This was a great article. I agree that there needs to be more representation of different life experiences in romantasy, which can be tricky with escapist fiction. Like you, I also don’t like reading about SA and will DNF a book immediately if that comes up. It’s just too visceral. (And I especially hate it when it’s done as a male driven “plot device.”) BUT, I do love FMCs who have survived some shit. I want to see the scars. And I want to see them rise from the ashes like a phoenix.
Great article! I know I have read about SA survivors, but now I can’t really remember those books. The fmc in a kiss of iron has some sa, as well as being in an abusive relationship, and I really really love those books. I do find it a hard balance, as a SA survivor myself I hate when that part is all of the main character, because we’re all more than that, even if it has shaped us and might continue do to so.
This was a thought-provoking article. I think some of this silence is because there has been considerable pushback against including SA as a plot device. I completely understand this, as it results in lazy storytelling that triggers people. But I think it has made authors hesitate to approach the topic in even a nuanced way.
I'm currently writing a protagonist who is an SA survivor, but I don't go into detail about the actual event, and part of the narrative is how she moves past it emotionally as she grows closer to the MMC (as her assaulter's family has harmed his family too). By working together, they are able to get justice.
I am happy to see that more and more books of all genres are including trigger warnings so that readers can make an informed decision about whether a book is for them. I have certain triggers that I don't ever want to read a book about, but I still think it's important they exist and am grateful to authors who tackle the topic.
Thank you, Laura. I really agree with what you’ve been saying. I think your perspective on why SA is often avoided in romantasy is very compelling, and it’s great that you’re not deterred from addressing it in your own work.
I love that you are doing this!!! I am also an author and recently explored this in my latest book. My heroine is a selkie, and I felt I couldn’t have a selkie character without acknowledging how much of their lore is littered with SA. Throughout the novel, she grapple with touch aversion, and learns how to thrive in the aftermath. If you’re interested, it’s called The Rake or the Orca Who Met His Match in a Selkie Desiring Revenge.
While not a romantasy, one of my favorite recent fiction reads is All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell. The main character is a sexual assault survivor, and it discusses how she deals with it and includes her first romantic relationship. The MC is a teenager, and in my opinion, should be read by teens everywhere.
That sounds like a great read. I’ve definitely come across romances that tackle sexual assault, but I haven’t really seen it explored within romantasy.
I'm not sure I've thought specifically about romantasy and sexual assault enough to comment on the genre specifically, but I do agree that processing trauma and healing must be more prominent in literature if, culturally, we actually want to shine bright lights on sexual-assault trauma.
Art helps us uncover what's going on in the world and how people feel about it. It helps folks learn about new topics and empathise, even if they've not had those same experiences. Cultural movements begin with artists, so I s'pose it's time for us all to roll up our sleeves. I know I'm not shying away from past abuse with my FMC, and I'll be following your work more closely now that I know you're not shying away from it either.
This was a great article. I agree that there needs to be more representation of different life experiences in romantasy, which can be tricky with escapist fiction. Like you, I also don’t like reading about SA and will DNF a book immediately if that comes up. It’s just too visceral. (And I especially hate it when it’s done as a male driven “plot device.”) BUT, I do love FMCs who have survived some shit. I want to see the scars. And I want to see them rise from the ashes like a phoenix.
Like a Phoenix - I love that.
Great article! I know I have read about SA survivors, but now I can’t really remember those books. The fmc in a kiss of iron has some sa, as well as being in an abusive relationship, and I really really love those books. I do find it a hard balance, as a SA survivor myself I hate when that part is all of the main character, because we’re all more than that, even if it has shaped us and might continue do to so.
That is so true. Survivors are whole people.
This was a thought-provoking article. I think some of this silence is because there has been considerable pushback against including SA as a plot device. I completely understand this, as it results in lazy storytelling that triggers people. But I think it has made authors hesitate to approach the topic in even a nuanced way.
I'm currently writing a protagonist who is an SA survivor, but I don't go into detail about the actual event, and part of the narrative is how she moves past it emotionally as she grows closer to the MMC (as her assaulter's family has harmed his family too). By working together, they are able to get justice.
I am happy to see that more and more books of all genres are including trigger warnings so that readers can make an informed decision about whether a book is for them. I have certain triggers that I don't ever want to read a book about, but I still think it's important they exist and am grateful to authors who tackle the topic.
I really think you’re right about that!
Thank you, Laura. I really agree with what you’ve been saying. I think your perspective on why SA is often avoided in romantasy is very compelling, and it’s great that you’re not deterred from addressing it in your own work.
I love that you are doing this!!! I am also an author and recently explored this in my latest book. My heroine is a selkie, and I felt I couldn’t have a selkie character without acknowledging how much of their lore is littered with SA. Throughout the novel, she grapple with touch aversion, and learns how to thrive in the aftermath. If you’re interested, it’s called The Rake or the Orca Who Met His Match in a Selkie Desiring Revenge.
That sounds really interesting! I’ll check it out.
Yes to all of this!
While not a romantasy, one of my favorite recent fiction reads is All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell. The main character is a sexual assault survivor, and it discusses how she deals with it and includes her first romantic relationship. The MC is a teenager, and in my opinion, should be read by teens everywhere.
That sounds like a great read. I’ve definitely come across romances that tackle sexual assault, but I haven’t really seen it explored within romantasy.
I have a friend who wrote about it in fantasy with a light romantic component.
It's called The City of Snow and Stars. Author - S.D. Howard.
I’ll check it out.
Please do. :)
I'm not sure I've thought specifically about romantasy and sexual assault enough to comment on the genre specifically, but I do agree that processing trauma and healing must be more prominent in literature if, culturally, we actually want to shine bright lights on sexual-assault trauma.
Art helps us uncover what's going on in the world and how people feel about it. It helps folks learn about new topics and empathise, even if they've not had those same experiences. Cultural movements begin with artists, so I s'pose it's time for us all to roll up our sleeves. I know I'm not shying away from past abuse with my FMC, and I'll be following your work more closely now that I know you're not shying away from it either.
Thank you for this ❤️ so beautifully said. It’s powerful to hear you’re also leaning into these harder truths with your FMC.