Ok, I rarely comment on all the fuss about RWA and graphical standards and Erotica vs Erotic Romance. However, I recieved my July RWR today (yes, isn’t it nice that I recieved the magazine a day AFTER the survery inside it is supposed to be returned by).
Anyway, the first thing I looked at was the letters to the Editor. Why? Because I wrote one to them almost 2 months ago, after one was published that complained about the covers with hunks in cheesy costumes. I’m sure you all know which one I’m referring to. But, since my RWR was, once again, extremely late in arriveing, my letter didn’t make the deadline for the June RWR. I waited to see if they would publish or respond in any way to it in the July issue. And nothing.
Then as I sit here blog hoppping I see what Shannon has to say. After this I check out Paper Back Writers Blog and see more about the SQWAK by a Harlequin/Silhouette author that says she doesn’t like writing sex scenes, but her characters DEMANDED it of her. Well, gee, my characters demand it too. But I guess that doesn’t count because I actually call a bird a bird, and admit I write erotica, as well as erotic romance.
Anyway, since RWA didn’t publish my letter to them, or respond to it in any way…I figure I’ll Post it here because it really sums up my feelings about the whole situation.
I give you, my Letter To The Editor. (THat was written and sent to then BEFORE the graphical standards fuss.)
Dear Editor,
I have to say I am extremely disappointed in the RWA, and the authors that have been whining and complaining about the direction the romance genre is going in.
It’s the year 2005 people, things have evolved. Relationships have evolved. Marriages don’t always last and people don’t always fall in love before they fall into bed. Why is it so wrong for the genre to evolve too? Why is it wrong to write stories about real characters and real situations?
And why isn’t RWA, and the authors that have been members for years supporting a subgenre that has opened doors for so many new and talented authors, instead of picking on things like cover art? Romance novels, bodice rippers have had dopey looking hunks in ridiculous costumes on them forever! This isn’t something new.
Many of the comments I’ve read make me wonder if the speakers have even READ an erotic romance story. Erotic romance is not easy to write, and it does NOT substitute sexual tension for sex acts. Erotica, and erotic romance is all about tension and emotion. Yes, the sex is explicit, but it’s not gratuitous and it’s not there just to sell the story. It is a KEY part of the story, and the evolving relationships within the story.
The RWA is supposed to represent a sisterhood of sorts, a place where new writers can go to find support and advice in pursuit of their craft. Instead they are being put on the defensive, and made to feel LESS because they choose to write something that isn’t Traditional.
Shame on those that cannot at the very least, live and let live.
Sasha White
damn, you got it over at PBWs. I’m quoting you in my blog.
and WHY didn’t RWR publish your letter, dammit? Or anyone’s letter???
Quote away. Kate! 🙂
I wish I knew why they didn’t publish it, or respond. I made sure it wasn’t a rant or a bitch. I just wanted to voice my opinion. Maybe they think if they don’t publish any of these types, they figure they’ll continue to convice people that the majority of the membership is against Erotic Romance. :doze:
Two comments:
1. RWA survey: the thing I haven’t seen out on loops that my chapter president was kind enough to point out is that due to the mailing snafu they had, you can mail it late. The other thing is, you can write in your own choice of a definition if you aren’t satisfied with the option they provided.
2. I love your letter. And I thought I’d give you a non erotica author standpoint. As I’ve mentioned before I don’t write sex. My choice. My reasons. But just because that’s my choice does not mean other people should be forced to write MY way. I think there’s a place for any kind of story out there, and rather than telling people they can’t write the stories I find objectionable, I simply don’t buy them. Some erotica I like, some I don’t. But I’m not going to subject others to my personal preference and make THAT the standard of the industry. More importantly, I don’t pretend I know the slightest thing about writing erotica so why would I be so presumptuous as to tell those who do how to write it?
But then, that’s just my opinion, and we all know I’m a few sandwiches short of a picnic
Danica, and that is my whole point . . . why, at the very least, can they not live and let live? Let people make their own choices. Just because we write it doesn’t mean we’re forcing anyone who doesn’t want to read it. Maybe I’m completely out of the loop, but I don’t see people objecting to Suspense , or historical, or insiprational they way they do to erotic romance.
My opinion: I loved your letter Sasha. I think it is what is wrong with the world today. Not Erotic Romance or erotica stories…but the whole "one person or group thinks it’s wrong so everyone needs to be of the same opinion". Ex: one atheist thinks it is wrong to say "one nation under God" and all of a sudden years of history and our four fathers who brought those beliefs here to America are thrown out the window just because one idiot says it shouldn’t be so.
Excellent post and letter, Sasha!
Great letter. Like Chey, I’ve been reading other genres lately. (Monster and vamp books. All non-romance.) For some reason, those are the only books I’ve been able to get into. It may take a few months to see your letter published. So give it a while longer. I have heard other authors mention that their letters NEVER saw the light of day, but I don’t think that’s the norm. Thanks for sharing.
I thought that was a wonderful letter. As a new and up coming author in the industry what the RWA has done in my view is wrong. Not every author writes the same and as you have stated the genre has evolved with the times. I dont see erotic/erotica hurting the romance genre at all, in fact it has brought more people to it. Just wish they could see it.
I hope they end up printing it but thanks for sharing your great letter.
A author has to write what works for them. I found Gyspy Heart just the right level of erotica for me. Lately I have been more in the mood to read books with lower sexual lines, I read my first Steeple Hill Cafe book, the only thing is I didn’t like that it was first person. I also find that adding an inspiritational life lesson in a book with some eroticism can do more good then one that is preachy. I hate cheesy costumes on the covers.