One woman pronounced that she hated a specific term that some authors use to describe a woman’s parts; she was vehement that it should never be used except in a derogatory sense. Another woman didn't mind the term, but was equally adamant that she didn’t like the alternative the first woman suggested. She then came up with another term she didn’t like, to which a third said “Oh, I don’t mind that, it’s …” that drove her crazy to which two others said it didn’t bother them, and offered more suggestions.Two of us were authors, so we sat back and avidly listened, trying to glean ways to keep our readers happy and not annoy anyone. By the time we finished our mental list of terms to avoid, there were none left we felt we could safely use. Yet all the same terms to avoid also appeared on the list of ones other readers liked.
So what did we learn? It’s not possible to keep everyone happy. You have to use the term that fits your character.
It's not just the euphemisms, sometimes it's the phrases that become hackneyed too. A few years back, there was a page on the eHarlequin site listing the terms one of the editors was tired of.
10. Her heaving breasts
9. His punishing kiss
8. Her liquid center
7. Like silk over steel
6. Her sensitive bud
5. Her honeyed sweetness
4. A dance as old as time
3. His throbbing manhood
2. Her pebbled nubbins
1. An intimate kiss
9. His punishing kiss
8. Her liquid center
7. Like silk over steel
6. Her sensitive bud
5. Her honeyed sweetness
4. A dance as old as time
3. His throbbing manhood
2. Her pebbled nubbins
1. An intimate kiss
*list created by Grammar Girl (Cathy Witlox) on eHarlequin (page no longer available)
I’ve tried to stay away from these in my writing since, but I do still find some cropping up on occasion in books I read, some bother me, some don't. Do you have any that bother you? Ones you'd like to see thrown out the proverbial window?
(If you're reading the comments, I'll issue an advanced warning that there may be words/phrases or terms you find objectionable. Be warned.)***
Leah Braemel writes steamy romance for Samhain Publishing. To find out what words she's willing to use, visit her website and read the excerpts to her erotic romance novella, Private Property, or her full-length erotic romance, Personal Protection.
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8 comments:
Hi Leah!
One term that's been driving me nuts lately is a man's cock being hard enough to drive nails(my apologies if this is in either of the PP's, I don't mean to offend).
The first time I read it I laughed, but after seeing it a few times I thought about it and wondered, what man would think that? I'm seeing it in every other erotic romance I pick up it sounds more and more ludicrous. lol
None come to mind right now, but you know they will the next time I am reading! Joy hit one on the head (heh heh).
That party must have been a hoot!
~bella
Actually, about the cock-- Joy, my hubby's said that phrase once, and he doesn't read romances! But he does work with tools...so maybe we're okay. :)
I know I use phrases that later I look at them and think WTF?
That's what delete is for, but you're right, some words people object to and others don't. Go figure...
Hi, Joy
I wonder if it would be okay for the term to appear occasionally but when it starts being used a lot that people start objecting to it. The "hard as nails" being an example.
As for if I used it in either of my stories? I had to go do a search, LOL. I know I described one minor surgically-enhanced character as having nipples that could drill through concrete. ;) Oops, just found one reference to him being harder than granite ...
Bella - yes the party was a hoot. I know guys think they talk dirty when they get together, but I don't think they could imagine how down-and-dirty women can get some times, LOL.
Viv - Oooh, I like hearing what your hubby has said - real life research ;) Always good to have.
Harder than granite is fine. Hell harder than ... has never bothered me. It's just the wording of "hard enough to pound nails" sounds very painful. lol It never fails to make me roll my eyes.
LMAO @ Bella
Viv-hmmm.
LOL Joy. I was just talking to my husband about this post, and he said he's heard guys say that they were hard enough that they could ... hmm, maybe I'll save that one for my novella ;)
Laughing. I just asked my hubby if he's ever described himself or heard any of his friends describe themselves as hard enough to... anything. Nope. But he did relate a conversation he had w/his best friend about that perfect state guys get in when they've had just enough to drink that they can go forever. Cause when they're sober, they might "blow too soon" (as he so delicately put it), and when you're too drunk, well, forget it. He described it as "permawood" - that state when you make a really good impression. LMAO.
As for me, well, I fall into the camp that isn't fond of the C word, but I can tolerate it if it's only used once or twice in a book. But please don't make it your only word to describe the heroine's hoohah!
LOL, Lori. Permawood - you know that's going to make it into one of my books now, right?
Definitely gotta remember that one.
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