YES YES YES

Write It HOT, Write It WELL
By La Belle Rouge

Written 5-25-2004

Some People Do

Sex is like money, as the song states, “Some people really need it, some people got to have it.” Some people don’t… or claim they don’t. But almost everyone, even if they don’t participate in it, has a natural curiosity about and enjoyment in contemplation of it. I suppose that’s why the erotica I write is read in the places I post my work, many more times than anything I write in any other genre.

I am primarily a romance writer, even my erotica is usually grounded in romance and the characters usually love each other. I am stuck somewhere in the middle…too romantic for some erotica readers, too erotic for some romance readers but in the middle of these two genres in the newer genre “Romantica” is where I’m most at home and write my best work.

I believe that good erotica will go beyond a sexual attraction or encounter between the characters to matters of the heart, not just the body. An erotic short story is much more appealing to me if it has all the elements of good storytelling, in-depth characterization, setting, plot and really natural dialogue. Good stories show and not tell, causing the reader to be drawn into them.

Gutter language and too much profanity jars my senses and ruins the beautiful mood of sensual love for me, so I don’t like to read that in a story and usually don’t write it. There is a line between dull romance and porn, I write, or try to, romantic stories that are not dull and yet not pornographic. I have become very inventive in creating softer, classier metaphors and similies for body parts and sexual acts.

Sexual love should be a beautiful expression of two loving hearts and also a means of intimate enjoyment and laughter, I try to convey this in my work. Not everyone can write this genre, but you may not know if you can until you try, I certainly didn’t think I could a few years ago.

The first step is the realize physical love is not dirty and to get past the censors in your mind that forbid you to put such thoughts on the page. Once you are past that obstacle, if you are a good writer and know the basics of short story writing or poetry, the rest will be easy! If you have sexual encounters or thoughts you can write about it, if you are a real writer and have pushed passed your inner inhibitions.

Most of us have been taught taboos about sexuality and the expression of it. Most of us humans are much more uptight about sexuality than the Divinity who created it. The first erotic poem I penned I was terrified, I literally trembled with fear that a lightning bolt would strike me dead! When that first poem was finished I realized that I could write in a sensual way and began to gradually master the genre until I could get past the censors and write it with as much ease as a nature poem.

So many women writers have said to me that they wish they could write erotic poetry but feel they can’t. You will never know if you don’t try. So silence those censors and write. You could begin with the most erotic experience in your life or you fantasies and put pen to paper or hands to keyboard to record those memories or thoughts. When you finish if it is just a jumble of erotic words, edit it to bring it to life as a poem or story. Most women are sensual by nature anyway but have been afraid to explore that natural part of their character. Why not look at sensual writing as an art form and a way to bring a bit of romance and pleasure to many who read you.

I indulge in and enjoy writing adult humor as well. Sometimes it will be bawdier than my regular poetry, simply for the comedic effect. Erotic humor, in my opinion is the most difficult to write since most of the other forms of erotica depend on dreamy, steamy romance to fuel them but humor, that’s a whole other animal!

Contact me if you want to broaden your borders and try the erotica, romantica genres and I could help you in any way. I look forward to reading your new adventure in writing.