I recently entered a short story competition. I didn't get past the first round but did get some valuable feedback from the judges. A critique on one's writing is always difficult to digest, but as a writer, a thick skin is a necessity along with a good dictionary and copious amounts of tea.
However, one comment irked me somewhat.
One of the characters where I described her anatomy was criticized: "The line about "Kathy's small pert breasts" feels a bit problematic for 2019."
I was a little puzzled. Why should it be problematic? I'm just describing a character. It's difficult to fully convey the various personalities of people in stories in less than 2,500 words and perhaps that is a shortfall of me as a writer, but it's still only a description. A means of describing a person.
With the current 'MeToo' climate, there is certainly more sensitivity and as an advocate of this movement, I do understand the need to be hyper-aware of causing offence. And yet, why should it affect how I write, what words I use?
Surely a writer is 'allowed' to describe its characters using what ever words it deems appropriate? Would I have got the same reaction/comment if I had said 'Kathy's sagging breasts'? Am I not 'allowed' to sexualize a woman? Believe it or not, there are women out in the world who like being seen as 'sexy'. And isn't a follow on from 'Me Too' also advocating that a woman has the freedom to be whom they choose to be?
As a writer, my words should engage my readers. Better still if I make them think and want to discuss what they've read. Not being able to write whether a woman's breasts are pert or not shouldn't cause offence to anyone, it shouldn't be 'problematic'. Obviously this judge has completely forgotten the popularity of 'Fifty Shades' and the hundreds of authors who write steamy romances. If you're easily offended (by sexual references), then don't read the book.
Perhaps I'm reading too much in to the judge's comment. All they want me to know is to be aware of how things are perceived. After all, the written word is a powerful thing (I'm old enough to remember the fatwa being placed on Salmon Rushdie), but I don't see (refuse to see?) how this description is problematic.
It also begs me to ask: is this comment akin to censorship?
Creating an image of a character with words is what my role of an author is all about. So, whilst I appreciate the critique, I will continue to describe my characters breasts (pert, heaving, drooping...) as I see fit.
