Is it possible to have both?
Erotic SciFi Romance is a rising star as a subgenre of science fiction. Recently I had the pleasure of discussing this topic with fellow Erotic SFR author Heather Massey of The Galaxy Express. In the SFR community she is probably the foremost authority and reviewer on the subject of science fiction romance. I asked her if she would enlighten us as to what she believes makes a good science fiction/erotic story. I gave Heather command control of my blog for the day and here is what she had to say.
What If Erotic Sci-fi Romance Gave You Mind-Blowing Orgasms *and* Deep Thoughts?
There’s enormous pressure to produce and market erotic sci-fi romance as hot this, hot that, and hot hot hawt! You can see this trend in ad copy, book blurbs, and author Web sites. It’s a veritable onslaught. One could easily make the assumption that these stories have little else to offer beyond sex in space.
Yet erotic science fiction romance has much to say about love and sexual negotiations in the future and/or alternate settings. I'm lucky: many of the stories I've read provide social commentary arising from technology that brings together two lovers who might otherwise never have met.
But I think this subgenre can do better. Authors have the power to create truly insightful erotic sci-fi romances, meaning ones that deliver far more than the bump ‘n’ grind variety. But are they willing to push the envelope even further?
Readers play a role as well. Think about literary erotica, which promises the reader insight into the human condition. Why would readers expect anything less from erotic sci-fi romance? The stories can reach for more than just graphic love scenes or frequency of boinking. If readers are consenting to a story that contains erotic love scenes, science fictional concepts, and romance, then they are consenting to stories that prompt them to think.
With their brains.
That said, how might such a feat be accomplished?
Embracing The “What If”
The science fictional aspect of erotic
sci-fi romances—to borrow the terminology of author
Lois McMaster Bujold—involves “fantasies of political agency.” In other words, it involves technology, science, and most importantly, change. What kind of political agency fantasies is erotic sci-fi romance providing? What are they attempting to say about sexual negotiations in the future and/or in an alternate setting? Ideally, stories will attempt to address in some fashion the changes in this particular arena.
sci-fi romances—to borrow the terminology of author
Lois McMaster Bujold—involves “fantasies of political agency.” In other words, it involves technology, science, and most importantly, change. What kind of political agency fantasies is erotic sci-fi romance providing? What are they attempting to say about sexual negotiations in the future and/or in an alternate setting? Ideally, stories will attempt to address in some fashion the changes in this particular arena.
For example, do the stories explore sexuality that is progressive, alternative, or exotic in nature (rather than the story relying on conservative portrayals of gender relations of the present time, e.g., virginal or otherwise “innocent” heroines/procreation/marriage)? And if so, do we question our own assumptions as a result?
How has the technology of the setting affected cosmetics, sex toys, and birth control? What about sex with androids? Sentient androids? Have scientists created cures for sexual dysfunctions, and if so, what’s the cultural impact? Here’s another hypothetical premise: In a futuristic society where technology enables an extension of the human lifespan beyond, say, 120 years and with a relatively youthful state to boot, what would it require to maintain excitement in one’s sex life at that age?
Another area ripe for exploring is the perception of beauty. Erotic sci-fi romance has loads of potential to examine and question cultural attitudes toward beauty, ethnicity, and even physical disabilities. Many stories do this already simply by featuring an alien hero or heroine. However, these topics can be probed even more deeply (heh!). I know the default is to write books populated by Westernized standards of Beautiful People, but “erotic” knows no such boundaries. Makes me wonder if the full potential of the subgenre has yet to be realized.
In a subgenre populated by superficial kinky quickies, erotic sci-fi romance faces a particular challenge: How can it distinguish itself? What can it offer readers who lament that a good erotic romance is difficult to find?
Richer subtext can strengthen a story’s impact and make it more memorable. An entertaining story can engage readers with social commentary the way butter in pastries helps create an appealing mouthfeel. Erotic sci-fi romance stories can scorch like supernovas, but they can also embrace “fantasies of political agency” as bracingly as their non-erotic counterparts.
If you’re looking for erotic sci-fi titles that will fire up both your loins as well as your synapses here’s a short list to start with:
ON WINGS, RISING (Ann Somerville)
THE ANTAREN AFFAIR (Erica Anderson)
FORBIDDEN LOVE (Kaye Manro)
HEAT (Jody Wallace)
IN ENEMY HANDS (KS Augustin)
What are your thoughts regarding themes and social commentary in erotic sci-fi romance? Know of any titles that embrace “fantasies of political agency”?
Thanks for reading.
About the author:
Heather Massey searches for sci-fi romance adventures aboard her blog, The Galaxy Express. She also blogs about the subgenre for Germany’s premier romance magazine, LoveLetter. Heather’s debut sci-fi romance novel, ONCE UPON A TIME IN SPACE, (March 2011), features the last living descendant of Christopher Columbus on a desperate quest to find a new world. Standing in his way is Raquel, the deadliest space pirate in the galaxy. ~~~~~
So let's discuss it. What do you think?
Kaye
25 comments:
Thanks for sharing your insightful thoughts. Very interesting.
Welcome Heather!
And thanks for stopping by, Amber!
Very thought inspiring. Going to have to bookmark this for use in the future. (No pun intended...well, maybe a small one.)
A very interesting post, as usual and one that makes me think (again, as usual).
Emma, lol, and I understand exactly what you meant! Thanks for stopping by.
Debs, it's always good to see your comments, because you are for sure one of those deep thinkers. Thanks.
I thought I was late to the post, because i've been out of town at a family wedding, but it is just my brain that is late from traveling, i fear. =8-0
Not a surprise that Heather has delivered an intriguing and thought provoking post. I do think SFR, whether erotic or not, allows us to explore gender themes in new ways that "reality" doesn't allow for. (did that make sense? be glad when my brain arrives!) Great post!
Great post. I do think an erotic SF romance can have many layers and be thought provoking as well as being sexy and satisfying.
I was going to go for a highbrow comment, but then you used a Farscape cap. D'Argo! Chiiiiii! *squee!*
Science ficiton is all about breaking conventions, so breaking those based around sex? Yes, absolutely.
Great article with very insightful points. I myself am a huge fan of SFR. I've got a bunch of SFR ideas jumbled in my head but haven't quite gotten around to transferring them onto paper yet. Maybe I will.
Thanks for the post!
Pauline, I agree with you that Heather has this ability to deliver thoughtful posts. And your point is well taken and clear!
Melisse, It is true I think it is the layers that make the difference. If we can do that, then we can write well in any genre, but esp. SFR.
Hi Misa! Thanks for stopping by. You are absoutely right about SFR breaking conventions.
L.K. so glad to see you here! You know, you should put those stories down on screen/paper. SFR would love to have you onboard! I know from your posts that you are one heck of a deep thinker!
Writing SFR presents a conundrum. A sci fi purist will cringe at the open door sex. Devoted romance readers often miss the sci fi/fantasy concepts and references and find the story too complex, or complain that they don't like weird/made-up names for things (yet they accept made-up names for steampunk/paranormal). I happen to both write SFR and I love to read it - and I am a devoted mainstream science fiction/fantasy fan.
Great discussion.
Farscape! +point point point+ I didn't see them getting together coming in the story, but when it happened, I was so thrilled. It surprised me, but at the same time it felt organic. Not to mention, orgasmic!
Moving on from fangirling.
Loved the blog post! You bring up good points. I think that science fiction romance can't be made up of just 'kinky quickies' as you put them. The stories must be rich and developed as well!
The SFR stories that stick with me are the ones that are both hot/erotic and bring those issues to the table. If I'm left thinking about the book after I'm done, that's wonderful & will usually mean I'll even re-read it. I'd love to see more stories exploring these types of issues.
Well, I'd love to see more SFR, period.
Thanks for the mention, Heather and Kaye. As I was reading, I was jumping up and down, shouting, "Ann Somerville! Ann Somerville!". Then I got to the end. :)
Thanks for reading, everyone!
@Pauline Yes, it does make sense!
Writing SFR presents a conundrum.
I agree; however, when I wrote the post, I was thinking about creating thought-provoking erotic sci-fi romance that would appeal largely to the audience for this subgenre.
It's all in the execution, too. The story should, first and foremost, entertain. We're not looking for an academic lecture in prose form because hey, that's what school is for!
I believe it's entirely possible to weave various skiffy concepts and themes into erotic SFR in an accessible package. I'm not concerned romance readers will miss the concepts if authors create worlds and ideas that engage them—and perhaps also meet them half way (in other words, as they create the stories, to keep in mind the learning curve that readers new to the subgenre would have). I imagine stories where one could enjoy them on both a superficial level as well as deeper ones. The skiffy elements can be low tech/minimally explained and still pack a punch.
For example, what if people had access to virtual reality sex all the time? Would they become addicted to it? What would happen to our physical bodies as a result? Would it be better than sex the old fashioned way? How would this impact the development of love and relationships? Conversely, what if this type of technology was banned by the government and/or shunned by the greater society? What type of hero and heroine might fight for the freedom to use it?
I wouldn’t care as much about how the technology worked (although learning an author’s vision of it would certainly be nice) vs. its impact on sex & relationships.
or complain that they don't like weird/made-up names for things (yet they accept made-up names for steampunk/paranormal
Yah, and where do they think the tradition of made-up names started? SF/F, LOL! Although some made-up names are better than others. I’m a hardcore SF/F fan and there are some smeerps that absolutely drive me up the wall. Authors face a big challenge there.
@Ella Exactly, like the way your story SILVER BOUND was thought-provokingly subversive! The silver-tipping process was one of the most disturbing elements I’ve come across, even though the story wasn’t strictly erotic sci-fi. Hot space western? Yes!
Kaz, my pleasure! And I can’t tell you how many times Moon from ON WINGS, RISING comes to my mind. Very unique character.
Great post, Heather. As always, you raise a lot of intriguing questions.
One thing that struck me is that, as a non-erotica SFR writer (mine fall more in the streamy category), it seems there are a lot more e-pubs accepting erotica SFR than non-erotica. With only a few exceptions, writing in the erotica vein does seem to be an advantage in terms of marketing.
And I agree SFR allows greater variety in exploring different social, cultural and sexual norms than most of the other romance genres. By its very nature, I think SFR allows the freedom to "write on the edge" and explore a lot of What ifs in relationships.
Great discussion topic! :)
I think that one thing budding authors of SFR should do is acquaint themselves with some of the ground-breaking work done by some of the masters of SF: Philip Jose Farmer for one.
With Flesh, The Lovers, Riders of the Purple Wage.
A lot of his work was considered to be too naughty for the SF mags (though most were eventually published in one or another). If you are looking for examples of how to combine high-concept SF with erotica and a touch or two of squickiness (depends on your brand of squick), you can't do better than to study these and other PJ Farmer works.
Great post. I always strive to tuck at least a little political or social commentary in my sci-fi, erotic and otherwise. After all, that's what all of the greats of the pulp sci-fi era did. ;-)
Good heavens, there Heather goes again, raising the standards and helping us all imagine how the genre we love could expand and improve. Heather, you make me want to work harder and write better.
I'm so impressed with the ideas and discussion going on here! I think we all agree we need more than just sexy encounters set on a ship or another planet to make up a sci-fi erotic romance.
Of course many of us who write in this subgenre are already big SF fans anyway. We read, we research and study the same as any sci-fi geek!
It's all a matter of pulling it together and presenting the best story we can-- social commentary, alien worlds, political and cultural aspects, as well as deep and emerging relationships that are shown through a more graphic sexual eye.
Explicit and more detailed uninhibited sexual scenes make up the main difference between writing an erotic SFR and just an SFR. In other words in erotic SFR, the hero/heroine relationships are more deeply bonded in the sexual act.
Thanks to all who are commenting here and adding their thoughts to this exciting exploration. Good to see your points of view on this topic.
Keep the coming!
I agree with the mention of Philip Jose Farmer as a precursor to this genre, and there have been many others (Theodore Sturgeon comes to mind).
And then there's Heinlein's Mike character in MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS - an AI who puzzles over sexuality, and finally is given a task that takes his whole capacity, and concludes that orgasm is "when they all light up."
What if no human being has ever experienced orgasm to the fullest extent? What if with all our physical gyrations we've never accessed the level of "they all light up?" We keep trying, keep hoping, and never quite get there.
What more could there possibly be than what we have achieved?
Well, scientists are always pointing out that there are a lot of human brain cells that don't seem to be in use. What do you suppose they're really FOR?
Erotic science fiction romance could explore what the experience of activation of the whole brain might feel like, what the permanent consequences might be, and whether it would be possible to live through such an experience more than once.
Of course, writing such a story would require some very special science fiction style worldbuilding. You wouldn't want the experience to seem "contrived."
Just reading such a story could make you different, permanently.
Jacqueline Lichtenberg
http://jacquelinelichtenberg.com
I've been browsing the virtual shelves of various publishers recently, and I've been surprised to learn that what defines erotica isn't necessarily the same between publishers.
It doesn't matter too much to me, but it might deter others who are on the fence as to how hot they want to go. I like the open bedroom door and the degree of frankness isn't an issue. As long as the sex doesn't overshadow the story, I don't mind how jiggy the main characters get.
As for erotica in SFR. I say it's high time we rattled those cages. Let's wake them. :-)
Good job, Heather!
Thanks for the interesting post. I really enjoy the combination of erotic romance and sci-fi, but like any genre, it's a balancing act to give both parts the correct weighting in a story. As Heather said, our primary purpose as writers is to entertain. Sci-fi gives writers so much scope and endless possibilities. It's definitely fun to play with the sci-fi/romance combo.
Laurie, thanks for reading! I’m betting the numbers of digital publishers who acquire non-erotic SFR will start increasing soon (witness Avon’s new digital imprint). It’s just a matter of time.
@Crotchety Old Fan Spot on about PJ Farmer! He would have been a good author to mention in my piece, d’oh!
@Lisa Exactly. I like your phrase “tuck in” because that’s what will make the elements accessible.
@Erica Stories like THE ANTAREN AFFAIR make me hungry for more, what can I say?!
@Kaye And this is something I’m hoping editors are pushing for as well. Why not champion more erotic sci-fi that gets readers talking?
Erotic science fiction romance could explore what the experience of activation of the whole brain might feel like, what the permanent consequences might be, and whether it would be possible to live through such an experience more than once.
OMG! I just got a flash of an erotic sci-fi romance version of X-MEN’s Jean Grey! I would totally read that. Thanks for your insights, Jacqueline!
@Maria I agree, it’d be great if the sex scenes were more consistently layered with themes, not to mention move the plot/character development forward.
@Shelley Great point—there’s lots of settings and concepts to play with. No reason to hold back, is all I’m sayin’. :)
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