Don't read this if you're easily offended

Just got this email in my writing world...

My 15 year old daughter just finished reading your book - she loves romance, vampires and fantasy. In writing a book that you can be proud of why do you feel the need to be so graphic when describing sex? (page 272) Do you feel the book won't be as appealing if you do not include the soft porn? Or do the publisher's require it to make it more marketable? I am in a debate with my daughter about your book and others like it. I have told her that publishers have outlines for writers like you to follow. Could you please respond because she must have 400 books all with the same kind of stuff going on and I really do not want to read each one to prove a point to her!

Let's see, how many ways did this person offend me, not to mention engage in piss poor logic and a truly irritating holier-than-thou attitude? I'm practically incoherent!

There is no link between sex in a book and pride of authorship. Writing is way too freaking hard to think about that. Sure, sex sells, and you know why? Because human beings reproduce by having sex. That means we're designed to find sex interesting and darn fun, too. So, what the hell is wrong with writing about what defines and deepens a loving relationship? I'm not responsible for someone else's hangups. I have enough to do managing my own, thank you very much.

Oh, and guess what? The stereotypes about Romance are WRONG. Publishers do not give writers outlines. Sorry, but no. Probably at one time they tried that and then found out that all the talented authors couldn't wouldn't do that and all they had left was the writers who send query letters that say stuff like "Dear Publisher, here is my 150,000 word novel that you're will love to publish because my Aunt Tilly read it and she is Egliosh Teacher and loves me alot. There are aliens in chapter 14. I would like $500,000 dollors anda movie deal. Thanks."

No outlines. No bodice ripping. No soft porn. Sorry, but it's not porn of any sort. Porn is boring and repetitive and has nothing to do with love. Romance novels are about what happens when and while a couple falls in love. No love? Then it's not Romance. Is there sex? Quite often. But, provided the writer has talent, it's not boring and it's not repetitive AND it's about love.

If your teenager is reading romance and you are not comfortable with the possibility (even likelihood) of there being sex, then maybe you better check the book before she buys it.

OK. I've calmed down a little bit. For anyone not in the know, the book is a Paranormal Action Romance and it has vampires and demons in it, among other things. I checked page 272 of A Darker Crimson and I am pleased to report the following about that page:

1. It is not the possession sex scene.


2. it's also not the demon sex scene.


3. it's my second favorite hot scene in the whole book

Probably I'll come back and add a bit later. I was a lot nicer in my reply to the emailer, by the way.