The Critical Lens with Romance Writer LaQuette

Romance writer LaQuette took February’s event attendees on a journey through the critical lens. LaQuette encouraged everyone to push past any defensiveness they may feel and to think about someone else’s perspective. There were no attacks or preaching. The event was an opportunity to listen and learn. LaQuette gave powerful examples from literature and film to illustrate each point and help everyone better understand.

When learning about diversity and different perspectives, there are terms that have now become common use. LaQuette explained POC (Person of Colour), Othering, Colourism, and Problematic among others. She encouraged everyone to ask themselves:

“What are my blindspots?”

“What are my biases?”

“Where does your information come from?”

LaQuette does not want anyone to shy away from including diverse characters in their works, as long as they are three-dimensional characters. If they are poor, why are they poor? Is being a poor person of colour, living in a ghetto, the only traits described? The why’s behind character creation are important. Know what you’re writing and why you are writing it. Characters should be created based on a collection of individual experiences. LaQuette reminded everyone that a story shouldn’t consist of “I can’t find love because I’m black/gay/trans/disabled/etc.” The character should be a whole person. LaQuette also reminded everyone that marginalized people need to see themselves having joy for no other reason than they exist.

Upcoming Events:

Terry Fallis: The Role of Humour in Writing

Two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour –

Author of five #1 bestsellers – Creative Writing Instructor

Terry will discuss the role humour plays in his writing—not just in his novels, but how a sense of humour can sustain you in the rollercoaster life of a writer. He’ll offer up tips on injecting humour into your writing and thoughts on why so few writers, even if they’re funny people, seem to avoid humour in their writing. Sign up here.