Today I’d like to talk a little about intimacy in books. It’s a little surprising that even with the popularity explosion of romance and erotica, there’s still a lot of confusion around what exactly these books contain, and what separates them.
Three of the categories that seem to trip people up the most are:
1. Romance
2. Erotic Romance (also known as Romantica®)
3. Erotica
For, I’d like to point out that Erotic Romance is subcategory of Romance. At its most simplistic definition, it’s just romance with erotic content.
erot·ic
adjective \i-?rä-tik\
: relating to sex : causing sexual feelings
Technically speaking, any genre can have erotic content. But most don’t (so sad). Since there’s so much romance out there with lots of juicy, raunchy, naughty content, Erotic Romance is often called out separately from romance.
But exactly how Erotic Romance different than regular Romance? And where’s the line drawn between Erotic Romance and Erotica? Is it about how many sex scenes there are? The number of characters that all get in bed together at once? How long they’ve known each other before they got naked? The amount of dirty words the author has chosen?
The answer is – sort of. And not really.
To me, the main difference is whether or not the relationship or sex is the focus of the story. The number of sex scenes, partners or naughty words involved doesn’t necessarily matter.
My quick breakdown:
ROMANCE: The story is all about the relationship development. Sex can be non-existent, behind closed doors, sweet, sensual or steamy / hot. Usually it isn’t very explicit, and there are only a few sex scenes, if any. The sex isn’t essential for the story – if you removed it, you’d still have a complete and cohesive story.
EROTIC ROMANCE: Still all about the relationship development (after all, it is still a romance). However, sex is an integral part of the plot as well. There’s also one or more sex scenes that are explicit in detail, meaning they don’t leave much to the imagination. Note here that the description is what makes it explicit / erotic, not necessarily the vulgarity of words used. Take out the sex though, and there will be plot holes or a story that falls a little flat.
EROTICA: All about the sex, baby! Sex scenes aplenty are required. In fact, any story elements that are not about sex or don’t lead to sex aren’t required. Relationships are also optional. There may or may not be the development of a lasting romantic relationship, but it is not the focus. Take out the sex and the story is incomplete, if not non-existent.
|
ROMANCE |
EROTIC ROMANCE |
EROTICA |
The Focus |
Relationship between the characters. Sex is optional. |
Relationship and the sex between the characters. |
The sex between the characters. Relationships are optional.
|
The Sex |
Sex can be non-existent, behind closed doors, sweet, sensual or steamy / hot. |
Sex is integral to the story, and explicit / erotic in detail. |
All about the sex and the explicit details. No story left without the sex. |
The Length |
Can be any length |
Can be any length |
Can be any length |
The Kinks |
Usually doesn’t have any kinks |
Can have kinks or include ménages, but doesn’t HAVE to. |
Usually has kinks and/or include ménages, but doesn’t HAVE to. |
The Ending |
Happily Ever After (a.k.a. HEA) |
Happily Ever After |
Sometimes Happily Ever After, sometimes Happy Enough for Now |
Now, believe it or not, there are people who don’t like intimacy in books. Some just don’t like erotica, others don’t like erotic content in literature, and yet others still claim not to be fans of books that revolve around love at all. CrAzY, I know. I’ve heard all kinds of explanations for why not, too. The strangest one is that you’re only supposed to enjoy romance and sex in real life, not in a book or a movie. As if, you can’t possibly be entertained reading about something you actually enjoy for real!
But the one explanation that baffles me the most, is the one that claims romance is just too unrealistic to enjoy. That they are “unhealthy”, even. “People don’t fall in love like that in real life”, they say. “Who has that kind of sex?” they say. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but my life is a lot like some of the romance books I read and write. Minus the shape shifters, assassins and multiple simultaneously husbands, mind you. Hmm, do dreams count? Anyway … I beg to differ. Real life is not that far off the books I love, is it?
So let’s add real life to the table, and see just how much it may or may not match these categorizations.
|
ROMANCE |
EROTIC ROMANCE |
EROTICA |
REAL LIFE* |
The Story |
Relationship between the characters. Sex is optional. |
Relationship and the sex between the characters. |
The sex between the characters. Relationships are optional.
|
Life revolves around the relationship and sex (or lack thereof)
Matches: EROTIC ROMANCE |
The Sex |
Sex can be non-existent, behind closed doors, sweet, sensual or steamy / hot. |
Sex is integral to the story, and explicit / erotic in detail. |
All about the sex and the explicit details. No story left without the sex. |
Sex can be non-existent, behind closed doors, sweet, sensual or steamy / hot.
For some, sex is integral to life, and for others life is ALL about sex.
Matches: ROMANCE EROTIC ROMANCE EROTICA
|
The Length |
Can be any length |
Can be any length |
Can be any length |
Can be (almost) any length
Matches: ROMANCE EROTIC ROMANCE EROTICA |
The Kinks |
Usually doesn’t have any kinks |
Can have kinks or include ménages, but doesn’t HAVE to. |
Usually has kinks and/or include ménages, but doesn’t HAVE to. |
Can have kinks or include ménages, but doesn’t HAVE to.
Matches: EROTIC ROMANCE |
The Ending |
Happily Ever After (a.k.a. HEA) |
Happily Ever After |
Sometimes Happily Ever After, sometimes Happy Enough for Now |
Sometimes happy, sometimes not so happy, sometimes too soon, and sometimes not soon enough. Most are to-be-continued.
Matches: ROMANCE EROTIC ROMANCE EROTICA SOAP OPERAS REALITY TV |
*Note: Results may vary for each life
And there you have it. My take on the difference between romance, erotic romance, and erotica. Any questions? J
Also, I have a new release today! CAT ON THE FENCE, Book 2 in my werecat series, is on sale now from Ellora’s Cave. Oh, and in case you were wondering … it classifies as Erotic Romance. 😉
Here’s the cover and official blurb:
How do you choose between being with someone you love and being true to yourself?
The last thing Karabi wants after dumping her clingy boyfriend is a new relationship. She’s a Werecat shifter and romantic involvements with normal humans are challenging to say the least. However her clashes with the frustratingly hot new guy at work, Alex, are tinged with a lust that’s impossible to ignore.
Alex throws professionalism out the window the first time he gets Karabi alone, sexing her up atop Willis Tower. But unbeknownst to them he’s a “Late Bloomer”, a Werecat whose powers haven’t manifested until adulthood. As their first sexual encounter reaches climax he shifts uncontrollably.
Suddenly Alex is thrown into the dangerous world of Werecats and Rabid Werewolves. With each passing day his sexual voracity increases but unfortunately so does his feral nature. To give Alex the help he needs, Karabi must face the Pride and play by their rules—both of which she’s fiercely rejected.
Click here to learn more about CAT ON THE FENCE. You can learn more about the “By the Tail” books on the series page.
Tatiana Caldwell
“Making Fantasies Take Flight”
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