Vicky Alvear Shecter's Blog, page 5
July 10, 2016
The Ancient Roots of Colorism
I saw this video on FB and was really moved by it. Every person in it is extraordinarily beautiful, to remind us that even exceptional beauty and youth does not protect you from the pain and unfairness of color bias.
In the video, USC’s Dr. Lanita Jacobs points out that colonization and slavery play a role in beauty standards today, which is, of course, of no surprise to anybody who is paying attention. But what really struck me is that colorism may go even deeper than that.
I was thinking about ancient Egyptian art where men were often painted in a reddish-brown pigment while women were depicted with a lighter, more yellowish cast. According to Egyptologists, this convention was a marker for wealth and status because it demonstrated visible proof that the woman did not have to work outside, or even go outside–where the sun would naturally darken her skin–as men did.
Which tells us that even in ancient Egypt, beauty standards were deeply tied into notions of wealth and power. It’s no surprise that we see so many of these depictions–after all, only the wealthy could afford ornate tombs in the first place.
We see this too in some other ancient cultures, such as Minoan, where upper class women were painted as being very fair, while men were painted in darker shades, likely for the same reason–rich women did not have to work outside while men freely worked and played outside.
Again, wealth, status and power dictate, but structurally, underneath all the colorism, is the idea of “ownership” of women–women as property, as objects, where even their skin tone was a measure of male wealth, power and status.
It is true that in both ancient Egypt and Minoan civilizations, women had a bit more power and rights than they did in, say, ancient Greece where women had zero rights, were actually considered baby-making objects/property, and were barely above slaves in status. But even societies where women had more rights and freedoms, “paleness” was the standard of beauty for no other reason than it showed family wealth, power, and status.
I don’t know how this adds to the conversation except to remind us that racism is deeply intertwined with issues of class, power, gender, and wealth. Scratch one and find the other and vice versa.
We’ve stopped mummifying people for some magical afterworld. Can we stop this too?
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March 3, 2016
I Want to Do This! You In?
Ever notice how wanting something very badly turns you into a child? No? Just me?
Well, after watching this video of Ben Kane, Russell Whitfield, and Anthony Riches walk from Capua to Rome, kitted out as Roman soldiers, I find myself obsessed with trying to figure out how I could join them in future marches. My pinging thoughts:
I could do it! I wouldn’t have to wear the soldier’s kit, which would make it more do-able for me, right?
I’d train. I do Crossfit workouts after all–I could do this! I mean, I’ve done 100 burpees in a workout before. That’s gotta count for something.
But what would be my role? Behind the legionary lines always followed a camp of supporters–cooks, seamstresses, healers blacksmiths, etc. Well, I can’t cook for crap, I can’t sew, but I CAN carry bandages and salves! Yes, I could be a healer. Most of the healers would’ve been male but whatever.
A water carrier! I could be a water carrier! No, then I’d have to share my water. Do you even know how much water I drink a day?
Of course, women in the camp would’ve had erm…other kinds of jobs, but I won’t think about that. Nope. Stop thinking about that!
Maybe I could convince Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Sophie Perinot, or Eliza Knight to join me–after all, we’ve written with Ben ( A Day of Fire ) and Russell ( A Year of Ravens ) and hope to one day do so with Anthony. What do you say, gals? Sophie says she’ll go only if she’s carried in a litter. Which is a thought.
No, I could walk it, I really could. We could raise money for PTSD soldier programs here in the U.S. since they’ve done such a brilliant job in raising funds for similar programs across the pond.
But at the film’s end, one of boys says something about doing a march in Germany. I don’t want to march in Germany. I want to do Rome! Dammit, they’ve already done Rome.
But maybe they’ll do a different Romani walk. Did you even see the gorgeousness of the Italian countryside? Maybe we could do Pompeii to Capua…or the other way around, like Spartacus. And rappel down Vesuvius with vines!
Any other American writers of Roman historical fiction up for it? Steven Saylor? Bruce McBain? Phyllis T. Smith? David Anthony Durham? John Maddox Roberts? Judith Tarr?
We could do this! We really could.
Please?
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January 12, 2016
HADES a YALSA Quick Pick!
So thrilled and excited to learn that Hades Speaks: A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead made the the Young Adult Library Association’s (YALSA) 2016 Quick Pick List for Reluctant Young Adult Readers in the nonfiction category.
The list honors books the committee thinks teens “will pick up on their own and read for pleasure; it is geared to the teenager who, for whatever reason, does not like to read.” I could not think of a greater compliment!
J.E. Larson’s dark and tingly illustrations of the dark god’s abode go a long way toward attracting readers. His work is entrancing on so many levels!
Beyond the obvious, what is so validating about the honor is that the book is a compendium of real myths, rites, beliefs, and practices as they relate to death, dying, and the afterlife in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. There are so many outstanding works of fiction based on these myths–including Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series and Esther Eisner’s Princesses of Myths series and others–that it is easy to forget that kids may not know the original stories upon which the reinventions rely.
By placing the original stories in historical context, my hope is that my nonfiction mythology books enhance the reading experiences of modern fantasy books. After all, from Harry Potter’s “Fluffy” (Cerberus) and “He Who Must Not Be Named” (Hades was the original one) to all the demi-gods and gods in Riordan’s books, knowing the original stories allows for greater admiration of how modern authors “riff” on them.
Besides which, they original stories are just so darn weird, dark, and kooky on their own. I find them endlessly fascinating and hope my love for the ancient world shines through in the retellings.
Hades, after an eternity of being largely ignored, is thrilled to push his blustery, deceitful little brother Zeus out of the spotlight for once. Thank you, YALSA!
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December 21, 2015
What to Do When A Reader Catches an Error
Quick answer: Own up to it. Here’s an email conversation I had with a reader who wanted an explanation for something she noticed:
Hi Vicky,
I started reading this novel and I am really starting to enjoy it. I noticed that since this is a piece during the Roman period all the references to the gods are Roman, however on page 13 chapter three Lucia mentions Poseidon the earth shaker. Poseidon is the Greek form of Neptune and I was curious as to why Lucia, a Roman girl would use the Greek name and not the Roman name. I look forward to your response. Thank youMy response:
Hi [name redacted],
Thanks so much for reading Curses and Smoke. You are clearly an observant reader! You are correct that I should’ve used Neptune instead of Poseidon. It was an oversight–I missed it and none of my proofreaders caught it before it went to press!
It is interesting to note, however, that educated Romans often used Greek phrases and the Greek names of gods to show that they could read Greek as proof of their higher status and better education. Lucia was taught Greek alongside Tag, so it’s possible she could’ve thought Poseidon instead of Neptune in that passage.
But mostly? Nahhhh. It’s a mistake, one that you’ve caught. So excellent reading!
When I write first drafts I often use the Greek form of gods out of habit and then later change them to Roman and somehow I missed this.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
All the best, Vicky
On the down side: an error got through. On the upside: Someone’s reading my book!
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November 17, 2015
It’s Here! A YEAR OF RAVENS: A NOVEL OF BOUDICA’S REBELLION
Boudica, the ancient British queen who led a rebellion that almost stopped Rome in its tracks, lives in the pages of A Year of Ravens as seen through the eyes of her daughters, her warriors, her enemies and her priests. I am so excited and honored to be a part of this fascinating project, along with authors Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, Eliza Knight, Kate Quinn, SJA Turney, and Russell Whitfield.. And, in keeping with tradition, we are offering a giveaway of jewelry to celebrate the project.
Celtic Fire is inspired by the beauty of ancient Celtic designs, made of silver tone metal and red Swarovski crystal beads. The set includes a necklace, earrings and bracelet. Just in time for the holidays! Imagine how cool it would be to give this set–along with the book–to a Celtic history fan. Enter to win the set here!
We hope you enjoy the complex, fascinating, and sometimes shocking viewpoints in this collaboration novel!
Order the book via Amazon US, Amazon UK, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo
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October 9, 2015
Friday Funnies–THOR Style
In celebration of the release of THOR SPEAKS! Also, don’t forget to sign up to win your free copy of the book.
Q: Why won’t Spiderman and Batman ever party with Thor ?
A: Because they hate getting HAMMERED!
“I’m THOR!” the God of Thunder cried while riding his horse.
“That’s because you forgot your thaddle, thilly!” said the filly.
(And just to prove there is no end to Thor puns…)
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October 5, 2015
Cover Reveal for Boudica Book! Pre-Order Now
A Year of Ravens: a Novel of Boudica’s Rebellion
When I was invited to be a part of the team writing a novel about Boudica and her rebellion against Rome, I was all, YES PLEASE! Because who doesn’t love the tragic story of a warrior queen who’s had enough of Roman brutality and expresses it via an epic rampage that almost destroys the indestructible? It’s the whole David and Goliath thing (only if Goliath had ultimately won, but David had brought him to his knees first).
Boudica, if you’re not familiar with this kick-a** queen, was the leader of the Celtic tribe of the Iceni during Rome’s invasion of ancient Britain. After terrible provocation, she led her own people–as well as other Celtic tribes–in a massive rebellion that almost–almost–succeeded in pushing Rome off the island. Rome, of course (and as always) won, but came so close to utter defeat at the hands of the fiery red-haired queen, the story of her rebellion has stood out as a source of fascination since the moment of her mysterious death.
After our first collaborative novel, A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii, it was an honor and a thrill to have the opportunity to work on this project. As before, the caliber of writers is so awe-inspiring, I kept secretly waiting for someone to tap me on the shoulder and whisper, “Pssst, there’s been some mistake….” But amazingly, Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, Russell Whitfield, S.J.A. Turney, Kate Quinn and Eliza Knight didn’t kick me off the team. Our characters weave in and out of each other’s stories in such unique ways, we ended up with a much richer tapestry of characters and narratives than any of one of us could’ve created on our own.
The novel officially releases November 17, but please consider pre-ordering now:
Kindle US (Print version available for pre-order on November 4)
Kindle UK (Print version available for pre-order on November 4)
Yes, I know this is the DYING GAUL, a Roman copy of a Hellenistic sculpture pre-dating Boudica’s rebellion by at least three hundred years, but he is a Celt like his British brethren and some of the warriors in A YEAR OF RAVENS fight naked and I’ve always found this statue moving and tragic so I’m putting him here because I like it, it’s my blog, and why the hell not.A Year of Ravens
Britannia: land of mist and magic clinging to the western edge of the Roman Empire. A red-haired queen named Boudica led her people in a desperate rebellion against the might of Rome, an epic struggle destined to consume heroes and cowards, young and old, Roman and Briton . . . and these are their stories.
A calculating queen foresees the fires of rebellion in a king’s death.
A neglected slave girl seizes her own courage as Boudica calls for war.
An idealistic tribune finds manhood in a brutal baptism of blood and slaughter.
A death-haunted Druid challenges the gods themselves to ensure victory for his people.
A conflicted young warrior finds himself torn between loyalties to tribe and to Rome.
An old champion struggles for everlasting glory in the final battle against the legions.
A pair of fiery princesses fight to salvage the pieces of their mother’s dream as the ravens circle.
A novel in seven parts, overlapping stories of warriors and peacemakers, queens and slaves, Romans and Britons who cross paths during Boudica’s epic rebellion. But who will survive to see the dawn of a new Britannia, and who will fall to feed the ravens?
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October 2, 2015
Friday Funnies–Thor Style. Don’t Forget to Enter to Win a Free Copy!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Thor Speaks!
by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Giveaway ends October 16, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
The post Friday Funnies–Thor Style. Don’t Forget to Enter to Win a Free Copy! appeared first on Vicky Alvear Shecter.
September 25, 2015
Friday Funnies–THOR Speaks Style!
Because Thor wordplay is fun! As is posting pics of Chris Hemsworth…
Don’t forget to enter to win a free copy of THOR SPEAKS!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Thor Speaks!
by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Giveaway ends October 16, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
The post Friday Funnies–THOR Speaks Style! appeared first on Vicky Alvear Shecter.
September 24, 2015
Enter to Win a Copy of THOR SPEAKS!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Thor Speaks!
by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Giveaway ends October 16, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
The post Enter to Win a Copy of THOR SPEAKS! appeared first on Vicky Alvear Shecter.
