There seems to be a lot of confusion about the two
sensual genres that have become more popular since the rise of Fifty Shades of Grey. In order to distinguish
the difference between erotic romance and erotica, the best place to start is
to define what makes up a romance novel.
There are certain necessary components for a book to
be considered a romance novel or novella. The Romance Writers of America (RWA) says
a romance novel must have two things: “a central love story and an emotionally
satisfying and optimistic ending.” That ending is often called a “happily ever
after” (HEA).
Now that we’ve established the requirements of a
romance novel, let’s take a deeper look at two genres that many people lump together.
There is a misconception that both erotic romance and
erotica lack a compelling love story, and only describe kinky sex and hot men.
This is just not true. There are
stark differences in the genres. Erotic romance has the foundation of a
captivating love story, takes the reader into settings that may be public or
private with kinky or not-so kinky graphic sex, and has a happily ever after ending. Erotic romance is a romance
novel by all definitions of the genre.
On the other hand, erotica describes the act of sex
itself and doesn’t have to have a story attached to the sex. Erotica can have a love story, but there is
nothing requiring its authors to produce one. There can be a satisfying and optimistic ending, but again, that is
solely up to the discretion of the author. There is no guarantee of an HEA and
a central love story like there is in erotic romance.
What does
erotica share in common with erotic romance all the time? The answer is smoking
hot, graphic descriptions of characters in a variety of sexual acts and
lifestyles.
Erotic romance is not erotica, even though they are
often grouped as one in the same.
About author Anna Lores
Anna started writing erotic romance
as a by-product of insomnia. After a year of late night reading,
she borrowed her son’s laptop and set about breathing life
to her very own characters. A month later, she was surprised
with a new laptop to pursue her dreams.
With a B.A. in English
Literature and a desire to fill her world with wonderful stories she
and her close friends could not just talk about, but gush over, Anna
shed her job as mom of three in the midnight hours and began a journey into the
publishing world.
Now, Anna is living her dream
as a multi-published author of five contemporary and paranormal erotic romances
with many more to come.
Looking for Anna Internationally?
https://www.AnnaLoresAuthor.com
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00YQ2GYXU
7 comments:
Thank you for having me on the blog talking about my favorite genre, erotic romance, and what makes it a "romance."
Thanks for the explanation. I have to be honest, I never knew the difference. Good luck with your books!
Great post, Anna! I write sex scenes into my books, but I never considered myself as an erotica writer. In my stories sex is just one part of the scenes. I tend to consintrate on all aspects of the relationship.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm glad you learned what makes erotic romance different from erotica :)
Ilona,
Thanks! The genres get confusing. I'm glad I could help clarify the difference. Erotic romance is a romance novel that takes the reader deep into the bedroom with plenty of graphic descriptions of sex enhancing the central love story AND concludes with an HEA :) It's a wonderful genre for romance readers who like to add some spice to their reading!
The sex must be real and dirty, because that's how sex is in real life, but there must be purpose or point to it and there must be a central love story with a happy ending. I don't like BDSM or any literary effort that downgrades women at all. I like bizarre and spice, but there must be love and as I said a Hollywood ending.
Nicely written and very informative! Thanks for the info!
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