Clean Romances discussion

Hi there,

I've just joined the group and would love to add the books I've written to your shelf, but I thought I'd best get a better description of what you consider clean first! I might be on a different page here. Goodness knows, I usually am...!

janet

For me (and I know I don't speak for everyone) clean means there aren't sex scenes or really descriptive the-characters-are-in-various-undressed-states make-out scenes. Kissing is required but I don't want to know if his hands wander to inappropriate places. I also appreciate a book that doesn't swear. I like to be able to recommend books to my teenage daughter who also likes romance.

C.J. summarizes it well. Many of our readers prefer no profanity, others are comfortable with different levels of language, so as a group, we don't monitor for language. We do have a discussion thread where readers can cite language concerns if they want to, but we don't disqualify books from our shelf for language. This group is about clean "romance," so that's our focus. No sex scenes, no descriptive almost-sex-scenes. Also, this group is for secular, not inspirational, romances. Does that answer your question, Janet, or can we help clarify further? :-)

I think it's different for a lot of people. I personally lurk in this community and other clean romance places looking for romances without any sex - that's it. I don't have any problem with swearing nor do I get upset about the morality of a character. Other people are more stringent in their book tastes. When people talk about a book they will explain their concerns, people tend to be very considerate. If you want to rec a secular romance book with no sex maybe just also specify violence, language content, alcohol abuse as well so people know and can make a decision if they personally consider it "clean". :)

I get uncomfortable if I wouldn't want my kids to know what I'm reading. If you have a good story and solid characters, you don't need all that other stuff!

That is so true! I have reviewed several books from Amazon that I was displeased with and declared that in the reviews. The company and Goodreads do not appreciate it but if more would mention in their reviews that the story contained unnecessary profanity or sexual explicitness maybe More authors would begin to take notice. Some publishers or authors has a disclaimer in the credits that there is sexual explicitness or profanity and I appreciate it. I know to skip over those books.

Hi Janet, Joyce and All,

First off, Happy New Year!

I recently posted an article, "What is Clean Fiction?" ( http://lorettaboyermcclellan.wordpres...) and would love your thoughts/feedback, either here, or via the article comments section on my site. To some degree, the topic is quite subjective, so I look forward to hearing your perspectives.

Thank you,

Loretta Boyer McClellan

thank you, everyone, for answering my questions! I really do appreciate it. My books don't have any profanity, nor fully described sex scenes, but I do describe some physical stuff and they do have sex before marriage and that may offend some. I think with the different definitions of what exactly constitutes a clean romance, that it's best if I don't add my books here. I think they're quite mild - but as someone said, it really is very subjective and I wouldn't want to force my work on anyone - especially if it might offend. Thank you again for talking to me about this. It's been great! Have a good 2013 everyone!

janet

I am looking forward to helping get some clean romance out there. Happy New Year to all.

Hi, I'm new to this group, and also a fairly new author. I don't really want to be pegged as a certain kind of romance writer, because sometimes a story takes you one way and sometimes another. My first book, for example, (Interiors By Design)I know would fit into your clean but not overtly Christian category, but my second one (Horses, Adrenaline, and Love) just ended up with a more Christian theme toward the end. I will be doing a free Kindle promotion for Interiors By Design from Jan. 27-31. If you want to read sample chapters, go to www.jodibowersox.com.

Jodi wrote: "Hi, I'm new to this group, and also a fairly new author. I don't really want to be pegged as a certain kind of romance writer, because sometimes a story takes you one way and sometimes another. My..."

Welcome, Jodi!

I completely understand. It's hard to tell what category you fit into, when there are so many types of "clean" romance, and it's definitely understandable that you don't want everyone to think every story is the same. But I think that's the great thing about writing -- you can explore different types of romance in different books. :)

Best of luck with your writing! I think the way you're describing the books let's the reader know what type of books they are perfectly.

I make my requests simple. PG language and sex!

I want strong sexual tension,and weak in the knees kisses but no petting or sex talk or profanity.A moan or a growl from the hero is good,though,LOL!

I also have no problem with tasteful mention and/or teasing/flirting after a married couple consumates the marriage, but do not want to be taken inside the bedroom.
Voyeurism would turn me off and feel like a three-way,
ewwwww!

Lu wrote: "That is so true! I have reviewed several books from Amazon that I was displeased with and declared that in the reviews. The company and Goodreads do not appreciate it but if more would mention in t..."

I commend your honesty in your reviews. I have a hard time knowing what to do, because when I come across stuff that turns me off, I scan the book but don't know what to do about the review. It might be good writing, but completely not in my taste, so does that give me the freedom to give the book a low score. I wonder about that. So, I appreciate you doing just that!

Christine wrote: "I make my requests simple. PG language and sex!

I want strong sexual tension,and weak in the knees kisses but no petting or sex talk or profanity.A moan or a growl from the hero is good,though,LO..."

That's funny! I agree, tension, but truth.