Why do you write this magical stuff?

I originally wrote this article for forbiddenfruitzine.com and it appears in full on my website. However, I've edited it here for the main points of why some women may choose to write m/m fiction.

So why do you write this magical stuff?

The question deserved an answer though what caught my attention was the person asking was female and had used the word magical. I decided to explore this more fully. Yes, m/m romances do well! Strange then that not so long ago many shook their head in refusal or disbelief because they said ‘There was no market for this sort of work’. The simple question of why straight women write or read this type of literature brought forth some answers, most of which were completely unexpected. Some women could only reply that they found it arousing. That may be true but it begs the question of ‘why’. Some regularly read these works without finding it stirring. Others say it stirs their emotions only.

Most apparent is that if there are any women out there feeling awkward regarding their choice, they can rest assured they are not alone in their appreciation. I had already noted that most of these books had men who might well share intimacy with other men (sexual or otherwise) but they can be as soft or butch (I hesitate to say hard!) as the writer dictates and the reader desires. They could be gentle souls, gazing out a cruel world or have an in ‘your face, don’t mess with me or someone I love or you’ll be sorry’ attitude. So why do women read this ‘magical’ stuff?
The answers came thick and fast. Some women felt drawn to it from watching series such as Queer as Folk. In this, they often celebrated the skill of the writer. The drama drew them in as well as the characters and the obvious display of men letting go when it came to sex. Some had a favourite film star growing up who had come out of the proverbial closet later in life. Some had seen a film with a scene that affected them. Antonio Banderas seems to have something to answer for, for his ‘Pedro Almodovar’ films and Interview with a Vampire. Yet could you think of a more confident, secure image of a man. Male/male fan fic, slash art and yaoi all have their influence.

Still the reasons kept coming. Angst-ridden males seem to do well in female fiction. Although they like a happy conclusion, they don’t mind seeing their heroes suffer to get there. Some writers like to put their male characters into as sticky a situation as possible and watch them squirm, and their readers roll over in ecstasy with them. For some women, they are simply eliminating the sex that doesn’t interest them (although lesbians also read m/m books). Equally, they may enjoy male/female stories. Primarily though, they want to think about ‘men’ and it seems peculiar that in an age where men often watch girl-on-girl action and find that perfectly acceptable, they can act so negatively at the idea of males. Even if you’re not interested, why let it bother you? In this, some women write or leave these books lying around just to ‘get their own back’ on the straight guys out there. Some have gay family members or friends; they started out in this line because they wanted to write something for them.

The concept allows writers to go where they might not otherwise be able to, whether that is a character’s psyche or a representation of a physical here-to ‘male-dominated’ arena. They can also explore what some would consider ‘tasteless’ subjects if applied to female characters. It creates a new dynamic. Some see the latest female warrior type portrayed as asexual. She has to be tough and unfeeling to compete with the men. Women can be tough and still ‘feel’. They wish to equalise the playing field and create men who get as emotional and as hot and bothered as them.

There are women who have experienced negative relationships with a male member of the family. Possibly, they had a stern, unapproachable father, or one that couldn’t be present enough. In a world where women can be more openly caring -- and I don’t mean lesbians but women generally will freely kiss and hug each other hello and goodbye -- to see one man caring for another can have a deep emotional affect, particularly if the man is straight because that shows he’s secure enough not to care what others are thinking.

One of my personal favourites is that some believe that if one man is good, two is better. They see it as an opportunity to envision men doing what they do best! They want men raw, hot, sweaty, sexy, capable of tears and able to bestow tender kisses. I can hear some men crying out ‘They’re asking too much!’ Maybe that’s why they are inventing them.

Ultimately, though, they seem to agree on one thing. They want great plots, engrossing characters, and good writing. As for what I intend to write in future, I ‘intend’ to write as I always have, bridging genres, wherever my imagination takes me and my readers wish me to go. Just remember, whatever you’re writing, create your characters with care and with regards to your hero, make him suffer, make him hurt, then pick him up and cuddle him.


Sharon Maria Bidwell
aonia - where the muses live
http://www.sharonbidwell.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/aonia