From: Sally Miller <derbymiller>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 05:15:03 -0500

I agree with Linda Sue Park that race is an integral part of who we are, but when it comes to writing and editing, I think empathy is a more important attribute. With empathy guiding the necessary research, a writer can write about people of any race, color, gender, ethnicity. If the book fails, it will be because of a failure of imagination, not because the writer has the wrong "background." And as to editors, they cannot be expected to know every subject that deserves a book -- they can, on the other hand, be expected to welcome such books when they are offered. I believe for the most part they do. We all agree that reading bridges gaps in experience -- can we agree that writing may do the same? Sally Derby
Received on Thu 10 Mar 2005 04:15:03 AM CST