I am losing count of the number of times I have read Barthes' comment that "the author is dead"; that it is the reader that brings the text to life.
So, if one writes about a sadist, Dominant, Top and uses the vocabulary that he so often uses, either by design and intent or by way of his natural style, the reader with a kinky persuasion may take no offense; find nothing here to determine that the person is "unlikeable". He may be "challenging" or "difficult" or "frustrating". He may be "arousing" or "sexy" or "attractive" but it is certainly not a given that he is "unlikeable". And, he is "believable". He exists, for heavens sake!
But, to the non-kinky reader, she wants to read on even though she doesn't like the characters and doesn't find them believable. Well, that's saying something, isn't it?! She doesn't believe. She doesn't believe that such people exist; that such people say such things to each other and what's more she doesn't like them; at least not on this reading and knowing only this much about them.
Is there no way that a writer can write kinky-minded characters for non-kinky people?? This is my dilemma. Do I make them more polite, more attuned to the opportunities of Feminism; more accepting of society's political correct values; less "stereotypical" for the educated and presumably vanilla reader or do I put them out there to be judged as unlikeable; unbelievable? Even if I should reveal them for the complex, and very real and believable people that they are, is it too much for the vanilla mind to handle? Am I trying to do the impossible? I wrestle with these thought more than ever because you know me. I want what I want but I also want to please.
So, if one writes about a sadist, Dominant, Top and uses the vocabulary that he so often uses, either by design and intent or by way of his natural style, the reader with a kinky persuasion may take no offense; find nothing here to determine that the person is "unlikeable". He may be "challenging" or "difficult" or "frustrating". He may be "arousing" or "sexy" or "attractive" but it is certainly not a given that he is "unlikeable". And, he is "believable". He exists, for heavens sake!
But, to the non-kinky reader, she wants to read on even though she doesn't like the characters and doesn't find them believable. Well, that's saying something, isn't it?! She doesn't believe. She doesn't believe that such people exist; that such people say such things to each other and what's more she doesn't like them; at least not on this reading and knowing only this much about them.
Is there no way that a writer can write kinky-minded characters for non-kinky people?? This is my dilemma. Do I make them more polite, more attuned to the opportunities of Feminism; more accepting of society's political correct values; less "stereotypical" for the educated and presumably vanilla reader or do I put them out there to be judged as unlikeable; unbelievable? Even if I should reveal them for the complex, and very real and believable people that they are, is it too much for the vanilla mind to handle? Am I trying to do the impossible? I wrestle with these thought more than ever because you know me. I want what I want but I also want to please.
Vesta,
ReplyDeleteI am not so certain it is about writing to a particular person. Some people will believe and others will not and some "characters" are more believable than others, more likeable or vice versa.
When it comes to the kinky mind/person I have encountered flesh and blood people whom I sincerely could not take seriously, as in their life and what they do to fill it just seemed surreal even as I was witnessed to specific events. Also in the world of kinky as you know there are extremes and I have come across such individuals where I find their behaviours, their actions to be horrific and supersede what I define as kinky and the same can and has been said about the exchange I share with Master.
I have encountered conversations where people have told me they do not believe I live a kinky, D/s lifestyle. At the same time I have been told we are extreme and how we live is unbelievable and our characters are not likeable.
People will read. They will either read out of enjoyment or confusion or a combination of both. They might never like the characters or they might eventually find them attractive. They might feel anger, hurt, arousal and throughout their emotions they will either continue to read or close the novel most likely never picking it up again.
Perhaps it is not about the reader finding a character likeable or believable but more about suspending what the reader once thought and bringing to light a new idea.
Interesting topic.
~a
goodgirl: Appreciate your thoughts. In light of some feedback I got about some of my writing and the controversy and intense feelings about '50 Shades of Gray' this has got me thinking. Since my story is being told through the eyes of my heroine I need for the reader to feel a connection with her. At the moment, she doesn't present as particularly kinky but she wasn't "likeable" to the (academic) reader. (Too easily led towards the dark side, perhaps for her taste...?) She actually is likeable as a person but her behavior right now is dictated by her insecurities. Also, they both want and need each other in a way that particular reader can't relate to (and perhaps too, she doesn't approve of them). I think I need to do two things. I need to express her vulnerability more through her internal dialogue because at the moment she comes off as being 'full of herself' and I think women instinctively don't approve of that in another woman. As well, as you say, maybe I have to stop worrying about whether they like or approve but simply introduce a new way of seeing and thinking and try to forget the reader. The trouble is I am being trained to have some awareness of my reader but I resist the notion that it *must* be only someone with a kinky mind. I am still thinking about all of this but enjoyed your input, as always.
ReplyDeleteI read "50 Shades of Grey," which appears to be an attempt to write kink for vanilla people. I was disappointed that the dominant man main character was portrayed as having his kink stem from abuse he suffered as a child. As if "normal" people aren't "kinky."
ReplyDeleteSusan
Susan: I'd be interested to know if you liked anything about '50 Shades of Grey'. So many people seem to have read it but I haven't heard anyone say too much good about it. Perhaps it is that not much good is said about it amongst kinky people. I think it is rather offensive to us, that notion that 'normal people aren't kinky' but I can also understand a writer wanting to explore what sort of background might have led to certain sorts of behaviors. I have thought about writing about my current male character's background to give some idea of where his desires *might* have emanated but it is a huge gamble because you definitely don't want the reader saying, well 2 +2 = 8. If you want to have rather direct input into a woman's life - to be intimately involved with what she wears and specific things about her daily life, it does suggest a certain anal-retentive factor in his personality and a tendency towards detail, do you think? But, abuse leading to a kinky character, no, I seeing nothing appealing about that sort of extrapolation.
ReplyDeleteVesta, I did not enjoy the book. It is not well written, so the plot was not compelling. You and some other bloggers I read regularly are better writers. That being said, the book's success has shown there is definitely a market for the subject matter.
ReplyDeleteI tend to think dominance and submission are hard wired and not a result of environment. But environment can't be completely disregarded in any of our characteristics as humans.
I agree that anal-retentiveness and attention to detail are needed if the dominant is going to control all aspects of the submissive. Otherwise he would not be interested, effective or get anything out of it himself. But are those qualities hard wired or a result of environment? The endless debate of nature vs nurture.
Also, relationships are ona continuum so not every submissive wants someone who is a micro-manager, and not every dominant wants control in every little detail of life.
I think the most compelling story would be one in which the focus is how fulfilled the partners are with the dynamic, what they get out of it (along with all the salacious details we love to read) and not so much why are they who they are. Of course, you must give some background with your characters to flesh them out, so I agree it's tricky. Good luck with your writing.
Susan
Susan: Thank you for your response. I'd like to think that many people would like to read about fulfilled partners too.
ReplyDelete