Yes, I've neglected LJ lately. Blame my day job (still training), my family (multiple birthdays in December) plus the holidays (aren't I good with excuses?). But reading a letter of opinion in my recent Romance Writers Report magazine brought me roaring back to Blogland.
I'm not going to name names (get a copy of January's RWR if you must know who wrote this), but I Googled this woman and found she's listed as an award-winning poet. So, an author herself. In her letter, she's complaining about romance novels, and how there's been a turn toward detailed sex scenes and profanity. Now, normally someone's opinion doesn't rile me enough to blog about it. Hey, diversity is a good thing, because how boring would this world be if we all thought the same? But what did rile me was two-fold:
(1) The broad-based bashing of heroines in romance novels for being, paraphrased, foul-mouthed sluts.
Her quote: "There are many writers and readers who are turned off (rather than on) by most romance books being published today...Giving heroines the language and behavior of sluts is degrading..."
Ahem. Readers are free to like/dislike whatever novel they pick up, but as romance is the Baskin Robbins of the genre world, there are a broad range of tastes eclipsed within. Much like Baskin Robbins, not every flavor of romance will please - nor should it. But that doesn't mean one type of romance novel should be ridiculed just because it's not someone's preferred flavor. Don't like erotic/profanity-laced romances? Then don't read them, there are plenty other romance novels to choose from. To imply most romances are XXX-rated (her quote: "Unfortunately, in a reflection of our society as a whole, the romance genre seems to have no middle ground...Pornography by any other name...") is insultingly incorrect.
Plus, it smacks of sexism. If a heroine uses foul language and has multiple sexual partners, she's a "slut", huh? Well, exactly how many naughty words and how many sexual partners is a heroine allowed to use/have before she becomes "degrading"? And who's supposed to police romance to make sure these "sluts" are kept out of the genre? Furthermore, it's interesting to me that this author didn't mention being offended by foul-mouthed, promiscuous heroes. After all, if you picked up a romance novel from the seventies, eighties, or nineties, you'd find there's a good chance that the hero (gasp!) was NOT a virgin. He may have even cursed some, too. But that must not have bothered this author/reader, since she's (quote) "deeply concerned by the image the RWA is now projecting." [italics mine]. So, the heroes can stay how they've always been; it's just the heroines who need to clean up their mouths and keep their coochies in their pants, because (her quote) "Isn't it time we redefined our direction?"
In a word: No. Society has, for the most part, moved past the old-fashioned double-standard of it being acceptable for a man to swear and be sexually active, but not a woman. Yes, times have changed, and the current romance genre reflects those changes. I think its versatility is one of the coolest things about romance, in fact. This doesn't mean every romance novel has a swearing, notches-on-her-belt heroine (that whole variety thing again), but it means if you do like potty-mouthed, non-virginal heroines, you can find them in romance, because we've come a long way, baby.
Then (2) her broad-based bashing of authors who write (her quote) "hot, spicy, carnal" novels.
"But are we, as American women, willing to prostitute our integrity and good taste in order to be published?"
Let me say that my novel has foul language and a detailed sex scene, but I did NOT write it that way to "prostitute" myself into getting published. I wrote it that way because that's how I saw the story. So my integrity is just fine, thank you very much. As far as good taste? That's a highly subjective matter, and shouldn't be dictated by a handful of people who want across-the-board censorship because "hot, spicy, carnal" novels offend them.
In summary, this rant isn't about just one author's complaint letter. It was inspired by that, sure, but she isn't the first (see Sarah from Smart Bitches hilarious response to a similar RWR letter HERE ) nor will she be the last writer/reader to suggest censorship in romance, with pointed emphasis on the behavior of the heroines. Her quote: "Do the heroines in our books portray the kind of women we admire?" My response: If the heroine doesn't take shit (yes, I said SHIT) from those around her, refuses to be a doormat simply on account of having a pussy versus a penis (ooh, more naughty talk!), and ends up growing emotionally while being lucky enough to find a partner who loves and respects her, then HELL YES, this is the type of woman I admire. The measure of a heroine - or any woman - shouldn't be judged by her number of sexual partners, or how many four-letter words she uses. Aren't we, as fictional and real women, worth a whole lot more than that?
Happy New Year, everyone. Rant endeth here.
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Comments
BRAVO!!!
Fucking morons.
:D
She said that like it was a bad thing? Pssh.
"Do the heroines in our books portray the kind of women we admire?"
I think the better question is would we still admire the heroines of stories who censored themselves so much to adhere to someone else's view of propriety? If the main female character is so concerned with what everyone around her thinks that she chooses not to act simply to keep up appearances, well, then she's not much of a heroine at all, is she? She's a doormat.
Kudos to you! I can't wait to read your next "hot, spicy, carnal" novel. ;)
Tho' I don't think the women in that novel really say anything bad, but they do have lots of sex and hey, at least someone is!:)
I say the eff word more times than is probably necessary, but hell it rolls of the effin' tongue!:)
effin' right! ;)
Bah!
Seriously, that's crazy talk. In your book (if I may use it as an example and if I can't too bad 'cause I'm going to use it as an example whether you like it or not so don't bother responding to this very long run-on comment contained in a pair of parenthesis), Kat only had... well, not many lovers in your book. (I don't want to spoil anything for anybody who hasn't read.) She is not a slut. She curses a bit, and I didn't really think your sex scenes were graphic (passionate and colorful, yes, graphic, no).
It's all in the eye of the reader. As it's always been. And always will be.
Plus, J, that one particular scene you went into detail with I think was totally needed to truly portray the depth that Bones really cares for Cat. Without knowing what happened that night I think, personally, I would have had a difficult time imagining the rest of the tone of their relationship, and I have a decent imagination. Besides if you had cut that scene and cleaned up what "foul" language Cat used she wouldn't have been so appealing as a heroine, and a person that I could on a somewhat of a level identify with. J, keep writing the way you've always been writing and ignore that crazy woman. If you had done something wrong with HTTG it wouldn't be as popular as it is now, nor would you have sooo many posts to your rant practically saying the same thing. You did something good, and if you ever doubt that just let us all on LJ know and we'll let you know that you're crazy to ever think that. Hope you had a good Christmas and a happy new year. :hugs:
:::pauses to giggle:::
Anyway, yea, loved the post. Nice to have your roar back round these parts. I've missed it!
People that want to dictate what everyone else should read (or believe...) drive me batshit insane to no end. I'm sorry, just because you don't like to read hot sex scenes in your romances -- and if you don't, great, whatever, I don't give a flying fuck -- doesn't mean they should be banned from the genre.
I hate sappy saccharine inspirationals. You don't hear me hollering for them to stop being published.
(just kidding)
My book has multiple partners and a dirty-mouthed heroine. I sure hope all these 'dirty sluts' that are buying books run out and buy mine.
- Dirty Slut Jill *g*
Phew! Thank fuck I'm not American - I can prostitute myself like the dirty ho' I am in order to get myself published faster. ;)
Great post, Jeaniene! Good to have you back.
Welcome back with a vengeance, Jeaniene. You've been missed.
Word!
xo
J, I'm frankly disappointed. The words 'fuck' and 'motherfucker' didn't appear enough in your rant. I have never understood why people who don't like xyz in certain genres feel compelled to make the illogical leap that every book in said genre is therefore morally corrupt and furthermore that they feel entitled to say, "Look at xyz novel! That shouldn't be done!" Fuck that. If you don't like it, don't read it. And shut up and let the rest of us watch Cat and Bones get they groove thang on!!
Edited at 2007-12-28 07:34 pm (UTC)
*cheers J*
I know one foul-mouthed ho just got her a Romantic Times nomination for Best Urban Fantasy. Take that high horse bitch!
Hells yeah!
Now let's work on YA heroines being allowed to swear...
Whoo-hoo! I knew ordering your book was a good idea!
eh, I don't think it's worth getting worked up over, some people are like this you know? I've had people lecture me on using "Jesus Christ" as a profanity in writing, and *begging pardon* "cunt", instead of any other variety of vagina description. Maybe that is a harsher word, but sometimes it does reflect the people who use it and is necessary for the writer to employ.
Society has, for the most part, moved past the old-fashioned double-standard of it being acceptable for a man to swear and be sexually active, but not a woman
see, I don't think we have, not really. This woman's rant is a reflection of that, but I'm not so sure society at large is as comfortable with the idea of women who are sexually active and women who can even be sexually aggressive. That's still "male" domain, for the most part.
Profanity and sexually active - you know, it would be a help if many YA novels were more honest and matter-of-fact about this, since teens swearing and having sex is fairly common and yet adults prefer to turn a blind eye and insist that teen books be toned down in content. That's insulting to teenagers, it was insulting to me back then and I think it's insulting today's teens even more.
Writers don't have to endorse it, but be open about its happening and possibly teens will have more to identify with. Harry Potter has a bit of a cuddle now and then; real life teenagers do way more than that at younger age than Harry does.
From teens to women, it's much the same concept really.
So, yes, I will agree with most of what you've said, but will disagree with the idea that society has mostly moved past the double standard.
Sluts and virgins - the Victorian pedestal is and has always been alive.
At least, until letters like the aforementioned one come along...ugh.
What were we talking about again?
~X
Amen!
I <3 you. If Halfway hadn't already made me a fan for life this post alone most certainly would have.
If that woman doesn't like a certain type of novel she should read it. I don't understand why she's so upset about novels. It's someone's vision, something they created and if she doesn't like it she doesn't have to read it.
P.S. Happy New Year to you, too!
I totally agree with you J, and my question would be...what kind of person hangs out with vamps anyway. In Stephanie Meyers books which are supposidly the paragon of moral behavior the heroine wants it bad. Does that make her a slut? No it makes her human. I hate that these "ranters" want some type of woman who isn't real doesn't have desires or occasional bad language. Are they all listening to Barry Manilow and Paul Anka. No they aren't , even my mom won't listen to that crap and she is 80. I say Hell yeah keep on writing the WONDERFUL STORIES about Cat and Bones. I like Spade an awful lot too!
Synde
Re- my books. Don't worry. I can't seem to un-porn them, lol.
Re- Spade. I'm trying to get my editor to let me do a book about him! Please send positive thoughts my way that I'm successful.