I’m participating in the Rainbow Book Reviews Blog Hop 24-26 August, and for it participants are to write a post along the lines of ‘What Writing GLBTQ Literature Means to Me.’ Personally, I always add “P” to that configuration, as in “GLBTQP,”because I feel that the polyamorous lifestyle isn’t regarded, still marginalized in both mainstream and queer populations, despite that for many it is indeed an orientation. It’s a pride thing.
House rules aside, to me writing shades of queer literature isn’t just about what label you choose to go with, or how you differentiate yourself. It’s the ultimate embracing of All Things. It’s the closest expression, at a purely people level, of an animistic worldview, which for this erotica writer can only mean–soulsexual.
Animism is the awareness that all things have a soul, that all souls are equal and interconnected, thus they can communicate with each other. Does sexual orientation imply a certain spirituality? No, I’m sure for many it doesn’t, although for me it does. I’ve often referred to myself as soulsexual, attraction to a soul rather than a person. In terms of writing, this orientation is the ultimate open and unbridled exploration of relationships. There are absolutely no limits.
Sometimes this degree of openness is too much for the mainstream fiction reader, because the tropes many romance writers hang their hats on no longer hold up under this orientation. With soulsexuality there doesn’t have to be a jealous love triangle. Affairs don’t have to happen. There doesn’t have to be a possessive mate. Erotica writers don’t tend to fall into those relationship traps, employing unbridled sexual expression to suspend the necessary coddling of feelings or taking of moral high ground.
Generally speaking, though, we’ve been conditioned not just artistically, but socially and culturally to believe that these dramas must be components of relationships. As a result, we expect them to be part of our literary entertainment. In fact, most readers enjoy these tropes becauseof the drama they inflict.
Does that have to mean all characters are hunky-dory, perfectly well-adjusted, and on Stepford Prozac? Not at all. There’s still plenty of drama to be had in relationships based on attraction beyond the form. What if drama was moved by the plot, not the interpersonal dynamics? What if relationships could still be smoking ,and tested in the mettle of day-to-day theatrics based on characters’ lives, skills, circumstances, rather than who they’re banging?
For me, taking away the classic relationship tropes is part of GLBTQ writing, opening an entirely new horizon for creative freedom. We don’t have to write the same old power struggles and gender roles. We don’t have to create cultures wherein certain groups are marginalized. And we can still write characters across the range of perfection and flaws, as wide as we can imagine. We can invent characters and dynamics completely based on our own rules, not the ones we’ve accepted.
If you are 18 or older, comment here to be entered into a random drawing for a copy of my newly released Traveler Through Darkness, part of Decadent Publishing’s The Edge series. Check out the free Reader’s Guide, as you enjoy the story. The drawing will be 27 August, and I will contact the winner via email–so don’t forget to include how to contact you in your comment.
About Traveler Through Darkness
A lifetime of want collides with fate the night of Tarik’s bachelor party, fulfilling his deepest secret desire—only it’s not with the strippers his Arab friends hired to cater to his every whim. Uncomfortable with the debauched festivities, Tarik ducks out of the soirée, stumbling into Wo, a kind Navajo artist, who forces him to say what he really wants, then gives it to him, all night.
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Please count me in.
Fascinating post, Fierce! And I agree with you that writing GLBT romance is freeing, in the sense that you transcend the boundaries writers of het romance often find themselves constrained by. Thanks for your insight! -Shira
Interesting post and something to think about. I saw a show on this the other night and was amazed at how acceptable the parents on the show were to their children when they “came out” per se. It was refreshing to see! Thanks for sharing!
Stacey aka Coffey Brown
Here’s to stretching the boundaries!
A soul connection is definitely most important.
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
thank you for participating in this blog hop. It’s been an interesting hop for me hopping around authors learning their POV on their passion on writting GLBTQ fiction.
lohahmooi(@)hotmail(.)com
Your post was interesting,thank you.
cvsimpkins@msn.com
Hi, Fierce.
You are a new author for me but not for long. I look forward in reading your works.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
I’d like a chance to win this book please.
Sue
corieltauviqueen at yahoo dot co dot uk
I really like your addition of “P”. It gave me alot to think about. Thank you for the giveaway.
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com
I’m enjoying this blog hop and all the different answers everyone is giving to the same question. Thanks for participating 🙂
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Wonderful post! Count me in please.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Thanks, Yvette!
It’s the ultimate embracing of All Things.
This. This is what draws me to the genre, among other things. That, and as you said, the ability to move beyond some of the stereotypes and write about characters drawn to each other rather than appearances. I like concept of ‘soulsexual’ here.
Just an FYI: there may be something hinky with your permission to enter site link. I had to open and close your page several times before I could get it to work, and I know that’s enough to put some people off the attempt to leave a comment.
Hope it’s just my own PC acting up!
akasarahmadison at gmail dot com
You know, I’ve had that happen too. I’m glad you said something because I couldn’t tell. Poo. I will disable it until I find one that works more consistently. Sorry for the aggravation, and thanks for clicking Reload =)
Great to meet you!!
Terrific post, Fierce. It seems you and I have similar perspectives on why we write GLBTQ. My newest book delves into a polyamorous relationship. It takes unique individuals to make these work, but they are out in society and to my way of thinking have a lot more integrity than those of us having affairs or keeping our secrets. Many people who live the BDSM lifestyle and/or are a member of GLBTQ communities are the bravest people I’ve ever met. They live so boldly…and those of us who cower from our reality have the nerve to marginalize them. Makes me ill.
Well said, Margie. I’d love to read your new book. I’m so glad you stopped by =)
I’m happy to return the favor, and your name always gives me pause. I, too, will have to read something of yours. Please make a recommendation. The book I wrote about is Razor.
I will check it out, Margie! If you enjoy D/s erotica, check out Gigolo Seduction. If you are interested in m/m erotica, Traveler Through Darkness.
Thanks for asking, and I hope all is well with you!
Very interesting and thought provoking post! I like the term soulsexual.
Please count me in! And thanks for joining the hop!
seritzko AT verizon DOT net
Very nice post.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the intriguing post. I’m asexual, so I guess in a way it’s similar to being soulsexual. Gender isn’t really an issue for me, I date people based on what type of person they are. It’s nice to meet someone similar. Anyways, thanks for sharing!
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com