Thursday, October 6, 2011
Guest-Post: Truly Noir by Austin S. Camacho
I'm delighted to offer you this guest post by Austin S. Camacho, author of the Hannibal Jones series and The Piranha Assignment.
My Hannibal Jones series is not very different from other detective series, except of course for the fact that Hannibal Jones is an African American private eye. When I decided to write a hardboiled detective series I set out to explore my detective’s predecessors, the characters he’d be compared to when he made his appearance.
That turned out to require a lot less time than I expected it to. As a hardboiled detective with an African heritage, Hannibal Jones turned out to have few predecessors. The best known black mystery characters, chronicled by Walter Mosley, James Patterson, Chester Himes and Hugh Holton, are policemen or amateur sleuths.
So where are all the men of color following in Phillip Marlowe’s gumshoe footsteps? Ed Lacy introduced the first credible African-American private eye, Toussaint Moore, in 1957. He won an Edgar, but no one followed his lead. I assumed that John Shaft would turn the tide when he appeared in 1971. Ernest Tidyman's Harlem private eye was so hardboiled that at the time my friends and I jokingly referred to him as “Sam: Spade Detective.” Yet despite his film success, there was no rush of imitators. All the African American private eyes seem to have vanished mysteriously.
I can hear all the white authors out there now, shaking their heads and muttering, “Don’t blame me.” Well, why not? African American authors write white characters all the time, so why not reverse that spin. And white authors don’t seem to have any trouble writing black characters as sidekicks, or villains. Why not write them as detectives?
Of course, there is the danger of stereotyping. Your ethnic readers will look very closely at any characters you introduce who don’t look like you. So how do you get it right when you’re writing about people from another race and culture? Here are three hints that will help you.
Observe: spend time in the grocery stores, restaurants and bars filled with mostly faces of color. Don’t worry, no one will assault you as long as you mind your own business. And by listening closely you’ll get a feel for the attitudes and interests of that group, not to mention their food and drink preferences. You will also develop a feel for the rhythm of language and common phrases they use. I’ve found this works for Latin, Korean and Iranian characters too.
Avoid dialect: When we change the way words are spelled to imitate the sound of someone’s voice we not only insult them, we make it harder for readers to get through our writing. All you need to do to get the dialog perfect is to use the words your characters would use in their own unique order. Your reader will “hear” what you meant, be it North Dakota Swedish or inner city black.
Get a reality check: First, make a black friend. Next, have that friend read your work and beg them to be honest in their feedback. Watch their face as they read. Ask them to test the dialog aloud, and listen for changes they may make unconsciously. If your friend balks at something, don’t debate it, change it.
The most important thing, of course, is to remember that we are all more alike than different. Human motivations, desires, fears and joys are universal, so make sure your black characters are first and foremost human.
And in case you’re skeptical about writing a black detective, let me remind you that Toussaint Moore’s creator, Ed Lacy, was actually a white guy named Leonard Zinberg.
Very interesting post! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExcellent study on the histroy of african american detectives. Thanks Austin for keeping our black professional detectives Hannibal Jones alive and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteHi, Austin. Loved your posting on "True Noir." Wonderful piece. A couple of years ago, Walter Mosley visited my school as a guest artist and talked about his initial trials getting published writing about a black "detective" (I'm using quotes because as you point out Easy Rawlins isn't a detective) . . . he said publishers basically told him, "Oh, yeah, there is one of those out there already . . ." Fortunately things changed. ~Don
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol buying tramadol online forum - can buy tramadol online legally
ReplyDeletetramadol 100mg tramadol dosage grasscity - tramadol withdrawal symptoms depression
ReplyDeletebuy discount tramadol tramadol 50 mg and alcohol - tramadol hcl 50 mg narcotic
ReplyDeleteorder ativan buy lorazepam in canada - ativan discount coupons
ReplyDeleteorder klonopin online how to get on klonopin - buy clonazepam online mastercard
ReplyDeletetramadol online tramadol premature ejaculation - order tramadol cod overnight delivery
ReplyDeletebuy ativan online ativan to help quit smoking - ativan dosage body weight
ReplyDeletegeneric tramadol 3 tramadol high - tramadol red pill
ReplyDeletetramadol online 400 mg tramadol high - buy tramadol er
ReplyDeleteativan online ativan no prescription online pharmacy - lorazepam for sale online
ReplyDeletetramadol online best website buy tramadol - tramadol tablets dosage
ReplyDeletebuy generic tramadol online can you buy tramadol over the counter in the us - usual dosage tramadol
ReplyDeletecan you buy tramadol online buy tramadol online pay cod - tramadol hcl 50 mg tablet r&s
ReplyDeletetramadol online tramadol ultram addiction - tramadol hcl mg
ReplyDeletetramadol online buy tramadol 200mg - tramadol que es
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol medication tramadol and tylenol - tramadol online fast
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol cheap online tramadol 100mg/1ml - tramadol for dogs no rx
ReplyDeleteclonazepam without prescription klonopin xr - buy generic klonopin
ReplyDeletebuy generic tramadol tramadol overdose emed - can you buy tramadol online no prescription
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol 100mg tramadol 100mg high - tramadol hcl 300 mg
ReplyDeletebuy ambien online side effects of ambien cr 6.25 - where to buy ambien in canada
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online dosage of tramadol 50mg - ultram online no prescription
ReplyDeletebuy ambien online ambien er 12.5 - buy generic ambien online no prescription
ReplyDeletebuy generic tramadol tramadol hcl 200mg - tramadol 325
ReplyDeletesoma online buy soma panties - buy soma online usa
ReplyDeletetramadol online tramadol for dogs without rx - order tramadol online from usa
ReplyDeletetramadol cheap buy tramadol online with echeck - tramadol ingredients
ReplyDeleteambien online ambien cr vs zolpidem er - ambien overdose many pills
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online where to buy ultram - tramadol 377 dosage
ReplyDeletesoma online buy soma fedex overnight - buy aura soma london
ReplyDeletetramadol no rx buy tramadol lowest price - tramadol online overnight no prescription
ReplyDeletewhere to buy tramadol buy tramadol us pharmacy - tramadol 37.5 high
ReplyDeletebuy ambien online no prescription ambien side effects aggressive behavior - ambien withdrawal klonopin
ReplyDeletecheapest soma soma drug interactions - soma muscle relaxer reviews
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol purchase tramadol online cheap - tramadol hcl paracetamol tablets
ReplyDeletebuy cheap ambien buy ambien cr in canada - ambien cancer
ReplyDeletebuy klonopin online klonopin weight gain loss - klonopin for generalized anxiety disorder
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol in florida buy tramadol 180 online - tramadol y el embarazo
ReplyDeletebuy ambien online ambien prednisone drug interactions - do drug test test ambien
ReplyDeletesoma medication where to order somatropin - drug interactions cymbalta soma
ReplyDeletebuy discount tramadol tramadol 50mg capsules dosage - g.e. tramadol hcl
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol saturday delivery tramadol online mexico - tramadol online reliable
ReplyDeletecheap klonopin online klonopin withdrawal last - taking 2mg klonopin
ReplyDeleteambien online ambien withdrawal tremors - ambien online overnight
ReplyDeleteviagra online does viagra work after prostate removal - buy real viagra canada
ReplyDeleteambien sale ambien cr 7 day - ambien side effects weight loss
ReplyDeletebuy klonopin online many 2mg klonopin - qualitest pharmaceuticals klonopin
ReplyDeletebuy ambien online buy generic ambien online no prescription - average price for ambien
ReplyDeletebuy klonopin online no prescription klonopin withdrawal between doses - klonopin common dosage
ReplyDeletebuy viagra online buy viagra online uk paypal - where can u buy viagra
ReplyDeletebuy viagra online viagra age 75 - viagra sale online pharmacy
ReplyDeletebuy klonopin online klonopin - klonopin withdrawal benadryl
ReplyDeletepurchase ambien ambien hair drug screen - ambien gerd
ReplyDeletetramadol buy tramadol overnight - tramadol dosage for goats
ReplyDeletebuy viagra online next day delivery generic viagra online cheapest - buy viagra cheap online no prescription
ReplyDeletetramadol online tramadol 50 mg erowid - tramadol 50mg tablets dosage
ReplyDeletecheap viagra online buy viagra discreetly - order viagra without rx
ReplyDeletebuy soma 350mg buy soma tickets - soma usa
ReplyDeletebuy viagra online buy viagra online toronto - jelly viagra for women
ReplyDeletebuy cheap cialis buy cialis online usa - cialis coupon
ReplyDeleteorder generic viagra online viagra for women how does it work - viagra online paypal
ReplyDeletecialis for sale buy cialis beijing - cialis for women
ReplyDeletebuy viagra with paypal buy viagra online without rx - cheap viagra london
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol cod overnight tramadol for fibromyalgia - tramadol hcl 300 mg
ReplyDeletesoma online buy qualitest soma online - soma skeletal muscle relaxant
ReplyDeletelegal buy tramadol online tramadol ultram medication - tramadol hcl get you high
ReplyDeleteviagra for sale buy generic viagra fast shipping - viagra for women bangalore
ReplyDeletecan you buy viagra online legally viagra online overnight shipping - buy viagra online australia fast delivery
ReplyDeletecialis 20mg buy cheap generic cialis online - buy cialis canada pharmacy
ReplyDeletebuy viagra online reviews viagra 50mg online - buy viagra women online
ReplyDeletetramadol online tramadol 50 mg normal dosage - tramadol legal high
ReplyDeletebuy viagra cheap viagra with prescription - does viagra for women work
ReplyDeletebuy viagra buy cheap viagra online australia - how to buy viagra online without
ReplyDeleteorder viagra generic real viagra online pharmacy - safe buy viagra online yahoo
ReplyDeletetadalafil online cheap cialis rx - cialis 20
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol tramadol hcl 50 mg high - buy tramadol online no prescription mastercard
ReplyDeletecialis online cialis online rx - cheap cialis professional
ReplyDeletebuy propecia online propecia prostate cancer lawsuit - propecia side effects rash
ReplyDeletecialis online cialis daily side effects - buy cialis online canada no prescription
ReplyDeletebuy propecia propecia questionnaire - no generic propecia
ReplyDeletetramadol generic tramadol 100 mg bijsluiter - tramadol 50 mg compared to lortab
ReplyDeletebuy cheap propecia propecia and women - propecia generic vs propecia
ReplyDeleteretin a cream retin a micro neutrogena - retin a acne pill
ReplyDeleteviagra online generic viagra me uk - buy generic viagra online overnight
ReplyDeleteorder cialis online no prescription can you buy cialis in thailand - cialis testimonials
ReplyDeletetramadol online tramadol 50 mg kapszula - tramadol 100 mg street value
ReplyDeletestrattera atomoxetine strattera - strattera medication
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol cheap buy tramadol 100mg - order tramadol cod next day delivery
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online can buy tramadol online legally - best way buy tramadol online
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol what dosage of tramadol should i take - tramadol er
ReplyDeleteorder tramadol tramadol online no prescription usa - what does tramadol high feel like
ReplyDeletebuy strattera buy strattera online with no prescription - strattera dosage weight loss
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol no prescription overnight buy tramadol 627 - tramadol addiction fda
ReplyDeletebuy propecia propecia vs minoxidil - propecia side effects cure
ReplyDeletewhere to buy retin a retin a cream with a prescription - retin a cream acne.org
ReplyDeletepropecia online pharmacy lawsuit on propecia - buy propecia online consultation
ReplyDeletepropecia hair loss cheap propecia australia - long until propecia generic
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol cheap tramadol online uk - tramadol high feeling
ReplyDeleteorder retin-a retin a gel for scars - retin a cream stretch marks
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online without a prescription buy 180 tramadol online - tramadol (ultram) shelf life
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online mastercard overnight cheap tramadol next day - tramadol for dogs is it the same for humans
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol lethal dose tramadol - buy tramadol online mastercard overnight
ReplyDeleteorder tramadol tramadol 1 hcl 50mg - can you buy tramadol in greece
ReplyDeletetramadol 100mg buy tramadol valium online - tramadol 50 mg purchase
ReplyDeletetramadol overnight shipping buy tramadol online florida - tramadol for dogs vs people
ReplyDeletetramadol 50mg too much tramadol for dogs - tramadol addiction blue light
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online buy tramadol hcl - tramadol online topix
ReplyDeletetramadol 50 mg buy tramadol online with visa - tramadol withdrawal methadone
ReplyDeletecialis 20mg buy cialis by paypal - cialis 5 mg daily cost
ReplyDeletebuy cialis cialis free sample coupon - cialis low blood pressure
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol order tramadol 50mg - tramadol 325 dosage
ReplyDeletegeneric viagra safest place buy viagra online - dosage of viagra for men
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol buy generic tramadol online - buy tramadol no prescription cod
ReplyDeletecheap cialis cialis 5mg side effects - cialis 10mg online
ReplyDeletebuy soma soma muscle relaxer opiate - buy soma online next day delivery
ReplyDeletesoma without prescription can soma pills get you high - buy soma everwear tires
ReplyDeletebuy soma online buy soma online - soma drug breastfeeding
ReplyDeletetadalafil online buy cialis online with no prescription - cialis reviews photos
ReplyDeleteviagra online viagra zug - cheap viagra sydney
ReplyDeletebuy soma online buy soma 350 mg online - best buy soma sf
ReplyDeletesoma online buy soma louisiana - soma bras
ReplyDeletebuy soma where to buy somat salt - soma medication side effects
ReplyDeleteretin a skin buy retin a cream no prescription - retin a micro expensive
ReplyDeletebuy soma soma bras 79984 - soma drug test detection time
ReplyDeletebuy soma online buy soma drug - buy soma cod overnight
ReplyDeletepurchase retin-a retin a cream lotion - retin a cream buy australia
ReplyDeletesoma online soma drug fun - soma bras austin tx
ReplyDeletebuy soma soma bras dallas tx - soma cruz
ReplyDeletebuy retin a retin-a cream in usa - retin a micro gel coupon
ReplyDeletebuy soma order soma usa - buy soma online overnight delivery
ReplyDeletecialis online canada buy cialis hong kong - cialis daily tablet
ReplyDeletebuy retin-a retin a gel instructions - buy retin a gel 0.01
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online buy tramadol montreal - tramadol dosage in canines
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online best website buy tramadol - tramadol dosage dosage per day
ReplyDeletetramadol cheap tramadol 50mg good pain - tramadol typical dosage
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol for dogs tramadol hcl 50 mg nausea - tramadol dosage weight dogs
ReplyDeletebuy retin a buy retin a from usa - retin a micro gel 1 vs 04
ReplyDeletecheap tramadol no prescription tramadol addiction withdrawal symptoms - tramadol experiences
ReplyDeletecheap tramadol tramadol zydus - illegal to buy tramadol online
ReplyDeletecheap tramadol tramadol dosage - order tramadol overnight shipping
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online-viagra-tramadol.com - cheap tramadol with no prescription
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online tramadol for dogs with liver problems - tramadol iv
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol without a script tramadol dosage strengths - tramadol constipation
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol ultram tramadol 50mg acetaminophen - tramadol 627 side effects
ReplyDeletetramadol 50 mg tramadol 100mg er - buy tramadol extended release
ReplyDeletecheap tramadol can you buy tramadol online legally - tramadol 50 mg long term use
ReplyDeletebuy cialis online buy generic cialis usa - cialis online acquisto
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online without a prescription tramadol 650 om - generic tramadol hcl 50 mg
ReplyDeletecheap tramadol tramadol 50mg no prescription - purchase tramadol uk
ReplyDeletecheap tramadol tramadol withdrawal day 8 - tramadol high 50 mg
ReplyDeletebest buy tramadol buy cheap tramadol cod - tramadol rash
ReplyDeletetramadol online buy generic tramadol no prescription - tramadol for dogs drug interactions
ReplyDeletetramadol online tramadol online no prescription overnight cod - tramadol for dogs long term
ReplyDeletetramadol online tramadol hydrochloride 50mg dosage - my tramadol addiction
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol tramadol hcl contents - buy tramadol online from usa
ReplyDeletetramadol online generic tramadol extended release - online pharmacy for tramadol
ReplyDeletexanax online buy xanax online in canada - xanax side effects on kidneys
ReplyDeletecialis online cialis online bestellen - where to buy cialis in toronto usa
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol online buy tramadol with cod - tramadol hcl usp monograph
ReplyDeleteorder tramadol no prescription tramadol 50 mg once a day - buying tramadol online illegal
ReplyDeletehttp://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#96430 generic tramadol no prescription overnight - buy tramadol no rx
ReplyDeletebuy klonopin online klonopin for anxiety in children - klonopin dosage in dogs
ReplyDeletecheap tramadol no prescription tramadol hcl tab 50mg side effects - tramadol 50 mg and xanax
ReplyDeletebuy tramadol cod online buy tramadol online cod no prescription - tramadol 99 free shipping
ReplyDeletetramadol overnight shipping buy tramadol overnight - tramadol online pharmacy usa
ReplyDeletegeneric carisoprodol buy soma carisoprodol online - soma carisoprodol tablets 250mg
ReplyDelete