December 6th, 2009 — Writing Tips
Sex scenes are hard - pun intended. They've become nearly essential to a good romance. Writing one that is believable and heated can require a lot of effort. If you're uncomfortable it shows and turns off readers. So where does one start? By remembering that the sex scenes are for and about your characters and not yourself.
1. Don't use medical terms if you can avoid them.
Nobody wants to read about vaginas and penises. Nothing can be more jarring than that. Of course crazy euphemisms hurt the story flow also. Pronouns however are great. Use both subjective and objective particularly!
Consider:
"He entered her swiftly" is hotter than "His penis entered her vagina swiftly." It's also better than "His pink cigar entered her taco swiftly."
Notice how the euphemisms were taken to the extreme. That was to prove a point because clefts, feminine deltas, meat, and poles can be equally weird in a situation. Use with discretion.
Conclusion: Readers want to be able to slip into the fantasy. Let them!
2. Reflect and record.
What attracts you to sex scenes in other romance novels?
Make a list of what you find and have found sexy in other authors' writing. Keep this list handy so you can refer to it while writing. Think of it as inspirational reminders. Be sure to try to include the list in your own work. Just don't turn this into a formula as that won't help. Formulized sex scenes read flat, underdeveloped, and are forgettable.
If you can't think of anything for your list, remember that sex is explored through all the senses. You can start there and flush out the scene accordingly.
Conclusion: Formulaic sex scenes are crap, but having a list of good sex scene qualities that appeal to you will go a long way.
Continued in Part Two.
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Originally posted 2009-02-24 23:47:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 1st, 2009 — Author Interviews, Erotica, J-L
LRP: I just read Market For Love and I was impressed by your details of the work atmosphere. Granted I have no background in finance America, you could have said anything and I would probably buy it, but that's not the point. What you did write was entirely believable for me as a reader. So my question for you is how do you go about researching topics like corporate America to be able to include it into your writing?
Jamaica: -----I actually worked in Corporate America as a professional writer and editor for many years---including in Chicago's LaSalle Street financial industry----so it is actually very easy for me to write books in that setting. I mostly wrote Market For Love based on my own experiences as a single woman working in the man's world of finance, so very little independent research was needed for this particular book.
LRP: There were some pretty hot and heavy sex scenes in Market For Love in which your writing never faltered. I take it you're pretty comfortable writing about it. In your opinion what makes a great bedroom scene?
Jamaica: ----I think a great bedroom scene (or sex scene, since very few of the sex scenes I write take place in actual bedrooms) involves three major things. First, there has to be a lot of dramatic and sexual tension leading up to the scene itself, and you have to establish that through the story's plotline and characterizations. Second, you need to describe the sex acts in great detail, frankly, and without embarrassment. Third, there needs to be a payoff----and not just in terms of giving the characters orgasms. There has to be a satisfying sexual payoff for the reader as well. A well-written sex scene is really a ménage a trois between the man, the woman, and the reader.
LRP: That's a very savvy statement! I'll back you up on that one! Now Miranda and Max are some pretty solid names, easy to get behind because they're not so far off the wall. Plus the alliteration helps I think. How did you decide their character names and naming characters in general?
Jamaica: ----You know, I usually just name my characters at random. Whatever names pop into my head are usually the ones I use. I also am pretty lucky in that I seem to have a talent for writing characters that live up to their names, too. On the rare occasion that I find myself looking up names in a baby book or something, it's usually to name minor characters. I never have any difficulty naming my heroes and heroines.
LRP: I like to ask authors this question about the genre: what do you think is the most abused aspect of or in romance novels?
Jamaica: -----I think a major weakness of most "sweet" romance novels is the fact they leave the sex out. One reason I'm so drawn to writing erotica is because it leaves the sex in without asking the reader to fill in their own details. Don't get me wrong----I still like a good non-erotic romance novel----but there still needs to be at least some sex and/or sensuality in order for it to appeal to me. Even Jane Austen understood the importance of sex in romance-----all of her heroines are quite sensual, even though her books make no direct mention of sex.
LRP: Now it's time for a really tough question, no answer is wrong here so don't be shy. How do you define love?
Jamaica: ----I define love as an emotion that has no conditions. Someone who truly loves you accepts you just as you are, warts and all, and doesn't expect you to "change" for him/her. And true mutual acceptance is an important part of sex, too.
LRP: Why did you decide to write romance instead of writing in another genre?
Jamaica: -----I actually do write in other genres besides romance. I write romance more than anything else because I love the genre. But more than that, I just love a good story.
LRP: What are some challenges you face when writing romance?
Jamaica: ----I think the biggest challenge is the inaccurate perceptions many people have of the romance genre. So many people dismiss romance as "trash" when in fact 53% of all the books published every year in English are romance novels. The entire publishing industry is dependent on the revenue generated by the romance genre, in fact. And that's quite enlightening, considering too many writers in other genres think they are somehow "above" it. Romance (and indirectly, erotica) go all the way back to Jane Austen, and anybody who disses Jane Austen answers to me!
Plus, there's a very time-honored literary tradition when it comes to erotica as well----D.H. Lawrence, Anais Nin, Henry Miller, even James Joyce wrote erotica. The longstanding literary tradition of erotica is what I focus upon whenever people try to criticize me for choosing to write it. There's also a pretty vocal subset of romance authors who really look down upon erotica authors, even treat them with open hostility----which I don't think makes sense at all when you consider how intertwined sex is with romance.
LRP: What do you hope your readers will gain from your books?
Jamaica: ----I hope they enjoy a good story, have their hearts set aflutter, and get a little turned on. And also learn something in the process.
LRP: What do you do to relax and get away from writing? Is there something that really gets you away from it all?
Jamaica: ----I enjoy spending time with my husband and 1-year-old son. I also enjoy reading, working out, sewing, painting, and gardening.
LRP: What would you say to aspiring writers about the whole process?
Jamaica: -----"Just Do It!" Make time to write every day. Make writing an integral part of your life. Because if your goal is to become a working novelist, you will have deadlines and financial obligations that will require you to write every single day in order to make a living. Career novelists usually have to write about 2,000 words a day to make their deadlines. And writing 2,000 high-quality, PUBLISHABLE words a day, every day, takes time, commitment, and a hell of a lot of stamina.
LRP: Thank you so much for joining with us today Jamaica, I really appreciate your time! I know my readers will be grateful for all your insights and advice! Good luck with all your future writing projects!
Jamaica keeps a blog and you can get all her updates at http://jillelainehughes.blogspot.com/ or catch up with her on her author website.
Originally posted 2008-11-20 05:22:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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November 18th, 2009 — 4 Stars, ARC, Contemporary, Crime and Protection, Erotica, Guest Reviews, Lycanthrope, Native American, P-R, Paranormal, Rape/Abuse, Scarred Hero, United States of America, Working with Land
by Susan S., guest reviewer
Soul of the Wildcat is a wild and hot erotica! Devyn’s sexy Native American shifters will leave you breathless. I recommend this book to erotica readers.
She’s ♀
Dakoda Jenkins, a ranger working in North Carolina’s South Mountains State Park. Her assignment, is to stop the poachers from capturing the Eastern Cougars.
He’s ♂
Jesse Clawfoot, a Native American belonging to the Tlvdatsi; a tribe of the Cherokee Nation. He wandered too far from his reservation in search of a mate; when he scents a female.
They
Began their day never imagining they’d be taken, captured, and caged.
Challenge
Together, they’ll attempt to stop the cruel outlaws known as the Barnett brothers.
Problem
They need to escape first!
Pros
Devyn’s sex scenes are hot, explicit, and her descriptions are spot on. The sex scene inside a wrecked plane, during a lightning storm was steaming hot! Of course, the picnic table scene at the beginning wasn’t too bad either. (LOL)
Warning
Readers familiar with the author’s novels will find Soul of the Wildcat to be a “lighter” and slower-paced read when compared to her darker faster- paced works. This book contains- expletives, sexual molestation, and a reference to bestiality which some readers may find disturbing.
Rating: 4 Stars
Buy: Soul of the Wildcat
Erotic Romance, Aphrodisia Books, Kensington Publishing Corp., Copyright 2009, December 2009, Paperback.
ISBN-13# 978-0-7582-3121-5
ISBN-10# 0-7582-3121-0
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November 1st, 2009 — News
So how did everyone do on the candy count yesterday? Let's take a look at the last month of activity at LRP! First I would like to thank all the guest bloggers and reviewers, you all rock! Next, all the commenters and readers of LRP because without you the blog would be dead (and that was a terrible zombie joke in reference to yesterday's post.)
October's 11 Most Commented Posts:
Guest Bloggers:
Author Interviews:
Guest Book Reviews:
Movie Reviews:
Polls:
Don't forget to check out our contests! We still have a live one!
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October 30th, 2009 — Writing Tips
This is the sequel to part one. We will discuss two more tips to help with creating a smashing sex scene. It doesn't end here though. There are hundreds of tips for writing sex, and writing for that matter. If you have one leave a comment or submit it as an article.
3. Dialogue.
Talking is foreplay. This goes back to the five senses bit in tip two. Keep the dialogue in the first half of the sex scene and gradually weed it out to focus on sensations of touching and feeling.
You can still focus on sound, but you'll be writing about it differently. Sighs and whispers will become more prominent. Just keep the manly husky groans and feminine sobs of delight to a minimum otherwise they'll sound like barn animals.
When you write dialogue for your sex scene keep the leads in character. How would they approach sex? Think about it? Talk about it? Not sure?
I bet they don't speak in pornographic phrases like, "Oh baby, suck it, suck it deep....urrgnnnga." Of course they might, but you wouldn't find that turn of phrase in a historical. Speaking of which, unless you're writing a historical romance I'm also sure the heroine won't exclaim in maidenly fright that the size of his manroot will split her in two or not fit.
Conclusion: Approach dialogue with a little common sense and you'll end up with great authenticity.
4. Foreplay and Gratification.
Foreplay is an absolute must in any sex scene. Very few women are ready for sex the minute the man releases his raging tumescence. I think the only character I can name that's ready for hardcore sex at a moment's notice is Anita Blake... and she has some metaphysical sexual power that makes it possible by preparing her body.
Foreplay is important for first times and one-hundredth times. Many romance novels focus on the first time between couples. It is all about desire and exploration. Tease readers with the reveal. Think of this part of the sex scene as a striptease. We know the eventual conclusion but how you do it can be very unique and exciting.
The gratification part of the encounter is from the point the hero first enters the heroine to the end when they climax. Oh pardon, too clinical, how about to when they explode past the point of decency and land in the stars above... no wait that sounds silly. For all the thrusting, plunging, rutting, and pumping going on remember that describing the release of your characters should be gratifying. He brought her to orgasm is okay, but you can do better.
Conclusion: Build the tension and then let loose, just like you would in real life.
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Originally posted 2009-02-25 11:52:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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October 12th, 2009 — About
@bookbinge: Dear Authors: I haven't met a man alive who thinks of nipples as "berries", ripe, pink, succulent or otherwise. Very distracting to read.
I saw this in my Twitter stream and decided to share my thoughts about it in far more than 140 characters.
Does it really matter what men think? Or more accurately, how they word things?
It’s not really men that read romance or write it. Sure, their numbers have raised in both aspects, but the person most likely reading a romance is a woman.
A sex scene is designed to reflect feminine tastes. It is meant to give us what we want and is written the way we would word things.
Ripe berries is of course a metaphor for erect tits. Both have their place. The first in mainstream romance, the second in erotica romance.
I suspect ripe berries and the like are found as they are in historical romances and in several contemporaries because they give the story a romantic slant. We get erect tits in real life, why do we want it in every one of our books?
In normal situations we’d slap a guy for saying or even thinking of our tits (unless it’s our intention to show them off). It’s crude and rude. Ripe berries is poetic and if you forgive the pun, sweeter. In a way it shows respect and manners, two things all heroes must show.
When it comes to the male pov in romance, it is supplanted in some ways by the feminine gaze. These ways are shown by word choices, actions, and expressed feelings. We are reading our fantasies, where do men fit in?
Well… that’s a bit obvious. Ahem. Evil grin.
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Photo Credits: http://weheartit.com/
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October 10th, 2009 — 5 Stars, ARC, Australia/New Zealand, Contemporary, Crime and Protection, Erotica, Guest Reviews, P-R, Police, Suspense/Thriller
by Susan Sigler, guest reviewer
Ningaloo Nights is a smooth, well-executed, hot steamy read. So hot in fact, I’d attach the following warning. Tracy’s novella may cause:
Glasses to fog, an increase in blindfold sales, addictions to chocolate biscuits, a greater demand for hot Aussie men, increased sales of Ute trucks by single men, and stores will have to work diligently day and night to keep up with the demands of pink panties.
Changes in behavior to watch out for: clothes ripping behavior. If the Earth shakes again; its Tracy’s sex scenes causing an 8.0 on the Richter scale.
Sherry Abandonato is a guarded, tough, foul-mouthed New York Cop who travels to Ningaloo, Australia with a heavy heart; hoping to find her missing sister. She's referred to the only man who can help her, a former guide named Mason Hayward. He’s a blue eyed, delicious looking Aussie; who also happens to be well tanned, and well endowed.
Sherry doesn’t have enough money for the trip to Derremawan; where her sister (Pepper) and boyfriend (Ryan) are thought to have been. In lieu of the rest of the money; Mason devises other ways she can make up the difference. Their journey is filled with hot sexual encounters, and a sex scene against a Ute truck that puts the ecstasy in erotica.
Tracy’s novella is comparable to the movie 9 1/2 Weeks
. There are new explorations at every turn, with blindfolds, melting chocolate, and sex toys.
I recommend Ningaloo Nights for erotica lovers, those who enjoyed 9 ½ weeks, and romantic suspense readers.
Mason’s character is every woman’s fantasy. He’s compassionate, caring, concerned, strong, endowed, and sexually dominating.
There are no distractions from secondary characters, only brief appearances by (Bruce) Mason’s employee & police officials. Tracy focuses solely on the developing relationship between Mason and Sherry.
Ningaloo Nights contains loads of sex, some heartbreak, and a beautifully written happily ever after.
A hot read, indeed!
5 Star Rating.
Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc., Breathless, Contemporary Erotic Romantic Suspense, E-book, Novella, 81 pages. Copyright October, 2009. ISBN# 978 141 992 395 1
Link to Book at EC.
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September 23rd, 2009 — About
Non-romance readers are probably thinking, that’s a pretty bold statement to make. Additionally they’re probably snorting derisively and thinking about all the euphemisms used across much of genre for sexual congress and body parts. Well they’re not wrong about the wide variety of clever (and not so clever) terminology we’ve developed for ourselves, but they would be wrong in dismissing romance as a genre without superior command of the English language. It is there in the rhetoric and word choice.
Several romantic titles have improved my vocabulary. I remember clearly the first words that I looked up from a novel by LaVyrle Spencer. I’m sure prolific readers or long time readers of the genre have read it: Hummingbird
. My habit when reading romance is to circle unfamiliar words and look them up. I am fairly good at deducing the meaning of the word based on its use in a particular sentence and of course due to years of practice.
I don’t recall exactly how old I was when I first looked up words from romance, but I know it was somewhere between the ages of thirteen and fifteen. Some of the words I looked up were: tantalizingly (to torment), appease (satisfy), cajoling (to persuade), adeptly (skillfully), entente (arrangement), tempestuous (turbulent), tumescent (sexually ready), unscrupulous (unethical), and suckling (to nurse). Today I add to the list: lissome (lithe/supple), atavistic (revert/primitive), rictus (agape or open mouth), catharsis (to relieve [emotions]), temerity (boldness/cheek), and mellifluous (sweetly soothing).
My guesses were 98% correct in their meanings and I had personally never come across them before in my reading. Rictus is the one that stumped me, by the way. I read the sentence too fast and the word combination was rictus-hard… which considering it was in the midst of a sex scene and he was inside her I assumed it to refer to his member not his expression of pleasure/concentration. Totally innocent mistake… 
Anyway, it’s quite the list if I say so myself. All of those words from both books showed up within 20 pages of first unknown. I have a theory about this. I think some authors are worried about the seeming lack of sophistication in romantic prose. I find strings of unknowns just after a sex scene in the novel (and sometimes [rarely] before one.) It’s as if authors are proving their intelligence for those naysayers out there. I write about sex, but don’t mistake me for an uneducated featherbrain!
The unsaid here is that other authors have a natural affinity for words and insert them without consciously deciding to use one more difficult word over an easier more common synonym. Or maybe I’m wrong and these authors consciously choose certain words to keep the easy flow of narration or to keep within a particular time period.
I don’t mind the words, I like them. Indeed, I love that romance authors are out there contradicting suppositions about the genre being for mindless (sex-starved) women. How has romance increased your vocabulary?
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Originally posted 2009-01-24 05:37:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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May 20th, 2009 — 0.5 Stars, Book Review, Contemporary, Erotica, G-I, United States of America
I’m going to start off and say that this was a Did Not Finish for me. If it was a print book I would have thrown it at the wall. My biggest problem is the heroine. I just don’t get her. I can’t wrap my mind around a person willing to be that submissive to somebody else especially when humiliation and degradation is involved. The heroine infuriated me to the point where I was ready to grab all the reading material I could find on feminism and start up a local chapter.
As for the sexual content, I was warned by the author, but still I wasn’t prepared. I like to think I’m fairly open-minded when it comes to BDSM and the whole kinky sex scene but I draw the line at urination (which is mentioned as something the couple did in the past). Additionally as a heterosexual woman I was not at all interested in reading about the heroine’s submission under a woman (not once but at least twice with hints of future contact with Dom Blade) because her husband wanted to see it done. All in all the content wasn’t even close to be erotic for me.
Warning: STRONG BDSM, spanking, rope bondage, group sex w/ a single female, F/F & M/F scenes, public sex, voyeurism, domination, submission, side characters telling tales of sex parties, feasts, a girl who is and just wants to be Cunt the dog, etc.
The blurb on the site makes you think you’re getting into a fun sexy story about a married couple looking to explore their sexual horizons. I thought I was in for "Leslie has no clue about the BDSM, Phillip her husband wants to try it out," but oh no-no…. not even close. Leslie and Phillip have been doing lots of BDSM and Leslie isn’t shocked she’s trained for it.
Meanwhile, readers get to enjoy a creepy pervert called Vincent. He’s strongly attracted to Leslie’s innocence as it were and wants to truly break her in all the way. He’s basically a stalker, identifiable to blinded (by a blindfold) Leslie by rank smell. I’m sure this comes to a head later but I couldn’t make myself read any further.
Rating: 0.5 Stars
Buy: Blind Seduction
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