A Writer's Conflict

A fellow writer and great friend recently told me she was "conflicted" over parts of the novel she was working on. She told me she had to work nights because some members of her family were not that supportive. I am often asked by writers, "what do I do when this happens?" I'll tell you what I told her.


If nights work best, you go for it! Whatever it takes!

If you're feeling conflicted, take the first thing, the first sign, the first bit that makes you squirm....don't try to look at the entire...
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Published on January 20, 2010 13:13
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message 1: by Karen (new)

Karen I ran into a situation where I had written a steamy scene for my second book. It made hubby squirm as he doesn't want me writing smut as he puts it.He asked me to tone it down a tad even though I thought it was tasteful. I did it for him but I really wanted the steamier of the two in the book.


message 2: by Cheryl (new)

Cheryl As writers, we owe it to ourselves to write the story the way it needs to be written, to be true to the genre, scene and characters. Though it's nice you did what you did and your husband must have appreciated it, he isn't your only audience.

I had a similar controversy with my romantic suspense Lancelot's Lady. I had one line that was very suggestive, without being graphic, yet I was worried about younger readers reading it. Or my mom. Then I realized that I can't control if younger readers read my romance novel (I was reading them at about 14.) And my mom doesn't even like romance novels anymore.

If books in the same genre as yours have steamy scenes and you truly feel that's what happens to your characters, WRITE it. :-) Otherwise you'll regret your choice.


message 3: by Cheryl (new)

Cheryl One other thing: you could always print off a PG version, just for hubby. lol ;-)


message 4: by Karen (new)

Karen lol


message 5: by Karen (new)

Karen YES I HAD MOST OF MY FEMALE READERS HEADING FOR A COLD SHOWER AFTER THE SNEAK PEAK I GAVE THEM.


message 6: by Cheryl (new)

Cheryl YAY! Now that's what I like to hear!! LOL


message 7: by Karen (new)

Karen and u'd think guys would appreciate getting worked up.


message 8: by Cheryl (new)

Cheryl You know, romance novels should be mandatory reading for all men over 20. Maybe then they'd figure out what we want. ;-)

The fantasy!


message 9: by Karen (new)

Karen thats right hubby needs crash course--i can work that line into a routine somewhere.


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