The Challenge of Writing a Good Scene (Sex and Violence). How much is too much--or not enough?
I love reading. I’ve been
reading as long as I could hold a book and writing as long as I could hold a
pen. And I read almost everything, as long as it is not too graphic in any
manner. When I started reading novels in the early eighties, I found a means of
escape and loved it. I would literally devour a book in one to two days. In the
nineties, I got a little busy with babies and work, but I still read. Then as
the kids grew up, I started reading again with a passion, only I found
something had changed.
It seemed that someone told
the authors that I’d loved that if they didn’t throw in an erotic scene or
murder someone violently, I wouldn’t be interested. Maybe it was just me, but publishers
that easily turned books into PG13 movies so the general-public could watch
didn’t think that readers wanted the same thing. Two examples: Kiss the Girls and The Time Traveler’s Wife. I liked both of these books, but…I would have loved them--and…I
would have probably suggested them to others--if they hadn’t been so graphic.
On the opposite scope, I also
read Christian books. But as good as some of the mysteries are, why is it okay
to break every bone in a child’s body, but not allowable to show a sensual
scene, even between a married couple? Somehow, the fact that violence is okay,
but sex isn’t doesn’t make sense to me.
So, what’s a girl to do? You
guessed it. After twenty years of virtually no writing, I sat down and penned a
novel, then another, and another, and another. I let my avid-reader friends and
cousins read them, and they loved them.
My thoughts are that readers
have great imaginations, and the lead up is the best part anyway. So I take the
reader to the precipice, but I leave the best parts to their imagination. And
that isn’t just with sex. My novels contain tragedies; they
are real life. I take on some tough issues in all my stories, but I will never
glorify an act. Rather, I will show you the pain, the aftermath, and the
victory.
So if you love a
romantic-suspense PG13 movie, and don’t want to worry if your teen (sixteen and up, I'd suggest) picks up
your Kindle, or reads over your shoulder, my books should be right up your
alley.
You can find all of my novels in print and ebook formats:
Or, read on for more descriptions...
A little about what I write:
A writer of modern-day
fairytales, my stories overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, and of course,
tragedy. After all, what would a fairytale be without a tragic event setting
the stage? All of my novels are sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic
and will make you cry, laugh, love, and hope.
My first two novels, She Belongs to Me and Land of the Noonday Sun, have reached bestseller
status right alongside Nicholas Sparks, J.D. Robb, and other great authors. My new
releases, Entangled Dreams and When Noonday Ends are now available.
My novels are all
standalones; however, I do link each of my stories with a little surprise. If
you read out of order, you'll never notice. But if you read in order, it's
fun.
Romantic-Suspense
Novels
First release - December 2011:
After secrets and a mysterious background leave a wife’s life
hanging by a thread, a husband must look for answers in the only place he
knows—the past.
Second Release - May 2012
Book I of the Nantahala Series
When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams, they must
forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land
of the Noonday Sun.
Third Release - September 2012
When Alexandra’s choices dissolve into Entangled Dreams, pushing
her down a dark and dismal path, she must trust her instincts to escape danger,
but be able to surrender all to find her happily ever after. Knowing how to
decipher the difference, will be her toughest challenge.
Fourth Release – December 2012
When a new attorney accepts a case of a woman accused of attempted
murder, he finds himself entwined in age-old secrets and a family that will
stop at nothing to conceal them—even murder.
Series of Mini-Mysteries with a
Paranormal Edge
First
Short Story — October 2012
When
what seems like a normal pit stop turns to more than just gas and food, a lost
couple finds themselves searching for the truth of a twenty-year-old mystery
that may cost them their life.
Second
Short Story — January 2013
Find in print and eBook formats:
Until
next time, happy reading, friends!
I
love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the
links below.
Great post. I am glad you found a balance that worked for you. My memory maybe lagging, but I can't remember Time Traveler's Wife being so graphic.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, KC. It wasn't TOO graphic as in erotic, but...I couldn't have recommended it to my 19-y-o niece and felt comfortable...and yet, they were able to turn it into a PG13 movie. Funny, they left out the fact that the three things that kept him from travelling, was running...lots of sex and drugs. I did end up giving the copy to an older cousin, but warned her it wasn't as gentle as the movie. Trying to think how to best describe the scene on my PG13 website... Hmmm... I'm paraphrasing... "If...(such and such)was an Olympic Sport, he'd have one a Gold Medal..." LOL!
DeleteOn another note... Don't you wish that his daughter would have been able to change what happened...no spoilers... But I cried and cried at the end. Even worse than a Nicholas Sparks' book. I still cry when I try to explain the end. It reminded me of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" only that was a happier ending...did you ever see that? Sigh! Love that movie...wish they'd do a remake. Have an awesome day.