Recently there have been a number of articles in RWR (Romance Writer’s Review done by RWA every month) bashing erotic romance and those of us who write it. One of the letters printed was written by a person named Madeline Baker (who is actually an author who writes as Amanda Ashley…which nobody bothered to point out) complaining about the ‘F’ word. Letter writers have also called writers of erotic romance ‘prostitutes of integrity’, proclaimed women who cuss ‘gang members’ (death to all those who’ve ever said ass or damn - that’s cussing, isn’t it?)
Now what the hell is THAT about? And why in the world would RWA believe it’s okay to bash fellow authors and chapters? Why does RWA, who seems to promote this derision, continue to print their drivel over and over again (yes, ladies and gentlemen, one letter was printed two months in a row) without any opposing view points? I know at least a few authors who did write such an opposing view, but we haven’t seen their letters in RWR yet. Don’t hold your breath. I will not be responsible for anyone turning blue or purple.
And, if I’m not mistaken, the fabulous special interest chapter, PASSIONATE INK, was singled out (if that’s not correct, let me know as I don’t have the mags anymore). Well, the poor prostitutes of integrity at Passionate Ink are running a tongue-in-cheek survey right now. The survey question is:
In light of recent letters to the RWR, do you think we should change our chapter’s name to Prostitutes of Integrity — you know, to reflect who we really are?
And of the three choices (Hell yes, Maybe, and No), I dare you to take a guess which category is winning so far by a LONG SHOT! So, if you’re an Inker, get your booty over to the PI forum, skip over to General Discussion > Chat > - then scroll down to the Forum Topics section and look for the blue icon for the poll. You can vote without leaving a post.
I don’t know about you, but real sex is anything but staid unless the lovers aren’t hot for each other, the lovers aren’t comfortable with their sexuality (this can go both ways with either the man, woman, or both), or you’re just lying. And while I can’t claim to have done all the things I write about (it is fiction, after all) I can say that sometimes sex is gentle. And sometimes it’s wild, raunchy jungle sex. But am I going to tell the writer’s of plain old vanilla sex that they shouldn’t write it just ‘cause I like it hot? Nope. Am I gonna tell the ladies who believe sex should only be had in the dark, fully clothed, at 8:30 pm on Tuesdays in total silence that they shouldn’t write it ‘cause I like it done in the daytime on Friday? Nope.
So why the hell should they judge me and my fellow authors?
Well, here are some suggestions for those who believe sex shouldn’t be frank in a romance novel:
• If you don’t like erotic romance, don’t buy it.
• If your bedroom partner doesn’t lay it down on you and tell you how much he wants to ____(insert F word here), then kick his ass until he does.
• If you’re unsatisfied with your lover’s skill, send your lover to school or get another one. But don’t get mad at me just ’cause I’m free enough to write it hot.
• If your man ain’t an alpha…well, nothing we can do about that one. Sorry.
• If your woman is an alpha and you’d rather have the job, see the comment above.
• If your lover doesn’t make you have an orgasm and you’re mad, remember to replace the batteries. Or buy erotic romance…and then replace the batteries. Fast.
• If you can’t say ‘come’ without blushing, read more erotic romance. You’d don’t have to write it - we’ve got that part covered.
• If your lover can’t say ‘come’ without blushing, make them read more erotic romance or read it to them…naked.
• If the word ‘come’ makes you feel dirty…hmmm, you’re on your own with that one.
• If you believe that good girls don’t, perhaps a talk with your mother is in order…’cause I’m sure she was a good girl, yet you’re here. Which meant sex happened sometime in order to have you…and probably continued afterward.
• If sex in your house is less than inspiring, buy a Dynamic Trio book.
• If sex in your house is less than inspiring, and you want the rest of the authoring world to write uninspiring sex - Sorry, that train has already left the station.
So whatcha got to say about that *wink*
Ah, TJ, you always make my day with your insightful commentary and your common senese advice.
I don’t know why some writers feel the need to tear down others. We’re all romance writers, and heaven only knows, that a lot of non-romance writers look down their noses at us without fellow romance authors doing the same.
by N.J. Walters March 9th, 2008 at 10:37 amHey NJ,
Hope I made you laugh, woman! And yep, I’m with you on the whole bashing thing. We’ve got enough to work through OUTSIDE of the romance genre. Who needs division and put-downs among the ranks. Sheesh!
Smooches, chicklet :D
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 10:48 amAll I can say is great post.
by Selena Illyria March 9th, 2008 at 10:59 amI think I love you.
by Lillian Feisty March 9th, 2008 at 11:05 amHey Selena,
Thank you, girlfriend! See, we erotic romance authors actually come up with something creative without saying ass. Oh, did I say ass? Dang, I just cussed didn’t I? Damn. Oh, I did it again.
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 11:09 amYo Feisty,
Back at ya, sweetpea!
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 11:10 amYa know, this is exactly why I turned in my RWA number a long time ago. *sigh*
But if it means I could join Prostitutes of Integrity, I might be talked into re-upping.
by Carolan Ivey March 9th, 2008 at 11:10 amHey Carolan,
Come on over to the dark side, woman! I’ve got a ‘ho red outfit just for you, girlfriend! It matches mine. Hey - we could be sisters in crime!
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 11:17 amYeah, Carolan, come on over. T.G.’s got your outfit and I’m already wearing my big, fuzzy hat.
by Lillian Feisty March 9th, 2008 at 11:27 amAs a former good-girl, all I have to say is - read erotic romance! My DH is so happy I did.
And writing it adds another whole level of fun!
It’s a shame some of our fellow RWA members have to even consider writing letters like that. I thought the organization was supposed to be about supporting each other!
by Natasha Moore March 9th, 2008 at 11:30 amYeah! What TJ said.
Though you forgot to mention that a girl can be an alpha and her man can LIKE it like that
by Crystal Jordan March 9th, 2008 at 11:39 amI have been on the fence about joining Passionate Ink for a while now. LOLOL…I’m with Carolan, if they change the name, I could sign up quick!
Of course, RWA still says erotic romance shouldn’t have its own catagory. Hmmmmm…how would an erotic book score with a judge who so completely disapproves?
Then again, erotic books sell WELL, so I wonder who’s the true minority?
By the way…that Torrid Tarot cover kicks ass!!! Gorgeous.
Gia
by Gia Dawn March 9th, 2008 at 11:41 amOne walk down the romance aisles of local Borders or B&N’s might explain some of the animosity - and lets not even get into the successes of electronic publishers that are selling erotic romances by the truck load!
Jealous much, you think?
by Angela Caperton March 9th, 2008 at 12:34 pmTelling people what they can and cannot write is called censorship and it’s wrong. If they don’t like it, don’t buy it and don’t read it. This has the added avantage of leaving all those good books on the shelves for people like me to snatch up.
by Jenna Leigh March 9th, 2008 at 12:36 pmWell said, TJ.
We take enough stick because we write “Romance” without having to defend ourselves within the organization that is supposed to support all of us. Hell, I’m proud of what I write. I’m damned if I’m going to apologize for it.
Oops! Wash my mouth out. I do declare I think I cussed.
Alex
by Alexis Fleming March 9th, 2008 at 1:05 pmNOT a writer, but an avid reader. Everything you said. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to read it.
Romance is great. Erotic romance is soooo much better.
by Janet H March 9th, 2008 at 1:50 pmYo Crystal,
You’ve got a good point there girl - there are some men who like being the beta. Which is totally cool. But if HE wants the alpha job, girl, feed him some erotic romance and prepare to wrestle for the position - in jello, of course *wink*
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 2:29 pmI’ll have to keep ya’ll posted on what happens with the poll over as Passionate Ink. So far the Hell Yes category is still going strong. If you haven’t voted yet, scoot!
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pmHey Natasha,
Congrats on getting into the Ellora’s Cavement series, girlfriend! Long live Erotic Romance! Chaaaarrrgggeee!
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
We shall stand tall and write for our freedom!!!! LOL! But hey, what you said is true! It’s just too bad some people have to turn to our stuff because they’re uncomfortable and need to get the bats out of their plumbing! 
by Grey Sinclaire March 9th, 2008 at 2:42 pmHey Grey,
Do you mean bats, as in, little flying creatures usually found in caves? Or some other ‘bat’ *wink*
And when are you gonna have your part of our nasty collaboration story finished, woman? ;D
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 3:08 pmI admit I like my romances to be more plot and relationship-oriented than sexually oriented, and I’m not all that fond of cuss words in my fiction. Not that I’m a total prude you understand. I can say ass and shit in public. I can even say f-f-f-f-f— oh all right, but I can say it in private.
Doesn’t matter, though. I really get ticked off at any author bad-mouthing another author or collective group of authors. Plaigerism would be a good reason, but I can’t think of any other.
I do understand RWA supposedly providing an open-minded forum, but at the top of it’s no-no list should be author-bashing. But at least we can keep in mind one person can make enough noise in print to seem like a giant, yet they’re still just one person. Sales numbers for erotica books speak numbers too. Big ones.
For those who complain about what books go into print, I just tell them, “Don’t buy what you don’t want to read, you idiots!”
Delle
by Delle Jacobs March 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pmOh- one more thing:
A prostitute of integrity would be a hypocrite. Is the shoe on the wrong foot?
Delle
by Delle Jacobs March 9th, 2008 at 3:36 pmTJ
Heading over to vote at PI now…I already made my decision not to renew with RWA earlier in the year because of issues like this. Seems to me the editor would at least try to strike a balance and allow rebuttal(s). Not doing it says it all, doesn’t it? I’ve loved being a part of PI but I won’t prostitute my integrity by continuing to be a part of a larger organization that obviously neither wants me, nor values whatever contribution I can make to our industry. To RWA I say
LOL! Clicked on the smilie and saw it came up as ‘tongue’…how very appropriate!!!
by Anya Delvay March 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pmHey Delle,
You’re making sense, darlin’. I think folks forget that the only difference between a straight up romance and an erotic romance is the straight-forwardness of the language. If the story doesn’t have a strong plot, romantic tension, and a happy-ever-after, neither of the pubs I write for would buy the thing.
Sex only does not an erotic romance make. Amen.
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pmI agree to a point. These women have the right as an American to have their opinions heard. BUT RWA should print the flip side.
Now, I am a reviewer and editor so I read everything from really sweet sex to really sweaty sex with all the c’s and f’s you can put into a manuscript. I have read really BAD stuff that should not have been ‘published’ (my 15yr old niece could write circles around some of the stuff that gets e-published) and some incredible, memorable, hot and freaky, well-plotted, colorful and just plain GOOD stories. In ALL genres! (para, m/m, erotica, hist., sci-fi, contemp, etc.)
The best books have great sex scenes IN CONTEXT, they MAKE SENSE to the story, all of the characters are 360*-well-rounded (even secondary characters have to have a purpose and interest me) and there has to be a good emotional connection between me and the writer/characters or the whole thing just goes down hill.
All I can say is this-writers, get someone to read your story who’s NOT a friend or family member so they can tell you whether it’s good enough for someone to want to buy it. Write what you LOVE, because someone else will love it too if it’s done WELL. Remember that many of us have grateful husbands because we can escape from the stresses of kids/jobs/bills/etc., relax into a good story, and get some emotional inspiration from your characters. Remember that, this being America, we have the right NOT to buy erotica or westerns or chic-lit so everyone calm down and read/write what makes you feel good!
by Heather March 10th, 2008 at 9:44 amI went. I saw. I voted.
by Alessia Brio March 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pmROFL at Alessia! Lovin’ it!
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 11th, 2008 at 1:02 pmI’m not an RWA member, but I have been thinking I would join because I want a voice in this debate and , even more, because I want to attend San Francisco this summer.
I wonder how long this fight will continue before it becomes a shooting war.
by Will Belegon March 11th, 2008 at 1:40 pmJust finished voting. Hot and good erotic romance (and the authors who pen it) are fucking fantastic!
Oops! I said a naughty word. Time to put on my fishnets and stilettos and hit the streets. See ya there, sisters!
by Aurora Black March 11th, 2008 at 5:23 pmWell, I’ve only written one thing and that had lousy sales…so. Guess I’ll have to sharpen my talents in order to qualify for the title of Prostitue of Integrity!
On the other hand…I don’t write romance either so there goes the Sister Mary Elephant nomination!
by Merry Phillips March 11th, 2008 at 7:56 pmOoooh, Aurora said a bad word! I’m TELLIN’ !!!
TJ
PS - So, uh, what color are you stilettos, by the way? ‘Ho red, perhaps? If so, I have a cool set of trashy garters for you ;D
by TJ Michaels March 11th, 2008 at 11:56 pmHey Mary,
Sister Mary Elephant? I LOVE IT!! ROFL!
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 11th, 2008 at 11:56 pmGreat post, girl!
The only reason I keep my RWA membership active is because I have two totally wonderful local chapters, and of course Passionate Ink. But I would totally vote for the Prostitutes of Integrity name change…lol. But then I am something of a smart ass!
I don’t think it’s an organization that embraces change very well. But, I agree with a comment posted above - can’t make change from the outside, so here I am!
by Cassie Ryan March 14th, 2008 at 7:17 amUnderstatement of the decade!
by Alessia Brio March 14th, 2008 at 8:00 amYo Cassie,
How are you, darlin’ ?
I’m with you on the PI thing. If I weren’t for PI, I swear…
TJ
by TJ March 14th, 2008 at 10:04 amI’m with ya, TJ! If it weren’t for PI, and my two local chapters, Valley of the Sun and Desert Rose, I wouldn’t bother. But those organizations keep me sane, and treat all authors as equals and important parts of their organizations. And don’t even get me started on the uselessness of PAN. I just consider it my $75 yearly pennance to get to stay with my local chapters and PI.
Done with my rant
off to work on my deadline!
Cassie
by Cassie Ryan March 14th, 2008 at 10:48 amYou know, I should join RWA just to put my .02 in, because that stuff pisses me off.
by Eva Gale March 15th, 2008 at 5:56 pmAwesome post TJ. You just put the biggest smile on my face
by Ava Rose Johnson March 15th, 2008 at 6:01 pm