I’ve been a reader for far longer than I’ve been a writer. I have my idols, authors who I’ve followed avidly, stalked bookstores for their books, and dreamt of someday meeting. One of them is Karen Robards. I have a postcard from her that is almost 20 years old because I wrote her a fan letter years and years ago. So imagine how I felt when I saw this on her facebook page.
“what I find most disturbing about FIFTY SHADES is that it will probably spawn dozens of imitators. The thought of going from a reading world all but taken over by vampires to one filled with Doms and Subs makes me what to hang up my e-reader.”
Ofcourse I could ignore it, and just decide to never buy her books again, but I had to reply. Speaking my peace has never been a problem for me. Let me stress here I do not agree with attacking someone for speaking their mind. It’s not personal. I firmly believe in people being able to voice their thoughts and opinions, to agree or not, but it should always be done respectfully, and never as a personal attack.
My reply:
As an author who’s been writing stories with BDSM elements for almost 10 years I don’t think that’s something you need to fear. Every genre goes through the cycle of popularity at some point or another. BDSM as a sub-genre has been around for decades, just like vampire stories had been around before Twilight became a hit. And even if it does spawn a bunch more BDSM stories, I wouldn’t worry about it, after all, there’s millions and millions of readers out there. As much as I wasn’t a fan of the 50 Shades stories personally, I’m thrilled to see that more and more readers are becoming open to the genre. Maybe now they won’t be scared off by the title of BDSM as a genre because some of the best fiction I’ve ever read is part of that genre.
Take a look at this recent post from a group blog that features some Top BDSM authors and the comments from readers who have been reading the genre for a long time. http://www.smutketeers.com/2012/05/09/bdsmapalooza/
Smutketeers » Blog Archive » BDSMapalooza!
www.smutketeers.com
BDSMapalooza!
Maybe I shouldn’t have put a link in, but it wasn’t to promote, but to help educate that this genre has been around for a long time, and has many talented authors. It’s easy to understand why some, especially writers, find the 50 Shades books hard to read, because the writing isn’t the best around. There’s no way around it. However, perfect writing does not always mean a good story. God knows if it did, I’d probably not be able to make a living as a writer because it’s a standard joke with my family and friends that I couldn’t tell you what a verb or noun was even if you held a knife to my throat. But I know people, and I love delving into characters and telling stories, and that magic is what makes readers enjoy my books. (I think, anyway.)
Anyway, back to the point. I wanted to show that the genre has been around for along time, with talented writers and storytellers and a very large fan base.
I left the conversation after that because I thought, in all honesty, her comment wasn’t that bad. I don’t think it was worded the best way, but the worry that BDSM might dominate the market for a while could be scary for someone who doesn’t write it. I mean, I’m thrilled about it because selling BDSM to my editors hasn’t always been an easy thing to do.
Then I read this….
Karen Robards OMG, people, let’s leave race and gender preference out of it. Nothing to do with it. The problem with Fifty Shades is that it sets the women’s movement back a hundred years. It is NOT all right for women to be viewed as property, to be punished, or hit. The female character’s acceptance of this behavior is what bothers me so much. I feel that if the hero hadn’t been rich, she wouldn’t have been nearly so complaisant. Do you all not feel that his money had something to do with her tolerance?
My heart broke. Really. Not because she doesn’t like BDSM and dared to speak out about it. I think that’s totally cool. To each their own, and authors need to be able to speak freely about what matters to them just as much as anyone else does. What broke my heart is that in this day and age, there are still people who think BDSM is all about abuse.
There are aspects of 50 Shades that I didn’t like (The stalking sort of thing) but it didn’t bother me as much in 50 Shades as it does in the Twilight Saga because 50 Shades is a story for adults, and adults should recognize that it’s fiction, a fantasy, and that if someone is showing up at your work, and sending you presents after you’ve tried to leave them behind, it’s not okay. It’s not romantic, it’s stalking. The Twilight Saga is for teens and such, and that it romanticizes Edward’s behavior is not okay to me, because pre-teens and teens might not be able to see it for what it is.
Yet, there was no outcry about that. No, instead there’s an outcry for a story about two adults entering into a consensual situation with activities and limits laid out openly between them.
I have no problem with anyone voicing their own opinions. I do have a problem with people thinking BDSM is based on, or is all about abuse. But if people won’t read up on BDSM because of pre-concieve notions about it, how do you educate them? It’s as simple as that.
ETA: I wanted to add that I’m still a Karen Robards fan. To me this post isn’t so much about HER, as the misconception she’s shared. It’s also not about the 50 Shades books themselves. I also want to stress again that I do not like personal attacks when someone shares an opinion, but that I do think respectful, and thoughtful, Â discussion is always a good thing.
It blows me away that this discussion is even still alive.
It was a bad book, and the BDSM was only a tiny bit of the reason. It was poorly written, not researched, and awkward.
It contained VERY little BDSM. It wasn’t a romance. It was clumsily done fan-fic. Yet, because it was fan-fic, it drew the gaze of the faux-media, the ditz-brigade commentators who think James invented a new genre.
Now all people who write erotica, understand BDSM or other alternative lifestyles, and know what they are doing are answering for a woman WAY too old to be a “Twihard” (her words). They are lauding a book written by a woman who confesses the writing “was not great” (her words). They are wallowing in guilt for being titillated rather than exploring decent alternatives.
What’s unforgivable, for me, is that this same mass of women spreading the misinformation will, indeed, set sexual liberty back at a time when our president has, at long last, acknowledged gay rights publicly.
One step forward, several staggering lurches back. 🙁
To me it’s not so much about the books, but like you said, about the spreading of misinformation. I don’t think it’s my job to educate people beyond ensuring what I write is right, but sometimes I can’t help but speak up. LOL
Sasha, first of all, sympathies for reading such a heartbreaking post from one of your favorite authors.
I do not personally read BDSM, but I follow you on Genreatity.net, and I adore your posts. I have a great deal of respect for you as an author, even though I don’t read the genre. However, after watching you conduct yourself with as much respect and friendliness as you do, I’m considering trying out one of your books. ïŠ
Anyway, I think misconceptions occur in nearly every genre and subgenre. BDSM is simply, perhaps, a more obvious example at the moment. When I was in college, I took a class on YA literature. It was lots of fun, and I really liked my professor. But when we got to fantasy, she dismissed fantasy of any sort as inferior to realistic fiction. Fantasy, in her book, was any story that did not take place in the real world and included elements that could not truly occur, like even one touch of magic. As a huge fan of anything speculative, whether it’s romance, SF, or whatever, I was crushed. I realized that most professors in the department felt that way, and almost no one was willing to consider the merit in works that weren’t strictly literary.
Some of the best allegories and deepest insights into humanity have come from genre fiction, and it saddens me that genre fiction is shunned as inferior when it has so much to offer. I imagine your struggles with the misconceptions around BDSM are similar. One way or another, sadly, I think it might be human nature that we judge what we do not understand and condemn what makes us uncomfortable or challenges our views. I’m afraid it will be a battle we fight to the end of days.
Good for you for respectfully standing up for your subgenre and belief. It is that sort of conduct which helps any subgenre or misunderstood group or belief most.
A little piece of my soul just died reading that too. The thing about 50 shades that *I* worry about is that it will spawn more bad or inaccurate writing about kink. BDSM is at its core, about consent and mutual pleasure. In 50 shades, Anna endures and quietly waits for the point when hero moves beyond that kinky stuff to accept his HEA with her. Real erotica doesn’t require either character to give up their kink–and if we start seeing a rash of books where virginal heroines cure their kinky heroes, well then I might complain. Softly. But if we get more well-written, well-edited erotica? Hot. Damn. Romance has survived the vampire years. The shifter years. The every-new-release-has-a-duke years. The first person spunky narrator chick lit series years. It’s about time erotica got its turn. And just like with Vampires et al, some great authors will come out of it, some existing authors will momentarily turn to it, and eventually something else will take its place. I do hope though that authors trying out the genre don’t use 50 shades as a handbook.
My biggest issue with 50 shades is the writing. It sucks. It’s not 1st person narrator issue either–you and Del Dryden and Megan Hart all rock first person narrators in romance w/o the issues in 50 shades. And it’s fan fiction. That’s my other big thing. I hate seeing it do well because she’s using the characters created by someone else to make big dollars. And sure, Stephanie Meyer could now buy most of Utah, but that’s the part that gets me really mad.
On my own facebook an acquaintance posted looking for more “Literary Fiction like Fifty Shades.” I posted links to the DA and Roni Loren Recomends posts and she replied “Oh I don’t read romance. Just literary & book club type books.” And immediately my post was overtaken by a slew of comments recommending Oprah type books. I know I’m going to get a few looks on the playground now b/c I read the “real deal.” (and there’s my reason for a pen name right there).
Annabeth, I agree about the spread of inaccurate BDSM stories. Not just because inaccurate stories help bred the misconceptions of what BDSM is, but because if one of those books is the first one someone picks up in an effort to give the genre a try, more than likely they’ll never pick up another, and then they’ll lose out on the good ones.
Which is why I’m so greatful for readers, bloggers and authors who are posting lists of their favorite erotic stories and authors. The more people talk about the well-done stories out there, the less likely the not-so-well done ones will get a foothold. I hope. 🙂
And honestly, I think if some of those ‘only literary’ readers where to give some romance a try they’d be shocked at how much they’d enjoy it. Romance has always had the bodice ripper stigma and no matter what happens, I’m thinking it always will. WHich is a shame, because well-done romance stories dig quite deep into characterization, motive and desires…they have all the same elements of good literature, but with a happy ending. Again, it’s about pre-concieved notions, judgements, and education.
Laura, Thank you so much for your comment, and I’m glad to see you here.
As you’ve showed, it’s always heartbreaking when something you love, be it a specific genre of fiction, a movie, or even a breed of dog (Pitbulls are not all rabid beasts) is misunderstood due to lack of knowledge or education.
Misconceptions suck. You’re 100% right that genre fiction has always had a battle there, and probably always will. I have to say, if it weren’t for some of my favorite paranormal stories it’s doubtful I’d have dug deeper into some of the classic mythological tales. Same with science fiction. Without my enjoyment of those stories, I’d be a lot less knowledgable about space and science. I’m no genius by any means, but I know a lot more now that I ever learned in school, and that’s because of genre fiction whetting my curiousity.
PS: Email me if you ‘re serious about trying one of my stories. I’ll help you start out with one I think is best suited to your personal tastes. 🙂
Sasha-thank you for posting the link to our recent BDSM-apalooza event. It was, of course, meant to be fun and to celebrate the re-release of my BDSM novel THE DARK GARDEN-which was in direct response to the popularity of the 50 Shades books. But that post was definitely meant to educate, as well, which was why I approached my favorite authors, people who I knew *get* BDSM.
So yes, I am on a bit of a mission to ensure people get at least some correct information about the dynamics of BDSM, but I no longer sweat it as much as I did when I was first published because we have to realize that this is fiction. When we’re talking erotic romance (as opposed to erotica-a whole different topic) we’re talking fantasies. Do women who read romance fiction believe that a wealthy sheik is going sweep them off their feet and take them to live in a penthouse in New York? Or any of the other many scenarios that are *fiction*? Okay-enough of this particular soap box, and thank you for allowing me a moment to blather…
I still think 50 Shades is good for those of us who write erotic romance. People who would never have read our books are reading them. My sales tell me so. So does the word of mouth-like the fact that two of my BDSM books are being read by rather conservative book club groups this month. IMO, anything that opens people’s minds is a good thing. Some folks could use the aid of a small crowbar. Just sayin’…
Eden/Eve 🙂
Hey there, Eden!
Thanks for stopping by, and Yeah, I totally get what you’re saying. And I have no problem with the 50 Shades getting so much attention. I wish it were my books, or your books, but hey, it’s bringing readers to ours, so thats goo enough for me.
Like I answered in your interviews for the Fabulous BDSM-apalooza, I’ve never really thought it my job as an author to educate people. Same as a few years ago when so many people where worried about should or shouldn’t their characters being using condoms- it’s not my job to educate people on safe sex habits. If they’re old enough to be reading my books, they should already know that in reality safe sex habits are essential to their well-being. I guess I just never really realized just how misunderstood some things are. I expect the occasional fanatic to send a ranty email or blog post about how all erotic authors are demon-spawn spreading sin…I just don’t really expect people who I think are sane and rational to be so close minded.
I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but what can I say, I’m Canadian, I think everyone in the world is nice and open and honest. *snort*
Thanks for voicing your thoughts. I agree that people are so uneducated about BDSM. It is consenting adults. For someone to say it sets women back 100 years is ludicrous. If anything, it shows that women are finally speaking up, asking for what they want or need sexually. Personally..I’d love a Grey. I am in such control in all aspects of my life that it would be a joy for someone to wait on me hand and foot..take care of all my needs. SIGH! Keep up the great work!! It’s about time this genre gets a good vote!
Sasha, well said. I also saw Karen Robards’ comments on her Facebook page and was most appalled that she thought this set back the women’s movement. What part of consensual and CHOICE did she not understand about BDSM? Of course, if she got her education on the subject from “Fifty Shades,” well, then, I guess I can understand where she’s coming from. But I have a women’s studies minor with my bachelor’s and I love this genre and the women in the lifestyle because they are CHOOSING to be who they are, regardless of what society tells them a woman should be. Housewife, business executive, nurse, teacher, I don’t care what career my reader has, but many of them embrace this as their choice to express their sexuality (whether Top or bottom) and I think that’s fantastic. THAT is what the women’s movement set out to do, not turn us all into a bunch of brow-beating bitches. If a woman chooses to be submissive, then that’s fine–as long as it’s her choice.
As for the spawn of “Fifty Shades,” well, it’s already started. But as you said, the genre has been around for a long time. I only delved into it last year as a writer, but have been reading it for years. It speaks to me as a writer in a way no other subgenre has–because I love the communication and negotiation involved in these relationships and how important trust is. Sure, all relationships need those elements, but how many really do? In this lifestyle, they had better be there, or how can it be safe, sane, and consensual? (Yeah, I know there are those who practice and who write dubious consent and risk-aware scenes, but I prefer the SSC ones myself.) Too many abuse triggers with the others.
Now back to writing my latest erotic romance! There may not be much sex in it (incest survivor for a heroine and she is NOT ready for sex), but, by God, there will be consensual sadomasochism! lol
Kally
kallypsomasters.com