Write what you know-sort of

[Linda]

DON'T FORGET THE GIVEAWAY WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW! Post a comment to enter.

A lot of writing teachers advocate writing what you know. Lately, that has come to mean not writing outside your ethnicity because you can never adequately portray a point of view that is not your own. I don’t agree with that entirely. I do agree that it takes a lot of research with an open mind in order to do justice to perspectives different from your own. Under the Almond Trees is told from the point of view of three women. One of them, Emily Williams, was a lesbian. I hesitated writing her section because that is not my experience. I did research attitudes toward same sex couples in Pacific Grove, California, where Emily and her life partner, Lillian Palmer, lived. Finally, since I didn’t plan to write any prurient sex scenes, I decided to just write it like a love story between these two women who supported each other through many ups and downs until they were elderly. It ended up being my favorite part of the book.

Here is an excerpt from a section early in their relationship, told from Emily’s point of view.

Late in 1901, I receive a letter from the California School of Mechanical Arts.
Dear Miss Williams,
It is with great pleasure that I am able to offer you a position at our school for the term beginning in January 1902. I hope you will be able to take advantage of this offer and are still interested in attending our school.
Yours truly,
George Merrill, Director
California School of Mechanical Arts
San Francisco

All strength leaks from my body, and I sink onto the sofa. With shaking hands I hand the letter to Lil. My opportunity has arrived.

She scans the note and looks at me with shining eyes. “Oh, Em! This is too wonderful for words! We must have dinner tonight at the Palace Hotel to celebrate!”

She knows the Palace Hotel’s Beaux Arts style reminds me of Julia Morgan and the Paris school.

“But Lil, what about your dreams?” The idea of her sacrificing her career to be in San Francisco with me is overwhelming. I burst into tears.

She takes me in her arms and strokes my hair. “Em, my darling, you must be pleased. I am so happy for you, I couldn’t bear it if you were sad. At the worst, I will continue as I have been. I’ll work as a journalist until my path reveals itself.” Gently, she kisses me. “Hush now. This is cause for celebration. Just think-when I get my break, we can celebrate again.”

She continues holding and reassuring me until I can stop crying. I know our strength together will see us both through the next months.