Fans of Interracial Romance discussion

Hello. I'm Kelly, indie publisher and author. I have a question.

As I wish to share stories with this group, and having gleamed this particular discussion on interracial categories, what interracial couple is popular and or trending currently? (And do forgive me if the question is direct or impersonal.)

I actually come from a interracial relationship, having been married for eight years. My ex-wife is Vietnamese. At the time, and even now, a Black man and Asian woman where I live was\is a rarity. In fact, and not to get too deep into the failure of our relationship, part of the reason we divorced had been because of community influence--if I can say it like that.

Even so, I have a story I am developing and in trying to identify the couple, after writing a short about their evening after work, I know they are a mix couple. But I know they aren't the "typical" mix couple. So, I am probing (you readers) for insight, perspective, to find out what mix my couple want to be, or perhaps should be. Before I settle on their identity. Can you help me?

Thanks.

Write the interracial couple you want to write about. Tell your story, not a reader’s story. As a writer, not author, I write the interracial stories and themes that I want to write about. It may not be for everyone and I am fine with that. It’s not supposed to be for everyone.

If you don’t tell your story, you will keep seeking approving from readers as to what to write about.

Arch wrote: "Write the interracial couple you want to write about. Tell your story, not a reader’s story. As a writer, not author, I write the interracial stories and themes that I want to write about. It may n..."

Of course. This is advice I would share with any aspiring writer. However, aspiring I am not. My inquiry is deliberate, as to consider marketing. And to be thorough before, as I said, settle on the characters' identities of my choice.

If I may clarify my question: what couple(s) do you write? And why?

Kelly wrote: "Of course. This is advice I would sharing with any aspiring writer. However, aspiring I am not. My inquiry is deliberate, as to consider marketing. And to be thorough before, as I said, settle on the character's identity.

If I may clarify my question: what couple(s) do you write? And why?

I don’t write what readers want to read, I write what I want to share. A reader will never have control over my story.

I write what’s number one is my eyes and that’s bw/wm stories. One day, I will write my bw/am story. As a reader, I will read any interracial woman/man pairing as long as the story is something that I read. I don’t read: first person stories, erotic stories ( I don’t care for detailed sex in a story), secret baby stories, foul mouth hero or heroine, cheating. I don’t care for interracial books, where the couple break up behind racism. Everyone is not racist. And yes, black people can be racist too. In some interracial books, racism is only shown on the white side.

I love tension and no, I am not talking about sex. I want to see the love between the hero and heroine. I don’t want them to be together, because he’s the hero and she’s the heroine. I have read so many books, interracial and non interracial books, where the hero and heroine were thrown together, just because they were the hero and heroine. They didn’t have chemistry. I love seeing romance in a romance story.

I love dangerous bad boy stories and there aren’t a lot of those.






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Kelly wrote: "Hello. I'm Kelly, indie publisher and author. I have a question.

As I wish to share stories with this group, and having gleamed this particular discussion on interracial categories, what interraci..."

As a fan of interracial romance for the past 2 decades, I absolutely applaud and appreciate your inquiry! I'm so happy to see any time an author reaches out to readers in an effort to be inclusive of the types of stories we want to see. I think its wonderful when an author not only writes to produce their vision but also because they have an ever present love of knowing their work is enjoyable and resonates with others! That makes me want to support them even more!

I think a lot of us come to this genre because of background/personal experiences. Its being that little girl who wanted a doll that looked like you. I enjoy being able to identify with the couple in this basic way as I have also dated and married interracially. Even though we as black women come in our own rainbow of shades, its still gratifying to me to see IR flourish as more and more stories of true romance are told featuring women of color living their best lives with men of other races. I'll be specific and say I feel its because for too long we were sent the message that we were only good for the bedroom or the fields. A dirty secret a man couldn't quit. To bring these relationships into the light reflects the change in times AND our status as women worthy of pursuit and adoration.

For me the mixture doesn't matter much. Latino, Asian, white, Native American, Middle Eastern. Its all about what I mentioned about. Men of different backgrounds seeing worth and appreciation. Its addictive!

Arch wrote: "I don’t write what readers want to read, I write what I want to share. A reader will never have control over my story."

Hey, Arch. Thank you for your reply. I completely understand and agree about an author writing what they want to share. 100%

I also agree that everyone (i.e. every white person) is not "racist". This would include Black people--except the complicit black actor. Black people in general are prone to emulate the bias directed to\at them, in a "what's good for the goose" sense. I don't necessarily agree with this disposition myself. At same time, I'm not the "turn the other cheek" in face of blatant misgivings either. So, I do reject the notion that "Black people are 'racist', too". This is a fallacy, especially when one realizes "racism" is scam, a cover story to unethical and or criminal conduct. Somehow the broad acceptance of "racism" allows it exist and persist. I am apt to call a spade a spade, so people who exhibit "racism" and or complicit, they are criminals. No ifs ands or buts about it. When it comes to scheming, plotting, and manipulations to hinder one's liberties and happiness, such people are criminals.

But I'll let that rest there. Except to say, I haven't read any interracial romance stories to know how "racism" is treated in them. From your revelation, it sounds like its incorporation is typical of the author's perceptions or understandings. This is interesting and something to think about.

As far as the type of stories you love and the content of them, I understand your points about tension and chemistry. However, couples being together "just because they were the hero and heroine" is a little confusing. Wouldn't such a couple be together because they are the main characters? It's their story after all, yes?

Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Hello. I'm Kelly, indie publisher and author. I have a question.

As I wish to share stories with this group, and having gleamed this particular discussion on interracial categories, ..."

Nice. I appreciate the feedback. Your response validates my effort to portray healthy, positive relationships.

There are stories in which I have dabbled with couples having different identities... There's this one couple in which the husband is spiritual and the wife is Muslim, and they go up against zombies to save their daughter. Another couple, where the husband is human and the wife is a cyborg, tackles the subjects of eugenics (as it relates to birth control and reproductive rights--for both men and women); and my current mercenary couple (with the WIP I am editing), I don't really declare are interracial, but they are of different backgrounds.

For the story I am developing though, I am not inclined to beat around the bush about the racial make up of its couple, but then I am not inclined for their identities to precede or dominate their relationship, or the story. I'm wanting to grasp--once I settle on their identities--the nuances of their individual backgrounds and how their perspective and perceptions may influence or shape their feelings or how they love. Does this make sense?

Kelly wrote: "But I'll let that rest there. Except to say, I haven't read any interracial romance stories to know how "racism" is treated in them. From your revelation, it sounds like its incorporation is typical of the author's perceptions or understandings. This is interesting and something to think about.

As far as the type of stories you love and the content of them, I understand your points about tension and chemistry. However, couples being together "just because they were the hero and heroine" is a little confusing. Wouldn't such a couple be together because they are the main characters? It's their story after all, yes?”

You haven’t read interracial stories? If I can ask, why do you want to write one?

Racism was not present in every IR book that I have read so far, but it has been in some. In some IR stories the author has let racism be the cause of the breakup. I don’t like stories like that, because everyone is not racist and yes again, black people can be a racist too.

Let me explain more on what I mean about a hero and heroine being together, just because they are the hero and heroine. I have read stories, where the hero and heroine didn’t have any chemistry. They didn’t match. The author just threw them together, because they were the hero and heroine. It’s was a force connection. It was a “We weren’t going to work out anyway.” Type of story.

If I don’t see chemistry with the hero and heroine, the book is a dnf book. It’s history. It’s a return to library or give away book.

An author has to show me why the hero and heroine are supposed to be together. They have to show me why the hero and heroine are getting a HEA.

Kelly wrote: "Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Hello. I'm Kelly, indie publisher and author. I have a question.

As I wish to share stories with this group, and having gleamed thi..."
Absolutely makes sense. I've never liked having race being a driving factor in the romance genre, let alone any other. It just is what it is. The characters develop inclusive of it, not because of it.

Arch wrote: "Kelly wrote: "But I'll let that rest there. Except to say, I haven't read any interracial romance stories to know how "racism" is treated in them. From your revelation, it sounds like its incorpora..."

No, I haven't read any IR stories. Seen a few, I guess. But this project seems to be asking for interracial couple. It will not be the first time I've written an IR romance either. I have a very old draft from middle school, high school I intend to re-write. If I had to guess, my family is micro UN. My uncle married a Korean. His middle son is now married to a Jew. If you ever see my dad, you'll know my family had white blood introduce into it at some point back in the day. Like, back in the day. :) I guess you could say interracial runs in the family. :)

Well, I appreciate your clarification. You insight is valuable. Thank you.

Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Hello. I'm Kelly, indie publisher and author. I have a question.

As I wish to share stories with this group, and havi..."

Well said.

Kelly wrote: "No, I haven't read any IR stories. Seen a few, I guess. But this project seems to be asking for interracial couple. It will not be the first time I've written an IR romance either. I have a very old draft from middle school, high school I intend to re-write. If I had to guess, my family is micro UN. My uncle married a Korean. His middle son is now married to a Jew. If you ever see my dad, you'll know my family had white blood introduce into it at some point back in the day. Like, back in the day. :) I guess you could say interracial runs in the family. :)

Well, I appreciate your clarification. You insight is valuable. Thank you."

You are welcome.

The IR genre needs dangerous bad boy stories.