I’ve had a couple of fascinating discussions with Sunita of Dear Author reviewing fame and John of Dreaming in Books about m/m romance.
In 140 characters or less, we’ve shared thoughts on a number of issues. Such was my interest that I begged and pleaded with them to let me post about some of the topics here. They agreed. Naturally.
One of the first things I’d like to talk about is the theme of romance in the m/m genre. No, I’m not kidding. Stick with me here.
We’ve all read our fair share of m/m romance certainly; however, how many of these have really been romances in the ‘classic’ sense? How many of these involve two ‘out’ protagonists simply falling in love? How many focus on the ordinary, every day challenges of a developing relationship without any of the internal and external conflict associated with the couple being gay?
Well?
Let me put something else to you…
Of all the so-called classic romance stories you’ve read in the m/m genre, how many of those books were written by female authors? How many were written by male authors? How many by authors who identify as GQ/T*?
It makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
It also reminds me of a situation in which Sean Kennedy and I find ourselves.
In a nutshell, there are some in this community who believe Sean and I are one in the same person. In other words, Sean Kennedy is apparently the pseudonym I use for publishing my work and, yes, I’m well aware of the irony.
When asked why people perceive this, one of the main responses is 'that his work is too romantic'.
'Too romantic'? The fuck?? Are these people suggesting a gay author can’t write ‘real’ romance? Because that’s what it sure as hell sounds like to me.
It was this, together with my conversations with Sunita and John, which got me wondering about what others thought.
So?? Who do you think the true romantics of the m/m genre are?
ETA:
Hmmm. I'm wondering if I was too ambiguous with my question as some of you seem to think I was asking about romance and authors in a general sense.
To clarify, what I attempted to ask was if, based on your reading experience, who are the authors who write the 'best' romance tales in the m/m genre? Is it women, men, GQ/T* people? Who?
I'm putting this to you as I believe the notion a particular gender or sexuality can write more romantically is something that needs challenging and having open discussion about, hence the example of the situation in which Sean and I find ourselves.
BTW, this is something entirely different to saying Sean and I are the perfect examples for a guy who is romantic and a chick who not. While this may be true in the broad sense, I'm sure I should be vaguely offended at everyone saying I'm not. Rude bastards??
In 140 characters or less, we’ve shared thoughts on a number of issues. Such was my interest that I begged and pleaded with them to let me post about some of the topics here. They agreed. Naturally.
One of the first things I’d like to talk about is the theme of romance in the m/m genre. No, I’m not kidding. Stick with me here.
We’ve all read our fair share of m/m romance certainly; however, how many of these have really been romances in the ‘classic’ sense? How many of these involve two ‘out’ protagonists simply falling in love? How many focus on the ordinary, every day challenges of a developing relationship without any of the internal and external conflict associated with the couple being gay?
Well?
Let me put something else to you…
Of all the so-called classic romance stories you’ve read in the m/m genre, how many of those books were written by female authors? How many were written by male authors? How many by authors who identify as GQ/T*?
It makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
It also reminds me of a situation in which Sean Kennedy and I find ourselves.
In a nutshell, there are some in this community who believe Sean and I are one in the same person. In other words, Sean Kennedy is apparently the pseudonym I use for publishing my work and, yes, I’m well aware of the irony.
When asked why people perceive this, one of the main responses is 'that his work is too romantic'.
'Too romantic'? The fuck?? Are these people suggesting a gay author can’t write ‘real’ romance? Because that’s what it sure as hell sounds like to me.
It was this, together with my conversations with Sunita and John, which got me wondering about what others thought.
So?? Who do you think the true romantics of the m/m genre are?
ETA:
Hmmm. I'm wondering if I was too ambiguous with my question as some of you seem to think I was asking about romance and authors in a general sense.
To clarify, what I attempted to ask was if, based on your reading experience, who are the authors who write the 'best' romance tales in the m/m genre? Is it women, men, GQ/T* people? Who?
I'm putting this to you as I believe the notion a particular gender or sexuality can write more romantically is something that needs challenging and having open discussion about, hence the example of the situation in which Sean and I find ourselves.
BTW, this is something entirely different to saying Sean and I are the perfect examples for a guy who is romantic and a chick who not. While this may be true in the broad sense, I'm sure I should be vaguely offended at everyone saying I'm not. Rude bastards??
