If You Want To Make Money Writing A Book, Sex Sells
The hottest genre on the market is “Romance”
If you want to make money writing a book, and it is tough, you may have to check the genre of Romance Novels or books with a lot of offbeat sex. Think 50 Shades of Grey by E L James.
Sex sells. Those in music, movie, publishing, and television know this.
For this piece, let’s focus on authors who understand that conflict in sex is enticing and readers can’t get enough of it. Well-developed protagonists have all kinds of conflict, whether it is with a spouse, a co-worker, the best friend, or otherwise elicit love interest have lots of followers, and you can hear the “ka-ching” loud and clear.
Where does the conflict arise as it leads to sex?
There are all kinds of situations that lead to sex, because we do all have sex. The risqué comments and flirting at the office will keep readers’ noses in the book. When does the flirting end and the brush of hands lead to a kiss in the janitor’s closet?
“You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
What scenarios lead to sex? Some are obvious and not that interesting, such as bars where sometimes the obvious takes place. But, so much depends on the characters in your story. Is the husband or wife unhappy in their marriage and susceptible to the person who pays them a compliment?
Of course, it depends on your story. As the author who has plotted and thought and planned, you will know exactly why you are putting your character in bed with someone. Sex in a book is never just for sex’s sake.
That leads to the almost moment…
A great technique for developing sensual tension in your romance is one called the Almost Moment. It is a technique most romance writers use. It prolongs the suspense, it milks the moment, it teases, seduces, entices. The sensual tension is drawn out like a taut wire.
“I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.” The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
It’s all those moments in a really good book when the hero and heroine almost say something, almost touch, almost kiss, almost walk towards each other, almost make love. But somehow — tantalizingly, frustratingly — they don’t. The tension sizzles and makes you turn the page.
That leads to the bedroom door.
