There is a discussion going on one of my loops that started out with an author introducing the idea of the new Kensington erotica imprint. This led to questions about how this was going to differ from Brava. I explained my take on it, which is:
Brava is at heart all about the HEA with a lot of heat. This makes their titles erotic romance. Erotica, on the otherhand, can have a HEA, but it’s not necessary. Erotica concentrates on the physical and emotional aspects (fear, desire, attraction) of the sexual relationship and not the romantic (love) aspects. It’s a common misconception that erotica is lacking in emotion. Porn lacks emotion. Erotica has emotion, just not always love. Love isn’t the only emotion there is, but that’s often overlooked in these types of discussions.
This lead to a question about the different ways I approached my BL story and my Brava stories. This is how I replied:
There are some differences in the way I approached the Brava and BL stories, yes. First off, let me say that my Brava sex scenes are much hotter than the BL. *g* In fact, IMHO, they’re world’s apart on the heat level.
My BL editor asked for a more emotional and less sexual story and that’s what I gave her. Magic Fingers is about a lonely travel agent who takes off to Jamaica for a little holiday and realizes that aside from her work, she doesn’t have much going on in her life. She has the hots for the hotel masseur who is drop-dead gorgeous and way out of her league. So MF is a sexual journey a woman takes to come into her own. There’s no love mentioned, but me being me, I did end the story a bit unexpectedly.
Now for Bad Boys Ahoy!, in some ways the love scenes are erotica. It’s not always love they’re feeling when they’re having sex. Sometimes it’s anger or hurt or a desperate grasp for control. However the journey taken during the act is a journey taken by both characters, bringing them closer and building a bond that is obviously the start of a great romance. That, IMHO, changes the level of interaction from erotica to erotic romance. It’s an odyssey taken together, rather than two separate paths that lead in two separate directions.
I was asked a similar question in last night’s chat, but didn’t have the time or space to get my opinion across. So here it is, for those who wanted to know. 
Hilary is definitely looking for a bit of romance in these new books. Rumor has it some of the Brava authors write a little too hot for Brava.
by Jordan May 5th, 2005 at 11:19 amInteresting take on erotica. I’ve had a different idea in my head for a while.
Porn–the movement of body parts in sexual encounters. Can be couples or groups and gender doesn’t matter.:razz:
Erotica–the above, with the addes senses. How his skin taste when he sweats, how her arrousal smells, the texture of skin, the sound of her cries.:grin:
Erotic Romance–erotica, but as couples and emotions. How his kiss makes her feel, how her touch makes his heart ache. How love effects an orgasm.:lol:
I like your take, too. It makes sense to me. Great topic. And great chat last night. Sorry I missed the ending.:cool:
by Renee Luke May 5th, 2005 at 11:24 amIt’s all very confusing! I’ve always written *erotica* but nine times out of then there’s been an intense central *love* relationship too. A love so powerful that it thrives even without sexual exclusivity…
by Wendywoo May 5th, 2005 at 12:00 pmI agree. The definitions are different for everyone. It’s all personal perception.
by SylviaWow, this reads just like what I tried to explain to you the other night, only more eloquent.
by Sasha May 5th, 2005 at 12:56 pmI learned from the best, Sasha.
However, most people disagree. It’s just a topic I don’t think people can agree upon.
by SylviaCoincidentally, I was recently writing about definitions for an erotica writing web page. Like you say, Sylvia, personal perception plays a big part. I came to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter how you define yourself because the reader will make their own judgements based on their moral stance. And they’re entitled to that. Personally, I hate labels of any kind!!
by Saskia May 5th, 2005 at 2:22 pmIt blows me away that Brava sex would ever be hotter than Black Lace sex. Every BL book I own burns Brava to the ground. If BL is changing that much . . . I don’t get it. Everyone else is ramping up the heat!
by Alison Kent May 5th, 2005 at 3:12 pmAs I understand it Black Lace is still as hot as ever, but the emphasis is on the psychology more than the ‘plumbing’ nowadays ie. what’s going on in the characters’ minds while they’re having hot monkey sex etc rather than detailed anatomical descriptions. Working on the principle that the brain is the principal sex organ in the body, I suppose…
ps. in my previous post I meant ‘nine out of ten’ rather than ‘nine out of then’… I must learn to check my spelling!
by Wendywoo May 5th, 2005 at 11:33 pmThanks Sylvia.
I agree 100% that the defintions are all about personal perception. One womans chocolate is another womans diabetic coma.
From my talks with the editors at BL Wendy sounds right. They don’t want to tone down the sex so much as increase the emotion and psychology of the wild and wicked thigns happening.
by Sasha May 6th, 2005 at 4:04 am