Thanks for joining us, Tracey!
Why I write Erotic Romance
Several years ago when we were unpublished waifs, Harlequin Mills & Boon came out with a new line called Spice Briefs. The fabulous Cathleen Ross had just had her short story published with them and we were all excited for her. My very good friend and crit partner at the time, Mel Teshco (my partner in crime with the Momentum Hot Down Under bundle), and I had a conversation that went something like this – (paraphrasing for dramatic effect):
Mel: “We should have a go, we can write sexy.”
Me: “But it’s short and we want to write novels.”
Mel: “It wouldn’t take long to write – only 5,000 to 15,000 words.”
Me: “Maybe we should read some first.”
Sometime later…
Me: “Whoa that is explicit.”
Mel: “Yes, much more than we do.”
Me: “Kinda good though – more freedom with the sex scenes.”
Mel: “Yes and it’s only short.”
Me: “It would be a challenge. Do you think we can do it?”
Mel: “Won’t know til we try. Let’s have a go. I dare you.”
Me: “Okay you’re on. Let’s see what we can come up with. What’ve we got to lose?”
A few weeks later Mel and I both had our first erotic shorts written. I sent mine to my agent who was shopping my first urban fantasy Dark Brethren novel Night’s Cold Kiss. She loved it but was a little worried about that the controversial ending. But after some discussion she submitted it to Harlequin and Tonight My Love was my first published work followed soon after by Night’s Cold Kiss with Harper Voyager. Mel had to wait a little longer – but she soon got a contract with Ellora’s Cave with whom she now has several stories in addition to one with Harlequin Nocturne Bites. She did get that original erotic story published with Ellora’s Cave – the dare ones we call them. And we both have our Hot Down Under stories with Momentum.
What I like about writing erotic romance is being able to push those traditional romance boundaries. There is a kind of freedom in it that I don’t have with other stories. I have only ever really written erotic shorts, though some would argue that my first Dark Brethren novel is also quiet erotic. With erotic romance, while it still follows the same goals as romance, you are not restricted to a single one on one relationship. The story must still be about the emotional journey of the characters and it must at least have a Happily for Now if not a Happily Ever After. But it is also centres as much on the sexual journey and growth of these characters to increase the emotional bond.
If you don’t make the story believable the readers will let you know quick smart. Some see it as dirty or little more than porn and will criticise it no matter what. Others will love it and get it. Those are the readers I write for. Not the detractors. Your job as an author is to make sure the story as enjoyable, believable and emotionally satisfying for your intended audience. It is one of the hardest things to do, but when you do it, when someone gets it, it’s a great feeling of achievement.
And that is why I enjoy the challenge of writing erotic romance.
About the Author:Tracey O’Hara has been reading since a young age. She loves a mix of action, adventure and romance. She came to writing erotic fiction on a dare and discovered not only was it fun, but she had a bit of a knack for it. She is a wife, a mum to two grown boys as well as three cats and a cute pug called Colin.
She also writes the Dark Brethren Urban Fantasy series for Harper Voyager.
Social Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Mel Teshco’s Beneath the Light of a Silver Moon
Trapped in marriage to abusive Jack, Kristen has given up her freedom in an attempt to protect his daughter. But when Conrad Doyle, her childhood friend and the man whose heart she unwittingly broke, shows up on Kristen’s doorstep to help, can she trust him?
Shona Husk’s Midsummer’s Eve
When Zoe walked out on the daredevil photographer Sam Lincoln she never expected to see him again. But now he’s back, covering the opening of a winery that nearly burned down the same place where they’d once planned to marry …
Tracey O’Hara’s The Final Wish
Ishari is a djinn a real genie in a bottle. Her latest master is hot young rock star Caleb Salt, and he only has one wish left. He used his first two wishes to save his brother. Will he do the same with the last, or will he use it on Ishari?
Click here to enter the giveaway to win a Hot Down Under Bundle and check out an excerpt from "The Final Wish"!
Hot Down Under Bundles One - Four:
The Hot Down Under Bundles were released by Momentum Moonlight on May 27 2014 and are available from Amazon
as well as through the publisher.
