My bags are backed and I'm ready to go...

Next week I'll be headed out to Houston, Texas, for the RT Convention which runs from April 25 through April 29th, where there will be 800+ other passionate readers, writers, and publishers of the romance genre in all its glorious forms.

This is the week my friend from Montana and I spend away from family, jobs, and the like and enjoy a mutual passion for books, and gab and catch up long into the night. I'll also be there as an author and will be doing a book signing on Sunday.

I hope to see may online friends there, and if you see me, please, please come up and introduce yourself. Don't be shy.

So my bags are packed and I'm ready to go... I'm bringing my camera and will try to post some pictures here during the week so you can all share in some of the fun.

In the meantime, the day before I leave, Swan's Lake is scheduled for release. I'll post an excerpt just before I go, but in the meantime, you can read an excerpt at my website at http://www.adriannadane.com/swanslake.html.

Got to get back to finishing a few things up.

Technorati Profile

Eroticism vs. Pornography in Story

I’ve recently been visiting some blogs about erotic romance and I thought it was time for me to share my point of view on the subject. I continue to see authors who write erotic romance continue to say they admit to writing smut or pornography. If they write true erotic romance, or erotica, I beg to differ.

There are definitions set down for defining the different aspects of eroticism and sexual experimentation in story by the Passionate Pen Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. So let’s get those definitions out of the way first. Here’s how they define them:

“Porn: stories written for the express purpose of causing sexual titillation. Plot, character development, and romance are NOT primary to these stories. They are designed to sexually arouse the reader and nothing else.

Erotica: stories written about the sexual journey of the characters and how this impacts them as individuals. Emotion and character growth are important facets of a true erotic story. However, erotica is NOT designed to show the development of a romantic relationship, although it’s not prohibited if the author chooses to explore romance. Happily Ever Afters are NOT an intrinsic part of erotica, though they can be included.

Erotic Romance: stories written about the development of a romantic relationship through sexual interaction. The sex is an inherent part of the story, character growth, and relationship development, and couldn’t be removed without damaging the storyline. Happily Ever After is a REQUIREMENT to be an erotic romance.

Sexy Romance: stories written about the development of a romantic relationship that just happen to have more explicit sex. The sex is not an inherent part of the story, character growth, or relationship development, and it could easily be removed or “toned down” without damaging the storyline. Happily Ever After is a REQUIREMENT as this is basically a standard romance with hotter sex.”

(Visit www.passionateink.org for more information about the chapter.)

I’m going to rant today because, well, it’s just one of those days and I’ve been visiting some other blogs. I get a little miffed when I see a number of authors who say they write erotic romance and tell people they write “smut” or “pornography.” They say call it what it is. Well, you know what? I write erotic romance and I do not write smut or pornography. I disagree with those monikers totally. Erotic romance may be stories meant to arouse, but they are not meant to strictly arouse sexual response as appears the case in pornography and/or smut. At least not with my stories. Sex is not gratuitous, explicit love scenes are a part of the story and are important to the developing relationships.

If a reader or writer is ashamed of sexuality, then they are probably going to think erotic romance is smut. Have you ever really seen a pornographic movie or read pornography? Pornography is meant to sexually arouse. Period.

In erotic romance, or even erotica, much more is involved. There is a passion, an eroticism to all the senses, and that is what should be obvious when writing in the erotic genre as opposed to the pornographic genre.

Why do I use the term “genre?” I see pornography as a genre of pure sex, as science fiction is delving into the possibilities of science of alternative or futuristic fiction; horror meant to instill fear and terror; romance meant to inspire passion, and it is more than about the sex. If you introduce as the main part of the plot a romantic relationship, it changes the genre for pornography, science fiction, horror, or any of the other genres. The balance alters.

If an erotic romance does not contain the correct balance of sex to relationship and plot, yes, it can be pornography, or it can be erotica, depending on how the story is written.

In story, balance of components is important. Knowing what you write, be it erotic romance, erotica, pornography, or science fiction, and not trying to pass it off as another genre, is important. Because of the fairly new acceptance of erotic romance as a subgenre of romance, sometimes even the publishers do not distinguish between the genres. But a writer should know the difference in what they are writing, no matter which level of sexual explicitness is included.

To say to someone, “yes, I write smut” or, “yes, I write pornography” when what the author really writes is erotic romance, is bending to popular, uneducated definition, that really isn’t correct, nor does it do a service to either genre–not to erotic romance and not to pornography. If I were to write erotic horror and call it horror, it comes down to the same thing. If I were to write a story of horror, it would probably be more romantic horror. And that is a different genre, make no mistake. Nor is erotic horror the same as horror, such as Stephen King would write. There is a difference, although they may be related at some level. And just because an author doesn’t want to take the time to explain the difference, doesn’t mean it is a correct definition of the genre. Or they are trying to blur the lines of writing pornography and attempting to introduce their stories into a popular, and more acceptable genre such as erotic romance. It doesn’t make it so.

I love the passion of romance, be it heterosexual, same sex, multiple partners, or whatever the dynamics. I love being able to write about the emotion and soul involved in intimacy and commitment, or the anticipation of commitment. This is erotic romance. The journey to intimacy can also be erotica, which is not necessarily written toward the end result of commitment, but some part of personality, some growth is usually involved through the journey of discovery.

Here’s a passage from my dark futuristic erotic romance story, Zytarri 1: Virgin Blood, that could be considered erotic, yet it doesn’t deal directly with recognized sexual terms. Valyn, the hero, is preparing to meet his upcoming challenge in this passage.

Closing his eyes, he breathed in, pulling deeply from his abdomen, exhaling every particle of used breath, cleansing his inner body and soul while opening to the nuances of the pulsing earth. Eventually the oneness embraced him, and he felt the steady surging of the earth beneath him, heard the flow of life rushing under the surface, and felt the creaking growth of root life as it surged and burst. The pulse beat through him until his own rhythms matched those of the living earth, and he became attuned, a part of all that surrounded him.

Everything inside and around him slowed, matching cadence to cadence, the deep breathing increased the flow of oxygen to his lifeblood, and the power and balance threaded through him, anchoring deep inside. Opening his eyes, he centered his gaze on a close-budded flower and concentrated, coaxing her response.

‘Open your sweet heart to me.’

He did not move, did not breathe, waiting for the response.

First one shy petal peeled back, then another followed, and another, until the blushing, fuchsia core opened completely to the morning light, the fragrance of its heady, potent nectar filling the air.

He did not alter his attention, but heard the buzzing presence of a male bee close by.

‘She awaits.’ The whispered words moved outward from his mind to the fluttering insect.

His gaze soon encompassed the descent of the drone as it settled into the heart of the shy flower, piercing deep into its moist, succulent core, eager to consume the nectar of the fragrant, delicate beauty.

Erotic writing is in the blending of words meant to arouse, not necessarily explicit in a sexually obvious way. It is a seduction of the senses. It is not always “in-your-face” explicit. A writer wants the reader to be seduced by the writing, not dropped in a freezing cold or boiling hot pool. There is a difference.

Here’s a passage from my recent contemporary erotic romance release, Pleasure, which uses a few of the more recognized terms in erotic writing. Helen has come to Las Vegas for a weekend away from her daily life as mayor of a small town and discovers more than she bargained for, particularly about her own needs.

She really tried not looking their way again, but it was just too difficult. Taking a sip of her coffee, slowly she angled her head, the hairs on the back of her neck rising when she realized he was watching her intently.

The woman was nowhere in sight, probably having gone to the powder room to freshen up.

Long moments passed as her gaze locked with his across the crowded room. She felt heat surge through her body and a bolt of desire shocked right down to her pussy, making her throb with need.

His dark eyes traveled over her, studying her, caressing her in the ways a lover might do, but from a significant distance away. He lifted his hands and caressed the coffee cup in front of him, still watching her. He raised the cup and brought it to his finely chiseled lips.

His tongue stroked across his lips. Her body tingled at the thought of what that tongue could do to her body. It was too much and she felt her pussy convulse.

He smiled a deliberate, sensuous smile, then brought the cup to his lips. She watched his Adam's apple move as he swallowed, then set the cup back down.

Moving his chair back from the table, he splayed his legs, drawing her attention to his groin. It came to her suddenly that he was putting on a show for her, drawing her across the room. Maybe not physically, but mentally he seduced her, tantalized her. But why?

Her focus feasted on the prominent display of male dominance bulging from between his legs. It was as though there was no one else in the room but them.

Her breathing increased, rising to rapid pants of need.
She waned to get up from the table, to join him, to have him take her in his arms and kiss her with all the passion she surmised was sheathed inside that delectable, sexy man across the room. She could smell her own arousal keenly. In that look, no distance separated them. No one else existed.

Using all the self-control she could muster, she broke the contact, thinking a fan would not be so out of place right this minute. What had he done to her?

Make no mistake, I write explicitly and use, when appropriate, recognized terminology. But I do not depend on strictly those words to carry the eroticism of the story.

Passion, using all the senses, is what brings soul and romance to erotic writing. It isn’t sex strictly for the sake of sex alone. It is intimacy, it is relationship, it is romantically erotic.

Adrianna

Publishers Seeking Authors - Market Update

I happen to be a member of quite a few lists where calls for submissions by new and established publishers are posted on a regular basis. I thought I would share some of this information, but it is up to the reader to research the publisher thoroughly before submitting. I make no claims about any of these publishers and simply provide this list for your information.

Romance Market Calls for Submission (as of April 12, 2007):

Red Rose Publishing. Now open for submissions. They are looking for all genres of fiction including erotic and non-erotic submissions and are actively seeking MC/IR, Romance, Action/Adventure, Chick lit, Contemporary, Fantasy, Futuristic/Sci-Fi, Historical, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Shifters, Time Travel, Vampire, Westerns, B D S M & Fetish, Holiday, Interracial, Menage, Romantic Comedy and Rubenesque that are erotic and mainstream romances. Website: http://www.redrosepublishing.com/

Torquere Press. Announced the opening of a new subsidiary: Bareback Angels. What are they looking for with this new imprint? Writers of well-told het and m/m/f and f/f/m romances and erotic romances, especially those with a Western twist, or a Southern flair. Website: http://www.barebackangels.com

Red Sage Publishing is currently seeking submissions for E-books. Check out their guidelines and submission information at: http://www.eredsage.com/Submissions-sp8.html

Twilight Fantasies Publications is a full-service, royalty paying ePublisher seeking submissions in all genres, and especially looking for paranormal and historical romances. Website: http://www.twilightfantasies.com

Dark Eden Press is now taking submissions. Looking for darker, edgier stories. Website: http://www.darkedenpress.com.

Good luck in your search.

Adrianna

April Issue - Torrid Tidbits Newsletter

Adrianna Dane's Torrid Tidbits



The Exile: A Seductive Tale

No. 7 Bestseller

For March at Amber Quill

Amber Heat


No Choice

No. 10 Bestseller!

For March at Amber Quill

Amber Heat



New Reviews

For Kierra's Thread... 5 Hearts! ...Adrianna Dane has a special gift with science fiction and renders the worlds she creates as totally believable. ... The plot is also fast-paced, and maintains the suspense throughout. Kierra's Thread is worth reading, both by fans of futuristic and scifi genres, but also for readers who just love intriguing stories with excellent characters to captivate our imagination... --Annie, The Romance Studio

For Therapy... 4 Angels!! Therapy is a delightful short story centered around the love of hockey and a hockey player. ... Chris is a passionate character that readers will be cheering for, hoping she takes a chance on love. Rick is a man any woman would love to have. ... Adrianna Dane has done a good job at creating two characters readers will instantly like in a short nomber of pages... --Shayley, Fallen Angel Reviews

For Immortal Treasure... ...4 Angels! This short story is a very intriguing combination of time travel and historical romance. ... The plot is quite straightforward, and the writing conveys the deep emotion felt by the hero and heroine. The reader will find the main characters, Khafeel and Cassandra, very sympathetic. The sex scenes between this loving couple are very romantic and quite explicit... --Janean, Fallen Angel Reviews

For Pleasure... 5 Roses for the At Your Service AmberPax! ...This story was much different from the others in the set but no less pleasurable to read. Helen is a wonderful character with a lot of personality and a good head on her shoulders. ... The ending was heartwarming and pulled the story together for me. I will definitely look for more of Ms. Dane's books to read... --Robin, MyBookCravings.com


If anyone has a question about my stories, writing, or life in general, feel free to email me, and I'll answer them in my next newsletter.

Links for reviews can be found at my website

If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, there's an ebook video teaser for my February release , Train Me. You can find it at Youtube. You can also find it at my website or at myspace.



Decadent Definitions

April's Torrid Term

Excerpted from Slang and Euphemism, Third Revised Edition, by Richard A. Spears

tump: to push. To copulate. Similar to tamp. [British slang 1800s. Farmer & Henley]



Romantic Reminder #333

All You Need Is Love...

* Once a week for a year: Jot down two reasons why you love him/her.

* Once a week for a year: Jot down one great thing he/she did.

* Once a week for a year: Jot down one inspirational thought.

At the end of the year: Print all this out on a big scroll and present it to your lover.

Excerpted from "1001 Ways to be Romantic" by Gregory Godek.


A Slice from Adrianna's Daily Life

Spring is just around the corner. I can feel it in the air, and my sinuses can feel it in my head. That's okay, it means warm weather is just around the corner. I'm ready.

My granddaughter had an ice skating competition and I attended that a couple of weeks ago. She was so cute. Her grandmother in Montana made her costumes and she did an absolutely super job of it. I sew, but I'd know what I came up with would probably never fit right. I have all I can do is create a costume or two for the RT Convention for myself. I did remember to bring the camera. The drive down to Vancouver was through lots of wonderful rain. I ended up going by myself because hubby had a nasty case of the flu and he didn't need to be in a nice, cold rink. He's better now, has a bit of a cough, but I think some warm weather will help that.

I'm busily preparing for the RT Convention at the end of April. Hope to see some of you there. I've been trying to meet some writing deadlines. I have a new "Esmerelda" story that I just signed a contract for. If you've read Esmerelda's Secret, then you might remember Elizabeth, J.W. wife. "Ruthless Acts" is her story and is scheduled for release later this year.

I also recently submitted a story for my shapeshifting, immortal queen, Sahra. So look for "Jewel of Niveka" as well.

I guess that's it for now.

Adrianna


Here's another reprint of an article you might enjoy. Others are, I am sure, much more knowledgeable than I in many areas, so rather than trying to re-invent the wheel, I've found some sites that will allow me to share their words with you. I'd rather stick to the fiction. And we all may learn something fun. I do love research.

I watched the movie "The Secret" for the first time last week and found it rather interesting, sort of bringing into focus what I think we often learn as we go through life. Here's an article related to that theme that I thought you might enjoy.

Aromatherapy Bathing: What Essential Oils Can Be Used

by: Kerris Samson

Long before the term alternative medicine was being used, aromatherapy was being practiced by the Egyptians for over 5,000 years. When being used by the Egyptians oil was being extracted from the many aromatic plants around them through infusion and then used for their not only cosmetic and medicinal purposes but also for embalming as well. They then passed the knowledge they had gained on to the Greeks and it served as the beginning of their research into how to use the oils and fragrance of some flowers for their relaxing and stimulating effects. In fact when looking back further in history we find that ancient man depended very much on his environment for their basic needs and to survive which led them to discover the more natural ways of preserving food and how certain conditions could be treated using herbs and aromatics.

First of all we will look at Eastern Roots. The use of aromatics are shown in a Chinese Herbal Book by Shen Nung dated 2,700 BC and which provides specific details on over 300 plants and how they can be used. Also the ancient Chinese would burn incense and wood as part of their religious beliefs and practices and even in today's modern society many Chinese still observe these practices today. You will also discover that the Chinese used aromatics in relation to the acupressure, massage and other therapies that they used.

Whilst now in modern society many people place a very high premium on their health and well being but due to the high cost of traditional and conventional medicines available (surgery and Medicare) more and more people are turning to aromatherapy and essential oil therapy as well as other forms of alternative medicine.

The basics of using essential oils in an aromatherapy bath are as follows:-

1. It facilitates equilibrium of both the physical, mental and spiritual health of a person through natural means.

2. In some cases it has been found that alternative treatments are considered as strong and effective as complementary treatments to regular medical practices.

3. The main component of aromatherapy is the essential oils and are highly concentrated essences which are known for their healing effects.

Essentials oils are aroma producing oils which come from flowers such as the rose, from leaves such as basil, twig, bark, fruit rind and many other parts of plants. Although experts say that extracting the oils can be quite time consuming and complex and requires a large amount of patience on behalf of the person carrying out the work the benefits at the end are great. Certainly you need to recognize and accept that if you want to get about 5 tsp of oil from rose petals it will take about 220lbs of petals to do it and this is why pure essential oils are so expensive. Although the effectiveness of the oils is not comprised as it only takes a few drops to generate the effect required. However there is a cheaper alternative namely synthetic oil, however they do not offer the person the same healing properties as their natural counterparts.

Essential oils work by stimulating a person's olfactory system and later on the brain or limbic system. The fragrance along with other properties and effects relating to the oils will determine how a person's body system and its parts are stimulated. Whilst having a massage using these oils they are not only absorbed by the body but are inhaled at the same time and eventually when being absorbed through the skin they will reach the organs and body system of the person being treated. The time it takes for the oils to absorb through the skin can be from as little as 20 minutes and take as long as 2 hours or more and there it is wise to avoid taking a shower or bath straight after any massage so that the maximum effect is received from the massage therapy.

The time that the effect lasts on a person can vary from 3-24 hours to 2-3 days or even as long as week. Oils that have a short live time span in regard to their scent are Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Thyme and Bergamot whilst Hyssop, Lavender, Balm and various other oils can last between 2 to 3 days. The oils that take as long as a week to completely evaporate are Jasmine, Sandalwood, Ginger and Cedar Wood.

Many people when using aromatherapy are looking to achieve a sense of calm in their lives and these people will look to using a combination of three types of oils to help with this and they will base them on how long they last. They can be used by mixing them into a warm bath and will help the person to become relaxed and calm, they will help to eliminate the stress and depression that they are feeling as well as both energizing and soothing the body of any aches that they are feeling. Certainly by using essential oils during a massage will help increase the healing and calming effect that the person is feeling. However any massage carried out using essential oils must also include a carrier oil to help prevent irritation and skin reactions on the person being treated. Such carrier oils that are used to help dilute the essential oils are avocado oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, almond oil, soya oil and hazelnut oil.

About The Author

Kerris Samson a work from home mum who has carried out extensive research in all forms of alternative medicines, treatments and therapies over the last year. She has now set up a site dealing with all aspects of baths and if you would like to learn more please visit http://www.bath.letsgetpampered.com.

MY CAVEAT ON REPRINTED ARTICLES: The articles are reprinted for your reading pleasure and provided for your entertainment and enjoyment. I do not have personal knowledge of the author sources, business, or website, nor have I personally researched the subject of these articles; I have not proofed or edited the content, and they are reprinted verbatim from the sources noted. I check to make sure the link is still functional, but it is up to you if you wish to visit the website links or utilize any of the information contained therein. These articles are reprinted for fun and pleasure only. So enjoy!



The Latest News from Adrianna's Contests, Chats and Blogging

Book-A-Day Giveaway at The Romance Stud io. On April 12th , by popular demand, TRS will be giving away an autographed, paperback copy of Legend of the Beesinger, so be sure to stop by to enter . Give me a hint--what title would you like to see me give away in the TRS giveaway. Email me at adrianna@adriannadane.com and I'll add that title to the offerings for my TRS monthly giveaway. Put in the subject line"TRS-Book-a-Day Suggestion."

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. Winner of my Superhero Surrender drawing was birdygirl47. Congratulations!

A new contest in now running in celebration of the arrival of spring and my upcoming story, Ruthless Acts. Included in this package will be a Mt. St. Helen's magnetic bookmark, Van Dyn chocolate, Southern Comfort gourmet coffee, a compact booklight, a bar of Pike Place Espresso Seattle Chocolate, and a Secrets Volume paperback . Deadline to join my newsletter to be eligible for the Sensual Spring contest is May 31st.



When subscribers reach 650, I'll be giving away another ebook. We're very close.
Be sure to pass on the word to anyone who is not a subscriber. Deadline for people to subscribe to be entered in my spring contest is May 31st. I'm planning more contests with some nice goodies so do keep watch for details. I'll be attending the RT Convention in Houston in April, so the next contest should be chock full of goodies.

Servants of the Muse--take a moment to visit our website at www.servantsofthemuse.com and find out what our latest contest is all about.

If you've visited my website, you may have encountered the land of Phyktazia from whence my very own muse, Rexie, hails. Rexie thinks the name is very appropriate., although she would have preferred having it called Servants of Rexie, but I told her to behave herself. She is such a little minx. Lately, she's really been cracking that whip. Apparently, I like it, because I'm writing, wrting, writing...

Upcoming April Appearances:

RT Booklovers Convention, Houston, Texas. April 25th through the 29th. Book signing on April 28th.



Come chat with me at my publishers' lists:

Amber Heat. Join the list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amberheatreaders

Lady Aibell Press . Join the new list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ladyaibellchat

Phaze. Join the list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phazechatters

Loose-Id. Join the list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LooseId_community

Have a great and romantic month everyone! Enjoy the start of spring!



Watch for these upcoming stories:

Ruthless Acts
Primal Magic: Swan's Lake