Comments on: Saturday Writing Article

By: Carolyn A.

Carolyn A. — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:01:45 +0000

Leslie, I really enjoyed your article! Bravo!!!

I’m a faithful Romance reader and proud of it!! Your comments really hit the nail on the head. I enjoy sweet and innocent stories when I’m in the mood and I really love hot and spicy when I’m in the mood for that. I know which authors to pick up for whatever mood I’m in at the time.

Keep up the good work - I always look forward to the next Leslie Kelly release!! I absolutely loved SHE’S NO ANGEL and your novella in HEAT WAVE!!! I just love those characters from Trouble, PA.

By: Carly

Carly — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 13:02:23 +0000

HI, all. When I sold BRAZEN (first book I sold), Harlequin asked me to take a pseudonym. They said they wanted me to write Temptation/Heat and the name Karen was too traditional, my last name: Drogin to hard to pronounce/remember. OK this all made sense to me BUT at the time if you took a pseudonym, Harlequin owned the rights to your name - in other words, if you wanted to write for another publisher, you had to ask and receive permission from Harlequin to use that name. I KNEW from RWA not to agree to this. Like most (not all) authors, I agreed anyway ,.. why? I wanted to sell. I didn’t like controversy. The reasons seemed rational. In the end it all worked out as a) any time I asked, I received permission; and b) in the end Harlequin gave authors the rights back to their pseudonyms so this is no l onger an issue. I did publish 3 books under my real name, Karen Drogin, and I didn’t use or ask to use Carly Phillips. Why not? Two reasons. 1. I’d JUST sold my first book to Harlequin and didn’t want to rock the boat so early; and 2. The books weren’t going to be hot steamy like Brazen, etc., so it didn’t seem worth the hassle to ask.

LOOKING BACK: I’m not sorry I took the pseudonym. I never was sorry (except when I had the hassle of having to ask for permission) because Carly Phillips seems very hip and appropriate for the books I write, the privacy factor now that I’m a sort of bigger name is nice; it’s more comfortable for my kids now that they are teenagers, which wasn’t a consideration when they were babies when I sold.

HOPE this helps!

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 00:09:54 +0000

Tina, I do write under my maiden name. I’ve never used any other name. Janelle has and so has Carly, so hopefully, they’ll both pop in and explain the circumstances.

My husband didn’t like that I didn’t use his name, but I had multiple reasons. First, my maiden name is easier to spell and pronounce. Second, I, too, had dreamed of having Julie Leto on the cover of a book long, long before I ever met my husband. Plus, I’d been unmarried when I first joined RWA and many of my contacts knew me by my maiden name. Now, it comes in handy because of privacy and our daughter. The bottom line is you have to do what is right for you and he’ll just have to be proud of you no matter what!

By: Tina Byrd

Tina Byrd — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 23:54:38 +0000

Hi Leslie,

I really enjoyed your article. A few weeks ago, I wrote asking how you ladies deal with this subject and although I enjoyed all your reponses, you really hit the head on the nail with this article.

I’m a reader of all type of subjects but romance is my favoriate. But as you said, it’s not because of the sex but the story line itself that matters. To me, if it is a good story with romance then sex has to be involved because it’s just a normal way of life.

I was afraid that if I ever do get published, what others would say if sex was involved in the book. But all of you put me at ease when you answered my question and especially now with this article.

I was talking to my husband the other night about this very subject and ask how he would feel about his family reading some of the things that I had written. He suggested that I use a different name….LOL

But the fact of the matter is that I had always intended on using my maiden name. Not because of the sex but because I have been writing since I was 12 years old and it’s that little girl that has dreams of becoming a writer. I feel that her name is the one that should be on any book that may ever be published.

At first, it seemed to bother him that I wouldn’t use his name but I think that I explained it in away that he finally understood. What I couldn’t understand is he is the one to suggest I go under a different name, so why should it bother him that I use my maiden name.

Have any of you ladies wrote anything under a different name and if so, what were your reasons? Just wondering.

By: Donna M

Donna M — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:10:27 +0000

Even though I am not an aspiring writer I found this interesting. One of my pet peeves is people that look down on those of us that read romance novels in whatever form. I think they should be made to read several before they pass judgement on either the author or the reader! Thanks for the chance to stand on my soap box.
I just happen to be reading Carly’s Brazen right now. It is very enjoyable and as soon as I get off the computer I’m going to go read more! I’ll get it finished today. Also I have to clean the bathroom & do laundry! Oh joy!
Everyone enjoy your weekend.
Donna M

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 17:19:48 +0000

Hi Leslie~ great article! And so timely for me because just the other day my neighbor, who knows I’m trying my hand at writing romance novels, made a snide remark about “the sex.” (And he hasn’t even read what I’ve written.) I was embarrassed :oops: but shrugged it off (even though it lingered inside me, I didn’t want him thinking he’d gotten to me). So I’m not sure how I’m going to react when (notice the when, not if, lol) I do get published but I really appreciate your take on it!

As far as my comfort level, like you, I like to turn up the music. I’m not writing gratuitous love scenes, but scenes that add punch to the emotional development of my hero and heroine.

Thank so much for sharing this information! BTW, I just finished “Getting Into Trouble” in Heatwaves and I loved it! Especially the sex

Hmm…maybe I’ll just change my name :mrgreen:

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:43:29 +0000

Hi Leslie~ great aritcle! And so timely for me given just the other day my next door neighbor, who knows I’m trying my hand at writing romance novels, said something snide about “the sex.” He caught me by surprise and I was a little embarassed :oops: (and he hasn’t even read what I’ve written) but I quickly shrugged it off (although it lingered inside me, I just didn’t want him thinking he’d got to me). So I’m not sure how I’ll react when (notice the when, not if - lol) I do get published but I really appreciate your take on the situation!

Like you, I like to turn up the music, but it’s because of my characters that I do. I’m not writing gratuitous love scenes, but scences that add punch to the emotional development between my hero and heroine.

Thanks so much for sharing this information! BTW, I just finished
reading “Getting Into Trouble” in Heatwaves and I loved it -
especially the sex

Maybe I will change my name…

By: Pat L.

Pat L. — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 15:17:47 +0000

Very well written, Leslie and very well put about the sex serving the story. If there is only sex in the book, I am not interested - for me I must have a good storyline and strong believable characters.

To each his own re the sex level/contet of a story but for me a perfect example of a wonderful book that I just finished and didnt have a lot of sex in it was Susan Mallery’s last in the Buchanan Series - Tempting - several different aspects going on in the storyline, some very tender moments too and I finished the book in 1 day - made the time to finish it - a book hasn’t really grabbed me in awhile recently to hold my interest.

There have been erotic books that I have read and enjoyed but they had a story going on; am very disappointed when I am reading a book - erotic or not and find there isn’t really much happening!

Just my 2 cents worth!

Have a wonderful weekend to everyone.

By: Tina Martinesi

Tina Martinesi — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:07:09 +0000

I’ve given this topic alot of thought when I first thought about trying to be a writer.
Of course I thought, ok well if I become published and known for some lusty writing would it embarass my Catholic school children:oops Would it embarass me when I have to work the church bingo?
And although I am still unpublished I’ve finally decided that I need to be true to myself and true to my characters, and I have to say I’ve written my share of hot, steamy, sex that I’m pretty damm proud of! lol

Great topic Leslie, thanks!

By: jeannie

jeannie — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 12:22:10 +0000

“Sure. Don’t you like sex?”

Why yes doesn’t everyone?

I think you understand readers well by the things you wrote in this article.

I often get raised eyebrows and comments from

people noticing my book covers.

When I was younger these books were hidden in a nite stand

or not even bought. Modern times and old age have launched me

into Romqnce reading. I love a good story sexy and funny or

erotic. I find my comfort level has grown stronger. I still can’t

find a few thngs acceptable but if the story is good I can usually

find my way to the epilogue. In the past 5 years I can nly remember

not wanting to continue reading 1 book. That book is still not my thing.

I like innuendo with humor too. Leslue, as for knowing how to make the

sparks fly without going too far, I’d say you got it down perfectly.