When does BDSM become abuse, or does it?
Previously I had written how 50 Shades of Grey had been a boon to Erotica writers and especially it’s sub genre, BDSM. I had implied in that post it was a double edged sword, I spoke about the plethora of content in general not what that content contained.
Yesterday, over at BDSM Book Reviews, they held a FB party, and during the day the topic of abuse arose in the context of BDSM. Not that anyone had put a label on the BDSM genre as a disguise for abuse. A concern had been raised due to the advent of author’s entering the genre, that their knowledge or interest in the BDSM world might be lacking.
The perception has become to a degree, since 50 Shades, that it had become too easy for new writers to create unrealistic situations where a submissive becomes nothing more than a punching bag in the name of BDSM. I can’t quantify that perception but it makes sense and logical that people would try to cash in on the phenomena, without thinking of the ramifications .
That got me thinking on how I look at my writing and how I look at story lines that percolate in my mind. I admit, I’m one that will go to the darker recess of what a person can accept and/or tolerate. If asked, I will say my interest is with the pain/pleasure dynamic. I’m fascinated in the whole cycle when a person, mentally and physically, crashes through the barriers of pain and falls into that abyss of pleasure.
In writing Unveiling Facade, my goal was not merely to show BDSM in action, which it did, but to go into the soul of the heroine. I wanted to show you, the reader, a journey or exploration if you will, of a person finding that dark corner in her soul. To the point that the dark corner is her salvation. Not that she discovers she is a pain-slut for the sake of it, but that it gives her freedom, to overcome/deal with her flaws.
Currently, I am finishing the first draft of the sequel. What I realized in writing it is how much of a responsibility we have to the genre to get it right. Judith Anderson in this past weeks interview speaks to getting it right. I agree, it’s easy to crank out trash, but who is done the greatest disservice? You the reader (also to us author’s for we read too).
Please understand this is not a rant on anyone writer(s) but more or less a reminder to all of us that put words to paper, that we owe it to all of us to walk that line with respect to not only the craft of writing but to the world of BDSM.
I would be interested in your thoughts on this topic, so don’t be bashful, crack that whip.
