Long story short: I’m back on Goodreads.
Long story long: Once upon a time, I lost my mojo.
Now, I know how to write a sex scene. In all the stories I wrote in my teens and twenties, most consisted of a bit of context wrapped around an extended sex scene. Some were written in eye-watering detail and, looking back, others read more like furniture assembly instructions.
When I first drafted Body of Water there were four sex scenes. (Three made it into the published version.) Isali Dreams was equally raunchy, and I also wrote The Elements of Love for an M/M Romance Goodreads anthology which involved a steamy threesome. Sure enough, it was a popular read.
Then everything changed.
When I came to write Memory of Water, I was in a place in where sex was the last thing on my mind. (I was fortunate in that Shaun, the lead character, was pretty much in the same place. The two sex scenes I started were cut short by dramatic events. Sex didn’t drive Shaun but regret and longing did.)
At the same time as writing Memory of Water I offered to write another story for the Goodreads group based on a picture of men in a shower. I thought the story I’d crafted was an inspired piece, illustrating the damage an insatiable sex drive can do to a man’s psyche. The lead character had done terrible things to cover up his indiscretions and paid the ultimate price for it.
I submitted it with pride.
They hated it.
It didn’t get published.
I was so mortified I cancelled my Goodreads account. Something had gone very, very wrong. I’d allowed my inner prude—or was it delusions of literary grandeur?—to censor my duty to give the people what they want.
Why am I telling you this? Well, I signed back up to Goodreads today, and re-joined the M/M Romance group. When the next anthology comes around, I’m going to give them the sexy they’ve been waiting for.
You can find me on Goodreads here.
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I think it’s sad that in the M/M world, a decent, well conceived, developed and thought provoking plot is secondary to hot sex. Not that the two cannot coexist in the same book; there are many (yourself included) that make it happen often. But it turns my stomach when I see raving reviews about the awesomeness of a book I KNOW has an awful plot but gratuitious sex that’s not even all that well written. Not that I’m a master, I’m just a humble fan, but I know a good plot when I read one, and yeah, the hot sex is nice icing on the cake, as it should be.
Hi, Leah!
I’ll admit that I haven’t read a lot of M/M but my favourite authors so far – Clare London and Eric Arvin – seem to have a good balance. I struggled to find places for sex in Memory of Water until it dawned on me that it just didn’t need it to move the story forward.
Now I’m wondering if I need to conform to one genre at all. I know I’m passionate about Science Fiction, as well as my forthcoming screenplay which is set in the seventies, so I’m going to stick with “gay fiction” for the time being.
Time will tell
Hi Stuart, I have to admit I’m feeling a little bit alarmed after reading your post because I believe an author should always write what they want to write and not have to conform to what their readers want.
Most of my favourite authors in the m/m genre hardly have any sex in their books and it never disappoints me because it is not essential. What I’m looking for is a good plot with memorable characters who just happen to be gay.
The m/m genre seems to grow by leaps and bounds every year but there are also a lot of poor quality books being written and it is harder than ever to find decent writers.
Don’t ever compromise, Stuart, your readers will find you!
Hi, Aurora.
Thanks for the reassurance. It’s good to know that readers in the M/M genre appreciate love and romance as well as the sweaty stuff!
I’m still growing into my writing life and voice, and right now I do feel a bit conflicted. I guess it’s all part of the journey.
If I see the opportunity to write for the Goodreads M/M group, and tell a good story, then I’ll grab it with both hands.
Stu