person deals with it differently – and you’re right – there’s a lot of fodder there for stories! :)
Seeley,
Wow, at 19 you adopted a three year old, that is courageous and amazing! I love that you have a young adopted woman as your protagonist–since you’re saving the “issues” for later, it will be interesting to see how you show her just going on about her business–with her having been adopted going on the background.
I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Adopted Reality. Of course, my experiences will differ from your daughter’s, but I’d love to hear whether any of her emotions were similar to mine.
Best,
Laura
Margot, Yes, I agree … it’s all about getting inside the adopted character, not just treating adoption as the plot-version of a means-to-an-end.
Jemi – Thanks for writing. When we start thinking about it, it’s so easy to find out how we’re ‘connected to adoption.’ But in our popular culture, adoption is either written off as a one-time event, or something that just makes a person psycho. Like you say, there are so many more stories to tell!
My oldest brother is adopted! And you know what? I’d never thought about all the adoption stories within stories.
Present the data they offer where you see fit. You can present them on your first, middle, or last paragraph as long as they help in building up your story.
Hi Elizabeth and Laura – what an interesting read .. it’s a great way to get a better appreciation of adoption .. rather than the dry way it can often be told. I certainly look forward to your Monday post ..
Fascinating post and comments – cheers Hilary
Thanks for this post. I’m an adoptive father, and I’m so sick of the damaging, hurtful way adoption is portrayed in so much of our fiction.
Julie – Yes! Stories within stories, secrets and revelations. Searches (hero journies) and disappointments and discoveries! I’m glad that the post got you thinking!
Hilary – Thanks! I hope never to be boring in my writing! Can’t wait to hear what you have to think about Part 2.
Joe – I’m so glad you agree. There are so many ways to write about adoption — it’s time we let go of the adoptee as psycho stereotype.