Monday 8 April 2013

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Month of Men Blog Tour: Abbi Glines on Writing the Bits that Make You Blush

I'm ecstatic to say today is my stop in the Simon and Schuster Children's Books New Adult Month of Men Blog Tour! Abbi Glines, author of the Sea Breeze and Vincent Boys series, is stopping by my blog to talk about writing the bits that make you blush.

Abbi GlinesWriting the bits that make you blush by Abbi Glines

I’m a romantic. I realized this when I was five years old and all I wanted to do was to have Barbie weddings. Ken and Barbie got married three times a day, seven days a week at my house. I was obsessed with that first kiss. They got a lot of good hot kisses in too.


This however was a big issue for me when I decided to write a book. How could I write a romance with no hot scenes? That was HUGE part of romance. I couldn’t write sex scenes because my mother would read them. Or my Dad… or one of the older ladies at church or heaven forbid my Granny!

So, I wrote a clean sweet YA book. It was my first book. I think Sadie and Jax kiss twice in that book. That was it. I released it out into the world and readers for the most part nailed it to the wall.
“It’s cheesy”
“Too sweet”
“Complete fairy tale”

The criticism was tough! I could do one of two things. I could stop writing and forget the dream of being a writer. OR I could put my big girl panties on and write some steamier, edgier stories.


The Vincent Boys was my next book. I made it edgy. I made it sexy and I even used the word “cock.” I also didn’t let my mother read it. I wanted to pretend like I hadn’t just released a book. I thought I could hide it from my friends and family. I was embarrassed of the dry humping against the tree and the sex in the back of the truck. What would they think of me?!

That was very short lived. I have nosey family and friends. They all read it and were completely shocked. But I realized something. They liked it. I liked it. Readers liked it. So I got more and more detailed and put more and more naughty into each book I wrote after that. I no longer care if my mother reads it. I don’t care if my pastor’s wife reads it. I’m good at writing it and I’m proud of that.
However… my ninety-year-old Granny still thinks I’ve only written that first book and she always will. Because there is no way I’m letting her read my naughty bits!

Now, when I start to write that scene that will make readers blush I enjoy it. I like writing things that push the envelope. Knowing that the reader enjoys reading it even if they are turning three shades of red is fun. It’s real and the sex doesn’t fade to black. I don’t blush any longer when I find out some male family member has read my books. I laugh but I don’t blush. I can honestly say writing something that readers love is worth it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.


Because of Low by Abbi Glines While it Lasts by Abbi Glines Just for Now by Abbi Glines

Thank you, Abbi, for such a great guest post! I am all for the rude bits! Bring them on! Be sure to check out Abbi's website, and her Sea Breeze series which is available on eBook now, and is released in paperback on 25th April (Breathe will be released in August). Head over to the Blog Tour Facebook Event Page to see the rest of the tour schedule!

10 comments:

  1. Awesome! I've read the first Sea Breeeze book and I enjoyed it, but because I read The Vincent Boys first it totally felt weird not seeing any naughty bits ;)

    Anyway, I love everything new that you write Abbi, so I look forward to much more!

    ~Jess

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    1. I think I'll have the same reaction. Yet I read a lot of books without any sexual content, so I still think I'll enjoy it!

      Glad you liked the post!

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    2. Thank you for reading my books Jess :) I'm glad you're enjoying them.

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  2. What an awesome and honest post! I feel the same exact way about myself and my own writing, except I am still trying not to blush. One day!

    I loved the Vincent Boys and Fallen books, and I can't wait to get started on Because of Low :)

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the post! And that you're writing your way! :)

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  3. Hi Ms Glines!
    I have the same problem as you once had! Except mine isn't the "good" part of romance. I need to write a rape scene, and THAT is no doubt going to get the attention of my friends and family, and I'm not sure if it'll be a good or bad thing? What do you think?

    And Jo: AMAZING post, thanks so much!
    -Kirthi

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the post, Kirthi! I'm not sure if Abbi is stopping by the blog to read comments, but I would say don't think about what other people will think, just write it how you need to. If there's a rape scene in your story, then you have to write it. I think as long as you write it with sensitivity. Though I couldn't comment on how graphic you should go with it. I know I wouldn't want to read an overly graphic rape scene, but I guess it depends what you need for the story. Have you read Easy by Tammara Webber? I think she does it well.

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    2. Kirthi,
      I think that if it is written well and that the emotion is real then it will stick with your readers. A rape scene is one of those scenes that cause the tears and gut wrenching pain. Readers want that too. Being able to draw readers into the story so that they walk away with emotional attachment to the characters is important. This scene won't be easy to write but done well it will be a strong storyline. Good Luck!! (And don't let what you think friends and family will think keep you from writing the story that is in your head. This is your life and you only live it once.)
      Abbi

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  4. Great post! I think that fear of what my friends and family would think about writing naughty scenes plagued me for a very long time and it's nice to know that I wasn't the only one.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the post! Well, I'm glad to hear you're writing what your stories need now regardless :)

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