Guest post written by author Terry Shepherd
Terry Shepherd was born in the American Midwest. He created his Latina Detective, Jessica Ramirez, in 2020, surrounding her with a diverse ensemble cast where women are at the forefront. CHASING VEGA and CHASING THE CAPTAIN chronicle Jessica’s quest for affirmation and respect in a profession that is still mostly male. His stories have been included in anthologies, translated in to Spanish and are available in print, digital and audio book format.
I was thrilled to be invited to contribute to Nerd Daily. The Australian vibe and the cadre of extraordinary female contributors is totally in sync with sensibilities I try to imbue into my star, Jessica Ramirez.
I grew up around strong women in a family that celebrated differences. A child of the 1960s in a country struggling with the complicated issues of race, war and emerging feminism, my parents filled our home with a rainbow of differing lifestyles and points of view.
I quickly realized that, as a white male, I got more than my share of the breaks. And I didn’t like it. So, when I decided to write fiction full time, I wanted to manifest a powerful woman who might become a role model for others.
Jessica Ramirez, a Latina female who inhabits a largely male driven culture is the result.
Some voices today condemn writers who tell stories about people who don’t share their gender or cultural background. Those voices drew me to the challenge of making Jess an authentic heroine, worthy of a spot in the pantheon of fascinating female protagonists. I immersed myself in Hispanic culture, sharing the family moments that so mix to create life stories. I also spent hundreds of hours riding with police officers and interviewing law enforcement professionals at every level of the profession.
I learned that while we can’t ever fully comprehend another individual’s experience, we can walk beside them, be a witness, and grow our own capacity for empathy and understanding.
I also learned that each one of us has our own trauma. We all carry burdens that others can’t see. Appreciating this universal truth can open the doors to deeper connections and perhaps generate solutions to the perennial problems our world faces.
Tossing Jessica Ramirez into situations that require her to confront her demons, grow as a person and think her way out of a labyrinth of obstacles is great fun. Her path is also a microcosm for every life’s journey. Watching Jess navigate her world is a prism that can throw a fresh perspective on our own trials and tribulations.
We become an amalgamation of our role models. There are elements of Sherlock Holmes, Flora McAlpin, Precious Ramotswe and Nancy Drew in Jessica’s DNA. And legendary Australian authors Ellen Davitt, Charlotte Jay and Angela Savage are among the many great storytellers who have profoundly influenced my own literary voice.
In 2018, Emma Viskic told The Sydney Morning Herald, “Women writers often bring a deep knowledge of violence and its consequences to our writing. Whether violence has touched us directly, or we’ve been lucky enough to escape it, we plan our lives around it.”
Jessica Ramirez adds another dimension to this reality. She runs toward danger. She feels every emotion and lives with the reality that her male counterparts might not back her up. Like our most compelling heroines, she ultimately walks alone into single combat with evil. Her wits and her skills are her only weapons. Fear is real, but ultimately irrelevant to her choices. The only goals are eliminating the threat and doing the right thing.
The feedback I get from Jess’ real-life counterparts and the beta readers who help me polish my prose has been enlightening. Each point of view is a little different. Each reader has her own expectations. Jess doesn’t always meet them. But it has gratified me to hear that she’s an admirable representative of her profession and a role model for others who might have never considered becoming a cop before meeting her.
It is said that every song has been sung and every story has been told. The talented writers of our generation find fresh ways to frame classic conundrums to appeal to today’s audiences.
We never tire of adventure, of watching a character we love overcome incredible odds to prevail in the third act.
For me, placing strong, smart females center stage is a true labor of love. When I get an email from a young Latina who says she “wants to grow up to be just like Jessica,” I’m inspired to keep telling her tales.
