By Robin Juliet (Guest Blogger)
“She fired me because of my writing. She was worried about her reputation.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. I thought you were a serious writer. What do you write, porn?”
Fear coursed through me when I read my mother’s best friend’s words. Do I write porn? Is that what I do? How do I explain my decision to write erotica?
In many ways, erotica books chose me.
Unlike many, I did not come to this genre through reading. I have never been one to devour smut as a consumer. This is not to say I judge the genre harshly, it’s just never been on my radar screen as a reader.
Rather, I came to erotica through my writing.
Like most aspiring writers, I was told to “write what you know.” I get that. Start with a situation with which you have some familiarity so it rings true and isn’t based entirely on stereotypes and cliché. I still agree with the adage and work with it to a degree.
But, the fact of the matter is, the reason I write erotica is because of what I don’t know. And, what I still don’t understand is how and why and who and what we all do for sex. What makes sex interesting for me is when the physical sensation mingles with the emotional (or sometimes even spiritual) piece of who we are.
Human sexuality, and all of the psychological aftermath that comes along with sex, has me stumped:
- How can you have amazing chemistry with someone you don’t even like?
- Why do some people go POOF?
- What makes someone a great lover? A terrible lover?
- Is it ever possible to have ongoing casual sex with a favorite lover without getting attached?
Instead of claiming to know the answers to these questions, I prefer to write fiction where I place characters in these situations and find out what happens to them.
I don’t know the answers.
Neither do my characters.
Do erotica readers?
Not knowing is what makes erotica interesting. Not knowing is the difference between erotica and porn. Not knowing is why I write it. And, not knowing is why they come back for more.
“Are you saying your writing is considered porn?”
“By some people. You wouldn’t like them.”
“Good grief.”
“It’s what I gravitate to as a writer. I’m into the psychological play more than the sex, but people focus on the sex. It’s nothing worse than what you might find on HBO.”
Silence.
“Sorry to disappoint you,” I told her.
“Oh my dear, the disappointment is certainly not with you but with the idiots who have stupidly labeled your writing. One day, hopefully sooner rather than later, you can shove it down their . . . you know what I mean.”
About Robin
We cannot help but rubberneck when erotic romance author Robin Juliet explores the psychological train wreck that occurs when lust and love collide.
Never one to shy away from breaking out the lube, Ms. Juliet writes contemporary erotic romances where lust trumps love and happily ever after gets twisted beyond recognition.
Ms. Juliet lives and writes in Denver, Colorado with her dog Bennett. You can reach her at robinjulietwrites [at] gmail [dot] com
Links
Robin Juliet’s newest novella, Involuntary Reflex, is now available in paperback at: https://www.createspace.com/4742348
Website: http://authorrobinjuliet.wordpress.com
Twitter @robin_juliet
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/AuthorRobinJuliet
Hi Robin,
I enjoyed this post. While I personally have tended to neither see nor pursue a distinction between the terms "erotica" and "porn," I find your description as such here one of the most eloquent and intriguing I've encountered. 🙂 I also appreciated the overall perspective you offered about what you write. Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Emerald
Thank you, Emerald. It's something I've thought about often since that conversation with my mom's friend.
You're preaching to the choir, Robin. Writing long descriptions of sex is as boring, to me, as any how-to-assemble instructions. Like you I prefer stories in which characters must react or cope with sexual feelings and situations. Nicely writ.