The day always falls on March 8th and serves as a great reminder of how far women have come regarding love and independence from their past. As a romance novelist, I have spent years writing about powerful women in pursuit of their heart’s desires (love, passion, or the freedom to be themselves).

This process has challenged me to break down my preconceived notions of what women are “permitted” to want.

Romance is a Radical Act

At the tender age of eleven, I read my first romance novel and was forever changed by the content. I discovered women’s stories that were about the women actively making choices for themselves versus only waiting on a man to choose them.

All of the women in those books were complex, emotional, real, and weren’t hiding the fact that they needed to create connections and find intimacy. I strive to mimic this in my writing (internal and external acceptance of their vulnerability and strength).

Why International Women’s Day Is Important

As a writer, International Women’s Day means more than just a day of recognition or acknowledgement; it is a day of acknowledgment of the contributions women have made to literature as a whole, particularly related to desire.

For too long, women’s literature, particularly desire-based literature, has been viewed as being “frivolous” or “shameful.” I believe that at its core, romance writing provides an avenue for women to express their emotions, desires, and their thoughts; to give their inner world a platform to be seen and respected.

The Inspiration Behind My Writing

I live in Queens (New York), and I am consistently surrounded by extraordinary and everyday women. Women, like the single parent working two jobs, the artist painting in her tiny apartment, and the grandmother teaching her granddaughter family traditions (the recipes that continue from one generation to the next) are who inspire my writing. They all inspire my character development; not because they are perfect but because they are real.

For this year’s International Women’s Day, the issues affecting women have gained significant attention. We are still fighting for equal pay, bodily autonomy, and the right to choose how we tell our stories. Women writers have a responsibility to do the following: portray rather than preach; create characters who accurately depict the range of complexities each woman has.

Writing as a Path to Permission

The rituals I have surrounding my writing ground me. They continue to remind me of how important it is to show up.

They allow for activism through creating space for emotional connections. When I write about women requesting what they want, establishing boundaries, or choosing themselves, the act of writing becomes more than story; it becomes permission.

For this International Women’s Day, I will carry with me:

• gratitude for all women who have gone before me, who created their own identities when the world wanted them to be quiet;
• a sincere commitment to all women reading my words today, trusting me with their time and their hearts;

Women’s voices are neither an afterthought nor a niche. Women’s voices have always been the primary subject. I will continue to write as if everything I write is true. Happy International Women’s Day!

How does International Women’s Day resonate with you? Please let me know in the comments section; I read each response personally.

If you are interested in reading more stories where a woman claims her joy, please visit my author page on Amazon, or stop by mariacox.net to say hello!