Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Addicts discussion
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When is enough... enough?
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Jessica
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Jan 20, 2013 02:40PM
To me as long as the sex moves the plot forward and has a point there isn't really a limit to it. Sex just for sex sake is kind of annoying.
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Hi AlieJust read your post and had to laugh because I am thinking of rewriting some of my book (which is my first one) because of this!
I wasn't sure whether readers of paranormal romance would appreciate the sex scenes I had already written for my book (Too over the top??)but I am dithering about whether to include them or completely re-write my plot. Strangely the sex scenes are probable crucial to the existing plot because they relate to the prophecy upon which the whole series of books will be based.
I find a lot of erotic fiction entertaining (but not all of it I might add) but as they say in the movies "If it's essential to the plot" then why not include them.
Basically "You can't please all of the people all of the time"
In the times we live in bed hopping and adultery are part of the world we live in, and dare I say 50 shades of Grey has proved that there is an audience for this sort of stuff.
As long as the sex is not gratuitous sex and is essential to the plot then so be it.
I hope I am making sense here Alie, it's just my opinion though.
Regards
Sandra
I'll read just about anything as long as the plot moves forward. I don't care how graphic the sex is as long as the sex scene fits with the story. I just reviewed a story that had the characters running from a madman, but every time the suspense would get momentum the characters just had to knock boots. I was left there twiddling my thumbs with the abrupt change. It was so damn annoying! And getting it on when in a dangerous situation? WTF is wrong with these characters? I can understand about adrenaline and stuff, but it was just too unbelievable. It ruined the whole sex scene for me because it was like it was shoehorned in. Now, there's a visual...shoehorning. Hold up a minute babe, I need the shoehorn. lol
I'm not a fan of pointless sex, either. Also, I think the characters' relationship(if there is one), should definitely be based on more than sex. Also, I don't get why it's so offensive when women have more than one partner in books, but when the main guy does, there's nothing wrong with it, or if there is, they all get over it quickly.
Brianna wrote: "I'm not a fan of pointless sex, either. Also, I think the characters' relationship(if there is one), should definitely be based on more than sex. Also, I don't get why it's so offensive when wome..."
Ah, the old double standard. Hate it. I'm a fan of multiple partners. Preferably at the same time. :D
Alexandria wrote: "Jessica wrote: "To me as long as the sex moves the plot forward and has a point there isn't really a limit to it. Sex just for sex sake is kind of annoying."Lol, thanks Jessica :)"
No problem :) I love a good sex scene but I don't care for books that are only about that or the "relationship" between the main characters. There needs to be action and adventure there too. For example, Kresley Cole writes some AWESOME sex scenes but her books are more than that. They have multiple things going on not just the couple.
Alexandria wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Alexandria wrote: "Jessica wrote: "To me as long as the sex moves the plot forward and has a point there isn't really a limit to it. Sex just for sex sake is kind of annoying."Lol..."
I have only read 3 of the books by Laurell K. It wasn't the sex that made me stop reading her series it was the lead character. lol. She whined to much for my taste. She was supposed to be this bad ass but all she did was complain. Super Annoying. :)
I have to admit, I stay away from paranormal romance series mostly, because I don't' like how a lot of it seems to be instalove, and how it's all about the sex, and then the feelings. Also, I like to follow one character through a series, as opposed to different ones every book. I think that that could change, if I ever found a paranormal romance that suits me. Sometimes, it is good for there to be a happily ever after ending, and I dont have to wait for the next book.
It's not the enormous amount of sex in re: to LKH. It's the bad writing, massive amounts of filler, weak plots and repetition. She absolutely positively needs her work edited by someone with some balls. Because they allow her a 'no edit' clause her writing just sucks. Book 9 was her best work. Book 10 began the no edit clause and the writing has gone downhill ever since. It's clear as day to those of us who have stuck with her.Btw: I still want to be her but with less whining. Much less whining. And I'd have no problem sharing all my men. :D
I've never read a book by her, so I can't say anything, but if what you say is true, that sounds awful. lol
I struggle with this with every book I write, when to write a descriptive scene and when to simply smile seductively and close the bedroom door. Sexual attitudes and prefernces can give insight into the characters as idividuals and as a couple and yes, there must be some purpose other than the sex in and of itself.I like to read erotica, but I don't write it. My sex scenes are fairly tame. I write contemorary romance and romance within a paranormal context(yes, they're listed as PNR)by which I mean that the relationship comes first. Sales and reviews seem to indicate that many readers like the 'difference'. I see the most controversy over my werewolf novel. Some don't think my H is aggressive enough (it takes them a while to get together), while others say 'finally, an h that says whoa! wait a minute, sexual attraction isn't the same as love'. She needs to be sure it's the real thing.
Bottom line, I write what I'm comfortable with and as long as the market responds favorably, that's where I'll stay. Readers, after all, are the lifeblood of how I earn my living.
Alexandria wrote: "A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) wrote: "It's not the enormous amount of sex in re: to LKH. It's the bad writing, massive amounts of filler, weak plots and repetition. She absolutely positively ne..."LOL Sold a million books! That's how. I agree with Carol. It was a mistake.
What Jacqueline said. She became popular, got a swelled head and the publishers (she recently switched) allowed it to happen. Her numbers are way down though. But you know what really pisses me off? She says it's the people complaining about the sex and says they're jealous of her success. Calls them 'whiner babies.' Um, ego much? She is completely deaf, dumb & blind to any criticism of her writing (and unfinished plot lines) and her sycophants keep her well-insulated. It's a crying shame because I absolutely love the Anita Blake world. I've been tempted many times to write fanfic just to satisfy myself.From personal experience it was lust at first sight for me & my husband. We did it like bunnies the first night we met. Love built quickly (inseparable days together) after that and we're going on 17 yrs together now. So I'm not always a fan of instalove in books, but I can understand it.
A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) wrote: "I'll read just about anything as long as the plot moves forward. I don't care how graphic the sex is as long as the sex scene fits with the story. I just reviewed a story that had the characters ru..."ha ha ha can't get the vision of a shoehorn out of my head now!!!
When I read PNR I expect there to be sex it's standard. Some authors have more then others.The big thing to me is how vital the sex is over the plot. For instance I read a book where the sex scenes carried on for 20-40 pages a time and there were about 17 of them by the time i got to the end. There was zero plot.
What I want out of a PNR:
1. plot (if it's a mystery, let's focus on some of that mystery)
2. romance (that isn't sex, I want to actually see a relationship and emtions build up between the characters)
3. character depth (to many times the characters have no personality)
I'm kind of picky, but I think there are few key parts to any kind of good story. If I wanted mindless sex page after page I'd read erotica.
The question of the day... I wonder this too. And have rewritten a few of my sex scenes, but for me they were crucial. And yes I consider mine tame too. It seems the line between pnr and erotica broadens every day.
When it become way to graphic and when the plot is thrown away and sex becomes the focus of the book
Well, like Shera, I think erotica is bed partners with PNR... If I'm choosing to read PNR or erotica, I expect sex...though one should definitely contain more than the other. Even Harlequin romance novels have some sex. It's kind of expected and if it wasn't included, you'd have a lot of disappointed fans!
