Talking Shop: How to Write Lesbian Fiction

Suggestions for Those Considering the Genre

***THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON SAVVY AUTHORS BLOG DURING MY LOTUS PETALS BLOG TOUR, JULY 26, 2014***

 

 It should be noted the following set of suggestions are guiding principles I have developed in my own approach to lesbian fiction. They are not necessarily a universal philosophy for all writers. I certainly don't have the market cornered and I don't pretend to know the only "right" way. However, I do believe these are some very good tips.

(NSFW Images Under the Cut)

Talking Shop: Don't Overdo It

What is a caricature? The dictionary defines it as "a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things".  When most of us here the word "caricature", we think of something like this:

As a literary device, caricature is described as "a device used in descriptive writing and visual arts where particular aspects of a subject are exaggerated to create a silly or comic effect".

Here's a very recognizable example of caricature: in the Fox animated sitcom Family Guy, a character is introduced as a part of a domestic violence plot in Screams of Silence: The Story of Brenda Q (Season 10, Episode 3). The character—Jeff—is the loud, obnoxious, abusive boyfriend of Brenda Quagmire.