As many of you know, I’ve been on a Blog Tour to celebrate the release of my two new books, The Scientist and the Supermodel and Volley Balls. Since I write pretty steamy books, I get the question from readers, “what is the difference between erotica and erotic romance?” It’s such an interesting question I did a blog about it on my Tour and I want to repost it here in case you missed it.
I write erotic romance. First and foremost, erotic romance is romance. Romance has an important requirement. It has to have an HEA (happily-ever-after) ending, or, at minimum, an HFN – happy for now. Other stories including erotica can end in angst or uncertainty, but not a romance. Both a well-written romance and well-crafted erotica have a developed plot, significant character growth and arcs, tight pacing – in other words all the characteristics of any well-written novel – but in an erotic romance at least one of the major story lines will be the love between the principal characters – be they boy meets girl, boy meets boy, or boys meet girls or .. you get the idea. The romance will be an important part of the plot (though preferably for most readers, not the only part of the plot). Erotica can have any storyline, and, while sex will be involved, love and relationship don’t have to be. I also think a good romance needs to have significant emotional content. Erotica may have it, but it’s not absolutely required. Romance readers want to be involved in the feelings of the characters, not because they are silly and syrupy readers, but because love and other feelings are what the book is about and to not involve the readers’ emotions is to short-change them from the purpose of the book. Erotica can have many different themes and feelings may be only a small part of the story.
Okay, you ask, where does all that sex come in? As I’ve said, I’m no expert on erotica, but I do feel that the sexual content is generally a reason for the story to exist. It may be beautifully written and literary in style, but it is, to a great extent, about sex in one way or another. A good erotic romance is about the romance and uses sexual expression as a means to convey character development, changes in relationship and plot shifts. Certainly in real life, sex is a catalyst for all of these things, so why should we shut the bedroom door just when an important turning point in the story may be occurring? An erotic romance could be a good romance without the sex. It just wouldn’t be an erotic romance. A piece of erotica might be a good story with no sex, but generally it would be something else, not erotica.
Erotic romances are written with all “heat” levels. Some are slightly explicit (Hmmm. That’s an oxymoron, but you understand.) Others melt the paint off the walls. My books get close to that latter category. Since I write a lot of ménages – M/M/F and M/M/M – people often think my books will be more about sex than love. I’m always delighted when a reader or reviewer says, “These people really care for each other and it’s obvious on every page.” I smile. My books may be really sexy, but I never forget I write romance.
What do you think are the differences between erotica and erotic romance?
Thank you so much for coming by the blog. We’re having a Blog Tour Contest right now to WIN a copy of my new M/M/M novella, Volley Balls. Just go over to my Book Blog and leave a comment with your email and follow the blog (if you don’t already). You’ll be entered to win for the next FOUR drawings. There are more chances to win and they are all explained there.Come join us. It’s FUN! : )