Writing

Rainbow Snippets: Utter Chaos

Happy Saturday! It’s been a wild, wild week, and the coming ones are no quieter. It’s final performance season, with 3 concerts and 4 recitals coming up. We kicked things off with the annual Stars of Tomorrow gala. This is a showcase of local high school musicals. Below, the cast of BIG FISH back stage at the theater. My older one is on the right, wearing the fishing vest, in the first photo. My younger one is the dark-haired girl in the front row of the second one. (There’s no pic, but my older kid was also in the gala choir for the opening Hamilton-themed production number.)

In other news, I was surprised and thrilled to find out my novel Keeping the Faith is a finalist in the general fiction category for the Bisexual Book Awards. Congratulations to all the finalists!

This week’s snippet is from Keeping the Faith. Here, Micah, the main character, has gone to have dinner with his late spouse’s sister and her family.

Inside the house, it was utter chaos. Langston, the seven-year-old, was chasing Emily, his five-year-old sister, with a stick. He was wearing what looked like a graduation gown, which was so big on him he kept tripping on the hem. Emily didn’t seem bothered by it. She was giggling and playing along with whatever it was. Four-year-old Maya, the quiet one, was coloring at the kitchen table. Micah didn’t see Robbie, but chances were high that with everyone else occupied, he was up to no good. He was a wily one.

Rainbow Snippets is a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ authors, readers, and bloggers to share 6 sentences each week from a work of fiction—published or in-progress—or a book recommendation. Feel free to join in!

Identity and expression policing in romance

Books, Writing

I have a few minutes on my lunch break, so I’ll try to make this quick. I already ranted on my Facebook profile, but this is too long to put there.

If anyone wants to know why I will never again purchase MM Romance by an author I don’t know, this is why. I will also severely restrict any other reading to authors I’m familiar with elsewhere and have some trust for.

I’d just about finished up a MM Romance novel that had been recommended and was sitting on my Kindle for something like a year before I got to it. Great story, very original. Should’ve been right up my alley, since I’m not huge fan of genre romance. And it was…until.

Until.

The misogyny and bi- and trans-antagonism. This was sprinkled throughout. I can’t tell if the editor simply didn’t notice or care or if the author clung to their worn-out phrases because of “author voice.” Who knows?

There were multiple instances where the entire flow of the story was interrupted to remind readers that these are “real men” who are Not In Any Way At All Feminine. This includes breaking the momentum of a really emotional scene with a nasty comment about being “like a teenage girl.”

Because emotions are, apparently, not manly.

Like, we’re not even talking about femme expression here. We are literally saying that men showing how they feel is bad, and the reason it’s bad is that teenage girls act that way.

Fuck that.

I could do without ever having to read phrases like “behaving like a teenage girl,” “acting like a woman,” or any variation on “ew, vaginas” again. The implication is that there are certain unmanly behaviors that should not be engaged in if you are a man who has sex with men. (I hear this same shit from actual men, so they’re not off the hook. But “realism” is not a reason to include it in a romantic fantasy.)

This is every last kind of misogyny, biphobia, transphobia, and femme antagonism, and it can die a horrible, bloody death any time. There is no need. It does not improve character development or further the plot. If you cannot assure us your characters are cis men-who-love-men in some other way (oh, I don’t know, maybe by just saying they are?), then you are unimaginative.

Not only that, this is specifically disparaging to teenage girls. Listen, have you ever actually met a teenage girl? They are badass! I mean, think about all the stuff these kids have to deal with on a daily basis. I’ve spent years getting to know a number of girls during my volunteer hours for the school musicals. Let me tell you, these young women are incredible. Not one person should ever compare someone else to them as a put-down.

Listen. I can’t do anything about authors who really think so little of girls and women that they throw this stuff around, even as a “joke.” And honestly, you all know it bothers people, so use some empathy. If you’re not a gay man but you can use your imagination to come up with a believable love story about two dudes, you damn sure can use that same empathy to understand why women and girls don’t like to be used as an insult.

Oh, and this:

Queer boys and men who have been negatively told you “act like girls/women”? I see you. You are valid. You are, in fact, AWESOME. You’re not less or bad or wrong. This includes all of you who are bi, pan, fluid, or identify as another kind of multisexual.

Queer kids and adults who are exploring your gender? You rock! Welcome to the fam. Lots of us enbies are here to support you.

Allo-cis-hetero boys and men who have been told you’re not “man enough” or you’re “too girly”? Nah, you’re man enough. You do you, and be your awesome self.

Random Tuesday Book Thoughts: Representation

Books, Writing

I was scrolling through social media while sipping my coffee, and I came across an endorsement for a book. Now, this book may indeed be fantastic. It might be the very best example of its genre to come out in the last year, and I should be reading it and telling all my friends and family about it. The problem is, I can’t really tell. I have no idea what the book is about or even what genre it’s in.

The only endorsement it got was a very long list of marginalized identities (sexuality, gender, race, even religion) represented in the pages. And…that was it. No mini blurb or tags to tell me whether this was a romance or science fiction or gothic mystery. I don’t even know what age range it’s for.

Bemused, I mentioned it in a private Facebook group. I think my favorite comment was that we’re not “GLBTQ Pokemon hunters.”

Don’t get me wrong—it’s wonderful that this book has such a diverse cast. It would be great if more books had that so this one doesn’t look like some kind of anomaly. But if a book’s only selling point is the identity markers of the characters, that doesn’t pique my interest.

The other problem I had was that this book was also tagged as #OwnVoices. Now, anyone who’s been around for a little bit knows I’m a big fan of #OwnVoices books. I will yell about that until I die, probably. That’s not to say a person shouldn’t write a thing just because it’s outside that realm. But come on, you all know I champion the idea of asking ourselves why we are compelled to write outside our lane, whether we’re the best person to tell that particular story, and if similar books are being written by authors with lived experience that we might read/promote.

That said, I also don’t think #OwnVoices should be a primary selling point either. There is a big difference between wanting to be sure that marginalized voices are heard and using #OwnVoices as a marketing tool or a way to silence everyone else.

This could be a bisexual half-rooster-shifter. It’s probably not “own voices,” though. Image Description: A shirtless torso with a rooster head and a wing tattoo, on a Bi Pride background.

Look, I get it. For some of us, finding books where we see ourselves represented, especially as main characters, is an exercise in futility. Some of us give up in frustration. Others give in and write what’s popular. And some of us do our best to put our whole selves on the page, only to be told “no one” wants to read it. So yes, it’s vital that we know about books where people like us are the stars.

However, we really aren’t Marginalized Identity Pokemon hunters, and no one gets a bonus for how many they can cram into one story. There isn’t a score card for these things.

I sincerely doubt the author of the book had in mind to do anything of the sort, especially if the book is an #OwnVoices story on any of those points. Usually, “identity stuffing” is the sort of thing I see people with privilege doing, often justified with some kind of condescending savior complex (“I’m writing you a story! Be grateful!”) to accompany it. The fault for this one lies entirely with whatever marketing team thought it would be brilliant to tell us just how much representation it contains.

Moral of the story: Representation is good. #OwnVoices is good. Selling a book based on either of those, with no other information, is not.

Side note: I’m considering a career change to creating more Torso Art.

Rainbow Snippets: What’s she done now?

Books, Writing

Happy Saturday! I’m currently sitting in Tim Hortons while I wait for my older kid at yet another rehearsal. This time, he’s in the opening number (Hamilton theme!) for the local high school version of the Tony Awards, along with 5 of his cast mates.

Here’s another snippet from Ashes & Alms. Jo’s gone to see her elderly mother to talk about something regarding Jo’s adult daughter, Cindy.

Sliding into a seat across from Jo, Mom said, “What did you want to talk to me about?” She reached for the milk.

To give herself something to do, Jo stirred her coffee even though she hadn’t put anything in it. Eventually she looked up at her mother and said, “Cindy.”

Mom’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, really. What’s she done this time?”

WIPpet Wednesday: A dance

Books, Writing

Happy Wednesday! It’s been a busy week, what with multiple performances over the weekend. We’re back to a somewhat normal schedule for a few weeks, but then spring concert/recital season starts. After that, we’re busy through June. Then I send my “baby” on a trip all the way to Texas for a few days.

I’m still working on and off in Minuet, though I’m also doing multiple editing projects, putting together an anthology, curating a book list, and writing a short story for a submission. I don’t have a lot of time for Mack and the gang.

Still, I’m snipping from Minuet again this week. Last time, Jomari agreed to stay for a bit. Now he and Mack are left alone at their table. Let’s see what happens.

WIPmath: 4/18/2018 = 4 + 1 + 8 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 8 = 24 sentences

There wasn’t time for more conversation. The band started another song, and they were loud enough it was hard to hear. Nate tapped Mack’s shoulder and motioned he was going to the bar area, away from the stage where it was somewhat quieter. Mack nodded and watched him go.

He was left alone with Jomari. Being abandoned with a sexy stranger wasn’t a bad thing. Mack could work with that as long as it wasn’t too awkward for Jomari. He brushed Jomari’s hand with the back of his own. There were dozens of ways to make his interest clear. He only had to pick one.

Before Mack could say anything, Jomari asked, “You want to go dance?” He practically had to shout it in Mack’s ear. God, these fools were loud.

“I don’t really—” Mack caught the heated, flirtatious look in Jomari’s eyes. “Yeah, all right.” It beat sitting there wishing the band would turn down the volume so they could talk.

There were a lot of people in the small area, which meant they were closer than they might have been otherwise. Mack couldn’t have said later what happened, exactly. One minute they were simply dancing, and the next they were fully in each other’s personal space. All around them, there were people pressing in, forcing them into tight contact.

It wasn’t any hardship. The heat and the rhythm of the other bodies swelled as the band switched to a slower, sensual song. Maybe this was exactly what Mack needed to get his mind off everything—a crowded bar, ear-shattering music, and a sexy dance partner. He sank into the beat, letting his worries fade.

Like what you read? Be sure to check out the other entries and add your own. Just post a bit of your WIP, connect it to the date, and link up with us. Many thanks to Emily Wrayburn for giving us this space. Happy reading and writing!

WIPpet Wednesday: A little warm in here

Books, Writing

Happy Wednesday! I’ve got my girl home today because it’s state testing and we opted her out.

I haven’t written much in Minuet for a while because I’m working on other stuff. I know I need to get a move on, but I’ve had projects with actual deadlines. I finished and sent off a flash fiction, and now I’m working on a short story.

I’m still snipping from Minuet, since it’s what I have the most written in. Last time, Mack got a closer look at Jomari. This week, it’s clear they’re on the same page.

WIPmath: 4/11/2018 = 4 + 1 + 1 = 6 paragraphs.

Jomari grinned. “Nice to meet you.” He had a great voice, a high baritone that was smooth as silk. Mack was already warming up, and the temperature rose higher still when Jomari turned his gaze on Mack. He lifted both one eyebrow and the corner of his mouth. Even with his attempt at looking casually amused, Mack didn’t miss it when his eyes traveled downward and then back up, flickering with interest.

Nate and Trevor didn’t miss it either, and they exchanged a significant glance. Nate tipped his head when he caught Cian’s attention, and there was some subtle understanding that passed between them. It clicked. Mack was no fool; this was as intentional as everyone’s showing up to check in with Cian.

More interesting still was how Jomari rendered Nate’s and Trevor’s pleasantries into ASL for Cian. Not, perhaps, as smoothly as Jamie would’ve, but certainly well enough for the brief exchange.

“I have to go,” Cian said. “You know how it is in this place.” He gestured to his hearing aids. The unspoken without Jamie hung in the air. Jomari clearly could’ve assisted their communication, but it made a convenient cover.

Mack licked his lips. “How about you?” he asked Jomari. “Feel like sticking around for a bit?”

“I could do that.” The hinting smile again.

Rainbow Snippets: Utter Chaos

Identity and expression policing in romance

Random Tuesday Book Thoughts: Representation

Rainbow Snippets: What’s she done now?

WIPpet Wednesday: A dance

WIPpet Wednesday: A little warm in here

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