Help! I’ve Finally Written My First Novel. When I Sent It to My Friend, She Was Appalled.

Every week, Dear Prudence answers additional questions from readers, just for Slate Plus members. Dear Prudence, I’m an aspiring writer, and I’ve almost completed a good draft of what would be my first novel. A close friend of mine read my draft and told me that she thinks it’s a problematic portrayal of romance, based on trauma bonding and fuzzy consent. —Problematic Problems Dear Problematic Problems, Of course it’s OK to write a romance that isn’t perfect, but imperfect and “problematic” are different descriptions. —Ashley More Advice From Slate For the better part of a year now I’ve been seeing an absolutely amazing man named “Ben.” He’s tall, gorgeous, gentle, mature, considerate, aesthetically sensitive, intellectually curious, and shares my love of culture and travel.