Hello everyone!

Today, Wednesday May 25, 2010, I am honored to have author Amber Skyze as a guest on my blog. She’ll be posting about writing sex and the reaction it sometimes causes. To learn more about Amber, visit her blog, http://amberskyze.blogspot.com/?zx=f15897c9e226cb22 and take the time to check out her books with Ellora’s Cave Publishing and Aspen Mountain Press. You’ll never be disappointed with an Amber Skyze novel! 

Also, before I continue, let me just say that my website is currently undergoing renovations. They are almost complete and the sites, the links, and all the fun stuff such as morphing characters and book trailer for Seductive Persuasion, all should work fine. If you notice any glitches, let me know, but I hope you enjoy the ‘Happily Ever After: Untamed’ changes that have already been put into place. It’s been a fun process and I’m excited about the direction that both my writing and my website are taking. Stay tuned, along the top of each page you’ll soon see a ‘What’s New’ feature!

So now, without further delay, I bring you Amber Skyze! Be sure to comment or leave a question, Amber and I will be checking in throughout the day to respond.

You Write What?

Yes, I write erotica and yes, I hear that a lot. When people hear erotica they immediately think porn. Porn doesn’t tell a story. Porn is strictly sex for the sake of sex. The language in my stories can be bolder than so prefer, but I’m all about HEA – Happily Ever After.

A few months ago I attended an author panel with a group of multi-talented writers. Some were NY Bestsellers. As I sat at the table I grew anxious. I was the only erotica writer there. I’m a shy person and public speaking is NOT my thing. But I wanted to overcome one of my fears, because someday I’ll be a NY Bestseller. J

There I was looking out over the crowd of twenty-five people thinking I can’t tell them what I write. These people were a bit older than me and I’m not that young. I’m a grandmother. Okay, I confess a young grandmother, but a grandmother all the same. There was even a young teen in the audience. I know I wouldn’t want my 13 yr old daughter to hear an author talk about sex. I decided to tell people I write spicy romances instead of erotica. It seemed easier and judging by their age group it was unlikely they’d ask for more details.

When the MC read a short bio, she announced that an anthology I’m part of Spank Me Twice had won Best Erotica of 2009. Imagine my shock when all heads turned my way.

I gave my quick speech and I mean quick – less than 30 seconds. Much to my surprise I was asked a few questions. They weren’t related to my recent writing, but stuff I wrote fourteen years ago. With my cheeks flushed crimson I answered each and every one. At the end of the panel the guests were given the opportunity to speak to the author’s one on one. There I sat all alone, no one wanted to ask the porn writer anything in private and honestly I was a bit relieved. I told you I’m painfully shy.

Then as I’m packing my things the elderly couple (older than 70) comes up to me.

The woman whispers. “What was the name of that book? Slap me…hit me, what?”

I smiled and answered. “Spank Me Twice.”

Elderly woman asks. “Can we find it online?”

I nod and grab a post card that contains all the information to find my books. “You can find it here.”

She smiles and thanks me. She turns to her husband. “Honey we have to look this up as soon as we get home!”

My mouth hung open for a few minutes after they left. I never imagined they would be the ones to ask me about my books. They were the only ones, but they made my night.

I’ve learned that not everyone will accept erotica and that’s okay. As long as I’m comfortable with what I’m writing it doesn’t matter. The reality is sex sells and at any age. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 at 6:06 am and is filed under Frances' posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.