Greek Lady, Sicilian Temple
Men are from Mars This month’s round robin topic asks if certain genres stereotype men and women? Why do I think that happens? Do I do anything to avoid it in my writing?
Certain genres do stereotype men and women. There are classic preconceptions and romance literature is certainly the place you’re going to find masculine men and feminine women. But, you’re not going to find men who are masculine in the way that military commanders in a buddy movie are masculine, because romance literature is aimed at a female readership. Yes, I know…
So why does it, sexual stereotyping, happen in romance literature? Because it’s in the nature of the beast. Most men want to protect ‘their’ woman and most women want to be cocooned by ‘their’ man – at least through the honeymoon period.
Do I do anything to avoid it in my writing? I think so, but within the boundaries of what my readers expect.
So if you’re aiming at a female readership, then the masculinity is fine-tuned. I write regency-style historical romance and I love the battle-of-the-sexes banter that is a characteristic of that genre.
London Girl
I like to have my H & H verbally sparring when together on the page. At the same time, the regency period was renowned for its vulgarity. You only have to study a few of the political cartoons of the period to pick that up. So the men, when in male company were probably a lot less refined than they are portrayed in the drawing-rooms of the novels.
It’s also the case, that I enjoy allowing my female characters to kick over the traces a bit. I like to use the challenge of getting into their contemporary mores, but I also like to have them straining ahead to a time we might recognise as coming.
Bella, in Bella’s Betrothal, is very interested in the layout and content of gardens. many women in the later nineteenth and early twentieth century became recognised and successful gardeners.
Daisy, in Daisy’s Dilemma, is hopelessly confused. Growing up as the pampered and highly privileged daughter of an earl, she struggles to understand why her new sister-in-law, with her interest in educating the masses, makes her so uncomfortable. Could there be something out there she doesn’t yet understand?
Equally, their heroes must be made to rise to the challenge of an equal mate. How do Tobias, Charles and Reuben temper their arrogance, their assertiveness and their testosterone? The books are all available for your trusty e-readers. I really hope you’ll enjoy finding out. Other writers are blogging about this topic today, too. I’m followed by the lovely Skye Skye Taylor http://skye-writer.com/blogging_at_the_beach but you can also visit the others from their links, below. thanks for dropping in, Anne
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Connie Vines http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Anne Stenhouse https://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Skye Taylor http://skye-writer.com/blogging_at_the_beach
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Helena Fairfax http://helenafairfax.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/
Novels Now 