Reading is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. People of all ages, races, religions and nationalities love a good book. Romance is one of the most popular genres catering to men and women alike. Typically, the genre has been dominated by Heterosexual Fiction.
In the past couple years, LGBT fiction has been made popular by market demand. With a quick google search, you can find multiple wonderful Gay Novels to sate your need for same love romance between two men. If you’re a woman, who happens to like other women, it’s much harder to find a good book.
Here are seven reasons why you should not only read a lesbian novel but write one!
1. UNIQUE PROSPECTIVE! BETTER ADVENTURES!
 |
| Originally posted by brightindie |
One of the best things about reading is slipping into another life, and enjoying a new adventure. Lesbian romance and lesbian novels, in general, come with tons of lives to explore and adventure that you can’t find in a straight or gay book. The prospective is unique to the genre.
For example, two women in a relationship are going to far more understand when it comes to aspects of life that a male partner might not understand or be totally comfortable with. P.M.S, cramps, and menstrual cycles are a common occurrence. Dealing with those real life problems as a writer is refreshing. Reading about them can just be down right hilarious.
2. FIGHT THE STIGMA! SAVE THE WORLD!
 |
| Originally posted by extraordinarycomics |
Have you ever passed over a book in a bookstore because you were worried about what the casher might think? Have you ever read a really great book and wanted to gush about it to your friends and family only to hold back because what they would think? Most people have. Now, imagine how much worse that is for women who just want to enjoy a good book about two women who may or may not intend to enjoy each other.
LGBT Romance is becoming more accepted throughout the world, but it’s still considered taboo in a lot of places. By buying a lesbian book, or any LGBT book for that matter, you’re supporting and helping to fight the stigma surrounding a diverse community of people.
When you sit in public with a good lesbian novel, you’re encouraging society to change it’s views and sending a clear message to publishers. When you write a lesbian novel, you are giving to an underserved community full of people desperate to connect with people they can identify with on a deeper level.
We need more LGBT novels. Books connect us to the people and world around us in a way movies and music cannot and do not do. If you’re not reading or writing a lesbian book, you’re missing out on a potential connection with something great! Don’t deprive yourself or the world.
3. YOU’VE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE!
Why not read a lesbian novel I ask? If we could all stand to be a little more happy, than we could all stand a little more love in our lives. Reading a lesbian novel, rather it be strictly romance, fantasy, adventure, thriller, horror, or mystery, will expand your horizons. It’s a fact the more you read, the more you know. Reading can also make you more empathetic.
When you are reading or writing about something outside of your normal genre, you become exposed to a whole new position in life. Learning about people you aren’t familiar with makes it so much easier to identify with them. If reading a good book that happens to be about lesbians helps you understand a group of people better, why not do it?
Maybe in the process, you’ll find that you stopped reading the book you chose as a way to understand people and more because it's just a damn good book. If there is nothing to lose, except ignorance, why wait?
4. FOR PLEASURE! FOR HAPPINESS! BECAUSE THERE ARE NO MEN!
 |
| Originally posted by leftwingglitter |
Reading a lesbian book can be one of the most entertaining things you do with your day. Curling up with a book in your favorite chair with your favorite drink can make the most boring of days entertaining. Only, entertainment isn’t the proper word. Pleasure, when describing the best reason to read a lesbian novel, is much more accurate.
My sister, when I called and asked her why she enjoys reading lesbian romance giggled before saying, “I don’t know. I just do.” Being the awful big sister I am, I pressed her for more details. She finally broke out with the truth of the matter. “Reading about two women touching just makes me happy.”
When I asked friend and fellow author Jane Bled, she said, “The absence of men.”
I couldn’t agree more with that statement. There is something fulfilling about reading about strong women loving another woman without a man present. It’s not just entertaining to read about two women finding love and happiness with each other, it’s joyful. It’s pleasant.
To repeat my sister once more, “It gives me happiness.”
5. THE GIRL SEX! OR TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW. WHICH EVER MAKES YOU MORE COMFORTABLE!
Honestly, sex is actually a pretty awful reason to read or write a lesbian novel. If you’re reading a lesbian book just for the sexual encounters, I can’t imagine how disappointed you’d with me as a Lesbian Author since my women typical connect on an emotional level long before they’re connecting physically.
The sex is a reason, though. A lot of people rather they are straight or newly discovered lesbians are curious about the interactions between two women when a bed is involved. Mostly, I imagine sleep. It’s what I use my bed for seven out of ten times. But beds aren’t just for sleeping. And sex isn’t just about the physical release.
When you love someone, the sex is about more than just having a body. Intercourse is about connecting with someone on a deeper level than emotionally. A lot of emotions, such as trust, respect, and admiration, go into it as well. In a good lesbian novel, the sex is second to the emotional connection. It’s not a means to drive the plot along. That isn’t always the case, though.
In Jane Bled’s words, “It’s refreshing, and stimulating, to read a well-written story in which the strong, sexy LADY is the reason why another gal gets all hot and bothered.” I don’t think she was talking about intercourse, but the point still stands.
Erotica is a booming market. Lesbian’s like anyone enjoy a good book with sexy women and little plot. If you are curious about the sexual nature of a lesbian relationship, depending on the book you read, you can get a pretty good answer. If you happen to have some experience with women, writing about your encounter, the things you learned and know, can inspire yourself and others.
6. LESBIAN NOVELS NEVER, OKAY ALMOST NEVER, FAIL THE BECHDEL-WALLACE TEST!
 |
| Originally posted by arieloverfansite |
As a woman who writes lesbian novels, the Bechdel-Wallace Test is something I’m pretty familiar with. In my opinion, it’s something all women whether they are writers, readers or just active movie watchers should be familiar with.
The test first appeared in 1985 in a comic strip by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel titled Dykes To Watch Out For. Most often, it’s used to draw attention to gender inequality in fiction due to sexism. The guideline presented by the Bechdel-Wallace is pretty straightforward and surprisingly easy for any woman or man interested to follow.
Basically, the test asks whether a work of fiction rather it be a book or movie featuring at least two women can talk to each other about something other than men. In a lot of books and movies put forth today, a lot of women who connect only seem to connect because of the men in their lives. Relationships between women are far more complex than that. Lesbian romance proves it too!
I am sure there are lesbian books available that are full of misogyny but for the most part, you’re going to have trouble finding them. The typical lesbian book, rather it is romance or not, is going to pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test without a problem. If you’re looking for a good book about women, that is for empowering women, go lesbian. You won’t regret it!
7. CHALLENGE WHAT YOU DO KNOW!
It’s easy to think you’ve got lesbians all figured out with all the information available today. Everywhere you turn, there is another outpouring of information. Sometimes, it’s widely inaccurate. Other times, it’s surprisingly honest and true. No matter what, it’s just a fraction of the story available.
Even if you are an avid reader of lesbian fiction, there is always more to read and learn about the community. Countless lesbian memoirs are available that give an in-depth true life look into the struggle and triumph of a member of the lesbian community. Each book will give hope, and inspire in a unique way.
They touch on love, heartbreak, mental illness, the stigma within the community and a dozen other issues lesbians, and many LGBT people face today. By reading a lesbian novel, rather it be a real life account or not, you are challenging what you know. You are challenging what the world knows about you when you are willing to explore something outside of your comfort zone.
Neale Donald Walsch said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” He wasn’t wrong.
There is a shortage of Lesbian Fiction in the universe. As a writer, I am attempting to add to the pile. As a reader, I am awaiting the day when it's a big enough pile for post like this one to be unnecessary. When that day might arrive, I'll never know! Until then, I'll write and I'll read and mostly, I'll tell others to do the same.
There is a shortage of Lesbian Fiction in the universe. As a writer, I am attempting to add to the pile. As a reader, I am awaiting the day when it's a big enough pile for post like this one to be unnecessary. When that day might arrive, I'll never know! Until then, I'll write and I'll read and mostly, I'll tell others to do the same.
DISCLAIMER : This post originally appeared on Blog.Radishfiction.com titled as 7 REASONS TO READ OR WRITE LESBIAN ROMANCE. Because I have withdrawn my support from the Radish project, I am reposting 7 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ OR WRITE LESBIAN ROMANCE on my blog. All images belong to copyright holders.
No comments:
Post a Comment