Smut Writing 101 - Stuff that helps
Do You Really Know What You're Writing? Romance, Erotica, or Porn
by Ruth D. Kerce
In order to successfully produce genre fiction, you must know your market. New writers are often confused when it comes to romance. How sensual can they make their love scenes? What language can they use?
1. Romance. A romance involves a monogamous relationship between one man and one woman, who establish an emotional bond, then express their love in a physical relationship (or not, a romance does not have to have sex in it). If sex is a part of the relationship, it is not a lesson in anatomy, but focusses mainly on the feelings of the two involved. A romance has a definite story line and a happy ending.
2. Erotica. In erotica, there is also a definite story line. The story focusses on the physical relationship first, then out of the physical, an emotional relationship forms. Sex scenes are a big part of erotica and are written more explicitly than in a romance. Also, erotica may explore alternate types of sex that are taboo in a traditional romance (ex. three-somes).
3. Porn. A piece of porn has a set-up, but no real story line. There is little or no emotional bonds between the characters. No emotional growth occurs. The entire story depends on the sex. Without the sex, there is no story. Anything goes in the writing. It focusses on the physical and very little on the actual feelings. No euphemisms are used. The sole purpose is to arouse, or even shock, the reader.
Study the market you are trying to target. Don't get the above three confused. If you submit porn or erotica to the romance market, you will get a quick rejection.
A quick note here: new genres are now emerging that are blurring the lines. Erotic romance is becoming popular - this genre combines the first two definitions listed above, except alternate types of sex are still taboo. Then there's the high- end erotica that isn't quite porn. Some label it as soft porn. This genre does allow alternate types of sex and is very explicit, but sticks to a story line.
For traditional romance writers though, you must understand the emotions of your characters and show them on paper -- in their conversations and in their love scenes. Yes, you can write steamy sex in romances, but never lose sight of the bond between the hero and the heroine -- it's a good story line and the emotions that are going to sell your book, not the sex.
Copyright (c) 2000, Ruth D. Kerce Writer of historical and contemporary romances, and webmaster of Addicted-to-Romance.com Sign up for the *Whispers of Love* newsletter at http://www.addicted-to-romance.com - or - mailto:Addicted-to-Romance-subscribe@yahoogroups.com