I have “started my debut novel” a million times. I have have started too many novels to count, too many ideas, too many projects. I have written over 50,000 words in a single draft, I make decent progress. But I want to be able to PUBLISH a book, damnit! I want to finish a project, edit it, and get through the whole process, even if its just to say I did it.
This particular novel is a part of my pursuit to write the Great (Lesbian) American Novel. I have some . . . beef with a lot of lesbian books published recently. I find that there’s a lack of conflict that brings interesting plot within lesbian romance, at least traditionally published lesbian romance. I believe this is because women and female characters are given less grace to act human, act real, make mistakes. Behave the way men (and women, occasionally) act in straight romance (or even MM romance).
Even in straight romance, if a woman behaves questionably, or makes mistakes, it can still be chalked up to the man somehow. Like the man drove her to act that way. We as a society have lower expectations of men, and generally accept their poor behavior, even in romantic settings. At the very least, it brings interesting plot, and engaging media.
When women in a romance that lacks a male figure (FF romance) behave questionably, are morally gray, do or say something unsavory, or even make a simple mistake, they are labeled as toxic. They are held to a higher standard then men, and are judged. It’s not a secret women hold each other to high standards, and judge each other. The same way a woman will stay with her shitty, jackass, lazy, cheating, emotionally abusive boyfriend forever, but end a meaningful friendship with a well adjusted woman over a misunderstanding or mistake. I think this same phenomenon applies to how readers, mostly women (especially straight) engage with FF romance (or any FF genre) as opposed to MM and FM books.
So complex female characters in a story with no men take all of the blame, and disapoint readers who expect women to be 100% healthy and rational people at all times. No man is driving her crazy, or disappointing her, so why should she act that way? Not only are the characters labeled as toxic, but readers who enjoy the story or the characters are also labeled this way. Think about the ship “Catradora” from the cartoon, She-Ra and the Princess of Power. Two characters on opposite sides of a conflict between 2 groups of people. The characters often fight with each other throughout the seasons, because of this conflict. The show covers themes and topics like propaganda, cult like behavior, the military industrial complex, jealousy, trauma, etc. A show that covers intense topics. A piece of media should be able to cover hard topics and portray them in a real and raw way, without people assuming its a guide on how to literally live your life. It’s not the Bible. Even the Bible has some whack stuff in it, y’all.
I am a firm believer that plots, characters, themes in stories can be “bad”. Characters can be flawed and still deliver an interesting story. Characters can even be BAD people. Morally grey, or morally AWFUL. A character being written doesn’t equate to the author saying, “behave this way, I approve”. It’s just a story telling device. This should be available to female characters in stories that pass the Bechdel test.
I want real, raw, and complex female characters to be in lesbian situations. Whether it’s a romance, or a different genre with a romance subplot, or just ANY genre at all with lesbian characters. Stop trying to follow a model minority quest when writing lesbians. Stereotypes about us will exist regardless of what we do. Homophobes will judge us and treat us poorly regardless of how our representation is written. It’s okay for lesbian characters to not be perfect healthy women who communicate with each other in “Portland, Oregon Therapist” speak. I’m bored by all these healthy women who meet, go on some cute dates, get some cats, and have cottagecore picnics. God, where are the fucking freaks???? Not even in a sexual way. The cottagecore lesbian trend did some severe damage on this community. I don’t hate the cottagecore gays, but where did the bulldaggers go, man? The butch femme scene has had some resurgence recently, which gives me some hope.
Yes, we get it, we are normal people with normal relationships. We live in cities, we go to the grocery store, we have families, we have pets. We can be in a nuclear family just like y’all, see! Let us legally marry so we can see each other in the hospital during emergencies!
I get it, I get the urge to only write us in a certain light. And I’m happy that the meek familial lesbians get their vibe on screen. I just want more! I don’t care how straight republicans see me. Or straight democrats. I want dykey shit. If anything, its entertaining! I don’t believe people wouldn’t enjoy it, eat it up. I think there is value in something different, and unique. Tropes from straight romance don’t always translate as interestingly to lesbian couples. Lesbians have their own tropes, stereotypes within the community, etc. I’d like to see it.
That being said, I think a lot of lesbian books, especially romance, that is traditionally published is only written for the marketability. What are the tropes? What identities, specifically can we flaunt about this? Is it #enemiestolovers? How can we advertise this? Now, this applies to most romance published these days. It’s very trope heavy, and its all a bit cookie cutter. #Enemiestolovers #grumpysunshine #fakedating. You get the idea. Slap on a Canva esc cartoon style cover and sprayed edges and you’re golden. If you can add the fact that it is #lesbian representation, it gets you some points.
This means, generally, that stories are being written to sell and make everyone money, rather than stories with a “why” being told for a purpose. Stories aren’t coming from the heart, or even passion. There is nothing wrong with a book about love for the sake of love. That is deep enough, I’m not one to say romance isn’t proper reading. But I want to feel the love you have for storytelling, for writing, for reading, for your craft, your characters, your audience. I don’t want to see flat, soulless characters boning because you love book deals and cash. Just as food made with love genuinely tastes better (because more time, attention, and detail goes into it), stories told with love and respect for stories are better to read.
If you’re a lesbian and you love storytelling and writing, please write something. The world needs more of it. Disregard if you have money-making tropes that can be slapped on advertisements. Disregard how appealing your characters are to anyone. Disregard how their actions might be micro analyzed. Tell the story on your heart how YOU want to tell it. For the love of god. Please. May the lesbians be free.
I hope that I am able to walk the talk, but for now, I just need to get a first draft out. If all goes to plan, I hope for my debut to be about lesbians in the Wild West, in the 1800’s. It includes some cryptid creatures / urban legends, fantasy elements, banjos, climate change, and a long journey ahead.
Good luck writing, lesbians.
-brianna kaye.
