Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, I’m—surprisingly—one of the few Southerners I know here. I’m surrounded by neighbors who’ve moved from the North for (mainly) banking jobs.
In the small Southern town I grew up in, we would have called these folks Yankees. Not in a derogatory way, but more as an explanation. (“She couldn’t understand a word I said. She’s a Yankee.” Or maybe: “A big water bug landed right next to her on the table and she screamed bloody murder! She’s not used to bugs that big because she’s a Yankee.”)
Sometimes Yankees were even people who just weren’t from around the area. Someone from Iowa could be a Yankee. Or a Californian.
But in Charlotte, people from the North don’t want to be referred to that way. That’s completely understandable. Southerners don’t care to be called ‘rednecks,’ even if it occasionally fits. I’ve squashed that Yankee word from my vocabulary…pretty much.
I was having lunch with a friend from New York. And lately, I’ve had a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease….I really don’t know why. I’m starting to think the fact I don’t get out much is beginning to show.
But my friend was talking about another friend’s daughter. “Ah,” I said. “Yes, she’s sort of sassy.”
“Fresh?” she asked.
I paused. Fresh was something that I used in reference to baked goods. “Yes,” I decided. “She’s fresh. I guess. If that means sassy.” I thought about it. “Actually, the girl’s mom has said that before, too. That Emily is fresh.”
My friend said, “So they’re from the North, too? Like me?”
I said, “Yes, they’re Yannn….Northerners.” I was so proud of myself.
“From New York?”
The accents all run together for me, not being as familiar. I can tell a Charleston, SC accent from a New Orleans one, but Northern accents? “Yes,” I said. Then I thought for a second. “Or maybe from Ohio.”
So of course she burst out laughing at New York and Ohio being anything at all alike. All my tiptoeing came to naught—it was clear that I lumped everything over the Mason-Dixon line all together.
This is one reason why I stay away from subjects I’m not familiar with in my writing. And why I don’t tarry long around religion and wouldn’t touch politics with a ten-foot pole…I just don’t trust myself not to screw up and accidentally offend someone (or show my ignorance!)
I’ve read books where it’s handled well—where religion and politics are side issues. I’ve read books where religion and politics are the issue—but I think it’s tricky. If it’s not handled well, you risk alienating a lot of readers, or even an editor or your agent.
How do you handle sensitive subjects in your writing? Or do you avoid them altogether?
I’m dealing with this right now in my WiP. I’m just trying to keep in mind that the attitudes of certain characters are not a reflection on me. Nor are they necessarily a reflection on my MC. I try not to dance around the issues too much but I’m definitely feeling my reticence coming out on the page.
My MC is a southerner (Atlanta, so take that for what it’s worth) and I do sometimes worry that he’s coming off as inauthentic because I’m not very familiar with Georgia/Texas/Florida (the three main locations that come up in my book as far as earth is concerned. He’s an astronaut.)
Elizabeth – It’s interesting that you would bring this topic up. There are so many different sensitive subjects, and one of them is definitely culture. And in the U.S., there are definitely different cultures in different parts of the country. In fact, I ran into that in my own WIP; I had originally thought of it taking place in one part of the country, but when I realized how little I really knew about that part of the country, I changed the location. I know, I know, I could have “done my homework,” but I thought it would be better to place the story in an area I know better.
I am actually facing the opposite problem right now. There are certain issues I feel very strongly about, and I had touched upon one of them in my WiP.
On re-reading it, I realised I may be treading on a lot of toes, and more to the point, I may be setting myself up for political ire. Now, it is unlikely that anything I write will be famous enough to merit a political campaign against it, but you never know what can happen when you write about goon-ish tendencies.
So I re-wrote because I didn’t want to take a very public stand.
I avoid them. Like the plague. I’ve been reading Barry Eisler’s newest books, and his political agenda is clear–but he does it so well that you’re really focused on the character, not the message.
(We moved from Los Angeles to Miami and learned that the farther south you go in Florida–until you hit the keys–the farther north you go, demographically).
Oh, too funny, Elizabeth. Being from the North (NYC originally), I so relate to this, because I married a Southerner. The first time I met his family, they were showing a video of his grandmother. She was talking about the war (I thought WII), and her pappy was a prisoner of those damn Yankees, so I realized she meant the Civil War. I was the only Northerner in the room. We still laugh over that one. I wouldn’t touch politics or religion with a 10-foot-pole either.
Karen
Handling touchy subjects… Something like the “yankee” issue I’d handle with character. Rather like you describe it. Other things I might avoid. It depends on whether I feel it would enhance the story or detract from it.
BTW: Up here real “Yankees” are from New England, and they are proud of it. (I’m not a Yankee, being from Michigan, but I am of Yankee descent.)
Another wonderful post. On covering touchy subjects, I usually just plow forward and spill my guts all over the page. Of course, the worst of it is usually edited out or written over by the final draft. I save the really controversial stuff for my blog. Even then I just disguise it within the story so that most readers would have difficulty picking up on it, And, if they did, it would appear as sheer coincidence.
BTW – I’m a transplanted Yank … Northerner from Washington State now living in Alabama. I found most southerners call people visiting from the north “Yankees.” If they decide to stay they are called “Damn Yankees.”
I take ’em head on. Not in an offensive, bigoted way, but … okay for instance … if I’m writing two ghetto brothers talking to each other while taking some drags on a blunt, one of them might call the other his “favorite nigger” because that’s the way they really talk. Sorry, if that’s offensive to anyone, they apparently don’t live in the real world where I write about.
Marvin D Wilson
Hmmm…good question. I have avoided big subjects–like placing my WIP in Raleigh, because I just don’t know the place well enough yet. But I am not afraid to take on political or religious opinions FROM THE POV OF MY CHARACTERS. I think the biggest thing I fear is that people will assume these opinions are mine. When I create characters, I expect their personalities to be different from my own. Their opinions should be as well!
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
I’m so laughing. Texas is the same. I’m Texan through and through, but I lived in NYC for awhile. So I experienced this in the reverse way. Yankees, bless their hearts, can be nice. Only southerners and people from Texas will truly understand this.
I’m totally an avoider unless it just needs to be part of the story/character, then I ask lots of questions of people I think know, and research. I couldn’t even mention Pres. Obama on my blog today until I’d read a couple recent articles on the latest policy. If it’s out of my comfort zone, it’s best left out of my work.
I don’t have a problem tackling potentially touchy subjects if it’s through the voice of one of my characters. They are who they are and think what they think. Of course, it helps that I write stories taking place in the past!
I try to get into the POV character and let them speak or think, or form opinions. I write YA so the POV characters are young.
I think I’ve avoided most of them, although I’m sure someone will wonder why there’s no women in my book.
I follow the path of JL. Jump it and clear it later.
It’s very irritating as I read to realize that the author hasn’t done his/her research and that their facts are incorrect, especially when it is evident that the character feels very strongly about the issue. I continue to read to see if the conflicts ever get resolved (corrected). If they don’t that author drops off my lists of to read.
Even though our works are for entertainment the facts should be correct.
Giggles and Guns
I’ve done that on occasion. I tend to put it into the character’s POV and let him/her speak. None of it is narration by the author.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Just FYI – the actual original meaning of the word “Yankee” was a New Englander. It dates from the Revolutionary War – remember “Yankee Doodle?” It was a derogatory term for the rebels, which New Englanders took on as a badge of pride.
(And in New England, you’re a newcomer/outsider – and not really a Yankee – if your ancestors weren’t there before the war.)
If it’s something the character would say and fits the story, that’s fine. But if it sounds like the author wanting to get their view across, that’s intrusion and I resent it even if I might happen to agree.
I admit I usually tiptoe around religion and politics, too.
When touchy subjects are unavoidable in my writing, I do A LOT of research. I want to know all angles and perspectives of the issue. Then I use discretion when I write about it.
I’m been an eastern Pennsylvanian all my life. I wouldn’t care if you called me a Yankee! Does that really offend Northerners? I guess it depends how someone says it or in the context it’s used. Like redneck is usually used in a derogatory way, so I suppose Yankee could be said rudely, too.
Two sensitive subjects I try to avoid is racism and demeaning or humiliating women. Oh, and I don’t use children in my books. Child abuse is a taboo for me. I’ll never use this to make a villain more evil or to further the plot.
Stephen Tremp
Well I’ve lived north all my life and SASSY is something I get–FRESH has multiple meanings and I steer clear. I was called a Fresa in Mexico once when I was 16, but that means Strawberry, which I think is related, but don’t ask me how.
I address religion a little in CONFLUENCE, disguised as the science versus religious zealot ‘science is evil’ group–there is a discussed ‘division’ within the town–depending on the one for much of its livelihood and the OTHER group for its long-time populace. I try to be careful. It is pretty clear as narrator where I fall (the voice of the scientific ‘outsider’ family) but I have a religiously conservative first reader who says I addressed it tastefully enough that nothing offended her. I guess that is what I might suggest… finding first readers to make sure you handled it well… or else not handling it at all.
Thanks for your remark about using the Y-word as an explanation. I’ve been trying to explain to some folks that that particular war was over a long time ago and that Texans, at least the ones I know, aren’t trying to be offensive when they use the word. In fact, when I read signs saying, “Yankee, go home,” I assume they mean me as well as people from the higher latitudes.
I was going to say I stay away from sensitive subjects. Then I realized that in my WIP, I have a character describe an incident of racial/ethnic discrimination she experienced when she was much younger. It’s something that could have happened at the time and in the place I was growing up. I don’t think it would offend anyone, but it’s about the truest couple of paragraphs I’ve written for this project.
Stephanie–You’re probably safe with someone from Atlanta. :) They’re a lot more cosmopolitan and frequently have a different mindset than other Southerners.
I think, for me, anything I espouse politically *would* probably be a reflection of me…that’s what worries me, I think. Or, I’m concerned that I might not be able to accurately portray a person with a different viewpoint without my own bent shining through. I think it would mean a lot of rewriting for me.
Rayna–And that could happen too…a writer could find that when they removed the political or religious references that they just have a skeleton left of the plot and they need to put it back in. If it’s important to the plot and if the writer is sensitive and knowledgeable, then it can definitely work.
JLStratton—Oh, I lived in AL (Vestavia Hills) for 7 years. And you’re right…North Carolinians would be called Yankees in AL!
And I’m with you…if an author wants to go controversial, there are certainly a number of forums he can choose besides his book. I won’t mind it in a book if it fits with the plot, but otherwise…meh.
Marvin–You’re a pushing the boundaries kind of guy! There’s no WAY I could go there, and I wouldn’t want to. There’s way too much baggage from the area of the country I live in and too much hurt. But I’ve read plenty of authors who are able to carry it off. I’m not one of them.
Mary–I don’t blame you–I’d read lots of articles, too. Yes, I really am an avoider, too. Politics makes me very nervous. Maybe it’s the Generation X thing.
Margot–It certainly makes it more authentic, doesn’t it? There are just so many peculiarities to different regions.
Alex–Say, why ARE there no women in your book?! :)
Maribeth–It’s too distracting as a reader…you’re right. If an author isn’t willing to put in the research time, he needs to choose a different area to talk about.
Helen–My characters haven’t “gone there” yet. We’ll see!
Terry–Focusing on the character or plot instead of some underlying message would be a good way to handle it, I think.
There are many Floridas, aren’t there? So many different groups of people there.
Karen–Ohhhh….that’s TOO funny! I wouldn’t have been able to hold it in…did you manage to keep a straight face?!
The Daring Novelist–It’s all about the story, isn’t it? And should be!
Yes, I remember the Vermont and New Hampshire Yankees in particular–smart and resourceful. It’s a designation that would confuse many Southerners, who wouldn’t be familiar with the alternate use!
Jane–That’s when I get bored, too. If I wanted a moral, I’d read Aesop!
Laura–Research is a good thing! You’re so right.
Well, it *can* sometimes be used in a derogatory way…when Northerners are not around. If a Northerner thinks they did it better “up North” is usually when trouble brews. Although, quite frequently, it WAS done better up North! :)
Michele–I have a feeling, though, that it would be hard for me to write someone who is different *politically* than I am. I dunno. The ring of authenticity wouldn’t be there. And so, if I’m espousing my *own* beliefs–I think that’s where I get uncomfortable. It might also be the privacy thing rearing its ugly head again.
Carol–You know what I mean! :)
Stephen–I can’t handle books where crimes happen to children. I just don’t have the stomach for it. Definitely with you in that camp.
Elspeth–You are lucky! Yes, there were 3 subjects that were forbidden, right–sex, religion, politics?
Hart–Fresa! Too funny.
Good idea about the first readers. Sometimes I can’t tell where I’m getting off-track and a first reader would definitely help as far as knowing the boundaries.
Paul–After looking at comments, I’m thinking that YA almost HAS to be a little provocative with its topics. The kids are trying to figure out all these tangled issues, and the books would be a natural way to help them explore.
I do like to tackle sensitive subjects. In my next mystery the topic of racism is a huge part of the subplot. In the writing, I was careful to not use phrases or wordage that could be offensive, but I do let the characters explore what it is like to be on opposite sides of a racial divide in a big city police department.
The Daring Novelist–And Yankee Doodle Dandy, too! Good point.
Ha! Similar to the South in some ways. You could live in a town for 50 years, but still be considered an outsider in some towns (since the family wasn’t there for generations.)
Kathy–Yes, I’d imagine they’re including anyone who’s interfering when they say that.
Well, and the truth hurts sometimes. It’s hard to know what to do with something you’ve written like that, though. Would it upset the people in the town you grew up in? Maybe consider setting it in a fictional town. I remember Thomas Wolfe saying “you can’t go home again”–true for him, since he upset everyone in his hometown.
Maryann–Sounds like you do a great job keeping the balance!
Oh, this was fun. I recall poor Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird who tries to teach her stupid teacher a few things. And people are never really grateful, are they?
As I am a right-wing Christian, and most Danes are not, I tend to avoid religion in my stories. I like taking up ethical questions now and then, however, such as abortion of handicapped children, eugenics, and euthanasia. I try to be open-minded and nuanced, but it is nice to be able to put words in the mouth of your protagonist ;D