And does it change when the story is historical rather than contemporary? Is having a 17-year-old hero or heroine okay in a historical depending on the mores of the time period? Does the age of the other half of the pair come into play? Say, two 19-year-olds is okay, but a 19-year-old with a 30-year-old makes you uncomfortable? Does gender make a difference?
Does the plot matter? Would a BDSM story with an 18-year-old be off-putting while a sweet, traditional romance be fine?
Or does age not particularly matter at all as long as it’s a compelling, well-written romance?
6 comments:
I'm okay reading about younger characters BUT it would deter me from picking up the story if that young character was the main thrust of the plot. Just as it would if the MC was in his or her fifties or even late forties. I suppose its a matter of identifying with the characters and I feel more able and willing to do that with those in their late twenties or thirties than I do other age groups. Part of it is a wish to be that age again, I guess! So it's just my personal preference not to read Cougar type books though I would be far less likely to bypass a story where the MC or MCs were teenagers. I like historical romance and the women in those are all very young. The men not so much though.
I have read a very good BDSM story where the Dom was the much younger guy - in his late teens and I have to admit I felt uncomfortable with the age thing even though the story was very well written.
If the characters is 18 - am I okay with him/her in sexual situations?- Yes
I have no threshold but I'm not interested in stories about older MCs
Does that change when story is historical? On youth - makes no difference to me. I still don't like old characters!
Is 17 year old okay if its historical? - yes
Does age of other half matter?
two 19 year olds fine
19 and 30 yr old - fine
19 and 40 yr old - not fine
Yes - gender does matter
It shouldn't but it does!
Plot - well it depends. I don't think the issue of whether it's BDSM or a sweet romance would matter to me.
TMI??LOL
I'm asking the same question myelf on something I'm cooking up. I know the legal age is 18, but if both characters are 17-18 and don't do full penetration is that okay for them to do other stuff? Is 15-16 or 16-17 pushing the envelope?
To answer your question Kiera, I don't think age matters as long as it ties in with the story. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who wouldn't mind reading a novel with a vast age difference, but I have to admit my personal preference would be to have both MC close in age as possible. I don't think I could write anything with more than a 5-8 year gap, but I'm only just starting out. I may change my mind in the future.
Penny
Not TMI at all, Anon! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. It's always great to poke around in readers' brains. :D
if both characters are 17-18 and don't do full penetration is that okay for them to do other stuff? Is 15-16 or 16-17 pushing the envelope?
Penny, for me it depends on how explicit the book is. I wrote a YA book (under a pseudonym to separate it from my adult erotica) and the MCs (who are 18 and 19) did have sex and fooled around -- but the language and action wasn't overly explicit. (No cocks, and I just alluded to blowjobs and whatnot.)
These days in YA it's quite accepted to be realistic and have characters engage in sexual activity. I'd say the younger the are, the more you fade to black or cut from passionate kissing to the "Afterwards..."
If it's an adult book, for me the time period does make a difference. Two 16-year-olds in, say, ancient Rome wouldn't give me pause in the same way two modern 16-year-olds in an adult book definitely would.
But it totally depends on the characters and the story as well. I know there's no hard and fast answers to my questions (I certainly don't have any!), but I find the discussion really interesting. Thanks so much for commenting. :)
Keira: I personally don't have age restrictions in what I read. It really depends on how something is presented and whether or not I can identify or empathize with the character. I've read so many different things from what is considered Y.A. to…well…most anything!
Personally, I believe that because we are sexual creatures, sex and love are a natural thing at an almost any age. That having been said, I think if a minor were involved, it would have to be dealt with very delicately and carefully. Social restrictions dictate 18 be the consensual age or it would be considered taboo. Besides, most publishers do not allow stories about anyone considered a minor.
I know that in Casa Rodrigo I struggled because it took place in the mid 1600s and in reality the age of my main characters was already considered middle-age for the time. So, maybe you compromise some?
I'm actually in a similar situation myself but the opposite: how old is too old to be romantically involved and have readers still want to read the story?
I don't know that I've helped add anything to what's already been said but good luck!
I know that in Casa Rodrigo I struggled because it took place in the mid 1600s and in reality the age of my main characters was already considered middle-age for the time. So, maybe you compromise some?
Yes, I think compromise is the key. Historical accuracy is always wonderful -- but sometimes for our purposes we need to change things here or there. Call it following the spirit of the law rather than the letter.
And speaking of Casa Rodrigo, I can't wait to read it. Sounds fantastic and is on my to-buy list!
how old is too old to be romantically involved and have readers still want to read the story?
Ah, interesting! Hmm. For me, I'd probably say my limit is...50? But it always depends on plot, hook, etc.
Thanks so much for commenting, Johnny. I find these types of discussions fascinating!
Thanks to you, Keira! I find them fascinating as well. Good luck!
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