Needing Support or Advice for Writing Romance/Erotica Novel

659 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by P.C. (Peter) Anders, Feb 6, 2013

Simplewriter

Discussion Starter · Feb 6, 2013

As an author, I try to write the stories that stay stuck in my brain until I write them out. I've worked with fiction and non-fiction, but have never touched steamy romance novels. Until maybe now. I've been feeling this urge to write in this genre. But, I'm afraid of starting. Partly because I don't think I'd get support from family and friends for writing in this genre and partly because I'm not sure I want myself to explore these thoughts and possible plot lines floating around in my head.

Has anyone struggled with this? What keeps you writing in this genre? How do you deal with people that doen't appreciate this branch of literature?

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J Bridger

· #2 · Feb 6, 2013

Definitely curious about this myself as I'm starting to sketch something out to write up in summer under a pen name in this genre.

I sort of feel that I know the genre I mainly write in isn't as stimgatized but, still, I feel like my family looks down on the material I choose to write on so I just stopped talking to them about it/hid it.

I feel with writing, even if it's a subject area or thematic area people have negative views on, that it's important to find friends in real life or virtually who can be in your corner and appreciate what you do. Might not be everyone but it can be someone!

AndreSanThomas

· #3 · Feb 6, 2013

If your issue is family and friends, well, that's one of the many reasons they make pen names. Problem solved.

Todd Young

· #4 · Feb 6, 2013

I haven't read a lot of erotica, and I often get comments saying my books don't fit the mould. I think it's because I've taken everything I can from the books I like reading, and have then added erotica into the mix, so there's a real plot, character development and so on in what I'm doing.

As far as support from family and friends, I'd say keep it to yourself and use a pen name.

AndreSanThomas

· #5 · Feb 6, 2013

Let me add one more thing- If you're afraid of exploring these ideas in fiction, don't be. People write about all kinds of things, it doesn't necessarily mean they want to do them or be that person. I know people find that hard to believe with erotica, but it is just as true for erotica as it is for murder mysteries or dystopian angst, know what I mean?

So, really, it is ok to put it down on paper and see what you come up with. You don't have to discuss it with friends or family (as I said, pen names are wonderful for giving you the option of who to tell what to when), and you can see if it's something you're any good at. Once you have something written, (or even before), I recommend the Erotica Reader's & Writer's Association. You can get a good critique there and hang out with like-minded folk, kick around related topics, etc.

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SEAN H. ROBERTSON

· #6 · Feb 6, 2013

AndreSanThomas said:
Let me add one more thing- If you're afraid of exploring these ideas in fiction, don't be. People write about all kinds of things, it doesn't necessarily mean they want to do them or be that person. I know people find that hard to believe with erotica, but it is just as true for erotica as it is for murder mysteries or dystopian angst, know what I mean?

So, really, it is ok to put it down on paper and see what you come up with. You don't have to discuss it with friends or family (as I said, pen names are wonderful for giving you the option of who to tell what to when), and you can see if it's something you're any good at. Once you have something written, (or even before), I recommend the Erotica Reader's & Writer's Association. You can get a good critique there and hang out with like-minded folk, kick around related topics, etc.

I started to coin my own tips being a romance/erotica author, but I read this post first. Excellent advice, I second everything said above.

P.C. (Peter) Anders

· #7 · Feb 6, 2013

I don't know if I have the credentials to comment but . . .

How about making a list of what sexual activities or erotic authors/writing turn you on,

and then trying to make a story out of that?

I think I would find it difficult to write convincingly about something that does not turn me on.

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