Think of it as Romantic Erotica instead. Why? Labels. ‘Erotica’ is the new term for spicy romances.

My stories may have more sex in them than some mainstream ones, but they are still about one man and one woman who fall in love with each other. The couple meet, gets to know one another, is faithful to, and would do anything for each other just as a so-called ‘regular’ romance.

There just happens to be more sex scenes.

This is not porn. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary says the following:

Main Entry: por·nog·ra·phy
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek pornographos, adjective, writing about prostitutes, from pornE prostitute + graphein to write; akin to Greek pernanai to sell, poros journey

1. the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement
2. material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement
3. the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction

Popular conception of porn is much the same: suspension of disbelief to watch promiscuous sex with random and multiple partners in a variety of unusual places. The people then never see each other again and everyone goes their separate ways. End of miniscule plot, end of sex.

Variety of unusual places aside, sex is a natural part of loving another. If my couple meets and is attracted to each other, what follows is a normal, healthy sexual relationship. But that’s never all there is. There are emotions, messy, hard emotions to deal with, work through, and acknowledge.

There’s jealously, anger, heartbreak.

There’s Duty vs. Love.

There’s Safe vs. Risky.

There’s the payoff when you realize that the one you love and want also loves and wants you. Forever.

Would you ever write a non-romantic erotica? Yes. Certain stories call for more or less sex depending on the setting, idea, plot, and characters. Yes, it’s true what you hear so many writers say – the characters really do dictate the movement of the plot.