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Writing erotic novellas or novels is not something I’ve done yet. That isn’t to say that I won’t because it is a possibility in the future. However, there are several reasons why I haven’t written a more extended piece yet.

Short Story Fun

I’ve discovered the fun of writing short stories, and they are quick and to the point. You don’t have to worry about as much character growth, angst, or story arch. With a short story, the more straightforward – the better.

Quantity – I could write a bunch, upwards of seventy-five to one hundred, of them puppies in one year versus five tops if I wrote full-length novels.

Accomplishment – The sense of accomplishment from writing so many books in one year is fantastic. So many people get stuck writing a novel and never publish the damn thing. I know. It took me twelve years to publish my first contemporary romance and twelve days to post my first erotic short story. There is nothing like the sense of accomplishment of producing numerous works and getting them out there to others to read.

Satisfied Readers – With a short story, the highest compliment you can get is that they wished there was more to the book. Or that they didn’t want it to end. With a novel, you might hear that you should have cut a bunch of it out because it was too dull.

Quick Reads – People don’t have a lot of time anymore. There is so much to do. Netflix, Hulu, cable, kids, work, hobbies, and spouses. With a short story, they can get more bang for their time. Whatever bang that is. Fifteen to thirty minutes may be all a busy mom has before bed.

A novel might take her a week to read, and she won’t get the full enjoyment because she had to put it down twenty times.

Erotic Novellas and Novels

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a massive market for erotic novellas or novels because there is.

Strength of Storyline – However, you need to make sure that you have strongly developed characters, a good storyline, growth of the characters, and an attention-grabbing plot outside of the sex scenes. That can be a lot of work when you’re first starting out.

If you choose to write an erotic novel, I recommend you hire a developmental editor to point out the weak areas of your manuscript. You can be too close to your work to see the forest for the trees. I have a wonderful developmental editor for my contemporary novels. When I can’t figure out why in the hell my hero is doing what he’s doing, she can figure it out for me. Thank God!

To learn more check out the below book on how to choose the best pen name for your erotic fiction!

Don’t forget – Grab the companion workbook for your step-by-step guide!

Buy Now!

Alexia Chase

https://alexiachaseromance.com

#writeeroticshortstories #startpublishingtoday #sweetromance #dirtysex #happyeverafter #quickreads #shorteroticstories #erotica #contemporaryromance #eroticsex

Girlfriend, if you’ve got the balls enough to write erotic short stories under your real name, I bow down to you. You’ve got a leg up on the rest of us.

I write under a pen name. In a lot of ways, I wish that I didn’t. However, my job requires anonymity. Now, if I ever break into the best seller’s list of erotica, or when I retire from my day job, look out. My career will be toast, and my name will be out there. But for now, I will write in a cloak of darkness.

Real Name Benefits

What are the benefits of writing while using your identity? You can promote your works to people that you know. It is easier to gain traction when people can put a face and voice to the name on a book. You don’t have to worry about someone finding out your secrets and using it against you. And, you are living your true self. You don’t have to make up some crazy-ass reason why you’re always too busy to go out on the weekend because you’re publishing sex books. There are only so many times that people will believe you’re washing your hair.

Real Name Downfalls

However, there are problems with writing while using your own name. Your work can be compromised. People can hold it against you, and your family could be embarrassed. You probably won’t get to become President. Well, that might not be the case anymore. Furthermore, you might not be as free with your writing if everyone knows that you are behind the ink.

Pen Name Benefits

For most people writing under a pen name is the safer choice. You can avoid friction at work and keep your family free from scandal. Not to mention, you may be open to exploring certain relationships or acts that you wouldn’t if your name was tied to the document.

Pen Name Downfalls

On the other hand, when you write under a pen name, you are unknown. You have no traction. It makes it hard to get a following or to get those much-needed book reviews for social approval. It is hard to be seen and heard on the internet.

In most cases, it is reported that it takes thirty months to be known on the internet. That’s a long time to get the toehold you need in order to make a profit. This length of time is not always necessary. With erotica, if you put out quality material, and a lot of it, you can become known much quicker.

Choosing a Pen Name

If you decide to go with a pen name, the choice should not be as simple as tossing a dart at a board. Or pinning that tail on a donkey. Some consideration should be given to the selection.

To learn more check out the below book on how to choose the best pen name for your erotic fiction!

Don’t forget – Grab the companion workbook for your step-by-step guide!

Buy Now!

Alexia Chase

https://alexiachaseromance.com

#writeeroticshortstories #startpublishingtoday #sweetromance #dirtysex #happyeverafter #quickreads #shorteroticstories #erotica #contemporaryromance #eroticsex

I grew up in a Christian home that did not discuss sex or the human body. No one told me about puberty or menstruation; or what to expect. Furthermore, there was no discussion regarding sexual acts or intimacy. As a result, everything I learned was through romance novels, porn, or experience. The whole act of sex was shroud in secrecy and guilt.

Age is a beautiful thing. I’ve now moved past all my Christian fears of sex and intimacy. However, I’m still a bit of a traditionalist, believe in monogamy, and won’t write about rape, statutory rape, incest, animals, or people who like to prance around wearing diapers.

My moral compass requires consensual adults and a happily ever after.

Taboo Subjects

Taboo Subjects – What are you unwilling to write? That is the first thing that you should consider when starting down the path to writing erotic stories. What are your taboo subjects? Once you’ve identified those, you can make a pact not to blur those lines.

Moral Uptightness

Moral Uptightness – To work beyond your moral uptightness, you must address any issues that remain from your childhood. For some people, morality won’t be an issue. On the other hand, for those who grew up in a home where sex was not discussed or was considered embarrassing or dirty, you will need to work past some issues to begin writing erotica.

Overcome Your Concerns About Writing Erotica

How can you overcome these concerns? First, you must identify any hang-ups that you have. Second, you need to consider how those issues came about. Again, they are likely the result of your upbringing. Third, you must address how those beliefs from your childhood are not beneficial to your present. Lastly, you should re-frame your old beliefs into new ways.

There are several other issues to consider when preparing to write your first erotic short story.

Check out the below book to get started today!

Don’t forget – Grab the companion workbook for your step-by-step guide!

Buy Now!

Alexia Chase

https://alexiachaseromance.com

#writeeroticshortstories #startpublishingtoday #sweetromance #dirtysex #happyeverafter #quickreads #shorteroticstories #erotica #contemporaryromance #eroticsex