--CONTEST ALERT!--
As a straight, long-time married woman, I confess I’ve never had a yen to read male/male erotic romances, nor the inclination to write them. Maybe that’s because I grew up around the theatre—in a world that included my parents’ gay male friends and protégés. In my twenties, I lived in a gay community in the city, and later owned a business with a large gay clientele. Our circle was passionate about the theatre, books and art and we talked endlessly about those interests. As adults, we chatted and joked about sex too, but rarely exchanged the intimate details of our personal lives. I dated my men and they dated theirs, and that was that.
As a straight, long-time married woman, I confess I’ve never had a yen to read male/male erotic romances, nor the inclination to write them. Maybe that’s because I grew up around the theatre—in a world that included my parents’ gay male friends and protégés. In my twenties, I lived in a gay community in the city, and later owned a business with a large gay clientele. Our circle was passionate about the theatre, books and art and we talked endlessly about those interests. As adults, we chatted and joked about sex too, but rarely exchanged the intimate details of our personal lives. I dated my men and they dated theirs, and that was that.
To this day, I cannot form gay male characters in my head without conjuring real images of old friends and acquaintances. Creating male/male erotic stories would be like trying to imagine my brothers naked. No can do.
When I accepted the challenge to write lesbian vampire erotic fiction for the upcoming GIRLS WHO BITE anthology, a different set of issues emerged. What did I know about the lesbian lifestyle? Only what I’d read or imagined. While I’ve had a great deal of contact with gay men, I’ve had little contact with gay women. What qualified me to write a lesbian tale? Could I create a convincing story? Should straights write gay?
As I plotted “The Crystal Altar” I discovered the answers. Apart from the sex scene choreography, story construction remained the same. In fiction, richly detailed characters convey emotions shared by all people. Everyone on earth has the need for connection. It’s the universal experience that binds us.
Once I was no longer intimidated by the same sex challenge, the writing flowed. “The Crystal Altar” short story, and my protagonists Morgan and Rosa, sprang to life. Their labels fell away. My heroines became two people with the same problems everyone in love faces. They also just happen to encounter vampires while resolving their relationship issues. Their fight for survival ultimately delivers their Happily Ever After.
Writing “The Crystal Altar” was, by far, the most fun I’ve had writing erotic romance. Who knew? I really hope that men and women, gay and straight, will be open to reading the GIRLS WHO BITE anthology, edited by Delilah Devlin for Cleis Press. The book releases September 13, 2011. This author sure had a blast with her story. Next challenge, lesbian shapeshifters!
Okay, so here's my question--primarily for straight women, but I'd like to hear from everyone. Will girl on girl erotic romance find a supportive mainstream audience like the male/male market has? Publishers are watching the trends and waiting for reader response. What do you say? Be honest. There is no right or wrong answer.
The person who provides the answer that stikes my fancy will win a FREE download of my contemporary erotic romance DESERT FEVER. An excerpt can be found at www.adeledubois.com/
Thanks for reading and playing!
Best--Adele Dubois
Okay, so here's my question--primarily for straight women, but I'd like to hear from everyone. Will girl on girl erotic romance find a supportive mainstream audience like the male/male market has? Publishers are watching the trends and waiting for reader response. What do you say? Be honest. There is no right or wrong answer.
The person who provides the answer that stikes my fancy will win a FREE download of my contemporary erotic romance DESERT FEVER. An excerpt can be found at www.adeledubois.com/
Thanks for reading and playing!
Best--Adele Dubois
"The Crystal Altar" by Adele Dubois
An ancient crystalline cavern becomes the setting for a most unusual birthday party...
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