Sex or Not to Sex, That is the Question

I canNOT tell you how honored I am to have my dear friend and fellow Wild Rose Press author Calisa Rhose with me at Tattered Pages today!

Thank you for having me into your cyber home, AJ. I’m all a titter to be here!

When I first began writing, back in the dark ages, I wrote about love. There’s always a HEA in my books. However- there wasn’t always sex. Did the characters have it? Who knows? I pretty much just left that to the netherworld of the imagination of the reader.

There’s something I began to understand about myself and writing much later on, though. I care what others think. Maybe I care too much. I cringe to write sex scenes, so what someone else thinks affects my writing. I read sex scenes, well, mild sex scenes. Erotic would never find a place in my vision. Yes, I’m a southern gal. Nana (my gramma) taught me that sex belongs behind a closed door. Therefore, I was ashamed to read about it. Desires were my bravest venture. So, write about sex? Me? When the universe spins backward!

Then some writers and I started a critique group, Chapter By Chapter. *wave hello Twinkies!* I’m sure some of you have heard of erotic author, Chloe Cole (Christine Bell). Maybe some of you have heard of LC Chase, M/M author (also writes a killer ‘straight’ vampire). Chloe’s short stories were my first adventure into erotics, and she and LC’s Three To Tango, a ménage, was another first for me.’ Okay—so my kindle blushes as much as I do with all the body parts stored within. I don’t necessarily ‘like’ to read erotic, but I know it takes as much talent and work to write as my romance does. I respect the authors as much as any.

But the point is—not every writer is the same. Not every book has sex. That doesn’t make them any less good, and visa versa.

In April I was offered my first contract. It’s been a relatively short journey, and a fairly smooth one for me from beginning to write to first sale—but in December HOME will be released with The Wild Rose Press. I’m an author! It feels strange still to say that and know it isn’t just that I write—which was in itself was my proudest moment to be able to admit to—but I sold a book. I’m published! Guess what? You won’t find sex in HOME. What you will find, I hope, is sizzling sexual tension and sensual love bordering on sex. I didn’t plan it that way, it’s how my heroine demanded it—who she is. And we all know to listen to our characters.

Does that mean I never learned to write sex? Well, I do what we’ve all been told to do. Write every day, practice moving outside my comfort zone. So, yes; I can write sex scenes now. I owe it in part to those steamy sex gurus who write erotic. Yes, I read it now. What writer worth their weight in paper won’t try new things? I’m not saying an inspirational writer should pick up a Chloe Cole book- not at all.

But even sweet writers should read something they wouldn’t normally write just for the experience in sensuality. Because let’s face it—erotic authors can write some kinda sensual!

I can now write, and let someone else read, sex scenes. Mine will doubtfully ever be part A goes into part B scenes, but the door is open a crack. Just a crack.

What about you? What is writing outside your comfort zone, and do you read it?

Thanks again AJ, for letting me come and ramble all over your Tattered Pages.

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Small-town country girl Calisa Rhose has been writing since she was a teen in central Oklahoma. It wasn’t until 2005 that she realized if “they” can do it there’s no reason why she couldn’t write and get published, too. That realization began her journey into the world of publishing. After a cross-country move with her husband and their three grown daughters (plus families) back to her home state, Calisa dove into her writing. She joined RWA and the local chapter OKRWA. Since that day she has been more determined than ever to see her name in lights. She intends to nurture others and continue to grow as an author.

She’d love to hear from her readers at calisa.rhose@gmail.com and you can visit Calisa at

www.calisarhose.wordpress.com

Find out about her first book HOME on the Bookshelf page.

Twitter and Facebook her.