We chit chat all the time about the lack of respect romance gets from outside the community.  All is not well inside the romance writing kingdom either.   Sylvia has a discussion on her blog about this problem and the backlash she’s feeling for writing what she wants to write.  This touches on some of the same points from a discussion started by Wendy  about a month ago about the erotic romance versus inspirational romance debate. 

The specific problem this time?  Well, nothing new here.  The folks on the "con" side of this argument have been unable to come up with an original thought or argument in a very long time.  Some folks who don’t read or write erotic/sexier romances have the never-ending need to tell those of us who do that what we prefer is pornography, as if by saying that we’ll all then bow our heads and ask for forgiveness for our fornicating ways.  Give me a break.  Does having sex make you a porn star?  No.  Reading and writing about it doesn’t make you a purveyor of porn either.

Bottom line?  People who don’t like erotic/sexier romance stories that go beyond hand holding or whatever else you find offensive should read something else.  That’s it.  Stop with the childish and nasty remarks about a subgenre you clearly don’t read.  And, here’s a thought, if you don’t like erotic/sexier romances, say so in a thoughtful manner and then shut the hell up about it.  What in the world is so threatening about having books out there that are different from what you like to read or write?  Brava, Black Lace, Ellora’s Cave and the others aren’t forcing 3rd graders to read their works in the classroom. 

Stop the pornography argument because you sound overly defensive and uninformed.  I didn’t say stupid but was tempted to.  You’re entitled to your opinion but at least have a reasoned argument that doesn’t depend on titillating buzz words like pornography.  Remember that others just may have a different opinion and use some respect when discussing those differences.  No one who writes sexier/erotic romances is out there boycotting inspirational and sweet romances.  What is the obsession in the opposite direction? 

There is room at the table for everyone.  Romance writing can be a spectrum, umbrella - pick whatever visual image you want.  We don’t all have to write and read the same thing.  Unless, of course, you’re looking to drive the romance industry to its knees financially.  If so, keep at it.  I can’t think of an easier way to ensure we never grow, never thrive and never exist past 2020 than to insist that all romance books have the same level of sexuality and all sound the same. If, instead, you want to act like mature adults who can get along despite having differing opinions, then stop using the insipid pornography reference and stop acting as if we’re all enemies.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 27th, 2005 at 5:35 am and is filed under About Authors, About Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.