Books and Poly

[starlight1]

So I've been writing a reverse harem / why choose fantasy novel. Beacause...why not. But I was thinking the next one I wanted to write was on polymory in a more urban fantasy style. So, if youre reading an urban fantasy with polyamory, how would you all want to be represented? And what tropes to avoid or include? Would you want a standard happily ever after or something more real and gritty? Perspectives please

 

[kdt26417]

I don't think that poly the way I live it would make good novel material. My life is quite dull. No drama. And plain vanilla to boot. It would not hurt my feelings if you used more exciting relationship material for your next book.

 

[telivan]

I'm always a fan seeing more queer representation in stable poly relationships. Triads, Quads, and larger networks.

I'd avoid "Oh, you wouldn't understand" trope where characters don't communicate for no reason. I'm not well versed in the romance genre tropes so I can't give a good answer to what to avoid beyond that.

 

[Marcus]

I think the best literature/entertainment is written with "what the fiction requires" as the guiding principle, not "what social commentary can we jam in here for representation".

It's fun to see characters who do things in an unexpected or non-traditional way, but those traits should be required by the fiction and not shoehorned in to meet a diversity quota.

 

[icesong]

The things that annoy me in one of the poly/urban fantasy series I read are 1. The main character sort of became poly under duress and was very conflicted about it but magically got ok with it (I mean in all senses of the word magically, LOL) and once she was ok with 2-3 partners suddenly she had a zillion... and the trope where Everyone Wants To F The Heroine. I realize that's some level of wish fulfillment but it's still jarring to see someone described as relatively plain or even moderately attractive suddenly - and without time to get to know them so you can't say it's personality - sleeping with an entire stable of model-attractive people...

 

[starlight1]

I don't think that poly the way I live it would make good novel material. My life is quite dull. No drama. And plain vanilla to boot. It would not hurt my feelings if you used more exciting relationship material for your next book.

I didnt mean using peoples material here. That would be awful and go against all sorts of my morals. I just want perspectives on what people who are poly want to read and see but is lacking in poly fiction

 

[starlight1]

I think the best literature/entertainment is written with "what the fiction requires" as the guiding principle, not "what social commentary can we jam in here for representation".

It's fun to see characters who do things in an unexpected or non-traditional way, but those traits should be required by the fiction and not shoehorned in to meet a diversity quota.

I'm not basing what I write as a moral batton to teach others poly. I'm writing what I love which happens to cross over with themes here and also has the unique opportunity of the said audience being a community I am in. So knowing what the audience likes and dislikes is really helpful. It allows me to approach something differently or come up with a new way of writing.
If you'd like to tell me your writing preferences for poly fiction that'd be more helpful than moral judgement on my motives.

 

[starlight1]

The things that annoy me in one of the poly/urban fantasy series I read are 1. The main character sort of became poly under duress and was very conflicted about it but magically got ok with it (I mean in all senses of the word magically, LOL) and once she was ok with 2-3 partners suddenly she had a zillion... and the trope where Everyone Wants To F The Heroine. I realize that's some level of wish fulfillment but it's still jarring to see someone described as relatively plain or even moderately attractive suddenly - and without time to get to know them so you can't say it's personality - sleeping with an entire stable of model-attractive people...

Thank you so much for this, yes it's a pet peeve of mine too. Nothing worse than the magical vagina trope that no man can resist xD

 

[starlight1]

I don't think that poly the way I live it would make good novel material. My life is quite dull. No drama. And plain vanilla to boot. It would not hurt my feelings if you used more exciting relationship material for your next book.

One more reply to this. No such thing as too boring if written well. I once read a whole series about building a cathedral brick by brick. Fascinating. Also i read your blog all the time and never once thought "this is boring".

 

[Marcus]

If you'd like to tell me your writing preferences for poly fiction that'd be more helpful than moral judgement on my motives.

Sorry, I thought we were having a conversation and I brought in my own perspective.

I can see that you have taken it as an insult, which wasn't my intention.

 

[starlight1]

That was my opinion, and also me adding to conversation too. Not taken as insult. Or I wouldn't added the winky face just pointing out the assumptions weren't about the actual question.

 

[Juan234]

Waking up the thread.

Coining new terms has done a lot to advance poly into the mainstream. Fiction also helps pave avenues that were previously unimaginable. And so, where do I find poly fiction?

HERE IS MY SUGGESTION

Opening: A straight couple fantasize about poly for years. The wife was the more reluctant of the two but then she cheats with the neighbor. It is the neighbor’s wife that first finds out and then brings the news to husband #1. He listens and entertains many directions of this drama, until he realizes it is going nowhere so he persuasively concludes revenge sex is needed. And they find the silver lining.

Fast forward 20 years. In their retirement, they share assets and vacation homes through a joint trust. They travel the world together. The couple checks into a hotel room. The hotel receptionist asks how many keys they will need. The couple answers “four”.