I love dirty books!
There is yet another letter in the RWR claiming erotic romance novels are simply “out-and-out pornography” with “a thin, little plot.” So, how many books, I wonder, did this writer have to torture herself with before she concluded such a thing. Inquiring minds really, really want to know. I’m sure, for the interest of humanity at large, the poor soul suffered through hundreds, maybe thousands of pornographic romance novels. How very giving of her!
Dear Writer of the Nasty Letter in the RWR. If you came into contact with the head editors for, say, Harlequin, Bantam, Kensington, NAL, Virgin/Black Lace, Berkely or Grand Central Publishing, would you tell any of these editors, to their faces, that they have no idea what a romance novel is? Would you tell any of these editors that they can’t distinguish plot from, say PORN? Just wondering.
I was also wondering why some people feel such a huge need to create animosity within the romance genre. Why the need to condemn? What possible good does it serve?
There are many sub-genres within romance that I don’t care for. But it would never, ever occur to me to put those writers down. Writing a book is hard. It’s fucking hard. It doesn’t matter what genre you write in. Writing a NOVEL is HARD. It could be a secret baby book, it could be a shifter story. It’s HARD. And, it’s even harder to sell that book once one actually finishes it.
So why, I wonder, do some feel like the world needs to hear their judgments? Why do some want to put others down? I’m really, really curious. And a whole bunch of my colleagues are really, really curious, too. We’d love to hear your wisdom.
While you’re thinking, check out this video on Lauren Dane’s blog.
As for the rest of us, you prostitutes of integrity, how do you ever live with yourselves?
April 30th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Too bad people can’t just live and let live, ya know?
May 1st, 2008 at 12:06 am
Well written porn? Bring it on!
I think the answer is jealousy. Darn it, so many people are selling this “crap”… why didn’t I think of it?
May 1st, 2008 at 12:10 am
Great blog, Feisty!
May 1st, 2008 at 12:19 am
I got a nice check in the mail today. It was just enough to buy me off and convince me to write more porn.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:21 am
Yeah, Emily. I just spent $650 on a tattoo to celebrate my first advance!
But the best part? I still wrote a ROMANCE!!
May 1st, 2008 at 12:45 am
I laugh all the way to the bank.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:50 am
I live happily with myself and what I do.
I actually feel sorry for those that have such a dull life they need to fill it with judgements on the world around them.
Really someone should build a bridge and tell them to get over it!
May 1st, 2008 at 12:56 am
I hate that people feel the need to pick on erotic romance writers and try to make us feel bad for writing what we do. Yes there’s bad erotic romance books out there but there’s bad books in EVERY genre. And just because I don’t read romantic suspense doesn’t mean that I beat up those who write it or claim they aren’t real writers.
It’s rather frustrating. But whatever. People suck.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:41 am
How do I live with myself? I masturbate a lot–that reminds me how much pleasure my writing brings to others and really takes the edge off the guilt. Any other questions?
May 1st, 2008 at 5:51 am
Live with myself? I sleep like a baby at night. So…
May 1st, 2008 at 5:53 am
Brava!
If those that are so upset about what we write (and shock! What folks are buying and reading!) would spend half as much energy writing great romances - whatever the heat level - perhaps they could afford a $650 tattoo too!
I like romance dammit, and I like it HOT!!!!
May 1st, 2008 at 7:33 am
What gets me is, the debate has raged for so long and every time one of these “opinionated” authors writes one of these letters, there’s uusally a slew of backlash. Ultimately nobody wins. The “opinionated” ones aren’t proven right, the erotic romance authors continue to write and sell like crazy and make lots of money and the resentment between the two “factions” builds. Could it be these people just like stirring up controversey because it’s the only way they can get their names in print?
May 1st, 2008 at 8:25 am
Ding, ding ding. We have a winner. JAC hit the nail on the head. I googled the latest author. She hasn’t had a book published in English in 12 years. There is a recent, oh 5 years ago, French translation of a previous YA book. The original letter was written by someone who has never published fiction. She is a poet. She is also a member of my local chapter. Is it any wonder I don’t want to join them.
And once I get all the guys to leave me alone for the night, ;) I sleep quite well. In the mean time
or better yet, someone else. It might dislodge the stick from your ass.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:30 am
Don’t let it get you down, Feisty. Just keep doing what you do and being Feisty. (see what I did there?
)
Maybe some of these people need
May 1st, 2008 at 8:38 am
Sadly, I’ve found it much easier to “live with myself” (in terms of lower blood pressure and a friendlier outlook on life in general) since I let my RWA membership lapse.
But I do miss Passionate Ink like BURNING, and if I didn’t have to pay dues to a larger organization that I find less than supportive of my endeavors as a writer, I’d still be a member.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:56 am
At some point you just have to say…WTF? and move on.
I would think that RWA would start ignoring these letters. I mean… been there… bitched about that.
Do they really need to keep publishing this ludicrous complaint?
May 1st, 2008 at 11:02 am
I don’t know, Feisty. But sometimes you just need to say
to people.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:11 am
You know, I’m pretty good at letting these things roll off my back, but considering there have been letters three months in a row, I just had to rant!
I also want to say that being a member of RWA has been instrumental in my career so far. I DO believe in the organization as a whole. It’s especially good for new and unpublished authors. It’s just sad that members of RWA feel such a need to put down other writers.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:11 am
Dana, didn’t I just do that?
May 1st, 2008 at 11:59 am
I must respectfully disagree with the assessment that all erotic romance is thinly-potted. There are some great stories out there that stand well on their own without the sex. Any non ER authors who feel they are being pushed aside in favor of this genre shouldn’t worry, either. New imprints are created for erotic romance, so non-ER authors won’t see slots that could be theirs go to steamier works. There is room in the genre for everybody, and you are certainly not obliged to read all of it.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:59 am
I’m with Shelley and Emily on this one. I just deposit my checks and shrug.
But I think Robin Rotham has a point. Why is the RWR publishing these letters? If they got a letter trashing the Inspirationals as “plotless” or “preachy” they wouldn’t publish it.
My question is, when will the policy of the RWA be INCLUSIVE not EXCLUSIVE.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I’m with Emily Ryan-Davis. I also got a nice little check in the mail and I’m also ready to write me some more porn…I mean erotica…I mean smut…I mean…whatever.
I’m writing it as long as people are willing to read it.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
It’s true that sex sells, but that’s not what will keep the ER market going. Readers still want a good, romantic story. In the end, that’s what sells. To imply otherwise puts down the people who keep us going: the readers.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:48 pm
You did just do that. I just mostly like to use the
as often as possible. Sometimes twice for good measure. 
May 1st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Hmm, isn’t that what most people say about romance in general? That romance novel have no plot. That it’s really just porn for women. This lady needs to take her own head out of her butt and call it a day.
Now, I’m saying this and I don’t even read erotic romance that often. My theory, a good book is a good book regardless if a character might play with another’s bum hole during a sex scene.
Bravo, Feisty.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Amen, Feisty!
So, I suppose this means I’m imagining all the effort and angst figuring out the angles and fitting in the complete arc of my “thin, little” plots?
BTW, writing is HARD. Each element you add to a story, be it sex or action, or whatever, makes it even harder. NOT easier. That should be obvious. IMHO.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I punish myself by masturbating until I go blind.
Kidding…….
May 1st, 2008 at 3:30 pm
JAC I seem to remember the same controvery over chick lit–haters all of em. Just for the sake of heating.
And what Selah said…I’m not renewing my RWA dues. It’s too far to drive to Dallas, and I get nothing out of my local chapter (and I’m an officer). I don’t need to. If I ever want to go to RWA National, I’ll pay the extra money. Come December i”m done. I just don’t need the tax write off that bad.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I stay in RWA because of the chapters. I honestly don’t see where these kind of letters even belong in a professional publication. What does a writer’s reading preference have to do with the organization as a whole?
I’ll continue writing my stories and cashing my checks and working off stress in the best way possible
May 1st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
They bore me. What small minds people have that the only light in their lives comes from trying to stop other people from reading and writing what they like.
Don’t like sex scenes in romance? Okay with me. LIke what you like but for the love of teh sweet baby jesus on a skateboard can we please stop trying to prevent OTHER people from reading and writing what they like? Jan needs a hug I think.
Oh and some tolerance.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I’m right there backing you up girl!
May 1st, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I think there just tends to be backlash at whatever is hot in the market, because there’s always a writer who’s not writing it and glaring from the sidelines. Which is silly, because the market is fickle and changes all the time.
I kind of shrug it off. I write hot, my characters demand spicier love scenes. The romance is the same you’ll find in any other novel. If someone has a problem with it? They lose sleep over it, not me.
The letters, I get irritated for about twenty seconds and then it’s gone from my mind.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I write what I know, what I love. That just happens to be sex. And what could be more awewsome than the intense bond sex can sometimes create between two people. *shrugs* If that makes me a “prostitute”, just call me the happy hooker.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
There used to be a restaurant in Half Moon Bay called the Happy Cooker.
It was good.
Just sayin’.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 am
The Happy Cooker! That’s great.
Ya know, I write what I love and what I want to read. I’m just happy it seems to be selling so far.
And honestly, freedom, the whole idea of freedom is extremely important to me.
The freedom to choose what you read and don’t read. And the freedom to write the romance you want!
And, maybe, the bottom line is sometimes people just like to stir up trouble for their own petty reasons. And Erotic Romance is a favorite target of some.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:01 am
Do you think maybe it’s like in high school when the kids not in the ‘in’ crowd put down those that were? I guess it’s tough being left out of the party.
It’s tall poppy syndrome. Gotta slash down those that grow the tallest.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
This again? AGAIN?
I love it when you get mad, Feisty.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Eva…no SHIT!
Rachel EXACTLY! Funny thing is, in high school, I was NEVER one of the cool kids.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I was pretty feisty in high school, too.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I just feel sorry for any woman who is so afraid of physical intimacy that the mere notion of consenting adults having sex just for FUN makes them start ranting.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
There was a pretty good editorial in the LA Times opinion pages a couple of weeks back written by James Lear, who writes m/m erotica for Cleis Press. Basically, he said that since the obvious purpose of erotic storytelling is to give the reader a purely recreational sexual charge, it will always be suspect in America because Americans have a dim view (as a society) of recreational sex. I think that’s probably true.
All I can say to those folks who don’t approve of sex for fun is better you than me. Because as far as I’m concerned, it’s ALL about fun!
May 27th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
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