Friday, June 28, 2013

What Women Read - A Guest Post by Vaughn Roycroft




Today I (Kim) would like to introduce Vaughn Roycroft, an epic fantasy writer I met through the Writer Unboxed group on Facebook, where we are both on the moderating team. He is a frequent commenter on our posts here at What Women Write and, having beta read the first book in his trilogy, I can say he's not bragging when he says the Skolani will greatly appeal to women. (I'll let him explain why.)

Here's Vaughn! 

Brave or Foolish? Yep, besides being a writer, I’m a dude. And I’m here on a blog called What Women Write talking about what women read. As of this moment, I haven’t decided if this idea is brilliant or daft. I’m leaning toward the latter, but what the heck. It’s almost Independence Day here in the US, so I might as well light this thing up and see if it’s a lovely skyrocket or a complete dud.

Why Should I Care? After all, as I already mentioned, I’m a dude. And it’s summer—high season for poolside page-turning. I’m all for reading whatever inflates your air-mattress, no matter who you are. As long as you’re reading, I’m all for it.

I must admit, I hadn’t thought much about who reads what prior to finishing a draft of my trilogy of epic fantasy manuscripts. Then I suddenly had beta-readers, and a funny thing started to happen. It happened so slowly, I didn’t notice at first. It took a brilliant post by my mentor, Cathy Yardley, to yank it to the forefront of my oh-so-observant male consciousness. Do You Know Your “Right Reader?” forced me to examine the facts. Of the trilogy’s dozen or so readers, the ones for whom the work best resonated were preponderantly women. And it’s only become more evident since. It seems my Right Reader is female.

Who knew? Not me. I’m not sure why this initially bothered me. Maybe I was just surprised. But my business background soon brought me back to my senses. I knew the importance of a target market. I realized not only that I shouldn’t be bothered, but that I should gladly embrace it. As Cathy points out, your Right Readers aren’t going to be your only readers. But they will be your advocates. And in a business driven by word-of-mouth and recommendation, that’s a priceless commodity.  

Image by Iwan Nikolaevich Kramskoj - 1866
Women Really Read This Stuff? I guess that the surprise was due to my genre—epic historical fantasy. I mean, I did not spare the battle scenes or violence. And my work is loaded with all the usual geeky tropes, like foreign-sounding names and special swords (heck, I even have special swords with foreign-sounding names). But I’ve come see it should not have been a surprise—for several reasons.

#1- Diversity: (This one will be obvious to the readers of WWW.) Of course women are as diverse in their tastes as men. So, of course, their reading and writing preferences are going to be just as diverse, if not moreso. (Forgive me, guys, but since I’ve been monitoring gender trends, I’ve met far more women who read widely, across genres and fiction plus nonfiction, than men. It’s just anecdotal, and maybe simple coincidence, but lately I’ve discussed books with so many men who tell me they only read nonfiction.) Since discovering my Right Readers, I’ve met so many women who both write and read epic fantasy. Maybe this was initially surprising to me because y’all are so much less likely to wear your Frodo Lives tee-shirts in public than us male geeks.  

#2- I write strong females: In fact, they’re kickass, if I do say so. One of the most fantastic elements of my work is the creation of an all-female warrior sect called the Skolani. I’ve written about why I created them in a post called Regarding Kickass Warrior Chicks. To quote from the article: “With the addition of the Skolani, I hoped to create a genuine historically-correct atmosphere in which my male and female characters could approach one another with the same respectful consideration as would two males–to have the opportunity for males and females to appraise one another both inside and outside the realm of sexual attraction. I wanted my male and female characters to be friends, comrades, occasionally lovers, or even esteemed foes, all within the context of a believably historical setting.” I suppose it shouldn’t have been a shock that my female characters would appeal to a segment of female readers.

#3- Calgon, take me away! So I’m a guy who likes an occasional lingering bubble-bath. So what? (See? I’ll bet you’re becoming less and less surprised my work appeals to women, huh?) Seriously, as a reader, I want to be transported. I want to be taken somewhere I couldn’t or wouldn’t go in real life. Also, I not only want to feel something while I read, I want to be left feeling something afterward.
Whose Fiction? In an interview by Amy Nathan, my friend Therese Walsh, co-founder of Writer Unboxed, was asked how she defines Women’s Fiction. Therese answered, “For me, women’s fiction makes you reflect on your life in a meaningful way. It isn’t escapist fiction. It isn’t light or even fun. It might make you cry—even sob—then leave you to consider: Why did that touch me like that? What does it say about me that this book resonated so authentically? What have I learned here? Good women’s fiction leads you to a thoughtful place and connects you with your innermost self.” I really like this description. Maybe they should’ve called it “Mostly Women’s Fiction.”

The Total Literary Package: If you take out Therese’s line about escapism, you have my favorite kind of book. I already loved history when I read The Lord of the Rings at age eleven, and fell in love with being transported (escapism, I suppose). And it might have been partly due to reading my mom’s castoffs in my youth—books like The Thornbirds and The Far Pavilions—but not only do I love the way historical settings transport me, I also enjoy the emotional evocation of an entwined romance element within an epic tale. Wrap all of that up for me; I’ll take it. Set me poolside and I’m a happy reader.

And I attempted to write the kind of story I love to read. So if this is something I share with a segment of female readers, I’m thrilled. Since discovering my Right Reader, I can say something my geeky high-school self would’ve never dreamed to ever be remotely accurate: “Chicks dig me.”

Now it’s your turn. Feel free to set me straight. Am I being brave or foolish to presume to tell the readers of What Women Write about what women read? 


About Vaughn Roycroft:


In the sixth grade, Vaughn’s teacher gave him a copy of The Hobbit, sparking a lifelong passion for reading and storytelling. After college, life intervened, and rather than writing fantasy fiction, Vaughn spent twenty years building a successful business. After many milestone achievements, and with the mantra ‘life’s too short,’ he and his wife left their hectic lives in the business world, moved to their getaway cottage near their favorite shore, and Vaughn finally returned to writing. In addition to polishing his epic fantasy trilogy, Vaughn is a moderator for the Writer Unboxed Facebook Community as well as a regular contributor to the WU newsletter, Writer Inboxed. 

Get a glimpse into Vaughn’s writerly world at vaughnroycroftblog.com.
 

24 comments:

  1. Thanks for inviting me and for your kind introduction, Kim!

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  2. Brilliant, Vaughn! "I not only want to feel something while I read, I want to be left feeling something afterward." is my absolute favorite line and I think I'm going to have to steal it and post it somewhere. This perfectly sums up how I decide if I really love a story. It has to make me engage emotionally, and it doesn't really matter what that emotion is,or what type of story it is, if there's an emotional connection, I'll remember it. Being aware of this as a writer is so important and you clearly have a knack for connecting with your audience. (I also love epic fantasy and strong female characters- I can't wait to read yours!)

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    1. I so agree, Nicole, that if it has that connection, it doesn't matter what kind of story. But having said that, I am still a geek at heart, too. Give me both geeky and emotionally connecting, and I'll probably buy your catalog. Back at you, on being excited to read! Thanks for weighing in!

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  3. Great article. I like a wide variety of lit, so it doesn't surprise me that your book has universal appeal. I agree completely with Theresa's assessment, "For me, women’s fiction makes you reflect on your life in a meaningful way." Glad you're writing, Vaughn!

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    1. Thanks, Julie! Although I'm not so sure about the universal appeal. I've had some male readers who connected, and a few who've said the literary equivalent of "Meh." I guess I'm just very happy to find the epic fantasy market to be such a broad one, demographically. It reminds me of a great essay fantasy novelist Jacqueline Carey wrote about fantasy readers. She'd polled her facebook fans to ask them why they love the genre, and she summarized the results wonderfully, ala The Breakfast Club. Here's a link, if anyone's interested (you have to scroll down to the July '11 entry): http://www.jacquelinecarey.com/archive11.html

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  4. Dear Bubbles,
    Air-mattress inflated, check.

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    1. Worst thing about those bubble-baths: No socks!
      Glad to hear you're all set for summer. Float on, Dee!

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  5. Advice that bears repeating again and again: "your Right Readers aren’t going to be your only readers. But they will be your advocates."

    Haha! re: the "Frodo lives" t-shirt. (tucks "Evenstar" necklace inside shirt and looks around) I love your Skolani--there's a t-shirt I would wear, and I don't wear t-shirts. :D

    Well, T is right, it's all about the connections we make--even the ones that up our ire. If we aren't moved by the story, we aren't engaged. The most authentic way to create that engagement is writing with honesty, which you do. It's a strength the reader relates to and appreciates.

    As far as presumptions go, you're not making one. Your beta readers have proven, to you, what they want, you've been measured, you've been weighed, and the only thing you're found wanting is adding more to your epic--because we don't want it to end.

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    1. Thanks for all of your support and encouragement, D! I can't wait to send you that Skolani tee-shirt. Which do you prefer: "Protect your hair--Hug a Blade-Wielder!"; or "Save a Friend, ride a Rekkr!" ;-)

      You bring up a valuable point, about not wanting epics to end. It's another great thing about our genre--when you find a series that connects in that authentic way, there is a possibility your literary love can last a good long time. I have this going on with Robin Hobb at this moment. Thanks again, for everything!

      P.S. I can't wait to continue the series. Just have this minor pesky problem of getting the first one just right (and sold).

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    2. Love them both! lol. But I want "Four-hooved friends--my aim is true" :P

      No worries--you've got that 1st now. :D

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  6. You're very welcome, Vaughn!

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  7. Bernadette Phipps-Lincke28 June, 2013

    I agree with what Denise said. Your "right readers" will be the advocates for your work. Skolani kick-ass. And that appeals across the board. I may not wear a Frodo shirt, but I'd rock a "Skolani kick-ass" shirt any day. :)

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    1. I feel so honored to have you as one of my Right Readers, B! Thanks for all of your encouragement, and for helping me stay true to my vision. (Clearly I'd better start looking into tee-shirt design, hadn't I? I think I want a Skolani shirt, too! :-)

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  8. Lisa Threadgill28 June, 2013

    Great post, Vaughn. I may or may not be wearing my X-Files Fight The Future T-shirt as I write this. I love seeing all the conversation regarding the (erroneous IMHO) "conventional wisdom" that women don't read epic fantasy. I've always been drawn to strong, independent, uppity heroines. Possibly because my mother was a strong, independent, uppity Irish-American woman. In recent years, more and more of these heroines are showing up in epic fantasy, and I couldn't imagine a better match. What I really like about the heroines from the last decade or so is that they aren't just essentially men with boobs. They're women, with all the emotional complexity, strength, ferocity, desires and fears that we have in our natures. You're not wrong, dude. Good job.

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    1. Lisa, to demonstrate the depths of my geekiness, the T-shirt I'm wearing has a picture of a Balrog sitting looking sad, with swords, a bow, and an axe laying around him, and it says: "No one left to play with."

      I'm loving the women of recent epic fantasy, as well. It's a big improvement over the days when they were helpless and annoying (I'm thinking Wheel of Time, Egwene-annoying here), or basically men with boobs (God, I love that!).

      Thanks for your insight, encouragement, and for giving me a new T-shirt to order, my friend! Here's to strong, independant, uppity Irish-American women! You rock!

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    2. Lisa Threadgill28 June, 2013

      I didn't like the whiny, helpless ones either. One of the myriad reasons I stopped reading The Wheel of I Stopped Caring Five Books Ago, was because the women were either whiny and helpless or men with boobs. That's like writing all male characters as either towering infernos of testosterone or milquetoast. *People* aren't only one thing. And characters that are are not good characters.

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  9. Men with boobs & a deflated air mattress. What twisted erotica is this genre! Great post and my guess would be you have strong intelligent women in your life you lucky lucky dude.

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    1. :-D Thanks, Diana! And you are so right. Strong and intelligent women make me the lucky dude I am. I am very fortunate to have them in my life! Cheers!

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  10. "Chicks dig me." Too funny! Enjoyable post, Vaughn! I'm not a fantasy reader (much), but I have read a few. Honestly, I'm a little surprised that women are your Right Readers. Having kick-ass warrior girl types in the books helps. I didn't know gals liked the fantasy/sci fi stuff. I'm not being gender biased, I just didn't think chicks would dig it because I don't much dig it. But I'm an old chick. And I still dig YOU!

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    1. I was right there with you, Karen! It wasn't long ago that I was clueless about how many women read fantasy. But I've noticed the trend is only getting stronger. My Goddaughter--age 25--and many of her friends all read epic fantasy, probably because of the mentioned trend toward strong, independent female characters in fantasy. I feel very fortunate, and not least of all because you still dig me. The feeling's mutual. :-) Thanks for reading and weighing in, Karen!

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  11. Re your wondering why it troubled you to learn your writing appealed more to women: I say that I write romance, but it's probably more true that I write romantic elements. (In different genres, which is going to be problematic, but there you are.) As this realization dawned, I almost went through a mourning process. I'd had one idea about how my writing "career" should go, and this was both unfamiliar and unanticipated. It meant I'd have to target different agents and publishers, I'd probably have a different kind of cover, etc. Quite simply, it changed my self-concept and dissolved one of the few things in writing that I thought was certain.

    Anyway, I'm over that now. My hang-ups are non-genre related. ;)

    Long way of saying, I get the distress. But if you had to pick a gender to appeal to, given that women purchase and read most fiction, you probably chose the right one.

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    1. I didn't want to dwell, but you've exactly nailed what I went through. When I actually thought about, it became even funnier that I was troubled. Stephen King calls the person you image as your first reader--the person you hope will laugh at the funny parts and cry at the sad parts--your Ideal Reader. That person for me is Mo, so, yeah--I was composing for a female Ideal Reader. Go figure. :-P

      Thanks for better 'slaining that aspect of the post, Jan! Here's to abandoning genre-related hang-ups (and all others, to the best of our abilities ;-) )! Thanks for pointing out the market's upside, too! Have a great weekend, Boss!

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    2. Vaughn--

      Thanks for guest posting with us and bringing such a lively dialog to the blog! You're welcome back anytime.

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    3. Thanks, Pamela! Thanks to you all for having me! It was my pleasure, and I'd love to come back someday.

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