Kate Lansky
asked
N.K. Jemisin:
The sex (Inheritance bks) is all with male gods. There's a level of trust and power play here, especially since the women have limited agency. How might the power dynamics differ with goddess sex? Is this a dynamic you'd thought about? is the god-sex a side effect of straight female MCs (exception in bk 3)? If you were to portray a goddess/mortal relationship, how would you show that same power imbalance?
N.K. Jemisin
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Hmm, I'm not sure I agree that the women have limited agency -- but yes, there's a deliberate exploration of power dynamics in the sexual politics of the story, because that kind of thing interests me. It tends to be male gods with women because I'm a woman, and I have no idea how men view the power politics of sex, and because I'm straight. Though I did explore that somewhat with Sieh in book 3 on purpose, because a writer ought to be able to write even experiences she's not familiar with. And I deliberately positioned that liaison with Shahar on top, effectively taking control of things, because Sieh was in a vulnerable position and Shahar "felt like a goddess" to him, not just sexually. (A similar dynamic occurred later in the book, with Dekarta taking control and manifesting divinity during sex, though that's not the gender combo you're looking for.) So most likely I would depict a goddess/mortal relationship the way I did there -- a degree of fear and reverence mingled with the lust. Same as the way I depict relationships with male gods, really. What's important is *god*, not gender; the gods' gender is just a temporary affectation, after all. (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Susanne Thomas
asked
N.K. Jemisin:
Your ability to craft stories and play with PV and perspective with words has led me to recommend your books to people who don't generally love the genre. My question is, do you struggle to move on to new stories after writing something as lengthy as a trilogy? I don't mean having new ideas, but moving past characters like Hoa to new stories? If that makes sense! Thanks!
N.K. Jemisin
60,461 followers
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