Charming, ROMANTIC Romance
I Don't Write "Clean"Romance
by Lynn Winchester
I’ve been reading for decades, and I am passionate about books. I am blessed that I get to write my own books and have readers enjoy them. Over the years, I’ve changed my reading preferences, my genre, and my own personal point of view on what it means to write romance.
Since joining several writers/readers groups online, I’ve learned a new term: “clean romance”. There are heated discussions in all corners about what constitutes “clean” romance. Some say it is the romance without the touching, kissing, or crude words. Some say it is kissing and innocent touching without crude language or sex (closed door or open door-graphic). To some it is a combination of both. Though there are differences of opinion, most all will agree that “clean” romance is meant to focus on the relationship, personal growth, and the happily ever after of the love story.
When I started writing romance, I started my journey writing sexy books. I wrote stories with crude language, open door sex, heated language, and adult situations. Once I had my crisis of faith, I decided to turn my talents toward books that focused on true love, relationships, and the romance of romance novels.
Can you have a romance without the sex? Yes. I courted my husband for nearly two years before we were married—I can tell you it is very possible to have romance without sex. Is it possible to be attracted to someone sexually without actually having sex? Absolutely. God wants us to be sexually attracted to our intended mates, because what is a mating of souls without the desire to actually mate?
So, what does all of this mean for my writing? It means I intend to write romance that is “clean” but also shows that attraction and desire in a relationship is completely natural and can be written about without being crude or offensive.
In THE SHEPHERD’S DAUGHTER, Ray and Billy are best friends who eventually fall for one another. There are moments where Ray catches her breath or catches herself staring at Billy and admiring his physique. Completely normal. It’s the same in THE SEAMSTRESS.
In THE WIDOW, my most heated romance of the series yet, the two main characters, Missy and Leo, are widowed and seeking a second chance at love. Would it be realistic of me to write about them without including the deeper, desirous emotions? Leo desires Missy, and the heat in his belly and the tightening of his body are signs of that. I didn’t mention specific parts, and I didn’t use crude or offensive language. I was able to write about Leo’s perfectly human, natural desires in a way that the reader understood what he was feeling without it slapping them in the face.
Now, I know some may have an issue with there being any sexual themes at all, but where would our marriages be without the heat and emotion that comes from being physically attracted to our spouses or partners? They would be cold, bland, not worthy of anyone writing about them.
I want my readers to feel what my characters feel without having to also feel shame. I understand there’s a fine line, and I’ll make it my mission to create stories all women can read.
Desire is natural, physical attraction is natural, and they can be written about in a way that keeps all the details hidden but allows the readers to experience the same tensions and emotions as the men and women on the page.
So, I may not fit into any of the pre-conceived ideas of “clean” romance, but that’s okay. I believe I am writing charming, romantic romance that celebrates the heart and emotion of the true love story.
Since joining several writers/readers groups online, I’ve learned a new term: “clean romance”. There are heated discussions in all corners about what constitutes “clean” romance. Some say it is the romance without the touching, kissing, or crude words. Some say it is kissing and innocent touching without crude language or sex (closed door or open door-graphic). To some it is a combination of both. Though there are differences of opinion, most all will agree that “clean” romance is meant to focus on the relationship, personal growth, and the happily ever after of the love story.
When I started writing romance, I started my journey writing sexy books. I wrote stories with crude language, open door sex, heated language, and adult situations. Once I had my crisis of faith, I decided to turn my talents toward books that focused on true love, relationships, and the romance of romance novels.
Can you have a romance without the sex? Yes. I courted my husband for nearly two years before we were married—I can tell you it is very possible to have romance without sex. Is it possible to be attracted to someone sexually without actually having sex? Absolutely. God wants us to be sexually attracted to our intended mates, because what is a mating of souls without the desire to actually mate?
So, what does all of this mean for my writing? It means I intend to write romance that is “clean” but also shows that attraction and desire in a relationship is completely natural and can be written about without being crude or offensive.
In THE SHEPHERD’S DAUGHTER, Ray and Billy are best friends who eventually fall for one another. There are moments where Ray catches her breath or catches herself staring at Billy and admiring his physique. Completely normal. It’s the same in THE SEAMSTRESS.
In THE WIDOW, my most heated romance of the series yet, the two main characters, Missy and Leo, are widowed and seeking a second chance at love. Would it be realistic of me to write about them without including the deeper, desirous emotions? Leo desires Missy, and the heat in his belly and the tightening of his body are signs of that. I didn’t mention specific parts, and I didn’t use crude or offensive language. I was able to write about Leo’s perfectly human, natural desires in a way that the reader understood what he was feeling without it slapping them in the face.
Now, I know some may have an issue with there being any sexual themes at all, but where would our marriages be without the heat and emotion that comes from being physically attracted to our spouses or partners? They would be cold, bland, not worthy of anyone writing about them.
I want my readers to feel what my characters feel without having to also feel shame. I understand there’s a fine line, and I’ll make it my mission to create stories all women can read.
Desire is natural, physical attraction is natural, and they can be written about in a way that keeps all the details hidden but allows the readers to experience the same tensions and emotions as the men and women on the page.
So, I may not fit into any of the pre-conceived ideas of “clean” romance, but that’s okay. I believe I am writing charming, romantic romance that celebrates the heart and emotion of the true love story.