Earlier today, reviewed (and loved) Riding Dirty by Jill Sorenson. Now, she is visiting to discuss some verra naughty words….
Hello Smexy! Thanks so much for having me. It’s great to be back with you fine ladies, discussing classy subjects like we do.
Let’s talk about cum, shall we? This seems appropriate for my release day.
Cum is a vulgar, dirty word, common in pornographic material. The popular misspelling can be used as a verb or a noun. Women are described as “cumming” just as often as men. Most romance writers prefer the more traditional “come,” but not all of them. I was reading The Story Guy by Mary Anne Rivers about a year ago, and I saw the word “pre-cum.” Rivers’ writing is sort of flowery and elegant. She made pre-cum look like a medical term, or something nice, like lemon icing.
I wouldn’t recommend peppering cum into your sweet YA or even your small-town contemporary, however. In most of my romantic suspense novels, I use come to mean orgasm. The language and sexual situations in Riding Dirty are more graphic, however. While writing a scene from the felon hero’s POV, I found myself speculating about what word he would use, and how he would spell it. I decided to use cum. I felt that it fit the overall tone of the book and the hero’s personality. Riding Dirty is an across-the-tracks romance between a hard-edged criminal and his sophisticated psychologist. Cole’s lack of refinement is part of his character. Is this specific word choice integral to the plot? Not really. It’s just one of those small details that can add or detract from your story, and offend or delight readers.
Dirty words are not just for heroes, either.
I recently read an erotic romance in which the heroine’s arousal was referred to as “girl-come.” I had no idea cum/come was so versatile! It’s everywhere. I can’t say I liked this combination term, but maybe I judged it too harshly. I’ve noticed that vaginas can’t win in romance. Female readers tend to be harder on heroines and more critical of their body fluids. I’m guilty of complaining about exaggerated descriptions of arousal, as if there is something more distasteful about women making a mess. But there are few complaints about exaggerated cocks. Male spurts are joyous, like the fountain of youth, while women who gush are “gross.” There’s also no such thing as a hard-on being too hard, am I right?
I’m tired of the mocking attitudes toward female genitalia. I’m over the snarky claims that heroines who burn and swell with desire (or even squirt) need to see a doctor. They don’t. We all have our preferences, but the vagina jokes aren’t funny anymore, especially when they target perfectly normal descriptions of a beautiful thing.
Whew. Glad I got that off my chest. ;)
I think authors should use whatever language they’re comfortable with, and that readers have every right to dislike it. Strong reactions are totally welcome, good or bad. I can’t let a few complaints stop me, because there is no dirty word everyone agrees on, and the person I have to please first is myself.
What do you think about graphic language in romance? Does anything go these days, or should cum stay between the pages of a porno mag?
Today, Jill is giving away five digital copies of Riding Dirty! To enter, just leave a comment. Open to all – I’ll pick winners on Friday.
I agree it’s book-specific. Something that I would find off putting in one book would be appropriate for the character and scene in another.
I love dirty talk in novels, whether it’s the hero whispering in the heroine’s ear or when the heroine is telling the hero exactly what she wants him to do. But it can depend on the style of book, sometimes it may not be as appropriate for a Duke in a historical to get too dirty.
I don’t mind dirty talk in the books I read, but I do wonder about terms used in historicals–I wonder if the words are anachronistic.
Looking forward to this book. As I said earlier elsewhere, I am not a fan of the MC romances but I trust Jill to make it work for me.
I have no issues with dirty talking, I just want the words to fit the character and storyline.
“Does anything go these days, or should cum stay between the pages of a porno mag?” My first visual was of sticky magazine pages like those my older brother used to hide. ;)
Now to give your question the seriousness they merit… I think context is everything (as you pointed out). However, a more assertive use of the vernacular has become more common over the past decade or so. I like it. It’s more realistic and is breaking a taboo about what words belong to men vs women.
I’m all for dirty talk. I feel it’s more genuine.
oooh… this looks and sounds awesome! Congrats to Jill on the new release!
I love a dirty talker. There is just something so earthy and real about someone who lets it all hang out so to speak. However, I also think it is, not only book specific, but scene specific as well. Some scenes are appropriate and even enhanced by some of those four letter beauties. Other scenes, well, things can go downhill fast if the characters continue to do their verbal thing at the wrong time (or to the wrong person). Imagine letting loose in front of a child or your mother…shudder!
I don’t mind it but I feel it should fit the tone of the book and the characters.
Ahh, the connotations of cum vs. come, I love talking about dirty talk!
I love what Jill said about how the character would describe orgasm with a word – nothing is sillier than a biker dude using words like “velvet covered steel” to describe his “member”. There is definitely a place for cum in romantic lit and it doesn’t offend me at all.
Hi Jill and Mandi, Great review, thanks. I like dark and dirty and yes, cum, pre-cum and dirty talk are not just for porno mags anymore. Thanks for the giveaway.
It doesn’t bother me as long as it fits the tone of the book and characters. I’m looking forward to reading Riding Dirty!
Sounds like a great read!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Love dirty talk! Also am mad at myself for not having this book yet! Jill Sorenson is one of my faves!
Most language is fine with me. I love dirty talk from the man or woman. I do agree that it is book and author specific. Some can get away with certain words and some stories just don’t sound good with too dirty words.
This book looks good. Jill is a new to me author.
Interesting post
I think that graphic wording has a place dependant on characters, scene, setting.
I’ve read books where it didn’t work, but I like a little dirty talk if it fits the book and the characters.
Loved your discussion of cum vs. come. I do think it is book and setting specific.
As long as the story doesn’t feel like it’s being forced along or awkward, I’m all for it! ;) I can’t wait to read this book!
Ooh this sounds like a good read! Thanks for the giveaway!
Reading your opinion on cum vs come first thing this morning was even better than my morning coffee – and it’s darn good! I prefer the dirty talk. ;) Thanks for the guest blog. I really want to read your book now.
This book sounds amazing! Want!!!
Ohhh this sounds yummy.
Dirty talk, when written well, is the sexiest thing. And I know it’s not as easy to write as one would assume. Because for me, the dirty talk works due to fantastic chemistry between two characters. I totally admire those authors who can convey the kind of chemistry that makes your stomach all fluttery.
I agree when used in the right context it can make so much more authentic. Congratulations on the book looking forward to reading it.
I don’t notice unless it doesn’t feel organic. So bring on the dirty!
I agree that it needs to fit the character and story line that said the double standard certainly still exists!