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Re: Sira
Naut,
In some ways, I've always been the baby of the family, even though I'm the oldest. It might be because I was the first grandchild on both sides of the family. Or, it could be the fact that I'm a foot shorter than everyone (including my 12 year old cousin!). Either way, Sira is the baby. It's just part of the family dynamic. And I'm quite happy with my role--being everyone's little darling has it's perks 
Thank you (as always) for reading and for the wonderful comments--you always make me smile!
posted by
Sira890
on February 20, 2008 at 9:17 PM
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Sira
It's psychologically very interesting that in some ways youi still consider yourself granny's baby. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that's something negative, not at all, although many people would see it that way. I simply find it interesting - it speaks to the complexity of the relationships we have with those near and dear to us.
As for your book - success takes many forms. While romance novels a la Harlequin are not my bag, they do have their place and are enjoyed by a lot of people. Escapism? So what! But if the publishers want more sex, give them sex, at least in your novel, . Basically, though, my advice would be this - use your own voice, write the way you feel like writing! And I wish you huge success, of course!
posted by
Nautikos
on February 20, 2008 at 1:12 PM
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Re: Here's the thing. Romance is the best selling genre, and your best
Pat, Thanks for the great comment!
From a business perspective, the decision is simple: juice up the lovin', and sell the book.
I've actually taken the time to read a few romance books in the past couple of days, just to see how other writers have handled the sex. And you're right! With the exception of a few, they're more corny than graphic..."soft warmth of her womanhood" and all that flowery stuff.
I can't use those sorts of phrases in my own writing, since I have trouble keeping a straight face when I read them. But I think I can find a happy medium, stay true to my own writing, keep the story marketable, and not get my grandma thinking that I'm some sort of depraved sex maniac!
posted by
Sira890
on February 20, 2008 at 9:35 AM
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You're welcome, I'll be back
Keep trying but make you stay cnsistent with your effort
posted by
Thomas_Cornish
on February 20, 2008 at 9:24 AM
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Re:
Thanks sam!
posted by
Sira890
on February 20, 2008 at 9:15 AM
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Re: Sira, no it's not selling out.
Azur,
I know grandma will still love me, even if I do write some steamy scenes--I guess I'm hesitant for the same reason I refuse to even utter a curse word in her presence: Partially out of respect, and partially because I don't want her to think I'm a potty mouth!
I think you're right though - if the scene flows well in the book, I'll put it in and worry about the rest later! Now if only I could have a lovely dream or 2, for inspiration 
posted by
Sira890
on February 20, 2008 at 9:11 AM
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Re: How are you
I'm trying writer!
Thanks for reading 
posted by
Sira890
on February 20, 2008 at 9:06 AM
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Here's the thing. Romance is the best selling genre, and your best
chance to break into publishing. Seems to me the "steamy" scenes in the romance genre are not really graphic -- mostly it's hints and cliche. As a grandma I would not be shocked if my granddaughter wrote something with sexuality in it -- we old girls know sex and romance are vital to a full, rich life. We completely understand that anyone old enough to write a book is fairly certain to know the facts of life. Maybe you could ask your grandmother's advice - tell her what you've been advised to do and see what she thinks about the idea. You may get a pleasant surprise. :)
posted by
Pat_B
on February 19, 2008 at 3:54 PM
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I think everything can be completed within context. You must please yourself as a writer. I wish you well with this difficult decision! sam
posted by
sam444
on February 19, 2008 at 2:20 PM
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Sira, no it's not selling out.
Just include what flows in the story. I think your grandma will be proud and love you and the book whether it has a sex scene or not. So I think you should not restrain yourself for fear of what loved ones think. Older people are like any reader. They simply look for a story told well, and with heart. I recently wrote a sex scene for mine. It was drawn from a dream I had - a very lovely dream
. Anyway I had no idea whether it seem gratuitous or fake, and yes I thought about people who know me, and what they would think it said about me. So I sent it all off to my best friend. Now she and I can talk of anything we have rarely, no never, talked about sex in detail. I knew she would say if the scene stunk.
She said it was right, not too much, but very good. You should put in more she
said. I think there is a kind of snobbery about romantic themes. My book is about love,
and how it is found in unexpected places. Sometimes these stories are found in literary fiction, sometimes on the romance shelves, and sometimes in the pulp fiction. Be yourself and let what will be be. All is good.
posted by
Azur
on February 19, 2008 at 2:13 PM
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How are you
Stay true to you
posted by
Thomas_Cornish
on February 19, 2008 at 11:17 AM
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