Writing Erotic Romance... to cliche, or not to cliche...

The ultra sexy, Kevin Smith, who played Ares in Xena, Warrior Princess.

The following remarks were originally written for my blog yesterday, and ARE ONLY MY OPINION -- and somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Feel free to express your opinion in the comment section or by penning your own post.
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As an Erotic Romance Author... to cliche, or not to cliche... well, here we go, my darling authors, aspiring authors and readers... cliches. One could argue there is a reason cliches work for life, they're actually true, and often cut to the heart of the matter. And, in all honesty, this Big Cat author sees no reason not to use an occasional cliche simply as a reflection of real life. Obviously, the heroine or hero would be thinking or speaking in those terms at times. Don't we all?

So, today the Kougar was surprised to learn -- her eyebrows actually raised -- that "Oh, God" during a sex-passion scene is considered to be cliche. She doesn't quite understand how this came about, or precisely when this decision was made. However, here are some online definitions of cliche ~

Cliché - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

a trite phrase or expression; also : the idea expressed by it. 2. : a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation. 3. : something (as a menu item) that has ... ~ merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clich%C3%A9 ~

Cliche - definition of Cliche by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus ...

A trite or overused expression or idea: "Even while the phrase was degenerating to cliché in ordinary public use . . . scholars were giving it increasing attention" ... ~ thefreedictionary.com/Cliche ~

Cliché - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A cliché or cliche is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, especially ... ~ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clich%C3%A9 ~

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Has "Oh, God" lost its original meaning, its original affect?

If so, well, the Kougar is now raising her hand high and for all the world to see because she is GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY of using this cliche!!!

Likely, she will remain guilty of using this cliche simply because that is how 'some' of her contemporary para-fantasy heroines would express themselves during certain moments in their sex scenes with the hero[s]

You might ask, what is our beloved heroine supposed to blurt out? How about: *Oh, Satan.* Gosh, if she's not a satanist, why would she say that? Unless, of course, it's a Halloween party scenario and the hero is costumed as Satan. Or, the supernatural hero of the story is Satan himself.

Now, of course, if an erotic romance takes place in a sci fi-fantasy world, then made-up words would work for that extreme moment of oh-wow pleasure. Or, our heroine could simply blurt out, *Oh, Harvey*... and we all might hope that is the hero's name, or she's in a world of hurt, and so is he.

But, really and realistically, how ubiquitous are the words: *shit and fuck* in much of erotic romance and erotica these days? Gosh, are those now cliche words as well? If so, this Big Cat hasn't gotten that memo-email-text-twitter yet. But, then, she's not at all that cyber-savvy or trendy.

So, gee, in the throes of passion, in that state of mindless pleasure, what do you say? Perhaps, one could practice an erudite speech that expresses the intense feelings that are occurring, then recite it to one's partner or partners, all while having one's brains f*cked out.

Possible example:

Oh, my darling, your colossal and incomparable cock has induced in me a state of rapture that is beyond the heavens. Oh, yes, I see the celestial stars before my mind's eye because your fucking rhythm is perfection itself. Oh, don't stop, for if you do I will not reach the divine heights. Only you can transport me... [it is at this point our heroine gives up on her speech, and succumbs]... "Oh, God. Just. beam. me. up. baby..." An ecstatic scream might occur at this point. That is up to the author's discretion.
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However, back to the discussion. If we're talking an overused expression during sex, well how cliche is: *Oh, yes* or *yes...yes...yes* or *Oh, yes, more* and *More, Harvey, more. Oh, yes, hit it, Harvey, hit it hard. Harder... harder... * [suggest substituting your personal faves here -- be as graphic as you like].

This erotic romance author submits to you for your consideration, dear authors, aspiring authors, and readers, that human nature being what it is sexually -- and while we humans/humanlike beings are inhabiting the heady sweaty realms of sex -- that *Oh, God* or comparable words, is a natural and normal expression of what cannot really be expressed in words.

That said, if you are someone who considers "Oh, God" to be overused in erotic romance/erotica, then should we authors offer a count of how many time it's used... or...

Dear reader, do we authors now put a warning label on our books? Such as: If you find "Oh, God," to be an unacceptable and/or boring cliche during an erotic love scene or any type of love/sex/passion scene, and do not wish to be subjected to the usage of such a cliche, then it is advisable you do not purchase this book.
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~ Happy Springtime Reading ~

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
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Savanna Kougar is the best-selling author of twelve ebooks, with seven books in print. She pens love stories because that’s her deepest heart. She writes in the futuristic/fantasy/paranormal subgenres because that’s her fiercest passion. And, she writes erotic romance because she ferociously enjoys ripping the damn doors off.