Entry #676994, added on 11-20-09 @ 10:48 am EST
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| Pushing Boundaries | Entry #676994 |
A couple of days ago I wrote blog content for my tour date tomorrow with the title
Pushing Boundaries in Genre and Trauma
I won't write the same content here since you can go read it tomorrow, if you wish, but part of the gist of it was about issues I covered in my newest book. It is the most serious to date. I think it will turn some romance readers away, although several are showing interest. I'm being upfront on my tour about issues raised, as I don't want readers to expect "typical" romance and get a book that is actually very literary.
The biggest issue is abuse, specifically child abuse, and the lasting effect of it, not only on the victim but on those who care about her. It was hard to write, as emotional as it was in places. However, it is not detailed by any means. It's about the recovery process.
Why did I cross a romantic novel with child abuse issues? I don't really know, other than it is a big issue. Children's issues in general are huge with me. How we raise our children is a big issue with me. I have kids in every book I write. I can't imagine not featuring them. To set the record clear, I was not an abused child. However, there were people who said hurtful, embarrassing things often enough to have made an impact, including a couple of teachers. Having only that much to fight against left me wondering how those with so much more to deal with do deal with it. I have seen worse. I've seen negligence and meanness happen to children around me. Of course we all see it in the news.
At times, I wondered if I was giving my character too much to deal with. But then I see the news and read real stories and know it's not more than too many handle in real life. It is a realistic story for being romantic, but as all of my books, it stays hopeful, with plenty of fun stuff thrown in, and an upbeat ending. Always. Romance readers will knock my pacing; that's the literary part of it. I'll also hear about having only one POV character, the male. Still, the reviews I've received so far from the romance network have been very positive. My most recent review (actually an email comment) said I write a male AS a male -- very high praise and something I've been worrying a bit about, since ... well, I'm not male. 
I read a blog this morning by another self-pubbed author on tour who received a best book of the year award from a library against traditionally published books. Her novel deals with mental health and health care issues. They chose it because of its in-depth look at such a prevalent societal issue. She mentioned being able to do so since she's indie and didn't have editors telling her to take stuff out they are afraid might offend someone. If you want to read it, it's here: http://morganmandel.blogspot.com -- scroll down to the blog tour (or maybe read the Harlequin self-pub post first).
That is one of the huge benefits of being indie. Publishing now is watered down and "politically correct" just like everything else. There are too many rules as to what you can and can't write. How is that free speech???
We, as indies, can write what we wish. Of course it's helpful to write it well and edit it well, although that should be a given, but our hands are not tied. We are leading the way to freer speech, to be able to say what we need without our pinkies tied together (yeah, it's hard to type that way).
If you're interested in my Pushing Boundaries post, it will be here tomorrow:
http://its-not-all-gravy.blogspot.com/
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Might as well post my whole schedule while I'm at it.
Nov 1: Judah Raine
Introduction - what is literary romance?
http://judahraine.com/romancewriteup/?p=673
Nov 3: Jane Richardson
Artistic Vision and Creative Doubt
http://janerichardsonhomethoughts.blogspot.com/2009/11/over-moon-to-welcome-lk-h...
Nov 5: Sue Perkins
Traveling Fiction: Places in Story
http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com/2009/11/lk-hunsaker-blog-tour.html
Nov 7: Linda Banche
Interview: Will Reynauld (Ryan's brother)
http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/2009/11/crr-blog-tour-lk-hunsaker-and-off-moon.h...
Nov 9: Sandra Kay
Subplot: A second rescue
http://sandrakayauthor.blogspot.com/2009/11/subplot-another-rescue.html
Nov 11: Liana Laverentz
Behind the Scenes: An Army Brat
http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/2009/11/guest-author-loraine-hunsaker.html
Nov 13: Nancy O'Berry
Celebrities: Truth vs. Hype
http://obe-romancingtheblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/celebrities-truth-vs-hype.html
Nov 15: Sandra Sookoo
Metaphorical Reality
http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/crr-blog-tour-with-lk-hunsaker-cont...
Nov 17: Lainey Bancroft
Interview with Ned
http://www.elaineforlife.com/LaineysBlog/tabid/463/EntryId/144/OFF-THE-MOON.aspx...
Nov 19: Lindsay's Romantics
That Special Fit: What Does Home Mean?
http://lindsaysromantics.blogspot.com/2009/11/off-moon-home-special-fit.html
Nov 21: Maryann Miller http://its-not-all-gravy.blogspot.com/
Pushing Boundaries with Trauma and Genre
STILL TO COME
Nov 23: Sandy James http://www.sandy-james.com/stable
Nov 25: Lizzie Starr http://starrwords.blogspot.com/
Nov 27: Classic Romance Revival [Release Date!]
http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog/
Nov 29: Steph Burkhart http://sgcardin.blogspot.com
Dec 1: The Pen Muse http://www.thepenmuse.com/
[anyone who comments on at least 8 blogs has a chance to win the printed copy, personally signed]
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