The Sleazy World of a Romance Writer—Or Not

Why is it when you’re a romance writer, especially an erotic romance writer, many people think you’re a sexual deviant? Barry Eisler writes about spies and assassins, I don’t hear anyone asking him, “So, Barry how many spies have you murdered lately?” Stephen King writes about serial killers and ax-wielding, murdering writers. No one has asked him, “So, Mr. King, how many people have you chopped up during your career?” And if Tom Clancy was teaching high school students English, I doubt the parents or students would be concerned that Mr. Clancy might also consider teaching his students how to build a pipe bomb.

I’ve had people ask me if I personally research all my sex scenes to make sure they’re accurate. Hmmm. Of course, every sleazy scene. The most exciting research I ever did was for scenes on planet Somerled in my book DRAGONWITCH. I really enjoyed the interstellar travel to another planet, and oh my, a threesome with a shapeshifting dragon. Well, don’t knock it until you try it.

Really?

Next time you meet Stephen King, I dare you to ask him what’s it like to be a serial killer?

Anaїs Nin (1903-1977)

In reality, I read a ton of books, both fiction and non-fiction, spend hours searching the Internet and sometimes talking to people. I have quite a collection of books to help me with research.

By one of the first women to celebrate sexuality with complete and open abandonment—Delta of Venus, Erotica by Anaїs Nin; Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller which was banned as obscene in this country for twenty-seven years after its first publication in Paris in 1934; the Mammoth Books of Best New Erotica, Edited by Maxim Jakubowski; and various erotica anthologies, edited by Cecilia Tan, Marilyn Jaye Lewis, Maria Isabelle Pita, and others. These books contain stories by many talented erotica and erotic romance authors. Of course, my own publisher, Ellora’s Cave has many talented authors and produces full length novels, novellas, short stories and anthologies (The Cavemen Series, Forbidden Fantasies, are just a few of the anthologies); The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice writing as A.N. Roquelaure and the series. There are so many wonderful erotic romance and erotica books out there. This is just a small sampling I pulled from my book shelf.

In non-fiction, I couldn’t list all the books I have but a few that have helped me with writing the stories: How to Write a Dirty Story by Susie Bright; Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns by Philip Miller & Molly Devon; The Loving Dominant by John & Libby Warren; The Mistress Manual by Mistress Lorelei; The Joy of Writing Sex by Elizabeth Benedict, and many others.

Besides sexy romance and erotica stories, I enjoy reading science fiction, thrillers, comedy, ghost stories, and more. Writing erotic stories and researching them takes work, just like researching a techno-thriller novel or historical novel.

If you’re an erotic romance or erotica writer, what are your favorite research books? Please share.
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LATEST NEWS:

My latest novella, EMERALD DUNGEON is up for Sizzling Read of the Month at Sizzling Hot Books but I need a generous votes. If you have a chance the pole ends on May 1st at 8 pm. Thanks so much!
EMERALD DUNGEON by Kathy Kulig is up for Sizzling Read of the Month w/ a generous vote. http://bit.ly/auPqyo

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EMERALD DUNGEON available now on Amazon Kindle. New release from EC, erotic romance Irish themed. http://t.co/al26s5H

Halloween Destinations--If You Dare!

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado (The Shining)

As I’m getting ready to leave for another conference this weekend-New Jersey Romance Writers Put Your Heart In a Book Conference-October 22-24th, I realized Halloween is just around the corner. I need to shop for treats for the trick-or-treaters. I just got back from Romanticon and as soon as I sort through my photos, I’ll post some here and on Facebook. But for now I was thinking about fun, creepy vacation spots for Halloween.

The leaves are changing all those beautiful colors, the air is crisp. It's a great time for hiking or bike rides. I checked out favorite getaway hot spots for Halloween vacations. Or I should say “haunt” spots. Here are a few suggestions:

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado
Remember The Shining Stephen King’s novel turned into a movie. This is the hotel. After Stephen King spent a creepy, isolated weekend here with his family in the early 70s, he got the idea for his novel. Good luck getting room 217, where King is supposed to have stayed, or room 408, which is considered the most haunted room in the hotel. Creepy, oh yeah. Each year the proprietors throw a “Shining Ball”. The hotel celebrated its 100th birthday last year.

Queen Mary Corridor

The Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, California
The Queen Mary is probably the second most talked-about ocean liner in the world, next to the Titanic. Launched in 1934, it was retired in 1967 and is now a floating hotel. The last four decades, its developed a reputation as a paranormal hot spot. A very eerie place, but very beautiful.

The Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, California
The Hotel Del Coronado is located near San Diego and is considered to be the most haunted hotel in the country. A pricy location for a get-away spot. Way too pricy for me. Kate Morgan is said to be the shy ghostly resident.

The Logan Inn in New Hope, Pennsylvania
I have to add my own choice of a Halloween vacation get-away, because I’ve stayed in this one a few times but not around Halloween. The town does have a ghost tour. I always wanted to do that. The Logan Inn was established as an inn in 1727 and is the longest, continuously run inn in the United States. New Hope is a small village along the Delaware River and is said to be the most haunted town in America. And the Logan Inn, one of the most haunted buildings. I didn’t see any ghosts while dh and I stayed there. But I did have rather strange dreams.

During the Revolutionary War they used the basement as a crematorium. Guests and staff report seeing soldiers wandering the halls. The original owner’s mother, Emily is said to haunt room six by opening drawers, rearranging luggage, changing the heat in the room. The scent of lavender sometimes drifts around a painting. The Logan Inn is my pick. Although I would like to try the Stanley Hotel too.

What are your ideas for a Halloween vacation?