Explicit
Language
and the
Writer
Copyright Judy Bagshaw - All
Rights Reserved
*Please note this article
contains sexual
terms.
In the past couple of years,
erotica and erotic romance have become the most lucrative
segment of the romance writing market. As the saying goes,
sex sells! Companies like Ellora’s Cave, Phaze, and
Amber Quill do a booming business and most publishers now
offer a steamier imprint within their lines. And as
writers, many of us want to tap into the money that can be
made writing for these
lines.
These imprints offer
extremely explicit sexual content and for the most part,
avoid the use of euphemisms, preferring more direct
language to describe body parts and sexual activity. Which
leads to the subject of this article. How explicit is too
explicit and where is the line
drawn?
The distinction between
erotica and pornography has become clearer in the part few
years. Pornography is generally thought of as stories
written to arouse--period. Erotica and erotic romance,
although meant to arouse and titillate, also contain a
story. The hero and heroine are in a relationship and there
is a “happily ever after”, or at the very least, a “happily
for now” ending.
What’s not so clear is what
language is acceptable within these genres. In porn, it’s
pretty clear that anything goes, and the more graphic, the
better. But what about erotica and erotic romance? Opinions
vary. Some feel that erotic scenes can be written without
the use of any graphic language whatsoever. Others feel
that the graphic language is part of the eroticism. It’s
understandable that you’d want to write within your own
comfort zone.
I personally feel that if
it’s appropriate for the character within the context of
the story, then vulgar language is acceptable. For
instance, if you have a stevedore, or a Hell’s Angels
biker, or even a 21st century teenager, you can be sure
that swearing will occur. Stroll through any suburban mall
filled with teens, and you’ll hear the f-word with tedious
frequency. To tone down the language or use euphemisms
would erode the reality you’re trying to create.
But it’s equally as important
to take care not to slip into purple prose in an attempt
not to offend your readers or your own delicate
sensibilities. Terms like “his mighty lance” or “her silken
sheath”, don’t cut it any more. Nor calling breasts
“mounds”, or a penis “a rod”. Readers are more
sophisticated these days, and likely to laugh at such
flowery euphemisms.
Thankfully publishers
generally provide clear guidance for what is expected for
their steamier lines. Draumr Publishing, for example, has
their “smooches” system, with five smooches being the
steamiest. Five smooches means sex happens fairly often in
the story and/or includes much detail and coarse
descriptive language. Amber Quill’s guidelines state that for
their Level 3, which is their hottest material, love scenes
are extremely explicit, frequent,
and
language is quite
graphic. Phaze
wants expressive language that is
explicit, yet appropriate to the
story.
If it makes you, as a writer,
feel uncomfortable to use explicit language then perhaps
writing erotica and erotic romance is not for you.
Thankfully, there is a wide range of types of romances
within the industry, from very sweet and clean, to
extremely graphic and raw, and everything in between.
There’s room for everyone. Find your niche and
write!
For more information on
writing more sensual romances, consider these
articles:
http://romance.writer2writer.com/sensuality-times-five.htm
Sensuality Times Five by Cynthia
Vanrooy
http://romance.writer2writer.com/the-real-purpose-of-sex-in-literature.htm
The Real Purpose of Sex in
Literature by Evelyn Cole
About the
Author: Judy Bagshaw has been published since
2000. Writing romance featuring full-figured heroines, her
publishing credits include several novels, a collection of
short stories, and short stories in multiple anthologies.
She was also part of the writing team for the Ginn Reading
Series, and Reaching Readers Series, used in many
elementary schools. Retired from teaching, she writes
full-time from her home in Ontario , Canada. Visit Judy's
website:
www.judybagshaw.com
