Tito Kithes Athano
Such an obvious question, and it has taken me totally off balance! So why I am surprised?
The word 'couple' implies a male/female pair, rather than a same-sex 'partners in adventure' or similar. And I tend not to read romances where such pairings feature. Not my preferred genre. But that said, I put a lot of work into the Andreas/Zoe relationship in 'Mission of the Argo' to express teen-age love and commitment at its best, and the Jupiter/Juno relationship slightly later in the book was a deliberate examination of how such a relationship can unravel over time where their perspectives are irreconcilable.
In terms of 'partnerships', I can go back to Biggles and Algernon Lacey when I was in school, but that is another story.
But it's not that I'm just 'blokey'. I have no problems with a strong female protagonist. Tiffany Aching in Pratchett's Discworld books is one such, despite her tender years, as are the other witches in different ways. My recently-finished Argo pair of sci-fi novels are full of strong, independent females. (The book is based, after all, in a world of matriarchal societies). And these women are no less courageous or timid, ethical or conniving, faithful or duplicitous, heroic or contemptible as any males.
I suppose this blind spot for 'couples' is that I focus on individuals and what drives them, regardless of any romantic perspective. (Gee, what does that say about me as a husband? More introspection required!)
The word 'couple' implies a male/female pair, rather than a same-sex 'partners in adventure' or similar. And I tend not to read romances where such pairings feature. Not my preferred genre. But that said, I put a lot of work into the Andreas/Zoe relationship in 'Mission of the Argo' to express teen-age love and commitment at its best, and the Jupiter/Juno relationship slightly later in the book was a deliberate examination of how such a relationship can unravel over time where their perspectives are irreconcilable.
In terms of 'partnerships', I can go back to Biggles and Algernon Lacey when I was in school, but that is another story.
But it's not that I'm just 'blokey'. I have no problems with a strong female protagonist. Tiffany Aching in Pratchett's Discworld books is one such, despite her tender years, as are the other witches in different ways. My recently-finished Argo pair of sci-fi novels are full of strong, independent females. (The book is based, after all, in a world of matriarchal societies). And these women are no less courageous or timid, ethical or conniving, faithful or duplicitous, heroic or contemptible as any males.
I suppose this blind spot for 'couples' is that I focus on individuals and what drives them, regardless of any romantic perspective. (Gee, what does that say about me as a husband? More introspection required!)
More Answered Questions
Bobbie
asked
Tito Kithes Athano:
Hi, Robert (Tito), I read that you do beta reading on sci-fi. I'm looking for a few beta readers, and would not mind paying back in kind. I've been a member of Critters for nearly ten years, off and on, plus I am part of a regular writers group, so I have some experience. Not to mention that I 've read sci-fi for many years. Would you consider a trade of beta services? You can reach me at kaphri@aol.com Bobbie
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