Hello beautiful ladies! I have a question that I'd like to run by all of you today and your input is very important.
Many of my readers like the fact that my books are clean. I also have many readers (including my 71 year old mother and my 71 year old aunt for crying out loud! lol) who say they're not steamy enough. (The question isn't about which you prefer, clean or steamy, we all know it is a personal preference and I think its evenly divided among the two lol.)
So I had a thought I wanted to run by all of you...what if I had two versions of the same book available? One with steam, one without. Everything about the book would be the same, but I could leave out the 'steam' for those readers who just don't like it. Kind of like a 'directors' cut they do for movies, lol.
I can guarantee that everything about each book would be identical, except for the steamy love scenes. It would be a very simple process to do considering my writing style. ;o) I think the trick to a really good story is that it can stand on its own two legs with or without the steam. I would make certain that each book was clearly labeled so that you would know which version you are getting.
I'd like to know what all of you would think about that? Would you like that option? I'm just curious to know what you'd think about this.
I thank you in advance for your thoughts on this!
Have a great day!
Hugs,
Suzan
That is a very interesting question and my first reaction was that it is a great idea. But then I think about the way in which I write. I don't just add in sex because it's what people want. For me the sex is a plot tool. It helps move the story along (a relationship changes once people have had sex and how they have sex is important in my stories. If your plot works without the sex then adding it may become contrived.
ReplyDeleteThat said, it may increase your sales and I'm all for writers increasing their sales :)
That too, was one of my worries, about it seeming contrived. I don't just add sex in either. I left explicit scenes out of book two. Heat rating on scale of 1 to 5 is a 1, lol
ReplyDeleteI would love to put a little more steam into my books, but not erotica type stuff. I do have a nice batch of readers who really appreciate the 'clean' aspect of my books. Again, I was thinking along the lines of a 'directors cut' version to offer for those readers who do like a little more 'heat/steam/detail' but without getting too detailed! lol
Thanks so much for your opinion Krystal! I do appreciate it!
Suzan
You could offer some steamy "freebies" on your site... might be good!
ReplyDeleteThis is an intriguing idea, Suzan. I can understand wanting to reach a wider audience by offering various levels of steaminess in your books. My thought is that your effort to widen your audience might be more effective if you write a separate steamy book (or series of books) rather than alter the books enjoyed by your "cleaner" readers. You want to be sure your books reach the right audience, and this would help alleviate confusion. Just my two cents!
ReplyDeleteLaura's idea of offering steamy freebies is great, too!
Thanks Raine! & Thank you Laura! You both make valid points. ;o) One of the things I want to avoid is confusion, lol...but then I live in a perpetual state of confusion so when things make sense, it scares the heck out of me! lol
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Suzan
Right now you are building an audience for the type of stories you have been writing (without a lot of steam). That audience is growing nicely with each book you have published. I wouldn't risk losing those you have in order to satisfy others you don't have. I agree with the other ladies, if some want steam and you feel comfortable writing it, do it as a separate book completely. That way it keeps things from getting getting all muddied up!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other comments. You could always write a new book out series with more stream. If you have really good things running in your head, start writing them. keep your first as they are and expand with new series. Sadly, your first series will end at some point and you'll need a new one to write. Lol Being one that does like the stream, I don't feel it is lacking in your books. You leave a door open at those times so the reader can image it as clean or as steamy as they want.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as the rest... you are brilliant and, as a reader, I would want you to spend your energy writing a NEW series (steamy or not) rather than re-writing this one.
ReplyDeleteI like Laura's idea about the extra scenes.
Cyndi Tefft (Between & Hell Transporter) wrote "bonus" scenes for her novel for the 18+ crowd.
This is a fascinating question, as the others have said...And the tough thing is can the steam be grafted on? Maybe not...BUT it might be an interesting experiment. Maybe try with a short story...with a 10K worder...that might be the type of book where you could offer two versions and see how each fares
ReplyDelete