Sex in books, that is! When I first started writing my YA books, my target audience were teenagers. However, one of my main beta readers is a middle grade teacher in England and she has always reiterated that they would most definitely appeal to her pupils. With that in mind, I now write them for a younger audience as well. Which means, definitely no sex and no curse words.
I do, however, also write chick lit. Well, my WIP (which has been a WIP for quite a long time) is chick lit and I think that genre usually needs a little romance with a splattering of sex, don't you? And then there's the whole other side of it with the likes of Fifty Shades of Grey, which is just bogged down with the stuff. Not that I have anything against it, of course I don't. I think my problem is that I read so much YA stuff that when I do try and read something full of sex, it's quite a shock! My sister lent me a series of books a couple of years ago. I can't remember the name but it was something to do with Atlantis and I remember blushing throughout the majority of the first book. My sister now calls me a prude. I'm really not... honest. I was talking to a friend the other night about the EL James series and she mentioned that in her day, it was all about Lady Chatterley's Lover, (which I've never read) but probably pales in comparison. What do you think? What are your thoughts on sex in books? Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Raven. There are two more books in The Raven Saga: December Moon and The Lost Soul. You can also get a FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. The sequel to Daisy Madigan's Paradise is also available: The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw.
I think sex in books is quite fine if it's done tastefully. Fifty Shades of Grey is anything but tasteful, in my little 'ol opinion. I made it to Chapter 6 in that book and couldn't stand it anymore. I hadn't even gotten to the really sexual stuff. Literary Erotica is one thing and can be appreciated, but unbelievable and over the top soft core porn in novels - not really my cup of tea!
ReplyDeleteCheers from Brandy at brandysbustlings.blogspot.ca
I prefer my books ( the ones I read as well as the ones I write) to have romantic elements but not necessarily sex. I write YA also and I,too, have been shocked when I go to read a "grown-up" book. There are so many other aspects of relationships to explore. I love a story that really delves into why the characters love each other, what brought them together and how they conquer all odds to be together. Sex could play a role in that but it doesn't have too. Simply Sarah
ReplyDeleteBrandy - I'm a few chapters in on Fifty Shades of Grey... just about to hit the first sex scene but I have a feeling I'm not going to enjoy it. I doubt I'll read much more! I've never actually read any literary erotica. I wonder if that will make me blush as much lol!
ReplyDeleteSarah - I totally agree with you. I much prefer to explore relationships myself too!
Thanks for stopping by, girls! :D
I think one needs to be in the right mood, relationship, and time of their life to really enjoy sex in books.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good, valid point Joy. I agree :D
Delete