Too controversial?

MarkEsq · May 21, 2005

I am writing my second novel of what will hopefully become a series. The first is in the lap of an agent who is deciding whether to represent us (me and my book).
My protagonist is a barrister from London who comes to Texas to teach law but keeps getting pulled into defending various innocent murder-defendants. In my first book it was a nun, now it is a homeless chap. The tone is pretty light, no swearing, sex or graphic violence (I feel like they might be "cozies" but I'm not sure I like the term very much!). In each book, just to vary the pace and add some spice, I have my hero take on and win a smaller case, all within one chapter.
Now, in this second novel here is the smaller battle: basically, two women share an apartment and the landlord doesn't allow tenants to live there unless they are (a) on the lease or (b) married. One of the women can't be on the lease because her credit sucks and, we're in Texas, remember, they can't marry. My hero will figure out a solution, all the while treating the topic with irreverence and amusement.
'Tis true that I haven't entirely figured out the resolution, but I am wondering if the topic is too controversial for my style of novel. Any thoughts/suggestions?

DTKelly · May 21, 2005

I guess it depends on two things; who your target audience is, and what your resolution will be.

Making sure these two things are linked is important. If you're writing for a conservative audience, it would probably not be a good idea to push a gay marriage option.

I'm sure others can give you better advice and experience, this is just how I see it.

fedorable1 · May 21, 2005

Too controversial? Not at all. It's a pretty common issue, and while everyone has their own viewpoint it's not enough to be banned or anything. It's actually pretty mild nowadays.

James D. Macdonald · May 21, 2005

Not too controversial at all.

How did a London barrister get admitted to practice law in Texas?

reph · May 21, 2005

Your description implies that the women are a couple and that's what makes the idea controversial. Here, however (California), it isn't at all unusual for women to share an apartment as roommates. College students do it all the time. A landlord wouldn't impose such a rule: it would make it harder to find tenants. He'd probably be violating antidiscrimination laws, too. Landlords don't have that much say over the composition of tenants' households. What if he rented to a couple whose son later finished college (or returned from military service) and moved in with them, or a woman whose sister moved in, or a man whose girlfriend moved in, or two men who found they needed a third roommate to help pay the rent?

At least where I am, those terms on a lease aren't plausible.

SRHowen · May 21, 2005

Here in Texas our lease states that only those listed on the lease may reside in the property. Anyone who stays more than 3 weeks will be considered a resident and we will be charged a fine and extra rent. (and this is for a very old house in need of much work--)

They run a credit check on all adults in the house and you may be refused rental if you score too low or have no credit. Since we were in Europe for several years we had a heck of a time, since it appeared for the the 5 year period they check that we had no credit nor had rented anything.

So, at least here in Texas, they can say that.

Shawn

LightShadow · May 21, 2005

Not only is it not controversial, but as common as it is in today's society, I think its rather original compared to what's out there in book land. Most legal novels hit these large nationally impacting cases, or throw too much international intrigue in, but this is something that might just create an audience that's looking for something different than the common novel.

pianoman5 · May 21, 2005

MarkEsq, you might draw comfort from the success of Alexander McCall Smith's series of novels about a Botswanan lady detective, Ma Ramotswe. Gentle and warm, they address mostly the smaller issues of law with great humanity and lovely plot twists.

LightShadow · May 21, 2005

People thrive on reading about people unlike themselves, especially when it edges on controversy. Besides, who cares? If it publishes, then there's a big stink about controversy, it's a good thing. All that free marketing.

JoniBGoode · May 22, 2005

Here, too

SRHowen said:
Here in Texas our lease states that only those listed on the lease may reside in the property. Anyone who stays more than 3 weeks will be considered a resident and we will be charged a fine and extra rent. (

They run a credit check on all adults in the house and you may be refused rental if you score too low or have no credit.

So, at least here in Texas, they can say that.

Shawn

In Illinois all occupants must be listed on the lease. BUT, many landlords apply this rule selectively, and are unlikely to object if a room mate or lover moves in. I could envision a situation in which a landlord chose to stick to the letter of the law because he ASSUMED the two female residents were lesbians, rather than room mates.

(Many gay couples I know rent a two bedroom for this reason.)

Also, in Illinois as long as one of you has good credit, that's usually enough.

MarkEsq · May 22, 2005

There you go then...

This is EXACTLY why I come here to read and post - you guys are awesome. Thanks so much for the input, I am very grateful indeed. My fear was that readers of a more genteel (again, I avoid the word "cozy") mystery novel might be put off by the subject. But I will forge ahead, encouraged by your responses and input. And I will check out Ma Ramotswe, she sounds very much like what I am trying to achieve with my characters/stories.
And James, to answer your question: states allow attorneys from other jurisdictions to waive in, but in this case my character took the state bar exam - partly as an intellectual exercise and partly because in his job as a visiting professor of law he thought it would be advisable to be as well versed in Texas/US law as possible.
Thanks again to you all.

Too controversial?

MarkEsq

Clever title pending.

DTKelly

The Rememberer

fedorable1

Hopeless Romantic

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

reph

Fig of authority

SRHowen

Erotica is not a four letter word!

LightShadow

defender of the blahs!

pianoman5

Means well

LightShadow

defender of the blahs!

JoniBGoode

MarkEsq

Clever title pending.