I thought this blog would be about the
next Cook Like a Uke Video. The last few days have been spent doing
strange research like finding lingerie – specifically teddys –
that fit muscular guys. My Hubs looked over my shoulder, exclaimed
'whatever you're planning, count me out!' Then, he fled to the study.
Silly Billy! It's nearly time for a new video shoot on Cook Like a
Uke. Meanwhile, the latest edited video will go up by Friday. It's a
real like Misaki from Junjou Romantica. However, I didn't get as far
in my planning as I had hope. Instead, I'll talk about something that
keeps coming up in reader e-mails.
Despite previous blogs like the one on
Power Exchange, I've had some emails from those kind souls who've taken the time to
read the sample chapters of Ensnared and some of my blogs. They raise
some interesting points – even the ones that kind of called me a
hypocrite. I have blogged against and have often spoken out against
the continuing use of non-consensual relationships in yaoi (I hope to
have an even bigger panel on this subject at upcoming conventions
this year). It paints a picture to the outside world that all yaoi is
about rape and torture. These opinions have become really important
of late as companies like Amazon and Apple have banned yaoi. And, for
a short time, Smashwords was going to ban erotica with such themes.
It could be argued that it wasn't non-con that got those books
banned, but why give anyone that ammunition when it isn't necessary?
These perceptions can impact where we can buy yaoi or even if we can
buy yaoi. I am a publisher as well as a writer who doesn't want a
tired trope impacting my bottom line. I'm not trying to be
provocative in saying it's a tired trope. I think times have changed
in the decades since Yaoi was young. The general public know a lot
more about gay men and their relationships. It isn't looked upon as
something to be ashamed of. Thus, there is no need to have these
pairings begin with an act of force or blackmail or any kind of
coercion.
And as I mentioned in the Power
Exchange blog, I think there is often a fundamental misunderstanding
of how dominant/submissive relationships work. I plan on revamping my
Primer on Writing BDSM and offering it for free as an e-book later
this summer. I love D/s fiction! I adore strong, even overbearing
Semes. Who doesn't love Usagi-san in Junjou Romantica or Al from
Ikoku Irokoi Romantan? They
are a tad pushier than I like, but overall, they are loving and
protective and devoted to their exasperated ukes. They are
irresistible in their arrogance. I'm with you all with regard to this
type of Seme. I want yaoi to remain as sizzling hot and sexy as
always!
The gentle readers who wrote were
asking how the scenario I set up between Lord Darius Galatea and
underworld gang leader, Andreas Hesper was not a non-con
relationship. I admit that it looks like a duck and even quacks like
a duck. But it isn't a duck. It's more like a platypus. Part of my
point in creating that couple was that I wanted to prove that there
could be all the tension and drama between the Seme and Uke that
there is in a non-consensual pair while being a consensual
relationship.
But readers of the excerpts point out
that it seems that Andreas is being pressured to stop hanging out
with his childhood friend and second in command, Viktor. This
situation is not at all what it seems. I'm glad that the sample
chapters intrigued readers enough to write me with these
observations. I will respond to them as best I can; however, the
best way to see that this story is not the usual trope but one that
turns that trope on its ear is to read the entire story over the two
volumes. I will answer what I can without revealing too much if only
for the sake of not having readers think I am being a hypocrite. I
must first give a little background.
Early in the existence of Zed Crew, a
couple of members who held powerful positions were either booted from
the Crew or, in one case, killed over love affairs that went very
badly (in that, a jealous lover killed the Crew Member). These
unfortunate events caused Andreas to issue a decree that none of Zed
Crew was to be involved in high drama relationships. Further, there
were restrictions on how much drinking and partying was allowed. The
new rule suited Viktor as he was secretly in love with Andreas and
didn't want anyone else closer to him than he was. This rule also
coincided with the opening of Club Zero, a nightspot popular with
almost all strata of that society and their Crew's base of operation.
Thus, no one who frequented that club, including those who lusted
after Andreas, ever saw him party hard or show a romantic interest in
anyone. Viktor had spent years at Andreas' side and never saw him
show an interest in another man or woman.
To Viktor and the others who wanted
Andreas, Darius seemed to be able to waltz into the building and take
what they all wanted. Despite everything they witnessed with their
own eyes to the contrary, they couldn't accept that Andreas was the
one who initiated the first encounter between him and Darius. So
there is jealousy from those who want Andreas. Coupled with those
intense and dangerous feelings, there is a plot to remove Darius from
power by forcing him to take an outrageous action against those who
want to trespass into his relationship with Andreas. This is the
backdrop to what appears to be irrational possessiveness on the part
of Darius. The only danger for Andreas and his freedom is the very
real possibility that Darius will deem it unsafe for Andreas to live
his life as he has. There are real physical dangers to this uke as
those who lust after him grow more and more frustrated that their
feelings are not returned. It is Darius' prerogative to determine how
best to keep Andreas safe. Under the terms of their contract, Andreas
must obey – even if that means being locked away or chained to
Darius' bed. This is not a non-con relationship, because Andreas
agreed to accept the terms of their contract without hesitation and
without coercion. The fun of reading the book is finding out whether
or not Andreas can find a way to stand up to such a powerful being
and keep his freedom while keeping his Owner happy. And, if this is
possible, how he manages to pull it off without triggering Darius'
world famous temper.
To get the answers, you will have to
start reading!
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