Will straight women...

[JPMMURPHY]

I came across a blurb on a Romance e-book site's blog the other day, and thought I'd see what the answer is here.

Are straight women open to, turned off by, or turned on by, a romance (a fully developed romance story) between two straight woman. No history of bi-curious or little adventures. Two straight women working together throughout a novel to solve a mystery, and after 16 chapters of doubt, strange flirtations, mutual admiration, they start a deeper relationship and finally say the L (love) word.

Right, not very probably, but what, in the fiction genre, is?

But as a reader, if it's on the cover blurb, will the straight woman read it? Pay for the book?

Thx.

 

[3113]

But as a reader, if it's on in the cover blurb, will the straight woman read it?

Nope. Open to it, maybe, turned on or wanting it, not likely. Not unless the reader, herself, is bi-curious or gay.

Here's why: in a straight romance, a guy and girl who get closer and close eventually end up in bed together. But two straight women can become close without ever ending up in bed together, because straight women have close friendships. Really, really, really close Laverne & Shirley type friendships where they hug, kiss, cry, tell each other everything, are there for each other through thick and thin, are friends from childhood to the retirement home....and can say "I love you" to each other without ever meaning it "romantically."

So if these two fictional women are portrayed as really, really straight...there's no way that straight women reading it are going to buy them becoming suddenly, out-of-the-blue, romantically involved with each other. Because straight women readers will know that these two women *can* become best friends on every other level without it ever leading to romance as it would between a guy and a girl.

And straight women will also know that these women would, sexually, want guys. And straight women, reading a romance...want to see a GUY. That's why they're reading a romance--to see the girl meet and be romanced by that sexy guy.

Now, on the other hand, if you want to write a story about two guys who fall for each other...then you might get straight women readers. Brokeback Mountain did very well with romantically inclined women and a lot of women read the romantic stories in the Gay Male category here.

 

[glynndah]

I read a main stream romance with a secondary story line of two guys, one who fell in love, the other denied it. That story line was much more interesting than the main romance.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

Nope. Open to it, maybe, turned on or wanting it, not likely. Not unless the reader, herself, is bi-curious or gay.

Here's why: in a straight romance, a guy and girl who get closer and close eventually end up in bed together. But two straight women can become close without ever ending up in bed together, because straight women have close friendships. Really, really, really close Laverne & Shirley type friendships where they hug, kiss, cry, tell each other everything, are there for each other through thick and thin, are friends from childhood to the retirement home....and can say "I love you" to each other without ever meaning it "romantically."

So if these two fictional women are portrayed as really, really straight...there's no way that straight women reading it are going to buy them becoming suddenly, out-of-the-blue, romantically involved with each other. Because straight women readers will know that these two women *can* become best friends on every other level without it ever leading to romance as it would between a guy and a girl.

And straight women will also know that these women would, sexually, want guys. And straight women, reading a romance...want to see a GUY. That's why they're reading a romance--to see the girl meet and be romanced by that sexy guy.

Now, on the other hand, if you want to write a story about two guys who fall for each other...then you might get straight women readers. Brokeback Mountain did very well with romantically inclined women and a lot of women read the romantic stories in the Gay Male category here.

Yep, I see the point concerning 'friends'.

Just FYI, the point concerning m/m came out, and just as their male counterparts like to see f/f, the straight woman LOVES (that was the word on the blog) to see a m/m. Sounds logical, but not something I'd thought about.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

I read a main stream romance with a secondary story line of two guys, one who fell in love, the other denied it. That story line was much more interesting than the main romance.

Yep, kinda goes to what 3 said and what the other blog said.

If there was sex in it (if it was at least R rated), did you think it was 'Hot'?

 

[Stella_Omega]

Women know that either one of those two straight girls will walk on her friend, if Mr. Right comes along.

 

[CharleyH]

Nope. Open to it, maybe, turned on or wanting it, not likely. Not unless the reader, herself, is bi-curious or gay.

Here's why: in a straight romance, a guy and girl who get closer and close eventually end up in bed together. But two straight women can become close without ever ending up in bed together, because straight women have close friendships. Really, really, really close Laverne & Shirley type friendships where they hug, kiss, cry, tell each other everything, are there for each other through thick and thin, are friends from childhood to the retirement home....and can say "I love you" to each other without ever meaning it "romantically."

So if these two fictional women are portrayed as really, really straight...there's no way that straight women reading it are going to buy them becoming suddenly, out-of-the-blue, romantically involved with each other. Because straight women readers will know that these two women *can* become best friends on every other level without it ever leading to romance as it would between a guy and a girl.

And straight women will also know that these women would, sexually, want guys. And straight women, reading a romance...want to see a GUY. That's why they're reading a romance--to see the girl meet and be romanced by that sexy guy.

Now, on the other hand, if you want to write a story about two guys who fall for each other...then you might get straight women readers. Brokeback Mountain did very well with romantically inclined women and a lot of women read the romantic stories in the Gay Male category here.

Wholly agree if the women are really - really straight, which they usually are in the Harlequin genre. But in the porn world? No woman is completely straight. I think men will be on it like dogs, though.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

Women know that either one of those two straight girls will walk on her friend, if Mr. Right comes along.

[a small chuckle] Damn, I hadn't thought about that one.

 

[glynndah]

Yep, kinda goes to what 3 said and what the other blog said.

If there was sex in it (if it was at least R rated), did you think it was 'Hot'?

It was a much "hotter" story than the mainstream one which seemed forced and just an excuse for the gay one (which was hot). I think a good romance is a good romance and the gender of the characters isn't that important to me.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

It was a much "hotter" story than the mainstream one which seemed forced and just an excuse for the gay one (which was hot). I think a good romance is a good romance and the gender of the characters isn't that important to me.

Yep, that was my thinking. Course, I almost got lynched at the other blog.

But no one gave real reasoning (as we have here). It just seemed to be the yuck factor.

Now, someone did say that there's a hell of a lesbian market out there, if you can find it. That they'd love the idea.

 

[3113]

I think men will be on it like dogs, though.

LOL! Agreed--but how would they ever find it if it's in the romance section with a Harlequin cover?

Darn...now I almost want to see that cover....

 

[3113]

Yep, that was my thinking. Course, I almost got lynched at the other blog.

But you have to remember WHY people read romances. Yes, a good romance is a good romance no matter what the characters. Brokeback more than proved that--and there's no reason why the same couldn't happen with a pair of women.

But straight women who read romances don't say, "I want to read a romance, I don't care what gender is in it, so long as it's good...."

They say, "I want to read a romance where I can imagine *MYSELF* being romanced by some sexy, hot, alpha guy...."

They may or may not have discerning tastes as to good vs. bad romance, but this is a matter of candy and comfort food. Now if the book is literary and wins awards and aclaim...THEN maybe they'll read it for the sake of reading a good book/story. But if they're looking for a good romance to read in the bath while escaping the kids and chores, while nibbling on their secret stash of chocolates, a story before bed where they can drift off while imagining themselves as the main character...a romance which is a treat and a reward....

Ain't no way they're going to go for the straight-women-romance. Not even if it's a good one.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Yep, that was my thinking. Course, I almost got lynched at the other blog.

But no one gave real reasoning (as we have here). It just seemed to be the yuck factor.

Now, someone did say that there's a hell of a lesbian market out there, if you can find it. That they'd love the idea.

Lesbian romance would do the trick. And one woman could be unaware of her true nature-- which is sometimes the fact anyway.

You'd use the tried-and-true het plotlines, basically.

 

[rgraham666]

Lesbian romance would do the trick. And one woman could be unaware of her true nature-- which is sometimes the fact anyway.

You'd use the tried-and-true het plotlines, basically.

I wonder how my lesbian D/s Mature romance is going to be received then.

 

[CharleyH]

Yep, that was my thinking. Course, I almost got lynched at the other blog.

But no one gave real reasoning (as we have here). It just seemed to be the yuck factor.

Now, someone did say that there's a hell of a lesbian market out there, if you can find it. That they'd love the idea.

Some women (like Queen Victoria) can't perceive lesbians, but there is a huge and I mean HUGE market for real lesbian stories. I think that many straight women have fantasies of other women (more openly admitted than men who have gay fantasies). Many lesbian RL experiences actually happen between either straight woman or one bi/gay woman and the straight one who wants her. Typically it is the "supposed" straight woman (in my experience) who makes the first move. I do agree with 3113 on many levels in regards to the romance genre and yet because of the straight women I have known who eventually slept with women ... well, they were a tad bit (ok a lot bit) prejudiced and adamant that they would NEVER sleep with another woman. I am admittedly inexperienced when it comes to two wholly straight housewives. And I am ... rambling - lol. Good luck in your story, I am sure it will be fine.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

LOL! Agreed--but how would they ever find it if it's in the romance section with a Harlequin cover?

Darn...now I almost want to see that cover....

Go to the Kroger store (or other local grocery store). I was in the states a month ago and went to buy groceries with my brother (single guy) at midnight on a Thursday. I was amazed to find between the meats and the breads, about 150 spuare feet dedicated to.... [drum roll please] .... Harlequin romance novels. AND THREE WOMEN IN THERE BROWSING THE BLURBS!

Now, any grocery store knows the value of, and charges dearly for, floor space. A chain, even more.

I walked into the section thinking I might find the latest Grisham and, low and behold, no best sellers. ALL OF THEM WERE ROMANCE NOVELS.

I'm still shaking my head over that one. I had no idea. So, the wanna be author that I am, I picked one up. No blurb reading, no idea what it was about, I just grabbed one. Brought it home and read it.

Now, I always thought the romance novel was about 'her creamy pillows and his 'bulging manhood'.

Nope, I might have been reading an H lister at Lit. His cock, balls, her clit, she sucked him, she swallowed. And (of all things), the rape of a sixteen year old, and (I couldn't believe this one), mother/daughter incest.

I looked up the author (never heard of her), and she has 18 of these things out.

A real eye opener. But then, I'm one of the few inocents left in the world (not).

 

[Stella_Omega]

I wonder how my lesbian D/s Mature romance is going to be received then.

"Oh, Missus Rochester!"

 

[CharleyH]

But you have to remember WHY people read romances. Yes, a good romance is a good romance no matter what the characters. Brokeback more than proved that--and there's no reason why the same couldn't happen with a pair of women.

But straight women who read romances don't say, "I want to read a romance, I don't care what gender is in it, so long as it's good...."

They say, "I want to read a romance where I can imagine *MYSELF* being romanced by some sexy, hot, alpha guy...."

They may or may not have discerning tastes as to good vs. bad romance, but this is a matter of candy and comfort food. Now if the book is literary and wins awards and aclaim...THEN maybe they'll read it for the sake of reading a good book/story. But if they're looking for a good romance to read in the bath while escaping the kids and chores, while nibbling on their secret stash of chocolates, a story before bed where they can drift off while imagining themselves as the main character...a romance which is a treat and a reward....

Ain't no way they're going to go for the straight-women-romance. Not even if it's a good one.

I am going back and forth here, but again I agree. The romance genre ... as a woman I can't stand the genre whether straight or lesbian. As for Brokeback? (crap movie - cough) had it not been for the men? It'd been another crap movie with Diane Keaton. It was with men, and it was still a crap movie in my OP. lol

 

[Stella_Omega]

I am going back and forth here, but again I agree. The romance genre ... as a woman I can't stand the genre whether straight or lesbian. As for Brokeback? (crap movie - cough) had it not been for the men? It'd been another crap movie with Diane Keaton. It was with men, and it was still a crap movie in my OP. lol

There are times, Charley...

 

[CharleyH]

There are times, Charley...

In a "Honeymooners" way? To the moon, Stella.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

Thanks everyone for the input. It was appreciated.

JPM

 

[Stella_Omega]

In a "Honeymooners" way? To the moon, Stella.

Actually, quite the opposite-- but the moon would be our destination nevertheless

 

[JamesSD]

Nope, I might have been reading an H lister at Lit. His cock, balls, her clit, she sucked him, she swallowed. And (of all things), the rape of a sixteen year old, and (I couldn't believe this one), mother/daughter incest.

I looked up the author (never heard of her), and she has 18 of these things out.

A real eye opener. But then, I'm one of the few inocents left in the world (not).

I think this is something that has gradually changed over the past 10-20 years. A big part of my early sexual education was swiping my mom's romance novels and skimming to the "good parts", and most were an interesting mix of graphic and flowery euphamisms. My feeling is that as porn has become more mainstream, the genre as a whole has become more graphic.

I won't speculate further on what does and doesn't sell in terms of Romance novels, because I know there are others on this board who are far far far more knowledgable on the subject than I am.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I think this is something that has gradually changed over the past 10-20 years. A big part of my early sexual education was swiping my mom's romance novels and skimming to the "good parts", and most were an interesting mix of graphic and flowery euphamisms. My feeling is that as porn has become more mainstream, the genre as a whole has become more graphic.

I won't speculate further on what does and doesn't sell in terms of Romance novels, because I know there are others on this board who are far far far more knowledgable on the subject than I am.

It ain't your grandma's romance novels anymore, that's for sure!

 

[starrkers]

It ain't your grandma's romance novels anymore, that's for sure!

Dayum! Maybe I should read a few romance novels then!!