Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Just how far is TOO far?

A rambling on the prejudice of close-minded people -

Sure, I'm probably going to get some backlash for this post. Hey, everyone's entitled to an opinion. Feel free to express yours in the comments. I promise I won't yell, berate, or even take it personally. After all, I'm a professional, and I will thank you for just commenting.  That being said ~

Those who frequent here often, know that I write romance. From sweet contemporary to flowery language. I'm what you would call a level 1-2 heat romance writer. That's just my personal comfort zone in writing.

Many of my friends write much higher heat levels, and they are good at what they do! I absolutely LOVE reading their work, but deep inside I know that it is not in my comfort zone. So, I leave it to my expert friends.

On one of my publisher's author sites, I saw a post from a man who had just released his first book about a month ago. He writes a pretty solid level four heat, but has been recently discouraged on writing anymore. His book is awesome! Well thought out plot and intriguing characters had me turning through it quickly. However, he has received some HEAVY discouragement just because he is a MAN!

I don't understand. Really people! "Women write Romance, Men write Crime." In all bluntness, may I just say... "Bull Shit!" One of the most noted romance writers of our time right now is Nicholas Sparks. I mean who hasn't seen his books turn into blockbuster movies for more than 10 years.

The age old thought that "mean can't show their softer side because it shows their weaknesses" was said by a MAN! WOMEN love to see a man with emotion. We want to know that he actually does care about something, and sometimes saying words are simply not enough.

I guess I get so worked up, because as a women I have spent most of my life trying to change the image people stereotyped me as. I wrestled in high school. (Yep. I did that! The only girl on the team.) I joined the Navy and was billeted as the 10th female to graduate the Sonar ITASS Pipeline. (When I was placed on a ship, I was the only female on the team for Sonar). When I went back to get my college degree, I chose teaching. Yes a mostly female profession. But, I chose Middle School! Out of our 113 teaching degrees given out that year, only 17 of us were Middle School Certified.

People have the right to live the lives they want to lead. They have a right to be happy. If a man wants to write romance, he should! If a woman wants to be the next big Sci-fi writer, I say go for it!

If it's not hurting you, who are you to say anything to hurt them? If you don't like the fact that a man wrote it, don't buy it. But also, don't go around slandering his name. As authors we write for the love of it. If you haven't heard of us, it's because we make only small amounts from our writing. We do it to TELL a story. If you don't want to HEAR the story, please have the courtesy to be quite, so others may enjoy it.

Lisa  

8 comments:

  1. i agree with everything said here. My kink might not be yours, nor do i ask you to condone it. However if it is legal ( and it is) and doesn't affect you, why does it upset you? No one says you have to read what I write. You have a choice, as I have to write what I do...
    jumps off soap box

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Raven, and I appreciate your view. That being said, I absolutely ADORE your books :-) Different from mine, but wonderful!

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    2. Aren't her books gorgeous!! I have one I want to finish, and can't get any peace to do it in!! I keep thinking of the characters and want to know what happens next :) It's getting to the point I may have to go to town to get my space (husband has day off tomorrow and that is my plan :D) to read lol All of us write different heats/styles. To date, for BP, I've written, paranormal, shifters and vampyres, sci-fi, a thriller, and a contemporary erotica. I admit the latter was beyond my normal comfort zone, but was a challenge and I'm glad I did it :) Probably won't again, as I now have two series I need to bump (one in Crimson antho has been well received and I have a series planned LOL) and it's not my favorite to write or read...but I love reading others that are written well. Thanks for doing this post. I'm waiting to cool off, then I'm planning on doing one of my own :D

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    3. Leona, I have a vampire short that I'm thinking of subbing for the new Crimson Antho. It is a level 4 probably, maybe a 5. It has made me grow as a writer, that's for sure. Since the call's not over until Aug, I have some time to tweak it. Congrats on the series!

      Waiting to read your post!
      Lisa

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  2. I don't care what the gender of the author is. Just write it and write it well. It's the story that matters, not the dangly bit, or lack there of when writing a genre.

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    1. Thanks Kastil! I completely agree. The story is what matters, no matter what the medium is. Art, Movies, or Writing.

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  3. Well said Lisa. Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite writers and I would never make a comment about his gender. It seriously does not matter. What matters is the story and the authors ability to wrap the reader in its world. Enough said.

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by, Ann. And thanks for commenting. Another author that comes to mind is G.R.R.Martin. The writer of the Fire and Ice series (Game of Thrones). Though it is technically considered fantasy, his intimate relationships are well written, and actually drive a large part of his plot. Amazing story teller!

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