Mastodon
Close

romance novels are not porn

What Makes a Sex Scene Good?

Apple on books with text: Deepen Your Craft with Resident Writing Coach Jami Gold (at Writers Helping Writers)

It’s time for another post as a Resident Writing Coach over at Writers Helping Writers, where we’re exploring how storytelling can make sex scenes matter.

March 10, 2026

Read More

Romance Love: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Single rose close up with text: A Positive Look at the Romance Genre

It’s often not easy to be a romance author, and the time around Valentine’s Day can be especially trying. A whole day (or week) focused on love and romance brings out all types of naysayers for the romance genre.

Pin It

February 14, 2019

Read More

Sexy Scenes: Open Door or Closed Door?

Ladybugs mating on a flower with text: How Much Intimacy Should We Show?

There’s no right or wrong answer for how to depict intimacy in our writing—only what’s right for our story. The “right” amount can depend on our genre, our characters, their situation, their emotional journey, and our target audience.

Pin It

September 28, 2017

Read More

Subjectivity and Reader Shaming

A woman with her head in her hands with text: Have You Ever Been "Reader Shamed"?

If we write genre fiction, we might bemoan the lack of respect, but the same lack of respect occurs at the reader level too. Readers of science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, young adult, and romance have also been looked down on. Many outsiders have attempted to make readers ashamed of their reading choices by judging by subjective measures.

Pin It

August 11, 2015

Read More