Smexy is happy to have sex fiend author Carolyn Crane here today to talk about what her poor innocent friends and family will think of her after they read Mind Games.
Carolyn Crane the sex fiend!
My book has a few sex scenes, one of which is a bit, oh, out of the ordinary. And there are some scenes of what my grandmother might call heavy petting. One vague instance of bartering sexual favors. Etc.
Anyway, in the waters we tend to swim in, that is not a hugely smutty book. (Even tame to some…not naming names)
However, I think most people who have had their toes in other genres would agree with me when I say that the whole UF/romance/PNR ball of wax we love is WAY more smutty than most other kinds of novels. Light years beyond in smuttiness. We are like smuttiness Yodas. Like smuttiness terminators, back from the future, smashing things up with our advanced smuttiness sensibility.
I remember Nick Hornby, who is one of my favorite authors ever, saying that he skips over writing sex scenes, because he doesn’t feel it’s necessary to tell ‘who put what where.’ That’s a pretty common opinion. It works for him, but to me, sex is an area where some of the most intense drama of a person’s life can play out, where they confront things about themselves, move beyond inhibitions and all sorts of other great stuff. Let’s not have a soulful kiss and shut the door. Let’s see someone whip out a cock! Lets have somebody go down on somebody. Or throw somebody up against the wall. Pretty please?
So, here is the thing I’m getting to: Most people aren’t used to that level of smuttiness. But when you are a new author, there’s this really nice thing that happens where the people in your life, some who maybe you hardly even know, and who normally don’t read books, or where the smuttiest book they have read is The Kite Runner, are really excited for you and want to read your book.
I’m not complaining—it’s a totally wonderful and sweet thing. I have lived a good 20 years in Minneapolis, and some people here know I have been toiling away on novels or if they don’t, are surprised and excited to hear I’ve had one pubbed. Part of me is proud of my book, but another part of me winces when I think of like, a certain super conservative client, who is really proud of me for publishing, or like, my mom’s elderly friends, or this one sweet innocent neighbor reading about somebody’s “cucumbery” erection. Or various wholesome male, golf-playing art directors I work with in my RL job reading about nipple related activities. The list goes on believe, me. What will they think?
They will think I’m a SEX FIEND, that’s what I’m worried about!
Sometimes I joke around and say, watch out, it’s a smutty girl adventure book, just to give them warning. I think they sort of don’t believe me.
I’m totally grateful for anybody to buy my book – it is a really generous act of support for an artist, but I do worry, with those who are not used to our genre, if they will think I’m a sex fiend! So, I have made a chart!
LOL. I may be underestimating people. I was really worried about my landlady reading it, and she enjoyed it. One of the pitfalls of being a writer is an overactive imagination! We’ll see.
Thanks Carolyn!
Carolyn is offering a copy of Mind Games to one lucky commenter. To enter, just tell us if YOU wrote a smutty book, what would be the first reaction from your family? Shock? Outrage? Glee?
Contest will be open through Thursday, April 1st, and I will announce the winner Friday. Open to all.
Who knows? I am the "outcast, redhead stepchild, black sheep" of the family! It might improve their opinion of me : )
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
I'm fairly sure I will be writing a smutty book in the next few years. My family (mom, dad, sister) think I'm a lost cause anyways. My sister said to me last month "You DO know vampires aren't real, right?" So, I'm thinking if they and my friends think I'm a sex fiend they will secretly say to themselves "Wow, her and Chuck must be having some pretty damn good sex after 21 years for her to know that stuff!". *snort*
My family has seen the covers of the books I read, are used to hearing me and my sis talk about the books…and yes, the most smutty ones too. So i don't think they will be all that shocked…
I think they will react more like; OMG you got published!! Then silence, before they carefully ask; "What did you set free from your fantasy that readers are ready for?"
I'm only responding to the question, so please don't enter me in the contest, Mandi. (I already have the book and it IS fantastic!)
So, I'm an aspiring author and am currently nearly 50,000 words into my first draft. I'm going more the route of Ilona Andrews with more sexual tension than actual action, but there has been one ::kinda:: steamy "grinding" scene I've written so far, and let me tell you, I blushed and giggled like a school girl the entire time I was writing.
Having my family and friends read something steamy that I wrote is a fear of mine because like Carolyn, I'm totally thinking they'll all think I'm a sex fiend and then wonder just how could I envision such a graphic scene. Will they think I had some hot hot sexperience (ha) that lead me to write it out?
Maybe I'll just use a pseudonym instead…XD
Hi Carolyn! Here's a typical conversation about my novel…..
Neighbor: "Oh, you wrote a book about Santa Claus! That is so cute!"
Me: "Uh, it's not a children's book. It's for adults. It's a light paranormal romance."
N: "Oh, that sounds fun. I'm gonna go read it."
M: "Just so you know, it's spicy."
N: "Spicy?"
M: "Yeah, you know….spicy. It's a ROMANCE novel."
N: "Oh…..OH! Spicy!!!!" (Blushing, goofy grin, eyebrows raised). "Okay."
Neighbor thinking to herself: Oh my God! She wrote a smutty book!
Me: Sigh.
Carolyn, Your novel is absolutely freaking fantastic!!! Including the smutty parts! :)
Virginia: There's a glass half full pov!
Moon: You think it might improve things. This is great.
Leontine: So, reader beware? That's what they think? LOL.
Karra: Right, and of course imagine YOU doing it all.
Penelope: OMG. Right, you wrote a book about Santa's boys! You harlot! You are definitely in way worse trouble than I am!!
Lol, I would not write sex scenes, I would me embarrassing by letting my characters kiss…perhaps that is why when I write I write epic fantasy, and leave little room for romance.
*looks at the sex fiend and shakes head*
I love this post – I think my family is shocked about some of the things I post on m blog – a whole bookful would probably do them all in!
No need to enter me, I bought the book already!
OMG, your post articulated exactly how I feel! I just finished my third manuscript, a romantic suspense, and it's way smutty. My family and friends have all read my first two, the first of which is now under contract, but my new baby, yeah…way smutty, lol! I keep worrying people are gonna think I'm some closet sex fiend who needs help. Ah well. All I can do is listen to my characters and write what they show me. Gotta keep it real :)
My grandmother is the person who first introduced me to romances, but I'm pretty sure she would freak out if I wrote a smutty book(she is 91). My dad, brother, and sister would totally support me.
I started reading Mind Games this morning and am loving it so far. Really wish I could have stayed home from work to read all day.
Don't enter me in the contest – I just wanted to say that this line:
Let’s not have a soulful kiss and shut the door. Let’s see someone whip out a cock!
Made me spew coffee all over my work computer. Good times.
If the scene calls for smut, bring it on!
CJ, your beyond smutty scene in Mind Games was perfect. Justine is a perv, all I'm sayin'. ;)
My mother would pretend outrage but be supportive. My father would be mortified that someone in our small town might know! But he would read it… My brother and sister would be thrilled! There is no way I would tell my grandma – she reads historical romances WITHOUT sex… where in the heck to you find those?!
I have no plans to write a book – but in fantasy world, I don't think it would be a big shocker. My father put my website in the family newsletter this year and my aunt called the day she got the letter and I had a m/m book reviewed…LOL. Yeah – no one would be shocked if I wrote smut :)
Jill – That line made me snort.
Most of my family would be VERY shocked but my baby sister would react with glee and a "You go, girl!" :-)
Sarah M
I think my husband would love it. My parents would be mortified. I would probably not even tell them I had written a book. Heh.
My family would be shocked if I wrote a smutty book. Luckily, I could use Carolyn's flow chart, with just a name substitution, to explain it all. Thanks for a fun column and a reminder that I have got to get this book!
I am pretty open about my love for romance novels to my friends and close family so they'll be cool with it. I'm sure there would be tons of teasing and surprise at the intensity of my imagination regarding sex, lol.
My family would be more shocked I actually finished a project then by what the project was.
Haha Tori :)
Leontine: So, reader beware? That's what they think? LOL.
@Carol Crane – Most definitely…I've always been a dreamer and my imagination changed as I got older. That innocent grin on my face as a kid changed into one of pure wickedness as an adult. My parents know the way my mind works, they're just not sure if the rest of the world is ready for it *eek*
I'm actually sporting a wicked grin on face right now…
Hubby; Watcha writing?
Me; A comment.
Huby: A comment to who?
Me; An author.
Hubby: You must be talking sex then with such a grin…
I rest my case…
I've been writing for a long time, but never ever have dared to send something in to a publisher, I must confess. If I ever do and it is a so called smutty book there's going to be one regret: That my grandmother never got to read it!
She's the one who introduced me to smutty books. She loved them and also loved discussing them with me. If other people will think it's too smutty I will just say to myself: my grandmother would have loved it!
My extended family would have no clue, as we are not close. My husband would be ecstatic as long as I made money. His parents would need to stay in the dark, but my sister-in-law would love it.
My Mum would be over the moon if I did write a book (smutty of course…are there any other kinds of books? *grin*). She's always after me to get my shi* together and start writing…I'm still dragging my feet since my mind seems to go at warp speed while my hands struggle to put down the first idea on paper or laptop screen. *sigh*
hugs,
Anna
s7anna@yahoo.ca
Ah, there's SEX in this book?!?!
Excellent. *rubs hands*
Friends – Meh
Hubby – Woohoo! Can I be a test subject?
Family – Would never know!
I have smut (romance books) scattered throughout my house, therefore by my power of deduction I don't think hubs and immediate family would be shocked if I wrote a smutty book. Now my ubber Christian cousins (who made me play Jesus and the Manger when we were little) they probably would be shocked.
That chart is excellent – you have mad drawing skillz! ;)
Oh, these comments are so funny. What's really cool is that I'm not alone in feeling this way, as a writer, or as a reader of questionable material laying around the house, LOL.
HAHA! My family knows I read smut so they wouldn't be too surprised if I write one. Of course they would probably read it in private! LOL
Thanks for the great interview and contest!
Loved the chart!
Amy J
djsfoxylady@gmail.com
I think my family would be shocked. I come across as this quiet, mothering, book reading nerd. I have some family members that know of my love of perv. So they wouldn't be.
Please don't enter me into this contest for I own this fabulous book! I just finished it yesterday and I have to say the smex scenes are awesome! I love that it didn't happen when you expected it too and it was with someone you didn't expect it to be with. Can't wait for book 2.
Thanks Smexi for recommending another great book. And thanks Carolyn for writing it. :D
Oh pahleez. I don't even tell the majority that I read and review romance novels. Although the thought of seeing a few of my family members turn inside out does hold some appeal for me. hehe. Perhaps I'll have a "coming out" party.
Hi Carolyn!
*gg* the chart is gorgeous – thanks!
to answer your question: I'v no intention to write a book, I don't have the ideas for one… mh, my family looks sometimes strangely to me, especially when I read a book with a sexy cover *gg*
greetings, Ina
Well my sisters are prudes so I'd never hear the end of it and my parents would not be happy.So if I did write a book I'd never tell them.
My family isn't actually aware of what I am reading but yes if my mom catches me reading a smutty book then I am sure she is bound to generate more reaction than just a raise of an eyebrow. As is evident,my parents will be shocked beyond words if they ever read get to know that I wrote a smutty book…I'm supposed to be the 'good girl' :P
Just an example-
Mom:You wrote book with sex in it?
My sister:Ooooo
Me:Um..
Mom:How could you?What do you know about it? How do you know about it? When did you get to know about it? How come I don't know about you knowing about it?
Me: Mom..umm..I..
Mom:Leave it! All this..at this age!! You are a gone case!! The generation nowadays…*rattles on*
(Dad-Sitting on a chair beside,non commital but with a 'weird' expression on his face)
I quietly make my exit stating my desperate need to answer to pee,etc…
That's my sad story…*sobs*
frndz.debas@gmail.com
Well, we all know what type of sex scenes I'm writing, so my parents would probably faint if they read what I wrote.
They will think I’m a SEX FIEND, that’s what I’m worried about!
Carolyn, you say this like it's a bad thing. Don't you think that most people already know that about you? Don't you want friends who like you AS YOU TRULY ARE??
:D
My parents are very old fashioned in their thinking so they'd be grossed out and shocked. My siblings have seen the titles on my bookshelves and my smutty man desktop photo so they wouldn't be surprised. They'd mostly want to know when I was getting my royalty checks so they could borrow a few bucks. LOL!
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
For all the people in my life The Kite Runner IS the smuttiest book they've ever read, lol! And they have absolutely no idea that I would appreciate Nick Hornby's book even more WITH sex scenes. No one, except my hubby (who's the great benefitter), knows that I read smut! So, I guess I can say for sure that they would be shocked if I would write a smutty book. I think that's kinda hilarious and for the look on their faces alone I would do it – if I could write that is ;)
Great guest post and very funny drawing!
My family have never understood why I read, let alone what I read. And none of my current family members read so… Even if they didn't read I wouldn't tell them anyway. The reactions would be…less that supportive.
All the best for the release Carolyn! I can't wait to read Mind Games!
It'd probably go something like this (of course, after they read my [unpublished… not giving up hope!] UF book–or even my Y/A book for that matter):
fam: OMG… … … have you, um, have you done this… stuff?
me: huh?
fam: You know, that part with the thing and the thing?
me: Oh, where they do the thing?
fam: yes!!!
me: nope, not that part. I got inspiration for that from a porno.
fam: *gasp*
me: fun huh? *smiles wickedly at their embarrassment*… then starts scheming for ways to make them blush in the next one.
–but I like shocking my family… It's not that hard with 1/3rd of them being Mormon. It's fun to see them squirm :D
My family already thinks I am a sex fiend because I read these books.
Honestly it would depend. Sister and Dad would read and be like I always knew….fill in the blank. Mom would read it and as a romance genre lover be okay with certain levels of heat, but not anything in the smutty range. She would however, still be a huge fan and supporter. Work people…I would share selectively. Strangers where I live…I would pimp that shit like crazy! LOL! IF it was really smutty, I'd probably use a pen name and just tell hubby.
Being that my mother gave me fairly hardcore romance to read when I was 9, I'm certain she would say "It's about damn time. You've been doing 'research' since you were 15!".
;)
My family well it depends on who you ask…my sisters, cousins would not bat an eyelash and think anything of it since they already know that I'm a freak. My parents and in-laws, well…there would be initial shock but considering their undying love for me (that's right, YOU MOTHER!) they would get over it. Plus, I lovs my smut and don't give a rats ass what anyone thinks. The end. :)
My friends know I love smut but family, they would be shocked!
*raises hand/sex fiend*
Great interview!
Amy
tnsongbird865@aol.com
I could write a scene so steamy that the paper started to smoke and I would probably get this reaction: My mom would want to know how I could have figured out the anatomical possibility of the scene; my dad would be highly disappointed if I used the word f***; and my sister would say, 'There was sex in your book?' I know this because I write a huge amount of vamp/shapeshifter fanfic. Plus, I started reading Silhouette Desire books when I was 11. And my bookshelves are full of Shelly Laurenston and Maya Banks and Laurell K. Hamilton. Also, I keep Jasmine Jade in business. It's not a surprise that I like 'the sex'.
Please, please enter me in the contest.
I have never written a smutty book but I have certainly read them. Kind of hard to miss in the paranormal/UF genre, and really why would you want to if it's done well? If I did actually write a book I think my family would keel over in shock. That said, my Mother and sister-in-law would totally be on board for the smut as long as the story kicked ass. Probably even my husband who has read (he's not a reader) and LIKED A Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux.
First of all. funny reflection. Made me laugh.
Now…
If/when I get published I do believe half of my friends would be shocked into silence and then stutter for a few tense moments. Their wide eyes would take in the beautiful scenery as if for the first time before daring to look at me as if for the very first time. Perhaps afraid I may jump them, no, worry I know they got horny reading my stuff, or wonder if my writing is based on real life experiences. Oh my. Did I mention some are down right conservative?
The other half would probably roll their eyes or shake their heads thinking, "Leave it to Sandra(Sanddddrrrra, Sandy, Sandwichy, Nana, Cuz) to write a book like that."
I think if I wrote a smutty book, my family would first – be delighted that I'd managed to get a book written and published, and second – be thrilled to read it and tease me about the sexy times in the book.
As always Carolyn, you have written a fabulous, well articulated post, and somehow, I really don't think anyone will consider you a sex fiend! LOL
Mandi, don't enter me, I already have Mind Games.
If I ever wrote a smutty book, my family would never know! N.E.V.E.R. lol
Take care
LOL! Love the little sketch you got going there!
Ive seen this book around and already have it on my MUST BUY list! I was blog hopping earlier and saw on one of my fav authors blogs (Richelle Mead) that she said to pick this one up…naturally Ill do it! The book looks and sound SO AWESOME! Congrats on the debut book and enter me in girly I WANT THIS BOOK! ;o)
Oh and if I wrote a smutty book what would my family do…? Well they'd probably laugh and shake their heads like they normally do…not much surprises them anymore! ;o)
If I ever wrote a smutty book, I wouldn't tell my family. Which is actually sort of sad. Oh well, I'll still read them :-)
I think they would be shocked. It is one thing to read it but another thing to actually write it myself.
just tell us if YOU wrote a smutty book, what would be the first reaction from your family?
i guess they will react crazy !
and they will say, " Are you sure you are the one who wrote this ? positively sure ? don't be shy to tell the truth with us..come on.."
uniquas at ymail dot com
Hi Carolyn,
Hmm – I think unsuprised would be the best description – ever since my mother found my copy of Nancy Friday's My Secret Garden when I was 16 she has had the completely wrong idea. As to my husband, we spent 3 years long distance when I was at uni so he has his own collection of unpublished works :)
shelleyrae73 at gmail dot com
I don't think anybody who really, really knows me, would be too surprised!!
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I reckon they'd all be shocked rigid (pardon the pun) if I wrote a smutty sex scene.
If I were to write a book though, there would definitely be some heat in it, not just kisses – that's what I like to read after all (although some subtle/kisses type books are okay sometimes, I prefer a bit more, erm, action).
I only recently "confessed" out loud to my hubby that I read the occasional m/m romance. I was kind of surprised that he didn't say much – I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing though. o-O!! (What will he do if I tell him I've got some menage stories?!) *blushes*
My family would be totally shocked. They would think its OK for me to read them, but not to write them.
@ Mandi – happy birthday for the 29th. As you and I share a birthday, I'm sure you are as wonderful as I have been reading about all over the blogosphere! Hope you had a good day Monday. :)
Carolyn, your smutty sex fiend scenes – at least they fit in with the story. It's awkward when you're reading a book and then suddenly the characters are having this kind of awkward graphic sex, and it seems…forced. your smutty scenes fit in with the character's emotions and were written well.
Man, you should see some of the scenes in a regular romance novel – not only are they graphic, but they use awkward terms.
I usually kind of skim over the scenes, but these were good, almost poetically good, without the mushiness – does that make sense?
Oh, I already have the book.
O, I did write a smutty book. My mother did read it….she blushed…lol…we have always been very open about sex so no poor reactions there….my in-laws are another story….ekkk
Hi Mandi & Carolyn,
LOLOL! Carolyn, you really thought this out, didn't you? I'm guessing most people in the world like sex, so you're probably over thinking this and underestimating people. But at the same time, I'd be thinking and worrying just like you if I were in your shoes.
I also wanted to comment on the fact that I completely agree with you regarding sex as an area in where intense drama and revelations can take place with an individual or the couple and shouldn't be eliminated from a story when it is important. If it's important in RL, why wouldn't it be important in fiction, right? Right.
Also, you've got some serious flow chart skillz.
(Please don't enter me in giveaway!)
lol they would be shocked but supportive if I wrote a book. I had my Dad just recently pick up a new release (for me) at the bookstore and he couldn't believe he had to purchase a Zombie Apocalypse Romance, went on to say the sales clerk was more embarrassed.
Actually, I just found out last night that my mother in law read it. She told DH that "Carolyn's a good writer but that story is…verrrry strange." She is really sweet.
lol loved the interview – and gah, Carolyn, mother in law? Lol well at least she thinks you're a good writer! :D
As for if I wrote a smutty book… yeah the family would not be told. I think my parents would die. Much less extended family… and sister would *never* stop berating me. Blech. Does not want.
But yay! Congratulations on your book!
I don't think I would tell my family if I wrote a smutty book. Maybe I would show it to my mother …
I believe my aunts & cousins would cheer, and my Mom would be embarrassed. :)
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
Carolyn-
LOL, I have TOTALLY thought of this situation before, and here's the crazier part: it was a thought spurred by a YA book that was (of course)no where near as graphic as this genre! But I remember thinking, "I wonder if she (the author) was embarassed when her family read this part?" because that sweet little love scene was more than I was accustomed to back then. Imagine my shock to discover that I was a bonafide prude :O
My first romance/smutty book I ever read was just this past year and I then discovered I am also a lover of the smutty books! lol So I say, bring on more of the smutty books, sex fiend :D
u know what? I just thought of something else:
if I wrote a book with all the sexy scenes I likes, and yet didn't want certain people I know to read it/know it was me, couldn't I just publish under a pen name and never let them know it was me? do pen names not stay secret anymore in this internet age?
just wonderin' lol
bells[dot]franco[at]gmail[dot]com
Oh, that chart is fabulous!! LMAO
My immediate family knows I'm more than a bit on the pervie side, so they are not shocked at all by my smutty books, not even the Ava m/m books. ;) …though the old aunts and grandmas only know about the Evangeline m/f stuff. I'm not sure they would 'get' m/m erotic romance, and that's not something I really want to explain to them. LOL.
Lol, if I ever decided to write a smutty book my family would at first be shocked. Then ,however, they would take any opportunity to make fun of me unmercifully.
echs2007@gmail.com
I used to write some mighty naughty/smutty fanfic… I think my mum would die!
I’ll right away grab your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
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