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Weekly Updates for 2010-08-15

Sensual Reads Blog: Why Erotica? by Belle Sloane

I didn’t start out focusing on the saucy and spicy. I’ve worked with-in various genres over the years. Other than erotica, one of my very favorites is contemporary paranormal romance.

A while back I was working on revisions for my then most recent paranormal and feeling less than inspired. One of my critique partners Tami Sinclair, a published erotica writer herself, encouraged me to take a break from that book and try writing some erotica myself. I’d thought about it off and on because I really enjoy writing love scenes, and feel pretty confident about their quality. But, since my day job is in a middle school, I’d balked before.

But at that point I decided to follow my naturally rebellious nature and do it anyway. The result of that was a short story called The Drive-In which I sold on my first query. That felt really good. (Unfortunately, that one is no longer available.) Then I came up with another idea–my particular take on the mile-high club, and that resulted in another short story called Airborne, which I sold to Carnal Passions, ( www.carnalpassions.com ) the erotica imprint for Champaign Books out of Canada. Oh, and that one is still available. J But, I still wasn’t convinced that really I wanted to dive into the ultra sensual genre full force.

Then our chapter LERA/Land of Enchantment Romance Authors contest, The Rebecca, came up and I decided I’d try the erotica category. I wrote the first thirty pages for the contest and sent it off. Well, I finaled and won that contest, and received a request for the full manuscript of Sweet Charity from Theresa Stevens, then of Red Sage Publishing. ( www.eredsage.com ) You can imagine how I felt. Totally excited that I received a request, AND totally freaked because I’d only written 30 pages.

I’d never done it before, but I’ve always felt that if I ever got into the situation where I’d have to finish a work quickly, I just dive in and do it. I was driven. I worked every free moment, and finished the first draft in four weeks. One Saturday morning I started writing at 5:00 am and didn’t stop until noon. It was an experience like none other before, and I’ll never forget how it felt. The words just poured out of my head in a never ending stream. I couldn’t type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts. THAT’S when I realized I’m an erotica writer. Yep, that’s me.

I received an offer from Red Sage for Sweet Charity last fall, and accepted of course. The revisions are done and the final version of the cover is complete. I don’t have a release date yet, but hoping it will be this fall sometime.

The thing is–I’m thinking, maybe we don’t always consciously pick our genre. Maybe our genre picks us. That is certainly what happened to me.
What do you think???

Belle Sloane
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www.bellesbuzz.blogspot.com

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posted Thursday, July 15th, 2010 | filed under Blog

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22 Responses to “Sensual Reads Blog: Why Erotica? by Belle Sloane”

July 15th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Tami Sinclair said:

Belle, what a great story! We all feel like that at times, but what a wonderful description of how it happens-our genre chooses us.
Thanks for the encouraging story.
Tami
July 15th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Lydia Parks said:

Belle, I think you may be right! I know I rarely write what I think I want to, but I certainly enjoy what comes out! Hugs, Lydia
July 15th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Gabi Stevens said:

I never considered that genre picks you. Something to contemplate. I certainly know that While I read some genres and enjoy them, I could never write them.
July 16th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Dyanne Davis said:

Belle,

Congratulations!!! Writing erotica is harder than one would think. And to be chosen by Theresa and Red Sage is a real coo. Enjoy.
July 16th, 2010 at 7:09 am
Belle Sloane said:

Hey Tami, Lydia, Gabi and Dyanne. Thanks so much for checking out my post! AND thanks so much for your support, Ladies.
July 16th, 2010 at 7:44 am
JIllian said:

Bella,
Congratulations on all of your successes. I’m still waiting for my brain to catch up to what I’m suppose to be writing.
I love writing the hot, steamy stuff, that’s for sure.
July 16th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Donna said:

Very interesting how your genre chose you Belle! And the stars seem to be in line for you with all the great things happening one right after another! Thanks for the blog!
July 16th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Lauren Gallagher said:

“I’m thinking, maybe we don’t always consciously pick our genre. Maybe our genre picks us.”

I couldn’t agree more! I wrote fantasy for years, dabbled in all kinds of things, but then I decided for whatever reason to write an erotic romance. Man, talk about a lightbulb going off…I knew I’d found my genre, and haven’t looked back.
July 16th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Belle Sloane said:

Hey Jillian~~~

It’s really got a different feel than writing straight romance, for sure.

Belle
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July 16th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Belle Sloane said:

Hey Donna~~~

Sure hope those stars keep lining up

Belle
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July 16th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Shea Berkley said:

Hey Belle,

That the genre picks you is an interesting concept. I’m glad you found your niche and I wish you all the success in the world.
July 16th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Belle Sloane said:

Thanks, Shea! And all the best to you with the Golden Heart! I’ll be cheering for you big time at national!!!
July 16th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
gabriella edwards said:

Hey, Belle! Love the story and it’s interesting how you describe taking the step to writing erotic romance, i.e. “following your natural rebellious nature” I knew there was a good reason why I liked you! You go!
July 16th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Joan said:

Belle, when I knew you some years ago, I thought you were very connected to your sensual side. To me, yyour choice of genre signals a personal awareness, or even re-evaluation of who you are. I appreciate your sharing your life and immagination in this way. Thanks.
July 16th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Darynda Jones said:

Great post, Belle! I love your stories and can’t wait for more!!!
~D~
July 17th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Belle Sloane said:

Hey Gabby,
Thanks for checking out the post.
Here’s to rebellion! (In all it’s positive and gentle forms of course.)

Belle
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July 18th, 2010 at 5:13 am
Belle Sloane said:

Thanks Darynda. Working on the next one right now.

Belle
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July 20th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Molly said:

Belle,

Having known you for 30+ years it is surprising that it took so long for this genre to find you!!! Always earthy and definitely connected to your sensuous self… congratulations you deserve the success!
July 21st, 2010 at 9:59 am
Kelley Pounds said:

Though I’m not writing fiction at all anymore (a completely different creative outlet has taken over my life), I agree that your genre chooses you. I think that’s why despite the contest successes and good reviews on my one published book I wasn’t more successful writing historical romance. I’ve always tended toward more historical than romance (preferably with some fantasy or paranormal elements thrown in), so my stuff just wasn’t all that marketable in the historical romance genre. Who knows, I may get back to writing fiction some day, and then I’ll know better where I should focus my efforts. Great post, Belle, and best of luck to you!!!
August 3rd, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Sensual Admin said:

I think sometimes an idea comes along and its so different from what you’ve written before that it creates a spark inside you. And those tend to be great books because you’re so inspired.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:23 am
Belle Sloane said:

Thank you everyone who took the time to read this post and comment. I really appreciate you all.

Belle
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