If It's Not Clean, Is It Dirty?

Sweet romance vs. Dirty romance?

I've noticed a disturbing trend. Well, disturbing to me anyway. Why are we categorizing or labeling sweet romances as "clean?" I'm not talking inspirational romances either. No, the "clean" romances I've read were not tagged as inspirational. What resulted in the "clean" designation was that there were no described loves scenes.

By calling sweet romances "clean," aren't we somehow implying that sensual or erotic romances (the hotter, steamier counterparts of sweet) are somehow dirty? Yes, I'm well aware what is meant when people say they like to read "books with the dirty parts." We're calling sex dirty. I get that. I don't totally understand it but I get it (Got it?).

What's Clean about Sweet?

Sweet romances are considered "clean" because the hero and heroine only kiss and the author:

1. doesn't describe any further intimacies between the H/H; or, 
2. the H/H do NOT engage in further intimacy

 Isn't this still misleading? To be honest, what's clean about kissing? It's an exchange of bodily fluids (And sometimes germs--mono, anyone?).

Even if the author divulges that the H/H made love, the author still leaves the reader facing a closed bedroom door, impatiently waiting while the deed is done. What's clean about the act of lovemaking? Are there not say...towels or other items to clean up certain stickiness? Even if you engage in a little lovemaking in the shower, there is still a certain amount of cleaning up one has to do. You know what I mean.

Hotter Romances Deserve a Break

Sensual and/or erotic romances invite the reader to keep right on reading and enjoying the H/H relationship without ever closing the door. Heck, maybe there isn't even a door to close!

Seriously though, who hasn't read a few love scenes and wondered, "Hmm. I'll have to try that."  Does that automatically make the story "dirty?"
 

My Ending Thought

I enjoy plenty of sweet romances and steamy ones too. I just wish we didn't promote one as clean while subconsciously implying all other romances are...well, dirty.

Life after EC

By now I'm sure you're aware my publisher, Ellora's Cave (or EC as it was rebranded) is closing.  So Painted Passion will remain available for sale until the end of the year.  At that time, I will republish it as an indie author. I'm happy to have my rights back as well as rights to unpublished work.

So what have I learned by working with a publisher? It is always beneficial to have someone versed in contracts to review yours before signing. Also, weigh the ultimate advantages and disadvantages of going it alone versus having a publisher. Obviously, there is more freedom in being an indie author and frankly, you can't put a price on being given carte blanche for your own creativity.

On the other hand, there is something to be said for an established network on which to have your work promoted. But the best barometer is to do your research and talk with authors who are already published at the publishing house. Certainly, not every author will be a satisfied one but again, forewarned is forearmed. Then, there are wonderful sites such as Absolute Write or Writers Beware. 


Since I was an indie author before signing with Ellora's Cave, I feel like I'm coming home again. That being said, there is quite a lot of work on my plate to accomplish...time to roll up my sleeves and hop to it.

It's Still Fun in the Summertime

This has definitely been a summer for the record book. Not that I'm complaining about the heat because I'm a summer baby and I have an affinity for the warmer months.

Obviously, the neighborhood youngsters believe summer ended much too quickly. They line up to catch the bus in their pressed clothes and freshly scrubbed faces. About seven hours later, they exit the bus with wrinkled clothes, sometimes dirty, and untucked shirts. Nevertheless, they manage to squeeze in an hour or so of playtime before it gets dark. Gotta love their determination and the priority they place on having fun.

I've been invited to run beside them as they cycle the streets. They didn't quite understand that my running was not for fun and I suppose the scowl on my face and sweat running down my face didn't clue them in. However, I find it enjoyable to watch them laugh their way through life.

People watching while sipping a glass of sweet tea - now that's my idea of fun.

Teaser - Painted Passion

Motivation

I recently watched Mellody Hobson's acceptance speech for the Corporate Citizens Award at BET's Honor Awards which aired March 14th.

There are plenty of ways to motivate oneself but the words she shared which were given by her husband, George Lucas, make things crystal clear.

Do or do not, there is no try.

Goodbye, Sweet Summer

Now that summer's over, what the heck did I do with my time?  Well, besides the DJ, I spent time on my never-ending quest for the perfect glass of sweet tea. If you're wondering what "sweet" tea is, it's tea with a lot of "real" sugar in it--no artificial sweeteners allowed. I'm talking old-fashioned cane sugar, stuff that you know is going to turn your insides to sludge as soon as the caramel-colored liquid crawls down your throat.  LOL.

And besides the DJ, I've been writing...and editing...and, from time to time, being besieged by that internal voice of doubt (IVD). Oh yeah, it springs up. But when it does, I wrangle it down to a muted roar. But, you may ask, what helps that IVD move from the forefront to the background?

For me, it helps to read what I've been working on before, to read scenes that I adore, to go back and read the synopsis, or at least a draft of the synopsis. This pulls me back into the story and kicks my creative spirit into overdrive and before long, I'm back at the grind...at least until the need for sleep makes my forehead hit the keyboard.

Editing Software

In my quest to give my editor the cleanest manuscript possible, I stumbled upon the following blog post by Wendy Van Camp.  She lists the pros and cons of various available programs from $0.00 to a cost of $6.99.

No Wasted Ink

I never heard of two of them (namely Unsuck-It and Heminway) and am anxious to try them out.