Clean vs. Not-Clean

[[deleted user]]

AlegnaB...With all due respect I would like to point out that the classification of clean/sweet romance etc that I posted was a list I found on the internet. It was not my list. It was provided by Cindy A. Christiansen, whom I acknowledged. As far as clean romance goes, I'm not talking about sex scenes, as you mentioned. I'm talking about intimacy between a married couple, but it has to be written very sensitively ... in a vague kind of way if you like. Readers would not get a blow by blow account. In my case, it would only ever appear in a book of mine if it was pertinent to the story. Some responders to the list I put up have missed the point. Sweet romance contains no intimacy at all. Clean romance can contain tastefully written intimacy between a married couple without explicit details. People keep confusing the two.

[Kelly]

I think we are belabouring the point, but I still think a romance can be classified as clean if it contains closed door sex, between a couple who is not married. To me the defining criteria is no graphic details.

Similarly, I think the couple could be male -male or female-female just no descriptions of body parts.

I also feel compelled to add in my first Indie published book - to be released this summer- goes only to the couples first kiss. But it's a toe curling kiss

[Groovy]

There are so many good points here. I describe myself as a wholesome, passionate romance author, which goes in the clean and sweet genre. I used to write mild love-making scenes between my married characters, because I felt I had to. I felt so uneasy writing them. And since being a part of GR, I realize it's okay not to.

When I'm done releasing my next two books, I'm considering revising my older romance novels and taking the scenes out. From now on, it will just be inferred. I agree that it's better left to the imagination:)

I write clean in all of my novels, but I think there should be sparks, passion, "toe-curling kisses"!! :)

[Anna]

A friend said to me recently that she couldn't understand why romance writers include all the details of a couple making love. She said that if a writer said they sat down to eat dinner, it was unlikely that details such as 'he lifted the fork... he put down the fork...' would be included.

[Groovy]

I wholeheartedly agree, Anna. I always thought it was so the reader could imagine themselves in that situation and get an emotional response. I always say the reader's imagination works so much better:)

[Anna]

Yes, I think it allows a time of reflection rather than having everything spelled out.

[Kelly]

Groovy wrote: "I wholeheartedly agree, Anna. I always thought it was so the reader could imagine themselves in that situation and get an emotional response. I always say the reader's imagination works so much bet..."

Groovy wrote: "There are so many good points here. I describe myself as a wholesome, passionate romance author, which goes in the clean and sweet genre. I used to write mild love-making scenes between my married ..."

I couldn't agree more. I think, as a reader, you get so much more out of the story if the author allows room for the reader's imagination.

[Anna]

Answering the original question, #1, I joined this group because I much prefer the emphasis on the chase, the romance, and not the quick-fix type lifestyle.

To have to plough through details of someone's sexual activities doesn't appeal because it makes me feel like a voyeur. If I have invested time and concentration in reading a book and getting to really know the characters, I don't want to intrude on their special times together.

If I come across it in non-clean books, I skip it!

[Denise]

I am a "sweet" romance author. My books do not contain any profanity or inappropriate scenes. Readers tell me that my books read like Hallmark movies, so that is how I market them when selling print books in person. To me, the story is all about the characters and their difficult journeys to achieve their goals. I write about good people who make bad mistakes and struggle to overcome them. That said, my stories do contain sexual tension, but no intimate body parts like heaving bosoms, etc. And my characters do not have any off-camera bedroom encounters. They really struggle with their attraction because it is usually the last thing they need right now.


Denise Annette Devine

[Groovy]

Anna Faversham wrote: "Answering the original question, #1, I joined this group because I much prefer the emphasis on the chase, the romance, and not the quick-fix type lifestyle.

To have to plough through details of s..."

I couldn't agree more, Anna. I'm also one of those that don't like, nor feel the need, to witness the act. But I think a romance novel can be too clean to the point of boredom; like reading about two kindergarteners interact. Give me passionate tension, and kisses that would have your heart thumping.

That's why I love the old Harlequin Romance novels by Janet Dailey, Violet Winspear, and others. They knew how to write about true love from the heart and keep it clean. They're the inspirations for my romance novels. I first thought writing PG love scenes between married couples was okay, but now I'm so uncomfortable with those scenes in two of my books. So, I've decided to go back and take them out and just infer.

[C.]

Re: Groovy, I totally agree, that without passion, and strong physical attraction, that is NOT romance, but friendship!

I too, want at least some knee-weakening kisses between the couple, but I also do not want an entire book of them kissing and thinking lustful thoughts.

Good writers can show us that the couple really love their kisses, but that they can also function getting through each day with just occasional thoughts of each other, not constantly reliving each kiss, which becomes unrealistic and ridiculous to read.

Just as unrealistic and a total turn-off to me is a book that reads like two friends marrying who never share a kiss until the wedding, and I think either "Ewww, or "there is future temptation" in store for them when they meet someone who causes sparks just being in the same room! A book like that is in no way romantic!

[Groovy]

Hear! Hear! It's so good to hear from you again, C! :)

[C.]

Groovy wrote: "Hear! Hear! It's so good to hear from you again, C! :)"

Awww, thank you so much ,Groovy! :D

[Barbara]

Hi, all,

As for me, I want kisses, hugs, caressing, and scenes that evoke of sensuality, a sense of anticipation that sex will happen eventually, that they are passionate about each other. We just don't need to see it when it actually happens!

I love the sweetness of the romance to be found in the day to day interactions, the mundane, as they learn about each other and interact in caring and loving ways.

Steamy but closed door?
Sensuous but closed door?

Barbara,
www.barbarajames.net

[Groovy]

Very well stated, Barbara:)

[C.]

Barbara wrote: "Hi, all,

As for me, I want kisses, hugs, caressing, and scenes that evoke of sensuality, a sense of anticipation that sex will happen eventually, that they are passionate about each other. We just..."

A-M-E-N Barbara! If my late husband had not been able to "light my fire", I certainly would not have been excited to marry him! Who on earth wants a "Platonic" marriage, haha!

[Jenna]

As a reader first and new author second, I grew up on enjoying early Mills & Boon and Harlequin Presents books that focused more on emotional angst, the conflicts that kept them apart, the alpha male and a heroine who finally got a backbone, lol. As the book lines expanded to more sensual content, and seemed to rely on sex to sell the story - I quickly became bored. I enjoy reading and writing books now that combine all the elements of an engrossing story (interesting and believable characters you root for, funny/quirky neighbors and townsfolk that help the couple along the road to romance, a swoon-worthy hero who needs to get out of his own way) and most of all hero and heroines that have real-to-life attraction that is palpable but not "on stage." A smoldering ember that is fed small bits of kindling endures, while a blazing conflagration immediately burns out. That's the difference to my mind, in a clean book.

[Josie]

Very well said, Jenna.

[G.G.]

You said it perfectly!

[Groovy]

I hear you, Jenna. I got hooked on the earlier Harlequin and Silhouette clean romances that focused more on the heart and not the physical; true love and passion without the physical lust and graphic scenes. I would get excited when my six books would arrive in the mail. And like you, that's what, as a romance author, I focus my novels on--that one-of-a-kind true love; having that inner passion mentally stroked to life by that one and only.

I wish I could thank Janet Dailey, Violet Winspear, Charlotte Lamb, and all the others whose books I plowed through back in the day, and helped make me the author I am today.

[Barbara]

Hi, everyone,

I have enjoyed participating in the group discussions on clean v. not clean romances. They have definitely helped me clarify how I might categorize my writing.

Right now, I'm doing a major "happy dance." My new release has just come out. I would describe it as "sweet and sensuous, closed door."

Regards,

Barbara.



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