Most erotic romance authors at some point are asked by a well-meaning (or not so well-meaning) friend or relative why they write “those kind of books”.
These days, if anyone asks why I write Erotica and Erotic Romance, I tell them it’s because I enjoy the freedom of exploring what makes people tick and in my opinion separating sex from the equation means leaving out a really huge chunk of the life experience. If the current trend in books is any indication, I'm apparently not the only one.
As a reader and an author I enjoy a good story with a strong female protagonist, a woman who knows what she wants whether that may be honestly exploring her sexual nature by having a fling or a more serious romance with someone who sparks a palatable need that will ultimately lead to an emotional connection.
There isn’t any time during sex when characters are not emotionally vulnerable and as a reader I am fascinated by that vulnerability. As an author, I realize that sex is a veritable gold-mine when it comes to revealing a character’s hidden depths that hopefully, a reader might connect to on an emotional level.
Sustaining an emotional connection using the journey of the sexual experience to advance the plot is not a task I would assign to the faint of heart. It is, dear reader much more complicated than those who disparage erotica and erotic romance would have you think. It is not simply, insert tab A into slot B.
Whether it’s a story focused only on a woman’s sexual journey to discover her own hidden depths or a romance that is revealed along the sexual journey, I believe Erotica and Erotic Romance to be positive forces in our culture. They reinforce the belief that women have a right to their sexual identity and that they won’t accept anyone telling them otherwise.
If you study history, there have been times during each century in this country when women have taken a stand and demanded their rights. It wasn’t that long ago women were denied the right to vote, birth control or protection against an abusive spouse. They were also culturally persuaded to believe that they didn’t have a right to a sexual identity. I sincerely hope that those days are over and I thank those who came before and protested, marched and were sometimes jailed so that future generations would be able to express themselves freely.
Take some time and celebrate your right to free expression and since this is my holiday post, I would like to wish you and yours a joyous holiday season and will be gifting the choice of one of my back-list e-titles to someone who makes a comment today.
Happy Holidays!
Paris Brandon
parisbrandon.author@parisbrandon.com
http://www.jasminejade.com/m-524-paris-brandon.aspx
http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/151-201-101-449-1--iou-by-paris-brandon.html
You wrote: "Sustaining an emotional connection using the journey of the sexual experience to advance the plot is not a task I would assign to the faint of heart."
ReplyDeleteSo true, Paris. I've written in many genres - erotic romance is the hardest. It's difficult to sustain sexual tension and keep the sex scenes fresh while also having a great story. Definitely multitasking. :)
Great blog!
Thanks Tina:)and may I add that you do a wonderful job of multitasking and I love your books!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Paris! So true on every level. I could talk about this subject for hours. Erotic ROMANCE celebrates a woman's sexuality and the emotional connection between her and her partner. Without the emotional connection and commitment, the story is not a romance.
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday!
Best--Adele
Wonderful post. I've just started writing erotica for Ellora's Cave and its not at all easy. Some of my friends think it's just a matter of stringing sexy words together and it's far frpm that...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Adele! Hope your holidays are wonderful as well:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jean! Easy is never a word I would use to describe writing erotica:)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I enjoy erotic romance because for me it is far more realistic and believable. Also, it shows the reader that we are allowed to embrace our true feelings about sex and emotions, rather than hiding from it as our society has taught us. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine! So glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for commenting:)
ReplyDeleteWell said, Paris! I think readers look for that emotional connection between the characters that makes the love scenes that much more explosive. Great blog post!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Paris. you are so right. we should celebrate our freedom of expression.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a very happy holiday season.
XXOO Kat
Thanks Deborah! Have a great holiday season:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kat! Happy Holidays to you too:)
ReplyDeleteI write both romance and erotic romance--there's a place for both and that's what erotic romance writers bring to the table.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you want a little more on your plate and erotic romance delivers...
Hi Jina,
ReplyDeleteHow true:) Thanks for stopping by!
Catherine Green is the winner! Please contact me at parisbrandon.author@parisbrandon.com
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone who stopped by and made a comment:)
I've seen a documentary about women fighting for our sexual freedom in this country, and read a bit about it too. And in those days it those early women had quite the fight on their hands.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm afraid they did. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Janice!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm afraid they did. Thanks for stopping by!