I want to take a moment to publicly apologize. It was recently brought to my attention that I may have offended some people (specifically Mambo M.B.) and perhaps even a few deities.
I'm sure most of you reading this are wondering if I have lost my mind. Let me back up a bit. I received a comment on an older post about my 2nd published Gede story. I'll just paste the comment, along with my response below.
mambo m.b. has left a new comment on your post "Gerard the Gede, Guardian of the Veil Part 2":
As a Vodou priestess, I'm offended by your marginalization of the Gede. The fact that you would imagine a character based on an actor to have the power of Baron Samedi, and not know anything about what the Gede represent or their power, is something I suppose should be expected from the ignorant masses... but it is still offensive.
Your writing also lacks description, plot, and forethought. There's a distinct reason why writers say: stick with what you know. Might I suggest you read more history and religion so that your writing will at least have depth?
I channel the Gede on a daily basis. They are not at all pleased with this gross misrepresentation at a 6th grade level. Not at all pleased is an understatement.
Even in fantasy, if you are going to reference religion, at least get your facts right and don't misuse terms and concepts from spirits of the dead who have been crossing into this world for 6,000 years.
Posted by mambo m.b. to Terri Rainer Published Author at September 14, 2008 12:16 PM
Here is my response:
TerriRainer has left a new comment on your post "Gerard the Gede, Guardian of the Veil Part 2":
mambo m.b.
I am very sorry if I offended you, it was certainly not my intention to do so. As for the name "Gerard", while reading about the Gede, Saint Gerard was mentioned, so I incorporated the two names of the Saint, and the Gede.
In my defense, these are short stories that I spent very little time on for a fledgling magazine. I have since decided that the Gede would make a wonderful full length novel.
I would much appreciate any information that you would like to provide about the Gede. I would love it if you emailed me.
I will most certainly do more research on the Gede, but you must understand that a bit of creative license is needed. I would also like to write it without being offensive to your religion.
Thanks so much!
:) Terri
Posted by TerriRainer to Terri Rainer Published Author at September 14, 2008 1:26 PM
Now, as you can all see, I have unintentionally pissed off not only a Vodou Priestess, but the Gede as well. I honestly meant no disrespect to anyone or their religion, and would TRULY love to hear from any out there who practice Haitian Vodou, ESPECIALLY if they channel the Gede.
It would be great to get first hand knowledge about them, what they may or may not find offensive and I really don't want any bad juju headed my way if I write a novel about the Gede!
12 comments:
Too many people just love to get offended. I say screw them. You are not writing for them, you are writing for you. If they don't like it, they can exercise their capitalist rights to not buy it.
It's okay, I'm always pissing off the Gede, and I've survived okay.
Ron,
You must understand that had I pissed off the Catholics, Jews, Protestants, etc etc, I wouldn't have been overly worried.
HOWEVER, I don't go around intentionally pissing off Wiccans, Witches, Vodou Priestess' or Haitian Deities if I can keep from it (why chance it?).
Dan,
Um, you've survived okay? What about the webbed feet, the missing eye, and that weird compulsion with numbers?
:) Terri
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They say that writing about controversial subjects actually drives people to your blogs/books, etc. If that be so, I agree with Ron, let the pissing off begin! Besides it's makes for a much more entertaining story.
"Budding author faced with curse from Vodou Priestess stands tall in the face of mutating woman trying to send her to hell."
There, doesn't that sound like a page turner?
Good luck. Oh, and sleep with your bed in a circle of salt to keep unfriendly spirits away. Seriously.
Mary
Gez O Pete, I miss a couple of weeks, two hurricanes and appearently ... a terrible shitstorm too. Wow, I'm impressed. Unlike others who reply to your blog, I do not channel any spirits ... other than an occasional (ahem) cognac, tequila or rum and their companions.
You know.
I'm a little scared for you Terri...I don't want anyone casting any spells over you or anything.
How does that saying go? 'You can please some of the people some of the time..." :)
Wow -- see how powerful your words are...you even brought the Gede in on this.
Well, if you pissed the Gede off, that would explain any writer's block you may have experienced. This should take care of it. :)
Ummmm... Don't 'cha write fiction, Teri? I don't get it. Wasn't it a short story? Hard to really dig in with that kind of word count. Wow. Hat's off to you for not coming unhinged on her.
Great Terri...you pissed off the Gede.
Now the whole Big 12 conference is gonna suck this year.
I offend people all the time on my work blog and I've noticed that it definitely drives traffic upward. Yay!
You definitely handled that criticism with more tact than I would have and you might end up learning some valuable info in the process...so bravo to you.
Terri, are you ever going to bring Lisa to a Wednesday night get-together? Would love to see ya all sometime.
Skeeter
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