Thank you to this month’s co-hosts: Jemima Pitt, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard!
Hope your October is off to a great start, writers! Warm weather has continued in Ohio, allowing me to sneak in some outdoor swims late in the season. Friends and I swam in a local quarry last week, and the 72-degree water temperature was brisk but invigorating.
Sadly, I had to cancel a swim vacation in Baja, Mexico. We planned to glamp and swim 2-4 miles a day in the Pacific, but international travel didn’t seem wise in the throes of the never-ending pandemic. But maybe I’ll fulfill my dream of swimming in Spain next year instead.
This month’s question: In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?
I rely on my reading preferences to draw the line in my writing. I enjoy reading creative curse words and healing from horrific traumas. Therefore, my characters sometimes swear like sailors, and I embrace the challenge of delving into the aftermath of sexual trauma or criminal violence in my sport romance and romantic suspense novels.
Though romance is my favorite genre, I don’t enjoy reading plentiful, graphic sex scenes. It’s no surprise that I avoid writing erotica.
I also value free speech. While I don’t want to offend readers, I hope to stay true to myself without worrying about political correctness.
Jennifer Lane Books 
Happy IWSG Day. Swearing is something I can’t get past, though i don’t mind the occasional dropped word or two. I don’t care for erotica either. I want action and character development 🙂
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Action and character development are where it’s at for sure, Erika.
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I hope you get to fulfill your swim dreams next year. I wouldn’t want to write graphic sex scenes either.
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Thank you, Natalie! Good to hear we’re on the same page.
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Sorry your trip to Mexico didn’t happen.
I don’t want to read graphic sex and I can’t even write toned-down sex.
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Thanks, Alex! I’m sure many readers don’t want to read ANY sex scenes! 😮
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Hi,
I am one of those people who is waiting for the Pandemic to disappear. I hope you do get the time to travel internationally soon.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
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Thank you, Pat! This pandemic fatigue is real. Hope you get to return to all the fun activities as well!
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I say let the characters be themselves. If that means a bit of colorful language or crazy antics, all the better. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Wonderful idea, Anna! 😀
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