We cried and sobbed and wept and bled tears. But when we were finished, all we could do was continue living.
Nnedi OkoraforRead
I think speculative fiction has fewer unspoken prerequisites than literary fiction for writers of color.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Speculative fiction allows for more diverse voices and perspectives compared to traditional literary fiction.
Nnedi Okorafor suggests that speculative fiction, which often includes elements of fantasy and science fiction, is more accessible for writers of color. This genre provides a platform that doesn't rely heavily on conventional standards and norms that can sometimes limit diverse representation in literary fiction.
Themes
Speculative FictionDiversityRepresentationWritersColor
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be perfect for a panel discussion on the representation of marginalized voices in literature.
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The cry that 'fantasy is escapist' compared to the novel is only an echo of the older cry that novels are 'escapist' compared with biography, and to both cries one should make the same answer: that freedom to invent outweighs loyalty to mere happenstance, the accidents of history; and good readers should know how to filter a general applicability from a particular story.
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I'm not sure that it's possible to write a novel about people who don't transgress or stumble, people who don't surprise themselves with the things they do, people who can explain all their actions with perfect logical consistency. At least it's not possible for me to write that sort of novel.
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That's why we read fiction, isn't it? To remind us that whatever we suffer, we're not the only ones?
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I think the reason these readers come back to me is because I represent their points of view. It may not be my point of view, but that's OK. Everyone still deserves to have their say.
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