A Delicate Matter
I’m about to begin the edits on Everything I Know, and I’m feeling…not intimidated, just…cautious. The story is about a young teacher accused — not openly, in fact, I’m not sure I ever even use the actual term — of child molestation. That’s not exactly the stuff of romance.
But one of the exciting developments in the contemporary love story is its willingness to consider and explore topics that would previously have been taboo. At the same time, the boundaries of genre must be respected. A romance has to be romantic, even when the plot catalyst is anything but.
(At least, this is true if you plan on marketing the book as a romance. Otherwise, you’re free to send your main character to prison and kill off his love interest — and why stop there? How about a nuclear explosion at a nearby power plant that takes out all the schools in its radius?)
So we have here the story of Connor Myers, a kindergarten teacher in his mid-twenties. If you haven’t worked in education, you’re probably unaware that even today there is considerable cultural bias against male teachers working with small children. It’s a shame because given the number of single parent families, having strong male role models can be a great thing for kids in their early development years. And a lot of schools recognize this. But some of these biases persist, and this is what Connor runs into.
A distraught parent, someone Connor respects and likes, says something in the heat of the moment that sets in motion a disastrous train of events. Fun stuff, right? And tricky because I don’t like writing in shades of black and white. So the Very Important Parent, Wes Callahan, is in the wrong, but not so far in the wrong that readers can’t forgive him. And Connor, though completely innocent, does walk right into it — it being disaster.
I’ll let you know how it turns out. Actually, you’ll let me know. The book should be out mid-April.
Are there any topics you, as a reader or a writer, won’t touch with a ten foot pole?
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Oh god, Josh. Guess what I have in edits? An MM story where a guy is accused of sexual assault and he’s a teacher! There the similarity ends but I would hate you to think I copied! I actually do know of a young man in one of the islands off Scotland – a music teacher – who was the victim of a smear campaign – one of his pupils put something inappropriate on FB and although he was exonerated, he ended up having to leave teaching because – as we know – mud sticks. Terrible. It’s all teachers that are vulnerable to vindictive pupils – one word out of place and your career is over.
There are NO new ideas, Barbara. It all comes down to the individual author’s handling of the possible themes and plots and characters. 🙂 It’s not a unique idea, but we will both make in unique in the way we handle it.
Sweetie!! Yes, you’re right. I think it’s a valid topic otherwise I wouldn’t have attempted it. I also agree that it has to be handled carefully with respect to those who have suffered child abuse. I look forward to reading yours!
I’ve never come across anything yet, although my last wip (now waiting to go through and beta) challenges established views of sexual relationships. For example, in a family with four children, each one has a different father and all four fathers are still in a sexual relationship with mother and each other, although not all at the same time. One of the children (17 years old) becomes involved in his own multiple partner relationship with two other boys (16 and 17) There is no sexual contact beyond kissing and cuddling – yet, but it still gave me thought to pause and wonder if it was appropriate to have a YA three way, which may move to a 4 way in Book II. I decided – what the hell!! What is writing for, if not to challenge?
Sorry to be blunt but you’re not paying attention. Because the very concept of M/M romance continues to challenge and push the boundaries of what a considerable block of voting mainstream culture is willing to accept in a sexual relationship.
What is writing for? It’s about more than sexual titillation posing as “challenge.”
I’m probably stirring up a hornet’s nest here, but I do not understand the need or interest in incest, twincest etc. If the books were a serious look at a taboo relationship, maybe. However, in the romance genre it is just used to titillate, and I feel like asking why? Are there not enough combinations and stories to satisfy? There is a good reason why all species evolve to avoid incest.
One of the first fantasy novels I read as an adult was Elizabeth A. Lynn’s DANCERS OF ARUN. I imagine it is something of a classic by now in gay fantasy circles. I will say that it is a beautifully written and moving book, and it does challenge — it certainly challenged me — our ideas about family and sexual relationships. But not in the interests of cheap titillation. Never that. AND IT IS FANTASY.
And that’s all I’m going to say on that topic.
I agree with Beverly. Incest is a no-go for me. Twincest is creepy, daddy love is just gross, etc. I can’t go there.
I will read just about anything. I think it’s a great thing to explore sensitive topics, especially if they’re done well. I think it’s a fantastic way to bring things to light and make people stop and think. I know I’ve read several books that have made me think/re-think situations and see things in different perspectives. Tough things happen in life and it’s always interesting for me to see how authors handle them. Plus I get the bonus of knowing – at least it’s a good romance – that things will get to a satisfying conclusion with most likely a happy resolution. 🙂
This sounds a bit angsty – but not so much that I won’t rush out to read it, of course! I never thought about the male teacher / single parent angle this way. It’s very interesting and I can’t wait. (Have you by chance read ‘Where You Are’ by J.H. Trumbull? One of my recent favorites.) Topics that I shy away from are incest and the glorification of rape and abuse.
I like JH Trumble’s work a lot, Steve. I think I own that one, but I don’t think I’ve read it yet. I tend to buy everything she writes — but I am WAY behind on my reading.
Pedophilia and incest…although admittedly I occasionally find twincest, uh, interesting. But generally speaking, if the blurb describes the story as focused on the abuse of children, I’m outta there. Brief flashbacks to describe a main character’s background/experience is acceptable if the story’s primary focus is elsewhere. As someone very close to me was a victim of child sexual abuse, and I am a parent, I am ultra sensitive to the subject and don’t find it compelling in any way, shape, or form as the main subject of a book.
Pregnesia. No secret baby + amnesia stories. But in M/M, I’m thinking this is a probably a positive? Heh.
I’m anxious to read this and see how you handle it. I agree with the bias with male teachers. Even back in my elementary school days of the 1960’s male teachers were looked upon as an oddity.
I won’t touch incest at all. I read a book that had it as a theme, closed it and never came back.
Rape and incest? Never.
Mid April 2015? Or was that a mis-print? I’ve been dying to get my hands on this one, so I would hate to think I have to wait a whole year! I am in the teaching profession myself, and I am so so curious to see where you go with it. (Besides loving all your work beyond distraction, that is). I think probably the only thing I will not read is rape (in a repeated sense, where the partner being violated won’t leave and this is meant to be romantic…) Other than that, I’ll consider most anything.
I won’t touch sex with an adult having sex with an underage boy/girl, rape or incest. It’s so beyond my way of thinking, I don’t believe I could do justice to the story. I’m not sure how I would make it a romance with that much angst. It’s interesting in Japanese yaoi there are so many ‘taboo’ subjects featured in their story lines. Rape, sexual love between brothers, underage sex…the cultural differences around the world when it comes to sex are staggering.
I trust you to write delicate matters with sensitivity and dignity. I will follow where ever you choose to go. The excerpt I read has definite made me want to read this story.
I agree with Loretta. And I also believe any topic can be a good read if it’s handled well. I recently read a book that left me scratching my head. “Captive in the Dark” I think, anyway I was a little shocked that I fell along with the main character. In the end I was like whoa stockholm syndrome, much. But if it can make me follow along and feel connected to the characters then I’m all for it. I also believe the stigma that clings to male teachers, especially in the younger grades need a big fat spotlight on it. Some of my sons best teachers have been male teachers. At no point did I believe there was improper intentions coming from them. Now that he’s older I worry about the young female teacher…kidding (not kidding). Unfortunately, some people just can’t seem to shake off their blinders. Maybe one day right?
Oh, I forgot one — male pregnancy. I’ve actually read one or two (as part of a reading challenge), and I didn’t enjoy them. I know that a lot of people do, and I appreciate the fact that a skilled writer could do a wonderful job of exploring this transgression against established gender norms. Heck, that’s part of what m/m does, and it is chock full of great writers who do so beautifully! Still, this is one area that I simply do not prefer.
Nothing is off limits for me, or if it is, I haven’t found it yet. I have faith in my favorite authors and buy whatever they write.
I agree with Loretta, Josh. I have never seen anything in any of your stories that I thought was gratuitous. It’s part of the reason that I own everything you’ve written in the M/M genre. And, of course, there’s the whole me being a shameless fangirl thing, too. 🙂 I can’t wait to read this.