My avatar's name is Ava Donja of Silk and Stone.
The other me writes general market romance. I play World of Warcraft. This is where I make two parts of my life merge in sensual fantasy romance novellas.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How Hot is Too Hot?

I recently made a friend uncomfortable. She's had no trouble reading my other writing (which R rated for sexual content) but Mind, Body, and Spirit was just too much. Another friend downright refused to read it because she didn't want to read it at all.

I was surprised. I've never gotten this reception on my general market romance. And, though this is WoW influenced, ultimately it is fantasy and should not be prohibitive to non-WoW players. And the sex, well, it's more toward erotic than a standard romance, but the sex is still part of the story and emotional arc of the main characters.

Before I was concerned I had not gone far enough to pass into the realm of erotica. After all, mainstream romance no longer stops when the lights go out (no, it just becomes a more sensual experience because sight is not a factor). So I amped things up -- too much apparently. I mean, is it bad that there's an elf orgy going on in one of the rooms they have to pass through? And why would it matter if the main character gets mind controlled, driving her insane with a sexual need that only the tank can assuage? Is that too much?

It is for my alpha readers, which is a shame. Especially considering that it is difficult for me to objectively review and revise these scenes because they are, well, hot.  Let's just hope that when I publish, my readers are also so into the moment that they don't notice the problems that I'm sure exist.

4 comments:

Nicki Elson said...

I wouldn't think most erotica readers are terribly distracted by grammatical type things---like you said, they'll be swept up in the moment. I have a trusted friend who reads my stuff and I have to flag the areas that get too naughty for his tastes, which he then either skims or skips. It's a system that works for us.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks for joining the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Look forward to your post next month.

Alynza Smith said...

Hello, I just wanted to drop in and give you some support. I linked over here from the Insecure Writer's Support Group :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Looking forward to your picks for the Worst Movies Ever Blogfest on Monday!