Romancing The Words

Words are powerful tools and when used methodically, can give an image of whatever it is you want to portray.

On the same hand, the wrong choice of words can give a reader an image that can turn them off.

One that comes to mind is 'bubble butt' -- ew! I recently read this description in a romance novel, this morning in fact, and wondered what possessed the author to even think describing a guys bottom this way remotely sexy. I've heard the term used so much in real life and never as a compliment, and never in reference to a man.

I'm on a butt kick this week and it started at work Monday. A story for another time. Some guys need a better fit of jeans.

I'm an erotic author, so why would anything bother me, you might be thinking. Just because I write sex doesn't mean I don't have limitations. There's a place and time for any given word. Some don't like the f-word, c-word, etc. Some don't like purple prose, some want you to come right out and say what you mean, don't white-wash it.

Every word you use needs to fit the characters, the scene, the time period and most of all portray what you mean it to.

I once read a story where the author had the heroine describing the hero - aside from the fact the description was too massive of a built for a soccer player, she turned me off because the description had me immeditately flipping my mind to an old Flintstone espisode where a man put on a blow-up suit to give him broad muscular shoulders, huge biceps and well defined chest, wonderfully muscular thighs and a narrow waist. The use of 'narrow waist' was the trigger.

Earlier, I was reading the desires of new publisher. They don't accept erotic of any kind and really was beating anyone who cared to read over the head with it. So much so, it's really all you can come away with. I had to read it again to find out what it was they really did want. They're all about the sensuality, the sexual tension, the touches, the glances - the build up of the romance. Isn't that what we all want and expect in romance no matter the sub-genre. To watch it happen, feel it happen and feel all gooey when we finish the last page.

Happily Ever After stories come in many forms and the authors of have their own unique, one would hope, way of sharing us their story. Choosing the right words makes all the difference in an individuals acceptance of an author's work. I was thinking about this earlier when I was browsing review sites while I was waiting for my son get ready for school. I noticed a review site had completely revamped their site -- it's quite awful in fact. However, as I tried to figure it out, I was reminded of their review of my second book, which you won't find posted there -- I thought it was amazing how what they found utterly distasteful about my work is what the majority loved. While they are in the minority, the first thing I wondered about the was wording. However, it wasn't the wording that triggered their distaste -- their trigger was the drinking my characters did.

I can second guess my writing until I destroy it. I don't want anyone to ever do that with their work. I don't want to hear anyone writing to please a reviewer, a publisher, or even an editor -- not completely - you know what I mean. First and foremost, you have to be happy with your work and second your target is the reader - those are the people you write for. So what if it's not everyone's cup of tea.

On the other hand, maybe you can hang onto a couple of those 'trigger losses' if when you're going back through it to polish it, take the time to consider some of your word choices. You want the reader to fall in love with your characters, your style and reach the end of the story where they can feel that intenal 'aw' that makes them sigh.

Bekki
http://www.bekkilynn.com/

By the way -- the new publisher is Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc - debut release March 29th. Check them out.