“I’m not gonna write you a love scene…”
You may have noticed lately that YA literature is a lot sexier than it used to be. From beer to books, we all know sex sells…but it doesn’t have to (unless your genre is erotica. Then have at it). I’ve been asked by some readers of Where There’s Smoke why the “fade to black” scenes weren’t more explicit. Why? Because I didn’t want them to be!
All that to say, here is my response to the temptation to sex up my books to sell more copies. To be sung to the tune of “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles:
Head over to Goodreads
And they tell me
To read easy for a while.
But reviews get harsher,
Even I know that.
NA or YA, it’s plain to see
There’s an increase of sex scenes
I’m usually hard to give in to…
Blank stares and blank pages
No easy way to say this
You want more, but you make this hard on me…
I’m not gonna write you a love scene
‘Cause you asked for it, ‘cause you need one
You see, I’m not gonna write you a love scene
‘Cause you tell me it’s make or break in this industry
If you want more pay.
I’m not gonna write you to stay-ay-ay…
If all you have is leaving I’m gonna need a better reason
To write you a love scene…today
I learned the hard way
That they all write
Things they wanna read.
My heavy heart
Sinks deeeep downnnn underrrr…
You and your twisted words!
They’re losing their shirts!
You are not who I thought you were!
Hello to 1-star goodbyes…
Convinced me to please you
Made me think the characters need to screw!
I’m trying to let you hear me as I am…
I’m not gonna write you a love scene
‘Cause you asked for it, ‘cause you need one
You see, I’m not gonna write you a love scene
‘Cause you tell me it’s make or break in this industry
If you want more pay.
I’m not gonna write you to stay-ay-ay…
If all you have is leaving I’m gonna need a better reason
To write you a love scene…today
Promise me
You’ll read my next one
To help me see
That not all characters need to get it on
‘Cause I believe there’s a way
You can love me because I say…
I’m not gonna write you a love scene
‘Cause you asked for it, ‘cause you need one
You see, I’m not gonna write you a love scene
‘Cause you tell me it’s make or break in this industry
If you want more pay.
I’m not gonna write you to stay-ay-ay…
If all you have is leaving I’m gonna need a better reason
To write you a love scene…today
If you wanna know they ‘did it,’
You won’t waste another minute
Babe I’ll keep it rated PG
Unless there’s just a real good reason
For me to write you a love scene
Todaaaaayyy…!
