4 th SelfPublishing Conference Saturday 7 May 2016

4 th Self-Publishing Conference Saturday 7 May 2016 • University of Leicester #selfpubconf Ashley Lister Erotic Fiction Writer Sexy Words

Aims & Objectives To consider the purpose of sex in fiction • To discuss the notion of taboo language • To define appropriate vocabulary • To address common issues with writing sex scenes and erotic fiction •

Introduction My name is Ashley Lister Novels Non-fiction titles 100 + short stories Poems Academic articles

George R R Martin “I can describe an axe entering a human skull in great explicit detail and no one will blink twice at it. I provide a similar description, just as detailed, of a penis entering a vagina, and I get letters about it and people swearing off. To my mind this is kind of frustrating, it's madness. Ultimately, in the history of [the] world, penises entering vaginas have given a lot of people a lot of pleasure. Axes entering skulls, well, not so much. ”

Why Write Sex Scenes? End Two Minute Timer

Why Write Sex Scenes? To move a story along • To develop or demonstrate character • To titillate a reader •

Aims & Objectives To consider the purpose of sex in fiction • To discuss the notion of taboo language • To define appropriate vocabulary • To address common issues with writing sex scenes and erotic fiction •

Taboo Language Commonly today taboo language falls under two categories: the sexual and the scatological. • Historically taboo language has been strongly associated with religion but this is no longer such a powerful taboo in western culture. •

Taboo Language “Taboo words are especially effective at snatching a reader’s attention […] a speaker or writer can use a taboo word to evoke an emotional response in an audience quite against their wishes. ” Pinker, S. (2007: 333)

Taboo Language “You know the seven [words] that you can't say on television? Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits. Those are the heavy seven. Those are the ones that'll infect your soul, curve your spine, and keep the country from winning the war. Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits. ” Carlin, G.

Taboo Language In Fifty Shades of Grey, the word ‘fuck’ and its derivatives are used on several occasions but, the majority of times, the usage comes as an exclamatory rather than a verb. Note – when ‘fuck’ is used as a verb, it is usually appearing in dialogue. It is not part of the narrative description.

Aims & Objectives To consider the purpose of sex in fiction • To discuss the notion of taboo language • To define appropriate vocabulary • To address common issues with writing sex scenes and erotic fiction •

Appropriate Vocabulary Appropriate for the author • Appropriate for the characters • Appropriate for the audience •

Appropriate Vocabulary Appropriate for the author • NEVER write a scene you don’t want to write • AVOID using vocabulary you wouldn’t feel comfortable reading aloud in public • Be technical, if technical works for you. Be colloquial, colloquial works for you. Above all, makes sure the vocabulary is appropriate for YOU. •

Appropriate Vocabulary Appropriate for the characters • Demure and naïve characters are going to have a different erotic vocabulary to more sexually active characters. Use this to differentiate characters. • Regional variations on taboo terms can make for a richer detail in your writing. •

Appropriate Vocabulary Appropriate for the audience • Some erotic romance publishers have a ‘heat’ rating for stories. • Be aware of these ratings. • Be aware of the vocabulary used in typical examples of these books. •

Appropriate Words? Produce two lists of words that you think are appropriate for the erotic fiction you’re going to produce. • Produce one list of words for male anatomy, and one list for female anatomy. • End Two Minute Timer

Appropriate Words

Aims & Objectives To consider the purpose of sex in fiction • To discuss the notion of taboo language • To define appropriate vocabulary • To address common issues with writing sex scenes and erotic fiction •

Common Issues A complexity of pronouns • Repetition • The Bad Sex in Fiction Awards •

Complexity of Pronouns The truth is, it’s harder to write lesbian or gay fiction than it is to write straight fiction. Pronouns work fabulously when there are two characters on the page who don’t share the same gender, but we don’t often have that luxury. http: //www. chroniclesofalsea. com/the-blondeand-the-brunette/

Complexity of Pronouns Focus on clarity • Instead of him/her he/she, occasionally use character names or other descriptions such as hair colour, occupation or some other distinguishing feature. • The intention is to make sure the reader knows what’s going on, without being an intrusive narrator. •

Repetition Writing sex is easy because it’s formulaic. It’s the same exact formula as an ordinary action sequence – and chronological order is STILL the ONLY way to do it. Morgan Hawke, The Cheater’s Guide to Writing Erotic Romance (2007 : 245)

Bad Sex in Fiction At this, Eliza and Ezra rolled together into one giggling snowball of full-figured copulation, screaming and shouting as they playfully bit and pulled at each other in a dangerous and clamorous rollercoaster coil of sexually violent rotation with Eliza’s breasts barrelrolled across Ezra’s howling mouth and the pained frenzy of his bulbous salutation extenuating his excitement as it whacked and smacked its way into every muscle of Eliza’s body except for the otherwise central zone. List of the Lost, Morrissey (2015 winner)

Faster, harder, faster, harder. The room began to shake. Just faintly at first, like a mild constant tremor, like the edge of a far distant earthquake. The French door trembled in its frame. A glass rattled on the bathroom shelf. The floor quivered. The hall door creaked and shuttered. My shoes hopped and moved. The bedhead hammered against the wall. The floor shook hard. The walls boomed. Coins in my abandoned pocket tinkled. The Affair, Lee Child (2011/12 nominee)

Aims & Objectives To consider the purpose of sex in fiction • To discuss the notion of taboo language • To define appropriate vocabulary • To address common issues with writing sex scenes and erotic fiction •

Read Lots of Sex YOUR STORY PRACTICE If in doubt: USE A PSUEDONYM NEVER BREAK YOUR PERSONAL TABOOS DOLLAR For It’s right BE sure Find the right words

PUBLISHING CLOAK AND DAGGER A GUIDE TO QUESTIONS WITH UNSATISFACTORY ANSWERS DOLLAR Questions? ASHLEY LISTER JOHN LANE QUESTIONS HAVE ANY YOU DO ASHLEY LISTER CLOUD PUBLISHING ASHLEY LISTER Questions QUESTIONS?