tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33053817.post3793895490327152009..comments2023-12-29T18:49:06.560-05:00Comments on Books, Movies, and Chinese Food: Book Review: "Scrapping Plans" by Rebeca SeitzDeborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02147790818681999121noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33053817.post-87481387454709168132010-03-22T16:00:05.910-04:002010-03-22T16:00:05.910-04:00Hi, Deborah! Thanks so much for taking the time to...Hi, Deborah! Thanks so much for taking the time to read my stories. I apologize that my characterization of Joy was offensive. I envisioned Joy as someone who has wrestled with the fact that her outer person reflects Asian heritage while her reality reflects American heritage. For her to love the cuisine of a culture so far removed from the way of Chinese rural life created mental anxiety because, she felt, it was a rejection she'd have made without thinking had she been raised in China's countryside (where French cuisine is fairly non-existent, unlike Chinese cities) with her birth parents. See, because she wrestles with whether or not to embrace being "Chinese" or "American", Joy herself plays into stereotypes. She sees each identity in stereotype and fights inwardly to determine which one to embrace. She has to learn that she is both, and neither. <br />In answer to your question about Joy's husband - I never envisioned him as Asian, though perhaps the book cover designer did when she read the story. <br />I wish, too, I had gotten to include more about her trip to China! I had TONS of notes from my long conversations with my sister-in-law - proud mama of two Chinese-born children - about their trips to pick up Maddie and BinBin. Joy is based in large part on that sister-in-law, who is neat and orderly and disciplined, but who is of German ethnicity. I am so sorry that it appeared I gave those characteristics to Joy out of the laziness of stereotype. I assure you I only gave them to Joy because they're so prevalent in Sara (my sister-in-law). It never dawned on me that they could be perceived as stereotype until I read your review. <br />I agree completely with you that we need more racial diversity in Christian fiction. Of all five of my novels, none feature only Caucasians as the heroines. I'm an ethnic mutt married to a second-generation American whose family is quite German (many branches of his family tree still reside in Bavaria). I think ethnicity is interesting to explore because it's one of the colors in God's palette when He creates us - like height, weight, emotional temperament, talents, etc. It's tough to write, though, because publishers don't want to offend and, like I did with you here, can do so without even meaning to. <br />Anywho, thanks again for reading my stories and for the helpful criticism. I'll definitely be keeping it in mind as I write my next story!Rebeca Seitzhttp://www.sistersink.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33053817.post-78681197912511102122010-03-17T10:21:59.814-04:002010-03-17T10:21:59.814-04:00I had heard of this book and was curious to see so...I had heard of this book and was curious to see some reviews on it. Your perspective on it is certainly interested to read about and I am glad to know your honest thoughts about the book! I appreciate it very much!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing!Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772667430500306088noreply@blogger.com