If You Can’t Be True to Yourself, Then Are You Worth Believing?

A reader can spot a disingenuous author a mile away. Writers must always be authentic and heartfelt, and know their audience’s preferences, especially in this age of DEI. My romance novel is directed at the Boomer and Gen X generations, and the majority comprising these groups aren’t typically as sensitive as younger readers, for you’ve lived hard lives, having the scars and merit badges to prove it!

For instance, one of my chapters in my soon-to-be-published novel, Champagne Waves & Sailing Ships, was being critiqued by a small group of people in a writer’s group I belong to, Word Weavers International. One reviewer suggested I not use the term “master bedroom.” I took that suggestion with a grain of salt because I know my audience’s history, and the use of “master bedroom” would not seriously offend or deliver a lethal blow to the success of my novel… Hold this thought for a moment.

A few days ago, I rolled out of my bed at 5:10 a.m. to begin my daily walk on the beach, well before sunrise. Honestly, since I’m dressing in semi-darkness, I pay little attention to what I’ll be wearing once I’m seaside. As long as I remember to put on a pair of shorts and my tennis shoes on the right feet, I’m good to go out in public.

Now, the first 45 minutes of walking are mostly dark. That’s not a problem, as my eyes quickly adjust to the lack of light. It’s actually a very soothing way to fully wake up. So, I still don’t know what I’ve got on until the sun makes her grand appearance.

Well, halfway through my six-mile walk, I realized I’d put on a t-shirt my nephew had gifted me 25 years ago. It still fit, and the shirt had held up as well, but its lettering and logo put me in a very precarious position. On full display, it read CLEVELAND across the top and INDIANS underneath, with a large Chief Wahoo logo in the center! Horrors of horrors, right? Chief Wahoo and the Indians’ name were canceled in 2018!

Now, what is a guy to do when, in the middle of his daily exercise, he discovers he’s wearing a forbidden shirt and finds himself in a position to “trigger” a sensitive tourist and perhaps subject himself to their glares and fury? The only thing worse would have been wearing a Trump hat! I laughed at my predicament because I couldn’t even remember what had replaced “Indians” and Chief Wahoo. I was tempted to Google that answer, but I wondered why I’d want to.

You see, I grew up in the 60s, played Little League baseball, and attended Cleveland Indian baseball games. Heck, one of my first and most lasting memories as a child was standing in my playpen, my dad seated beside me in a chair, watching the Cleveland Indians playing on a black-and-white TV!

I believe many in my audience are like me—somewhat stunned by the dismantling of our generation’s social norms, styles, beliefs, thinking, and history. So, the mere sight of a Cleveland Indians t-shirt won’t shoot a lightning bolt through their souls. Therefore, when you read my romance novels, you shouldn’t be surprised to see my usage of “master bedroom”, Cleveland Indians, or any other genuine reference to the 1960s or 70s that may or may not have been canceled by those living today who have no inkling of our experiences, good or bad.

As an author, I promise to always be authentic, heartfelt, and honest. I’ll never be fake or appeasing. However, I do sincerely hope the Cleveland Whatevers win the World Series in 2026!

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
You save the humble
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.” (Psalm 18:25-27 NIV)