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Maybe what I need is a specific definition? I've looked at several novels lately that strike me as porn (almost bordering on hard core) that is masquerading as a Romance story. It is not advertised or promoted as erotica.
What is the difference between Romance and Erotica?
Years ago the "spicy" stuff was not in woman's magazines. It was in the Men's detective magazines. Even publishers had higher standards 85-years ago.
Maybe what I need is a specific definition? I've looked at several novels lately that strike me as porn (almost bordering on hard core) that is masquerading as a Romance story. It is not advertised or promoted as erotica.
What is the difference between Romance and Erotica?
Years ago the "spicy" stuff was not in woman's magazines. It was in the Men's detective magazines. Even publishers had higher standards 85-years ago.
I would say that romance would be where there is an expectation of an exclusive relationship - where the two people fall in love. This may or may not include descriptions of sex. Erotic fiction would have the sex but the idea of falling in love wouldn't be the primary motivation.
I have a couple of collections of literary erotic fiction, which is a little different too - it's been a lot of years since I read them but the way I remember them, the point was good writers known for serious literature, writing stories and trying to convey sexual acts in language that is not stereotypically romantic or pornographic for the sake of being pornographic.
If I can find the books later, I'll post the titles.
Is soft core porn the norm now for Romance? Is it expected, or is just okay?
One of the best historical romance stories I ever read was printed in 1823; the footnote were fabulous. It was the first novel by Walter Scott (before he was knighted) and it was banned in Scotland even though it had a world wide audience. The ban was finally lifted.
The short title is Quentin Durward and you can read it on line from several University libraries. Unfortunately Amazon did not do a very good job of scanning this book.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HtownLove
Romance= A love story (some are on par with soft core porn in the written form)
Erotica= Hard core porn in written form.
Anne Rice books written under her pen name is hard core porn. Nothing romantic about it.
Is soft core porn the norm now for Romance? Is it expected, or is just okay?
One of the best historical romance stories I ever read was printed in 1823; the footnote were fabulous. It was the first novel by Walter Scott (before he was knighted) and it was banned in Scotland even though it had a world wide audience. The ban was finally lifted.
The short title is Quentin Durward and you can read it on line from several University libraries. Unfortunately Amazon did not do a very good job of scanning this book.
Amazon doesn't scan books.
I don't know if it's the "norm" as I don't read romance but I get the impression it's not unusual for there to be a graphic sex scene or two in a romance novel. If that's not to your liking, what you're looking for is now often referred to as "Clean Romance". Check out these Goodreads groups for ideas:
When e-books was in its infancy Amazon did make or acquire digital copies that were free and could be read on their website. Amazon's copy of Quentin Durward was horrible. I personally liked the digital library at University of Michigan, but since then my vision has failed so I don't read as much as I would like.
What is the difference between Romance and Erotica?
OK, this is my personal opinion, based on many years of addiction to the romance genre.
A true romance has some fairly strict parameters. Man and woman meet, they work through whatever problems or issues the author throws at them, and in the end, it's happily ever after which you know in your bones is their happy ending.
This is why authors like Danielle Steel don't meet the romance definition to me. Her female leads will go thru 3-4-5 different men, and you think Oh, this will be the one! only to have issues arise and it's on to the next guy. Even if it's the last guy in the story, you're still unsure that's the real ending.
Yes, there are love scenes in romances, but the sex is based on the love these characters feel.
However, in erotica while there may sometimes be love, but the sex is usually based on attraction and is the primary focus of the story. Happy ever afters are...iffy in these stories for me. I don't really read them any more.
When e-books was in its infancy Amazon did make or acquire digital copies that were free and could be read on their website. Amazon's copy of Quentin Durward was horrible. I personally liked the digital library at University of Michigan, but since then my vision has failed so I don't read as much as I would like.
There are now quite a few versions of Sir Walter Scott books scanned by various groups, including the title Quentin Durward. I volunteered on the Distributed Publishers version of Guy Mannering, which I prefer.
My eyesight is bad and getting worse, so I use a Kindle DX in good light and an ipad in bad light and sync books so that whichever device I pick up, I'm on the same page.
I think romance novels are so formulaic that "you read one, you read 'em all." The sexual encounter, if there is one, is usually suggested by long deep sighs, or "as he reached to switch off the light".
To me, the hard-core stuff is so graphic as to be unsettling. I'm far from a prude and I can be as bawdy as the best of them, but I employ the philosophy, "Always leave them wanting more", and that doesn't always mean more of the same. "Suggestion" is often more effective than "smack them across the face with it".
Of course, hard-core can serve a purpose if couples want to read it together. But I find it tiresome.
That being said, I am not for censorship, and I defend the readers' right to choose.
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