Open Mic Spice….with Cassie Ryan!
Thanks to Amie for inviting me to guest blog! It’s my normal day to blog on my critique group blog - www.butterscotchmartinigirls.com, but I’ll be funneling everyone here today!
Anyway, let’s start this off right. My name is Cassie Ryan and I write hot books.
Yup, that’s me. Call it what you will–sex with a plot, panty-igniting, snarky and seditious, soft porn, or any of a hundred other labels, and uh huh–you’re on the right track. Hell, my books even have a warning label!
(And damn, if I don’t sell more books because of that cute little label “Warning! This is a Really hot book. Sexually Explicit.”
So what does this have to do with every day life and why do you care?
Well, the above (or reading my books) will let you know that clearly, I’m not a prude by anyone’s stretch of the imagination. I love sex, love doing it (sorry for the TMI moment!), love reading about it, and love dreaming up some fun scenarios so my characters can have it–usually LOTS of it. But call me picky–I do have to have some plot with my sex.
The erotic and erotic romance markets are still booming, although I think they will start to slow a bit pretty soon and the ranks of books will thin and the quality will skyrocket. It’s inevitable in any market or genre that has had the huge surge in popularity and sales that this one has. But I digress…
I try to read broadly, not only in this genre, but in many others. (I was and still am a very avid and eclectic reader before I started writing for publication.) Anyway, that means I’ve read tons of erotic books and erotic romances. The first one I ever read was one of Cheyenne McCray’s earlier works–and especially since she’s a great lady and a good friend and not to mention a phenomenal writer–I will always hold her as one of my favorites.
When I discovered her books, I was in heaven. They had a great story with lots of plot twists, real emotions and yes, some steamy, melt the clasp on your bra sex scenes! So when I dipped my toe into writing within that genre, I wanted those same things in my books. 
However, I also tend to have a much more sarcastic and scathing sense of humor that Chey, so my books definitely reflect that. For example, the Cunts.
Yup, you read that right. The Cunts.
They betrayed the crown on their homeworld and were banished to Earth, where the name of their race became synonymous with traitor and betrayer.
Now, let me say for the record that when I queried, pitched and even got edits, I fully expected someone–my agent, my editor, anyone, to say, NO WAY! You can’t do that! But other than a few bloggers who were cracking up throughout the book (and no, I wasn’t offended, it was written to be sarcastic, after all…lol) no one has even questioned my use of the dreaded “C” word. But, and here’s a big but–there is a ton of plot along with my sex!
So now that you think I’m on something and have jumped around to several subjects, I’ll try to pull it all together for you. As I said, I’ve read tons of erotic and erotic romance books, judged contests in those categories and even read online fan fiction in those genres, and the number one thing, even behind passive writing and backstory dumps that will make me put down a book is the total and complete absence of plot. If it resembles a loose plot like you see on a porno with a string of sex scenes in the middle–bingo! I’m not going to spend my precious and carefully guarded reading time on a story that doesn’t fully engage me. Because to me, sex (even with pretzel-type positions and twenty hot men in a room) isn’t worth reading about without the plot and the emotions behind it to tie it all together.
Does that mean I’m telling you that you have absolutely no taste if you don’t feel the same way. Nope. Obviously there are books like that on the market and they are selling well. It just means they don’t keep me engaged long enough to get to the group orgy on page three.
So, which do you prefer? Do you like your sex with some plot? Or do you like your sex with a side of sex and a sex chaser? Leave a comment and I’ll draw one of the commenters to win a free copy of Ceremony of Seduction–yup, the one with the Cunts!! :) If you’re not sure if you’re brave enough for it, there is an excerpt up on my MySpace page -
Tee Hee!
Cassie Ryan
Www.cassieryan.com
(aka, writer of lascivious porn with a plot)
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Cassie,
I love that you weren’t afraid to explore a new genre and took things a little bit beyond! WTG. Here’s a positive affirmation for you, since I know how you love them! “OPTIMISM IS LIFE CHANGING”
Stay stubborn!
Kathleen
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Thanks, Kathleen! And I do love that affirmation :) With a little imagination and a little optimism, we can take over the world!
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I gotta have plot and emotion as well in order for me to care about the sex. Otherwise, whats the point? Not only that, but I like my H/H to move in a postive direction. I will take a wee walk down pissed off lane if I dont get an HEA or if it is a series, at least a HFN with a promise of HEA at the end of the series.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Hi, Cassie! Thanks for blogging!
I absolutely need plot with my erotic romance–and hopefully a good one! Otherwise it becomes more just erotica to me. Fine, but an entirely cup or tea. I write hot with plot as well. I love books with humor
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Hi there Cassie. Great post!
I’ve read erotic books with very complicated external plots involving bad guys and/or adventure and I’ve read others where it’s more about the sex and the emotional journey the sex initiates. I enjoy both. In fact, lately, I’ve been enjoying a “quieter” story, more emotion, less whizzing bullets.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Hi Cassie,
It really depends on what time of the month it is. No, really. When my hormones are running high, just give me the sex. Other times, I have to have a plot. But I can’t read the plotless erotica books one after the other like I can the ones with a plot. And I love Cheyenne McCray too, and Emma Holly.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
at the risk of wreaking all kinds of havoc again, I would like to say that the warning label mentioned in this blog is a properly worded and completely acceptable one.
my problem was never with letting people know what they’re getting, it was assuming we don’t have enough sense to differentiate ‘real life’ from a novel.
And yeah, ya gotta have some plot…….
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Cassie,
Great post. I think that the sales speak for themselves here, but I have to say, I need a story. I need something that even if you took the sex out of it completely, it would still be fun to read. I love erotic elements, undercurrents and steamy sex scenes, but those are not my reason for picking up a book. I’m sure I’m in a minority though…lol.
I like your idea that the market will thin and the quality will increase. Hopefully, the stories that fit into the category I’ve just described will find a place too.
Thanks,
Gwen
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Wow, I step away to check some email and grab a shower and look at all these great comments!!
Thanks everyone for stopping by! I love everyone’s thoughts - and Bailey - I agree, there’s nothing wrong with some good hot sex scenes for their own sake when the hormones are running high or my hubby is traveling!! :)
Who are everyone’s favorite erotic and erotic romance authors?
Cassie
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Cassie said “Who are everyone’s favorite erotic and erotic romance authors?”
Wow, this is a hard question, there are soooo many. But this month I have had serious glom on for Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English series, J.L. Langley and Sarah McCarty’s Promises series.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I would like to say that the warning label mentioned in this blog is a properly worded and completely acceptable one
We love ya hon!
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Wow, Cassie, even your guest blog sizzles!
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
melt the clasp on your bra sex scenes
Or do you like your sex with a side of sex and a sex chaser?
You are KILLING ME HERE!!!!!!!
Okay I’m totally a plot then sex girl. The more I write the more I’m leaning toward plot and struggling with sex (Sorry TMI), but (and not to get off on four different tangents) it’s hard work coming up with a good sexy plot that is, well, good and lends itself to sex (and I AM my own worst critic).
As they say, if it was easy everyone would do it
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I need something that even if you took the sex out of it completely, it would still be fun to read.
*sits next to Gwen*
That makes two of us!!!
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Ames, Ames, Ames … does this mean at the next party Bebo should leave the porn at home?
Well, at least we still have Bubba.
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I like sex with a lot of plot. I like a book with equal parts of sex and plot.
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I like my sex hot, steamy with a side of more sex and a whole lot of plot. I like conflict and resolution, whether it’s between the hero and heroine, or the hero/heroine and some external entity.
Many of my favorite authors also happen to be friends of mine who I’ve met since I ventured into writing. My total favs are paranormal writers, like NJ Walters, Eve Vaughn, Lauren Dane, Shelley Munro, Judy Mays, Marilyn Lee, Anya Bast, Stephanie Burke, Jet Mykles, Tuesday Morrigan, Denise Rosetti, Eve Jameson, just to name few!
TJ
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FERAL FASCINATION ~ Now In Print
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HATSEPT HEAT, V.C.O.E. Book 3 ~ July 2008
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February 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Thanks for all the comments, guys! You rock :) I’ll be very official and wait until after midnight to put everyone’s name into a bowl and let me kidlet pick one of you to win the free book :)
Then you can have your very own Cunts to take home and cherish…well, besides the one you have already…LOL!
Cassie
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Okay, sex just for sex is fine, but it won’t hold my interest for long. I need plot and characterization along the way. If I have those and sexual tension as tight as a high wire, then I’m loving it.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I’m late to the party, as usual. But, in my personal reading opinion, sex with no plot is just…sex. Don’t care how they are doing it or where, but I need the motivation - other than the obvious.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Hi Cassie! I have to have plot with mine. I like finding the books with the warning labels on them. I know they’re the hot ones. Ceremony of Seduction sounds great!
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I’m not answering your question, but I am throwing my name here to be in the running to win the book ;-)
Have a lovely day! :-)
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hurray for writers of lascivious porn with plot! I prefer plot, too. If you have a moment to have the eye-sex or the verbal-sex before you have the sex-sex, it’s just so much hotter.
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Thanks for all the comments, guys! You rock :) I put all of your names in a cup and my kidlet pulld out Lynn Matherly. Congrats!!
Send me an email at Cassie dot Ryan at cox dot net with your snail mail addy and if you want the book signed to you :)
And thanks ladies for letting me guest blog!!!!
Cassie
February 24th, 2008 at 12:26 am
How cool is that? Thanks, Cassie.