I'm doing companion posts this week. This one relates to the post on my regular blog, where I asked if it's wrong to like erotic romance. Here I ask a different question. If you do write it, do you admit it? Sure, some people hide their clinch covers on the subway, but what if the clinch covers are yours? Then what? Do you make up excuses or do you tell the truth without embarrassment?
I'm working on being honest. I've admitted I write romance to certain work colleagues, but I haven't said exactly what. I write all over the map...the few genres I haven't written in yet, I want to try (much to my dear CP Tara's consternation, LOL) But right now, most of my WIPs would be considered erotic romance. Not all, but most. And I nicely tiptoe around that subject with many of the people in my life.
How about you? Do you wear your writing identity with pride? It doesn't have to be erotic romance. Maybe you write inspirationals. Or fan fiction. Or any number of other genres that I'm sure have some silly stigma attached. And if you don't write, is there another area of your life you keep under wraps? Inquiring minds want to know. ;)
8 comments:
I didn't 'come out' to anyone besides my immediate family and really close friends until I sold. And even then, it wasn't my choice because my mom decided to tell everyone, including my Nana, and my best friend told everyone of our mutual acquaintances. So, I kind of had to. However, I will admit that sometimes I'll tell people that I write fiction novels if I feel as if they're really judgemental.
Monica
I've been fessing up lately. LOL I say I write the sexay sexaaay books and make it fun sounding. Most people are pretty cool with it.
I get a few rolled eyes, but then again--I'm me, and I always get a few rolled eyes. ;)
I think I pretty much personify hiding my identity. I've been writing Bon Jovi Fan Fiction for 2.5 years now under this pseudonym. This is the name I use on all the boards I frequent, emails, my photobucket account -- everything.
I won't say I'm ashamed of what my hobby is, because I'm not. I just don't want to feel like I have to explain myself to anyone. I find all four members of the band sexy and delicious in his own way, and celebrate that with pornoriffic stories :)
Only two people in my non-Jovi life know about this little foray into pornography: my best friend Krissy and my sister-in-law Sue. K is an avid reader and will text me with "when's the next chapter of xxx coming?". S isn't really into it at all, but doesn't judge.
Only a small number of people in my Jovi world (not more than a dozen or so) know the real me. Fewer than that have met me.
I'm paranoid about Mr. Hath finding out about my little secret identity, and working for an uber-conservative company, well, let's just say they wouldn't understand, either.
I'm hoping to force the issue early next year, though. I'm working on a story that I want to *gulp* submit to one of the ePublishers, just to see if I have what it takes. If (and that's a big if) it goes well, I'm pretty sure my secret will be out; though just the "hey, she write porn" secret, not the "hey, she writes porn about Bon Jovi" part.
Gah, what am I going to tell my MOM?
~ Hath
I'm pretty open about it. I don't hide my pen name, and I tell everyone that I write romance. How much detail I go into depends on the audience, of course, but I'll always admit to writing romance, and I'll usually admit to writing very hot. About half the time, I admit to writing erotic romance, and most of the time I have to explain what that is. Men, in particular, find this very intriguing, LOL. I never hide it intentionally, and if someone finds out who I might not have told, so be it. They don't have to read it. My sister is one of those people. She will never read my erotic romance, and I'm okay with that.
It depends. I do write under a pen name for various reasons and I didn't tell my grandma, at least I dropped the erotic part of the description. : )
I don't hide it but then I don't tell everyone I'm a writer either. If they ask, I'll tell them I write romance, if they press, I say erotic romance, but Helen is right, I usually have to explain what it means right after.
I'm open about being a romance writer, and that I write really hot romance (under my real name, which shall remain nameless here), but I don't tell too many people I write erotica. Why? It's not because I'm ashamed (but I do get a bit embarrassed, mainly because I'm somewhat of an introvert), but because I don't want my mother and certain members of my family to know. They wouldn't necessarily look down on it, but they might read it. And that would totally hinder my creativity if I thought my mom might eventually read it. Plus I work for a VERY conservative, Christian company. They really don't need to know what I write.
If people ask what I write, I'm totally up front about it. I used to skirt the issue and give half-assed responses, or admit to writing urban fantasy and horror only. Now I just tell it straight: I write everything, from horror to erotica. Once or twice, I've been asked about "the erotica" (that's exactly how it was phrased, too), but usually the revelation is enough to get the job done.
Embrace the inner-smut, own it, and be proud, I say! Now, when it comes to liking my work, or promoting it...well, that's an entirely different matter!
Jaime
This is such a good conversation piece, lol... and it can either go two ways.. people think wow, that's awesome. Or they stare at you and you know they're thinking what a perverted mind you might just have... I like that ;) hehe. I think people are surprised, as ok I'm dirty when I want to be but to selected people.
My GF's are actually quite excited, and want to read what I write...and like porn, there is always a huge market for it, it's just people don't admit to it.
Well I say, let's be loud and proud girls. :)
Post a Comment