Monday, February 11, 2013

UNEXPECTED MORAL DILEMMA

Morals? Yeah, I've got them. I may put them on hold when writing a nice death scene. But what almost buried my revision... SEX!

It's been over two years since I've written an adult novel. I forgot what words to use to describe the anatomy without sounding like a genecologist: Member, throbbing, pulsing, shaft, heat ... ack!

Gag me with a spoon.

Uh huh, I took it 80's style since that's the last time I read a romance novel. I'm sure things have changed over the years. I had to do some research. *grin* I also forgot how much I enjoy romance novels. Not so much for the sex, but the romantic tension. I love falling in love through the characters.

Romance is key. I don't like having a gratuitous sex scene with no real reason for it being there. I want sex to be a logical extension of the character's relationship. Anyway, the revision has an increase in sexual tension and exploration based on the needs of the character's relationship.

Whether I did it right ... meaning made it HOT! God, I hope so. Who wants tepid. As a reader you want to live vicariously through the characters, right? Steamy, heart racing, hide the book in a file so you can read it at work, spicy. Only, not so spicy that I feel like I'm corrupting innocent minds with it since it's New Adult. Hence the dilemma I spoke about earlier.

I sent the story off to my critique partners, and I didn't feel a twinge of guilt. They're adults. The problem came from the one beta reader I have who is under 18. Grief.

I don't and didn't write erotica, but I still couldn't reconcile myself with sending it to him with the sexualized scenes intact. Maybe because he's a boy.

No, that's not altogether accurate. I'm not letting my daughter read it either.

I don't have a problem with teens reading about sex. Heck, like I mentioned, I was reading romance novels in 9th grade. My mom gave me the "talk" when I was six. I did the same with my kids. I want them educated.

I'll even be fine with Kiwi reading my book when she's older, but I think thirteen is still too young. Fifteen or sixteen seems like an age where I'll feel okay with it. However, if I'm keeping it real, she's had a library card for years. She's probably read books exploring burgeoning sexuality and she hasn't been mentally scarred by what she's read.

I guess letting her read my book feels different because I'm the one who wrote it. I know it's not something I feel comfortable allowing her to read at her age.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I trimmed those more adult scenes to PG-13 before I sent it to my young beta.

Why did I freak out over a 17-year-old reading the revision? Maybe because I'm not his parent. To me, buying the book in the store gives an implied consent. Sure kids will buy things their parents don't approve of, but it's the parents responsiblity to monitor what their child purchases if they choose to.

Still, I can also see why some of the New Adult books are being rewritten without the sexual content for Young Adults. I think it's easier for a parent to make an informed choice that way.

My reaction probably doesn't even make a whole lot of sense. I know I'm confused. I think it's because of the duality of my dilemma. Which is why I'm having a hard time reconciling it within myself. I'll keep thinking on it.

Maybe you can give me your opinions?

 

Friday, February 8, 2013

ANGIE SANDRO'S A ZOMBIE?

 I haven't done any writing for two weeks. I don't feel up to tackling the new story wiggling in my brain like a maggot after rotting meat. Too gross? Sorry, but it's the truth. I'm still brain dead from the revision. I want to start a new WIP, but I still haven't fleshed out all of the details.

The major one being whether I want to set this in the 1970's. It feels like I should because it has a dark edge that the modern world wouldn't support as easily. Cell phones, internet, computers ... these sorts of conveniences make the story I want to tell less plausible. It does mean I have to do a lot of research on the era. I also wonder whether there’s even a market for this book. Another area of research (I love research, lol).

Since I haven't made up my mind, I've put the story on hold. Which means its grip will get tighter and tighter. In a couple of weeks, I'll be walking around with this dazed look on my face and I'll be at risk of a head shot.


Angie Sandro after a night of editing.
 
 
I’ll probably end up writing it the way the story wants to be told. I don't have much control once the characters start talking in my head. I just go with the flow, then edit like crazy.
 
On Sunday, I'll watch The Walking Dead to see if my favorite character survives. *crosses fingers* because nobody is safe on this show.
 
I hope you all have a happy weekend.

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