Representation in Speculative Fiction

Here's a good essay about the importance of representation in F&SF. 

We need diversity so that a maximum of readers can see themselves reflected in literature.  We need positive  portrayals. As much as I like reading Native American literature, I'm leery of its overwhelmingly bleak tone.  It's almost impossible to find happy characters, or ones who balance their tribal heritage with participation in wider society.  Given the sky-high suicide rate on reservations, I worry that painting such a dark future encourages people to think they have none.  Much the same happens with queer folk, trans folk, people with disabilities -- they need the reflection to encourage them to keep going, to understand they're not alone, to believe they can be the hero of their own story.

This is why I write much of what I do.  In my writing, anyone can be the hero, anyone can be the villain.  Your ancestry, skin tone, wealth, religion, politics, love life, abilities or lack thereof do not predetermine your future.  You decide what to do with the opportunities before you.  And I will show the light and the dark of all those possibilities.

Hard Things

Life is full of things which are hard or tedious or otherwise unpleasant that need doing anyhow. They help make the world go 'round, they improve skills, and they boost your sense of self-respect. But doing them still kinda sucks. It's all the more difficult to do those things when nobody appreciates it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our accomplishments and pat each other on the back.

What are some of the hard things you've done recently?

Story: "Coming in from the Cold: Tuesday: Facing Fears" Part 3

This story belongs to the series Love Is For Children which includes "Love Is for Children," "Hairpins," "Blended," "Am I Not," "Eggshells," "Dolls and Guys,""Saudades," "Querencia," "Turnabout Is Fair Play," "Touching Moments," "Splash," "Coming Around," "Birthday Girl," "No Winter Lasts Forever," "Hide and Seek," "Kernel Error," "Happy Hour," "Green Eggs and Hulk,""kintsukuroi," "Little and Broken, but Still Good," "Byzantine Perplexities," "Up the Water Spout," "The Life of the Dead," "If They Could Just Stay Little," "Anahata," "When the Wheels Come Off," "Against His Own Shield," "Coming in from the Cold: Saturday: Building Towers," "Coming in from the Cold: Sunday: Shaking Foundations," "Coming in from the Cold: Monday: Memorial Day," "What Little Boys Are Made Of," and "Rotten Fruit."

Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, Clint Barton, Bruce Banner, Bucky Barnes, JARVIS, Maria Hill, Daveed, Agent Smith, Agent Jones, Agent Sitwell, Dr. Samson, Rhodey
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Angst, survivor guilt, SHIELD, mental health care, facing the past, sexual harassment.
Summary: Several of the Avengers visit SHIELD for a variety of professional and personal reasons. It helps to have friends at your side while facing challenges.
Notes: Courage. Team as family. Competence. Friendship. Slow build. Emotional first aid.

Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 5.

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