Okay, here’s a topic that always puzzles me…sex vs. story. Which do readers REALLY prefer? I’ve asked around and readers swear that story matters most, and yet I get applauds (as do many other authors) on the sizzling sex scenes. I’ve noticed that the more erotic books sell better than the sweeter ones. So, is this simply because the sex scenes are turned way up, or is it something else? Are the story lines more intense and interesting? As a writer, I’m not sure. By looking at things I’d say it IS merely the fact of the sex scenes since many of the stories out there have very thin plots with MANY descriptive sex scenes.
As a writer, which do I prefer? I have to admit that I like writing books that are steamy, but giving a play-by-play description of bedroom acrobatics can be taxing. Also, it’s easy to fluff up a weak story with a sex scene. Or, if I get writer’s block, and all else fails…I throw in a sex scene. It’s a lazy habit to fall back on, though nobody’s complained yet.
I’ve not once submitted a novel and had a publisher ask me to tone down the sex. In fact, I’ve been asked to add more, and more detail. Too much is never enough.
Me, I enjoy getting into the minds of the characters as opposed to their pants, but sex sells. Plain and simple. I can deal with it. 😉
3 COMMENTS
Missy Sue Hanson
17 years agoI couldn’t agree more! I don’t want to tread just plan sex and I don’t want to read just plan action, either….give me Sherrilyn Kenyon or something like it, where every element is thrown in the mix and melted so perfectly together that I read it all in one sitting!
LK Hunsaker
17 years agoI’m actually one of those readers who won’t buy actual ‘typical’ genre romance because I don’t want all that hot description. I want story. I want deep characters, and a point to it all.
I suppose I’m in the minority, but readers tend to be the same, so it all works. 😉
LK Hunsaker
17 years agoAnd, I meant “MY readers tend to be the same!” Big difference there, and that’s why editing is so necessary. *laugh*