Comments on: Too Much of a Good Thing? http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/ Where Happily Ever After is Always on the Menu! Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Monica Burns http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-23839 Monica Burns Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:49:28 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-23839 I didn't mean to ignore posts here. I've just been swamped with at least 100 items. Thanks Chessie for the kudos on my cover. Anne Cain does a fantastic job drawing up what I envision for a cover. She's a true art goddess. Everyone makes good points, and it's interesting how generational some of this is, Gail. I had a similar debate on another loop, and the response from intelligent women really stunned me. It was like they could do no wrong either writing sex or using foul language. It's a dangerous trap to assume your work couldn't use a little attention or editorial review when it comes to overusing words or sex. I think these writers thought I was saying we shouldn't have either in our writings. I don't agree. I just think it needs to be appropriate for characters and scenes. Thanks for thoughtful posts everyone. And speaking of goddesses, The Pam...if you're listening, is there a way we can add a notify of comments posted option here on the blog? I would have popped in sooner if I'd had a reminder in my inbox. Monica I didn’t mean to ignore posts here. I’ve just been swamped with at least 100 items. Thanks Chessie for the kudos on my cover. Anne Cain does a fantastic job drawing up what I envision for a cover. She’s a true art goddess.

Everyone makes good points, and it’s interesting how generational some of this is, Gail. I had a similar debate on another loop, and the response from intelligent women really stunned me. It was like they could do no wrong either writing sex or using foul language.

It’s a dangerous trap to assume your work couldn’t use a little attention or editorial review when it comes to overusing words or sex. I think these writers thought I was saying we shouldn’t have either in our writings. I don’t agree. I just think it needs to be appropriate for characters and scenes.

Thanks for thoughtful posts everyone. And speaking of goddesses, The Pam…if you’re listening, is there a way we can add a notify of comments posted option here on the blog? I would have popped in sooner if I’d had a reminder in my inbox.

Monica

]]> By: Gail Barrett http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-23827 Gail Barrett Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:32:54 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-23827 Good points. I have skipped over many a sex scene in a book because I just wasn't that interested. I've been riveted by others. So I think that you're right, the quality of the writing and the build up to the sex scene are critical. I especially don't like the "obligatory" sex scene -- where it seems that the writer didn't really want to write the sex scene but felt she "must," so she just glossed over it in an uninspiring way. The language issue might be generational. I get turned off by raw language (I don't mean swear words, I mean body parts and the "f" word.) Sometimes I think the authors use it just to prove that they are allowed. It isn't tasteful and always pulls me out of the story. It's a real negative in my opinion, and it's the primary reason I don't read erotica. If the language were gentler (less in-your-face raw), I probably would. Again, that might be generational. One or two raw words per book wouldn't bother me as much (aside from the momentary blip when I'm pulled out of the story), but the constant useage is a real negative in my opinion. Good points. I have skipped over many a sex scene in a book because I just wasn’t that interested. I’ve been riveted by others. So I think that you’re right, the quality of the writing and the build up to the sex scene are critical. I especially don’t like the “obligatory” sex scene — where it seems that the writer didn’t really want to write the sex scene but felt she “must,” so she just glossed over it in an uninspiring way.

The language issue might be generational. I get turned off by raw language (I don’t mean swear words, I mean body parts and the “f” word.) Sometimes I think the authors use it just to prove that they are allowed. It isn’t tasteful and always pulls me out of the story. It’s a real negative in my opinion, and it’s the primary reason I don’t read erotica. If the language were gentler (less in-your-face raw), I probably would. Again, that might be generational. One or two raw words per book wouldn’t bother me as much (aside from the momentary blip when I’m pulled out of the story), but the constant useage is a real negative in my opinion.

]]> By: Chessie Welker http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-23825 Chessie Welker Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:09:09 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-23825 I have to say, your new cover is GORGEOUS Monica. Wowsa! And you make a very good point. For me personally, foul language is the mark of an immature and usually selfish character. In real life, grown up, well adjusted people just don't let it rip all that much, especially after they have kids. Without needing to shock people, or show their rebelliousness, cussing is just a load of silly words. Kids in college cuss a lot. If they don't break out of it, I always wonder where they managed to find a job. But that may just be me, and how I've grown as I've aged. Chessie I have to say, your new cover is GORGEOUS Monica. Wowsa!

And you make a very good point. For me personally, foul language is the mark of an immature and usually selfish character.

In real life, grown up, well adjusted people just don’t let it rip all that much, especially after they have kids. Without needing to shock people, or show their rebelliousness, cussing is just a load of silly words.

Kids in college cuss a lot. If they don’t break out of it, I always wonder where they managed to find a job.

But that may just be me, and how I’ve grown as I’ve aged.

Chessie

]]> By: Kim http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-23823 Kim Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:10:08 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-23823 You have a great point. I've read books with no sex or "foul" language that I've loved and I've read some really hot, erotic novels that would make you blush that I love. It's all about the quality of the story, not the love scenes. If it fits in the story, then it works. Don't blame the sex for the bad writing! BTW, Kate, I have heard people say some weird things about SK, but I don't think you have any lack of morals! You have a great point. I’ve read books with no sex or “foul” language that I’ve loved and I’ve read some really hot, erotic novels that would make you blush that I love. It’s all about the quality of the story, not the love scenes. If it fits in the story, then it works. Don’t blame the sex for the bad writing!

BTW, Kate, I have heard people say some weird things about SK, but I don’t think you have any lack of morals!

]]> By: Kate Pearce http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-23822 Kate Pearce Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:31:40 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/01/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing/#comment-23822 I think you make some very good points. One of the problems, imo, with the explosion of erotic romance publishers is that the quality is patchy to say the least. And readers aren't stupid, they still want a good plot, characters and a believable love story-well that's what I want when I read, anyway, and sometimes that gets tossed out in favor of incredibly graphic sex scenes for sex's sake rather than the story. Now, I've had the odd person say that my books are tasteless and pornographic, (well one in particular) but I don't consciously try and write like that and I do get tied of being told that my writing somehow reflects my lack of morals. No one assumes Stephen King is a mass murderer in real life do they? Well I'm not a sexual adventuress either thankyouverymuch I think you make some very good points.
One of the problems, imo, with the explosion of erotic romance publishers is that the quality is patchy to say the least. And readers aren’t stupid, they still want a good plot, characters and a believable love story-well that’s what I want when I read, anyway, and sometimes that gets tossed out in favor of incredibly graphic sex scenes for sex’s sake rather than the story.
Now, I’ve had the odd person say that my books are tasteless and pornographic, (well one in particular) but I don’t consciously try and write like that and I do get tied of being told that my writing somehow reflects my lack of morals. No one assumes Stephen King is a mass murderer in real life do they? Well I’m not a sexual adventuress either thankyouverymuch

]]>