Christian,Multicultural,Urban Fantasy?...Maybe

[LauraAD]

Unsure of the classification. ::)Here is the title and synopsis:


They Call Me Blanca




My name is Michelina DélaCruz.
Meet me at the crossroad where Faith meets Diversity and the Supernatural.

A bi-racial teen living with her single white mother in Stockton, California; Michelina struggles to find a place in a confusing & often hostile world. She doubts the existence of God, let alone a God that cares. She feels her only way 'out' is to ‘Court-In.’

She is brutally beaten & abandoned like garbage on the railroad track. As a train thunders down the track she chooses not to move. All she wanted was to fit in. Longing for the peace of nothing-ness she lets the train barrel her down.

So why does she wake up in 1954, seeing through the eyes of a Mexican American teen, who just happens to be the Abuela/grandmother she’s never met?

This cutting-edge, multicultural, YA novel rips through the barrier of the printed page and allows you to experience Michelina’s eye-opening adventure through the eyes of others; as Michelina discovers that not only is there a God, but the depth of His love is so great that He is willing to reach down, snatch her up, and let her see for herself.

The question is: what will she choose now, or does she have a choice anymore?


Here is a link if you want to read what I have so far. Is there something here or should I drop it?

Thanks- blessings and best wishes,
Laura A Diaz

authonomy.com/books/36078/they-call-me-blanca/

[Kessie]

I read the first few pages. It seems very well written, although not exactly my cup of tea. You also seem to have very nice comments on it.

Urban fantasy tends to be like "fairytales updated for modern day", so I suppose this could count. Sort of a multicultural fairytale. :-)

[metalikhan]

Urban fantasy -- maybe.
But there's a classification called slipstream that crosses conventional genre boundaries with aspects of speculative fiction as well as literary mainstream fiction. From what I saw on your site, Laura, it looks like your work could easily fit the slipstream category.

And as for your question whether you should drop it : NO! Don't you dare drop it! This is a YA novel with the potential for tremendous impact. Don't let it slip by the wayside.

[LauraAD]

I have never heard of "slipstream" before. Can you you explain about that a little more or give me an example? Thanks!

[LauraAD]

Oct 12, 2012 11:17:51 GMT -5 metalikhan said:

Urban fantasy -- maybe.
But there's a classification called slipstream that crosses conventional genre boundaries with aspects of speculative fiction as well as literary mainstream fiction. From what I saw on your site, Laura, it looks like your work could easily fit the slipstream category.

And as for your question whether you should drop it : NO! Don't you dare drop it! This is a YA novel with the potential for tremendous impact. Don't let it slip by the wayside.

Okay....if all else fails google it, right?

Lol!

[metalikhan]

As a classification, slipstream is more about an approach or style than an actual genre of its own. Magical realism and urban fantasy are more like subgenres of spec fiction; slipstream would encompass the creative literary approach but it's not limited to one specific subgenre of speculative fiction.

Most spec fiction is in the genre/commercial style of writing, so those who approach it with a literary style can find it a bit discouraging when they don't see as much in their chosen style. But take heart -- there are known authors whose literary styles have carved out a place in spec fiction for exactly that writing approach. Consider Margaret Atwood, China Mieville, Genevieve Valentine -- their approaches to spec fiction don't fit neatly or comfortably under the umbrella of commercial writing.

Sorry I didn't see your question sooner, Laura. Life has been crazy-busy.

[LauraAD]

Yeah, I know the feeling. It's all good. I wish I could get this story out of my head. I thought that once I wrote it out I might e able to forget it.. but it hasn't worked that way.

[LauraAD]

Oct 28, 2012 9:42:26 GMT -5 metalikhan said:

As a classification, slipstream is more about an approach or style than an actual genre of its own. Magical realism and urban fantasy are more like subgenres of spec fiction; slipstream would encompass the creative literary approach but it's not limited to one specific subgenre of speculative fiction.

Most spec fiction is in the genre/commercial style of writing, so those who approach it with a literary style can find it a bit discouraging when they don't see as much in their chosen style. But take heart -- there are known authors whose literary styles have carved out a place in spec fiction for exactly that writing approach. Consider Margaret Atwood, China Mieville, Genevieve Valentine -- their approaches to spec fiction don't fit neatly or comfortably under the umbrella of commercial writing.

I am finding it difficult to easily navigate the boards here and being able to clearly see all that's here...topics and such. Thanks for the above references, theybwere quite helpful. Blessings!

[Kessie]

Laura: Up in the top menu with all the little tiny icons of the house and star and stuff, by the star there's a link that says New Topics. I just click on that. It shows all the topics with new posts across all the forums. It really helps keep track of stuff being posted in the sub-sub forums.

[LauraAD]

Thanks. Do any of you guys do WATTpad or are familiar with it? I uploaded a couple of chapters to get a feel if it's "working" or not...but so far not been much help.

[Divides the Waters]

Reminds me a bit in concept of Frank Peretti's ILLUSION. Interesting.

[LauraAD]

Illusion? I thought I'd read everything by him I'll have to look that up, I havent had the chance to read it yet. He was one of the very first Christian fiction authors I read when I was saved in 1990. This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness blew me away. Afternthat was addicted and I started trying to get my hands on anything he had writtten....but for me....those first two (books) that bit me and gave me the "bug" were a high bar for him to follow.

Now...as a kid I read C.S.Lewis ( even the little known Swiftly Tilting Planet) and never even connected that it was Christian allegory. Isnt that crazy?! It wasnt until after 1990 that I purposefully read his works again to make the connections.

Someone told me that Blanca's story reminded them of Sherman Alexie's novella "Flight". So..... I had to go find that one and read it also. I can see it a little.

Someone else said that the MC breaki g the first person wall reminded them of Junot Diaz's style. After reading his Oscar Wao book....I dont mind the first person part... I just dont like the stkry even if it did win a Pulitzer. I can see the ins and out and the creative intrica ies webbed through out his tale and can respect his talent.....just not my favorite flavor of ice cream. ( I am *so* tired of the old and worn out " cup of tea" phrase)

Have a great Sunday tomorrow and if I do t get back on here by then, have a blessed Noche Buena( Christmas Eve).

[Kessie]

Swiftly Tilting Planet is Madeline L'Engle, not Lewis. Are you thinking of his space trilogy and Out of the Silent Planet? I agree, it's totally lovely.

Peretti's Illusion just came out last year, I think it was. It involves time travel (I think, I haven't got to read it yet).

[LauraAD]

You've got it!And your right about the mix up on the titles. Thanks! It's been so long ago and L'Engle was a favorite also. I wish I could get my kids to read her. I couldnt even get them to read A Wrinkle In Time which is awesome! All I kept hearing was," Mom! Nobody talks like that in real life."
But I loved that whole series as a kid.

Good that Illusion just came out! I don't feel so far behind now! I thought I had missed something of histhat was old!lol! So, I'm glad it's not.