I don't often debate on my blog, but hey... once in a while I like to stir the pot a little.
As a member of RWA, I am informed about things going on in the industry. A recent article spoke about how books written by men are more likely to be reviewed than books written by women. Click HERE to read the article I'm talking about.
I try to avoid getting upset about things I can't change so I'll leave this topic alone... Kinda. But the article did spark a few thoughts in my brain.
Why is romance such a gender specific genre? And why is it that if a man reads and reviews a book people listen to him more than if he were a woman? Why is a book written by a man about relationships, maybe even a love interest, considered literature and the same book written by a woman simply romance? Why do love stories written by men make it on the sliver screen? These chick-flicks are completely romance, detailed love scenes and all... yet because they're written by a man they capture the attention of tens of thousands of people. I've read a gazillion romance novels, many of which would make amazing movies... so how do we fight the gender barrier? Do we write under a male name?
I suppose maybe we need to follow Nora Roberts example, she using the name J.D. Robb for her less romancy, more actiony books, is in order. Hmmm, C.J. Bybee... *shakes head*
I guess I need to go back to my earlier comment... Don't stress about things I can't change. Hey, if Harlequin could care less about attracting the attention of male readers, I shouldn't waste time thinking about why male authors get the attention.
I'm a woman writing for women. I'm not sure too many men outside of my father have read my books. *shrugs shoulders* Hey, that's half the population to entertain. I can live with that!
2 comments:
LOL-- great post, Catherine. We are at least half the population or more!
What a powder keg, Catherine.
I could say male writers get the attention because no matter how long ago women got the vote, most industries-like motion pictures-are still male-dominated. I could say men have unique insight into the male psyche, which is so very complex. *Snicker.*
But, I won't say either of those things...oops, I did.
Seriously, maybe it's the fact that a male author can write a total dog of a hero who suddenly matures in the end and get away with it while we women feel compelled to write our heroes flawed, but redeemable. Maybe the answer's not to use a male pseudonym, but to let some unlucky heroine get stuck with a dog who has potential.
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