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Hi, Jade,

You tackle sensitive topics with kid gloves! You have to consider your entire audience, be sure you’re on the side of the angels, and forge ahead.

My own technique for sensitive topics is to become so entangled in them that your portrayal just has to be right. I got very emotional when writing about Reef’s mother — not because she died, but because I could put myself in Reef’s shoes. She was all he had in the world. Yes, he was being cared for, kept safe, but not by the one person who loved him without reservation. C.J.’s abuse was something different. I was more involved in being C.J., and trying to hide what was happening to me because I didn’t want to be perceived by my peer group as a victim. C.J. was both strong and vulnerable at the same time.

LINKED was a whole different matter. Not antisemitism, but being “different” is something I’ve always felt. You must feel it too, at times, as a black person. It isn’t always easy being either one of us — which may be why we have the sensitivity to write the way we do — an ability to put yourself into someone else’s shoes. You make your characters “voicy” (amazing word!) by being “voicy” yourself. There are topics that require more finesse than others, but there’s really nothing you can’t deal with just by being honest with yourself and your readers.

Tip #1: Don’t be scared. Any topic can be dealt with. You first have to put aside your own fears and go from there.

Gee, I just read that over, and I hope it doesn’t sound as cheesy to you as it does to me! I’m trying, honestly!

                                                                                                                                                      –G–