Yeah, because The Mesopotamian Landowner's Conniving Nurse's Secret Baby is truly threatening to romance readers of the world. And Junction X is such a fluffy piece.
I rather enjoyed that article, even if his hangups re gay historicals show. Especially enjoyed this quote: "As you get older, you realise that's very simplistic, and that many of the relationships, many of the bonds, many of the lessons that were learned while in the closet are just as valid when you're out as they were then." - think it shows a lovely degree of self awareness.
He may have a point; historical and science fiction are two genres in which it is possible to raise issues in a context that lets a reader take a step back. As Gene Roddenberry said--I have to paraphrase because I don't remember precisely, "I can write about Vietnam, racism, nuclear weapons--but it's okay because it's set in outer space."
Look at your own Transgressions. There are maniacs out there who want to take us back to the age of superstition and witchfinders--look at the doctor who was assassinated this past week because he helped women who needed to abort horribly screwed-up pregnancies.
Religious fanatics are creepy enough in historical context--I do think they'd be worse in contemp.
I wasn't meaning any detriment to Paul, obviously - but what I do want to do a post exploring his point a bit more at some point. In my mind one of the reasons I write historical fiction is to hold up a mirror to modern society and look at how much has changed, or indeed how much hasn't. I wouldn't say that historical gets more attention though, other than Waters (who he mentions). And Waters gets the attention 1. because she's good and 2. because she gets on the telly because lesbian sex is hot to men and gay sex isn't!!! /joke in case anyone takes offence at THAT!
Oh, the article said he'd just seen a snarky review, so he was probably just snarking back at a genre other than his own. I think one of the best things that historicals do is remind readers that things run in cycles and yes, the cliche about learning from the past or repeating it is absolute stone truth.
Everything runs in cycles, come to that. Gay historicals will probably be very hot for awhile, then be eclipsed by westerns, or werewolves, or sci-fi. Everything changes.
He's probably right about lesbian stuff being more visible because so many het men get off on it--who's got the decision-making power in the media, after all? Don't even get me started on how stupid Lez4Boyz can be. It's a waste of time. At least most of us upstart females writing m/m make an attempt to write men who sound like men.
i don't think it's really fair or accurate to assume that someone would write GLB historic fiction because it can be viewed with a certain detachment, but i definitely think that people peripheral to the audience for such a genre feel more comfortable thinking of it that way. in other words, people who have no interest in the genre probably do think that way about it. people who write in that genre or read it know better. as someone else already replied, that detachment seems to echo through scifi and fantasy, also. they are "safe" for trying things on and then not having to take any responsibility for how they actually work out. but again, i think anyone who is seriously writing within those genres and intent on a career in them isn't just trying things on. they are dedicated to breaking ground in those genres. for example in terms of fantasy, i think Anne Rice was playing about with the vampire series, and it just happened to work out for her. that's just my opinion. i know she sold a bazillion books, but her presentation of the relationships seemed poised to provoke and that's all. i never took her in it to really stand any ground. am i still ontopic? =)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-06-02 10:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-02 11:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-02 12:55 pm (UTC)- think it shows a lovely degree of self awareness.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-02 10:04 pm (UTC)Look at your own Transgressions. There are maniacs out there who want to take us back to the age of superstition and witchfinders--look at the doctor who was assassinated this past week because he helped women who needed to abort horribly screwed-up pregnancies.
Religious fanatics are creepy enough in historical context--I do think they'd be worse in contemp.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-02 10:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-02 10:24 pm (UTC)Everything runs in cycles, come to that. Gay historicals will probably be very hot for awhile, then be eclipsed by westerns, or werewolves, or sci-fi. Everything changes.
He's probably right about lesbian stuff being more visible because so many het men get off on it--who's got the decision-making power in the media, after all? Don't even get me started on how stupid Lez4Boyz can be. It's a waste of time. At least most of us upstart females writing m/m make an attempt to write men who sound like men.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-02 10:29 pm (UTC)