CD on Spotify & iTunes  |  Book on Amazon

Cally's World
  • Home
  • Music
  • Cally and The Snag
  • YouTube
  • Books
  • Blog/Stories
  • Podcasts
  • Gallery
  • About/Contact

Straight But Not Narrow

9/3/2014

2 Comments

 
Permanent October is the book I just published and it has a lesbian main character, there are also two romantic scenes. My dad who’s in his 70’s was concerned. He said, “I loved this book, I read it in three days, “ (my dad is a slow reader, so this is a compliment) “but it’s going to be a hard one to market to the general population,” he cleared his throat, and whispered, “the girl thing.”

I’ve thought about that…a lot.

Ironically I opened a New Yorker from a couple of months ago and Alison Bechdel (graphic novelists/lesbian) had done a story with some physically intimate scenes between she and an old girlfriend. It was a good tale about a former romance and she was ruminating on why it didn’t work.

Who can’t relate to a former romance gone wrong? Even if I couldn’t it wouldn’t matter if the story is good.

In my book it’s more about Lucy the main character becoming the person she was meant to be, with action, romance, bikers, royal weddings and former Playboy bunnies! The story is fun…and I believe when people read a good tale the sex is only one element of the deal.

In my life I have found when you make something a big issue…it becomes…a BIG issue. In writing for the general population, I focus on good story and having a good yarn to spin. Unless someone is vehemently against gay folks, Lucy and Amanda’s relationship in Permanent October is just part of the story.

Maybe I am mistaken…but I don’t think so. Most people I know have lived and experienced a lot of life. They come in contact daily with many different types of people. People who read also tend to be a little more versed in life beyond their own personal experiences. Just because I read Stephen King doesn’t mean I have intimate experience with the supernatural.

In a generation where we are seeing media doing a hard push to polarize people…I see real folks everyday searching to become part of something more. We have become so overworked and busy that Facebook has helped us connect when we cannot be there for one another in person. When I see folks obsessively texting and talking on their cells, I translate that into a need to NOT be alone. I believe human connection is starving for intimacy. I also believe that it’s time to laugh again and have some fun! I watch TV shows and read books that harken back to a time when people came together in all shapes and forms to share and be a part of…that’s the TV shows and books I read from The World According to Garp to Hill Street Blues and Modern Family…

Let’s give American’s credit for being the incredibly inclusive folks they are instead of focusing on the haters. I think our country is predominantly straight but NOT narrow.
2 Comments
cally raduenzel
10/22/2014 12:31:00 am

Reply
Danielle
8/23/2016 08:39:36 pm

"Straight, but not narrow!" *Insert Applause Here.* LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!

Creating this dialogue is key in learning from one another and embracing diversity!

I also love that you created a fun book that could relate to any audience, but more importantly created a culture of inclusion.
There are a few heterosexual privileges that I take for granted. For one, I don't ever have to worry about finding a movie on television that doesn't have my respective sexual orientation represented in a romantic comedy. Nor is it often that I find a mainstream novel that doesn't appeal to my sexual orientation. And when my sexual orientation is represented, I don't have to worry about their appearance moonlighting as a the walking binary gender role structure of stereotypes.

"There is no darkness, but ignorance." -William Shakespeare.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Artists
    Books
    Chicago Insights
    Comix/Zines
    Grab Bag
    Harley
    Hawaii
    Music
    Short Stories


    RSS Feed

This is the DivTag Drag & Drop Footer. If you don't insert anything here, this gap will be hidden when site is published

(773) 338-6633  |  Email Me!

BACK TO TOP

© 2018 Cally's World  |  All Rights Reserved  |  Website Created by LislDesign.com

Cally's World