What is Erotica?

Is it Erotica or Romance?

I have a friend and fellow writer, R.E. Butler, who recently wrote about the difference between romance and erotica, Classifying Romance and Erotica. Reading her blog made me think. I know the publisher norms for romance are that it must have a likeable heroine, a problematic romance, and no matter what there must be a HEA (Happily Ever After) or at least a HFN (Happy for Now) ending. I also tend to see romance novels as having sex throughout, but using silly or flowery words to convey it.

Now erotica is more about the sexual encounters. It may have romance, but you know that as you read it you are going to get HOT. It is not safe to read erotica around family or employers (unless it's your spouse), because you are going to get horny if it is well written. The storyline requirements for erotica is not limiting and the words used are real words spoken in the bedroom.

There have been a few short stories that I have read on Smashwords that were labeled as erotica, but in my opinion fell far from the mark. Just because you say the characters had sex does not make it erotica. If you don't take me into the mindset of the character and detail what they are seeing, doing and feeling then it is not erotica to me.

I do like romance with my erotica, so I am happy to read a storyline that sets up the characters and events. But don't leave me hanging! I recently read an erotic storyline between a police officer and an FBI agent thinking, "Oh yeah, oh yeah. This is going to be good!" The author kept hinting at this delicious and naughty scene and then did not deliver at the end. She skimmed over it and I was left panting and desperate for more. Grrr...

When I write erotica, I want you to experience what my characters are experiencing and I design it to excite you. If you read my work and it doesn't get the juices flowing, then it is not a successful story in my opinion. Now, if you don't care for my endings - hey, I'm sorry. I'm not 100% sold on HEA endings. :) Just saying...

The End to the Other Story

I just finished another novelette titled In 9 Days. I knew generally what the ending would be, but wasn't sure about the final words. I was typing along and then I read over my last sentence and I just knew it was the end. It was kind of beautiful actually. I was like, "Wow, that it. That's the end of the story." It is a happy/sad kind of feeling. Happy because the story has told itself out, but sad because I will miss the characters.

Here is the blurb for the novelette:

Her friends call him The Freak, but Tessa has an instant crush on the new boy in school. While others turn away in disgust, she is irresistibly drawn to Kevin Reese. The boy’s face is covered in burn scars and his right hand is missing two fingers. She knows Kevin has a tragic story behind those injuries and she is desperate to find out his past. However, it is his kisses she longs for most.

This enchanting novelette is a coming of age story that centers on loving acceptance.

Tessa is instantly attracted to the new boy in school. She daydreams of becoming a couple, even though her friend Samantha and her mother are violently opposed. Tessa doesn’t realize on that first day the important role Kevin will play in her life or the fact she only has 9 days with him.