I went to a networking event a few nights ago wearing a nametag-- "Hi, I'm Robin Juliet. I'm a sex writer." Sadly, this made a lot of folks squeamish and uncomfortable: "How did you get into your . . .um . . . field?" " . . . Can you write anything else? Or just sex?" "How do you conduct your research? Wink. Wink." "You mean, like, that whole _Fifty Shades of Grey_ stuff?" I wish I had better answers for these Las Vegas corporate ladder climbers, but at that time, I was stymied. Here's what I wish I had said . . . . I am not one to devour smut as a consumer. This is not to say I judge the genre harshly, it's just never been on my radar screen as a reader or viewer. Rather, I came to writing about sex by writing. Like most aspiring writers, I was told to “write what you know.” I get that. Start with a situation with which you have some familiarity so it rings true and isn't based entirely on stereotype or cliché. I still agree with that adage and work with it to a degree. But, the fact of the matter is, the reason I write about sex is because of what I DON'T know. And, what I still don't understand is how and why and who and what we all do for sex. I like to explore the emotional (and psychological) undercurrents that surface when we tap into our erotic fantasies. Our gut reactions to lovers are often unintentional. Most of my characters are not in love, nor do they wish to be. They’re okay with their lives even though many of their choices are unconventional or taboo. Can you love the sex without loving the person? Some people can and others cannot. That’s the crux of my work. Themes of deceit, betrayal, fate, and sexual obsession get thread in and around lovers who find out what happens when lust and love collide. Content is definitely explicit and may be offensive to sensitive readers/viewers. My debut screenplay will be available here at Stage32 on Valentine's Day 2015.
Introduce Yourself : Rather than bore you with my resume, let me tell you a story . . . . / (This is not off-topic. It's just a different approach to my introduction) by Robin Juliet
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i imagine being a sex writer involves hitting enter a lot during the night- and delete once in a while in the morning.
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@Kathryn-Sex writing is completely mainstream, popular, and profitable. Candace Bushnell's "Carrie Bradshaw" is probably the best known example, but Lena Dunham is doing similar work with her _Girls_ series today. Dan Savage launched his groundbreaking sex positive causes using his column "Savage Love". There are a lot of other relevant movements involving slut shaming, First Amendment censorship, etc. that count on sex writers to spread the word. And should we not forget that _50 Shades . . ._ (the trilogy in book form) has now sold more copies than the "Harry Potter" series . . . and trails only ONE BOOK in all-time sales?* Interesting? Provocative? Meaningful? Yes. Yes. Yes. But definitely not "unique." *ANSWER: The Bible
@Peter . . . I know sometimes I inadvertently encourage jokes about my work--but in all honesty, I find jokes like yours to be inappropriate in this forum. (This is especially true when they are your sole response to what I said.)
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Checked out your profile, Robin. Your cover shot is bananas! That's promoting your brand!
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Robin- sorry. no intention to demean your work was meant. won't hapen again.
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Robin's name tag story reminded me of Gypsy Rose Lee. Tired of being called "a stripper," the entertainer began to introduce herself as an "ecdysiast." Priceless.
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@Peter--thank you. Humor can be tricky, I know. Apology accepted.