Pride Week Guest Post from Amy Dunne: Books Made Me Feel Less Alone
I’m fairly new to writing. My debut YA novel, SECRET LIES was published in December 2013. It’s a lesbian romance and coming out story. It took years of hard work and perseverance, but my dream of becoming a published author finally came true.
Bold Strokes Books, December 2013.
My inspiration for writing SECRET LIES came while I was working with vulnerable young people in care. I wanted to write a YA book that gave a realistic insight into the lives of young lesbian, bi, and queer women, but that also didn’t shy away from the real issues that affect them. As well as the obvious ones; sex, partying, independence, relationships with parents and religion, plans for the future, sexuality, peer pressure, alcohol and drug use, there are two other issues explored that are both dark and gritty in content. Self-harm and abuse. (Trigger warnings for both).
I’d written a short story for my school English assignment when I was sixteen. I always knew that it was this story, that I would one day write as a full-length novel and hopefully get published.
Having two seventeen year old protagonists gave me a wide scope to explore. At seventeen you’re so close to being an adult but frustratingly not close enough. You crave independence but don’t want to be considered different. Physical, psychological, and emotional changes are all wreaking havoc. There’s pressure to conform to the demands of peers, family, religion, and community. Sexuality and an increased interest in sex all come with their own additional pressures.
Honestly, I’m so very proud of how SECRET LIES turned out. It’s has some great feedback and is even a finalist in the YA category of the 2014 Golden Crown Literary awards.
However, my confidence in SECRET LIES and my writing abilities recently took a battering. I attended a literary event a few months ago and was happily talking with a small group of people. Some of whom I knew and some I didn’t. One person, who classed themselves as being learned in all things literary, asked what I did for a living.
Saying I’m a lesfic author is still something I’m getting used to and honestly, I still find it a little daunting. You’re never entirely sure what reaction you’re going to get.
The silence was deafening and the limelight blinded me. I could feel the group’s eyes watching me. I was honest and said that I’m a lesfic author and my debut novel had recently been published.
Before anyone else had a chance to speak, the person asked what my novel was about. I said it was a Young Adult story with lesbian protagonists. I was about to continue speaking when the same person cut me off.
Bold Strokes Books, December 2014.
With a dramatic disapproving sigh, they went onto say they hoped it wasn’t just another coming out story. In their not so humble opinion, that particular subject had been covered to death to the point it was now tediously boring. Without bothering to pause for breath they continued. Apparently, coming of age books aren’t needed anymore because it’s so much easier for LGBTQ youth to come out these days. This person predicted in the not so distant future coming of age stories wouldn’t be needed or read at all. They then announced their spectacularly ignorant finale, “young people don’t even read nowadays.”
I was stunned and appalled in equal measures. In hindsight I imagine I looked like a floundering fish. My mouth gaping but all of the words I wanted to say had clogged up my throat and nothing was coming out. I remember looking around the group and seeing mirrored looks of surprise and a few sympathetic glances aimed in my direction.
Now, I don’t suffer fools gladly. I’ve also never been one to keep quiet in the face of adversary. Anger coursed through my veins and I quickly decided I had plenty to say and this person was going to hear it all.
Luckily for my intended victim (who incredibly remained oblivious to my seething temper and the scathing retort that I was spluttering to voice), they were called away to talk to some other unfortunate soul.
I never did get to set the record straight and so I decided this blog is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
I accept (begrudgingly) that everyone is entitled to their opinions. I do however, find it frustrating that someone can make such sweeping generalisations about young people. I can’t fathom how someone could nonchalantly say that young people don’t read nowadays. If that was the case, why is YA fiction so huge?
People read for many reasons; to learn, for enjoyment, for entertainment, for comfort, to feel represented, and for escapism. When I was young I read all sorts. I was secretly trying to find a character and story that I could relate to in someway and perhaps even feel I was represented in the pages. This didn’t happen until my early twenties when I purchased my first lesfic book. It changed everything for me and made me appreciate the truth value and importance of LGBTQ books.
To say that coming out stories are tedious and have been done too much, is something I find absurd. I suspect that same person wouldn’t say, “I’m sick of reading romances. They’re all the same thing. Characters like one another, fall in love, something messes it up, and then they get back together at the end. Therefore, authors should stop writing romances.”
If a young person doesn’t want to read a coming out story, they’ll pick up a different genre to read instead. That doesn’t mean that every young person in the world doesn’t read or enjoy them.
In a perfect utopia where equality rules, coming of age stories might not be so important. But we don’t live in a perfect utopia. The LGBTQ community have made huge strides in the progress for fighting for equality, but there’s still so much more to do. Our fight is now global. We have to speak for those LGBTQ people who aren’t allowed voices and risk their lives simply for being who they are. Just look at Russia and Uganda!
In the future if equality is finally unanimous, then I accept that coming out stories may not be written as often. That wouldn’t be any less important and they wouldn’t disappear from the face of the earth. Why? Because they provide an integral insight into another part of our LGBTQ history. They voice the trials and tribulations our young people face.
We wouldn’t demand that people don’t write or read about historical accounts of minorities, just because those times have changed. The same goes for coming out stories.
I’m proud that there’s a wide variety of LGBTQ YA fiction in publication, including coming out stories. If I’d read one back when I was young, I’ve no doubt it would’ve helped me come to terms and accept my sexuality much earlier on. It would have also given me the solidarity I so desperately craved at the time.
Returning to what that person said to me. I also took particular offence at their comment that it’s easy for young people to come out nowadays. Each person’s experience of accepting their sexuality and coming out, is deeply personal and unique to them. To say otherwise is to diminish that person’s experiences, emotions, and thoughts. Just because in some countries on the surface it’s generally more socially acceptable to come out as LGBTQ nowadays, doesn’t mean that’s a universal truth.
Regardless of age, coming out can be a very daunting prospect. You run the risk of being rejected by loved ones and your community. For young people who are totally reliant on their family, live in a religious close-knit community, and have heterosexual peers, the thought of coming out is terrifying.
Coming out stories can be a lifeline in an otherwise bleak and lonely world. They show there is a brighter world beyond the high school years. You’re not alone. Who you are and who you love isn’t wrong or sinful. And above everything else, they show that unconditional acceptance, love, and happiness are definitely possible in the future.
So, in conclusion to that person who voiced your opinions, here are my final thoughts. Young people love to read and that’s why YA fiction is so phenomenally successful. Coming out is deeply personal for each individual, and takes enormous courage and strength. Coming of age stories are still important today and will be always be a part of our literary history. And finally, I’d rather spend my time talking to young people any day of the week, than I would having to listen to your drivel again.
Yours Sincerely,
A very proud author of lesbian YA fiction.
Amy Dunne.
Amy Dunne was raised in Derbyshire, England. She attended Keele University and graduated in 2007 with a BSc in philosophy and psychology. After graduating, she worked for a while with vulnerable young people until she moved on to delivering adult training courses. She is currently in the process of setting up her own business, which is an exciting prospect. She is engaged to her lovely partner, Lou, who is also a massive fan of Dolly Parton. They have two gorgeous cats and a very naughty puppy.
