People keep telling me I could make money writing romance/erotica. Sounds fun to me!

This might take months to finish. And I’d like to publish at least one creative piece a month, so we’re going to have more fun here (if you like the mechanics of writing). I’m going to release drafts (this is 1/4) and include my character bibles and commentary on what I’m doing and why.

If you don’t care, no worries! These are the commentary blocks, just skip by em.

Ok, the concept:

1. trans-femme protagonist

2. realistic characters and situations

3. emotionally impactful plot developments and character development

4. steamy af

5. at least 10+ years pass in time

6. precise jabs at awful tropes/standards in other romance literature

Mia (such a low effort replacement name) (🥺). Stand in for bottom transwomen, femboys and cis women (the audience of this novella). That emoji is “pleading eyes”, and often called the “bottom emoji”. You can put the rest together yourself.

• bottom vibes for Him.

• Seems toppy with others.

• blushes easily

• There’s like, a little bit of nee-chan vibes, but not in like, a concerning way

• (like me) weird duality between a silly/adventurous person and a sharp/combative person.

• (like me) an active decision maker who hates the responsibility and stress, and really wants to find someone she trusts to run more of her show

• Noticeable personality progression post transition

  • passive, lack of confidence pre-transition. opposite post-transition

  • becomes more emotionally vulnerable and capable of deep connection

  • less defensive, more vulnerable

  • but also less… self-protective? More prone to see the best in everything, and maybe that leads her to be overly relaxed?

This an amalgam of stories, some mine, some others and some wholly fictional.

Best Friends

simple and succinct drop-in. Mia gives us a story background, initial setting and our first romantic plot point. We get a little hint of her romantic and sexual personality too. I'm proud of tying them all in organically! Do y'all think "Best Friends" is a good title? It feels maybe too cheesy? But I mean, it's the romance market. I'll probably change it dozens of times.

What were you making?

Did you use a sous vide?

Dude, it’s the best. Cook a week of chicken.

*laughingly* Shut up, dude.

I was planning to do MWF. Back and core on Monday.

Dude, it’s unhealthy to not work your back and core.

Nice. You’ve been coming a lot more recently.

I’m glad! The gym is always more fun if you’ve got a workout partner.

You’re definitely showing some results too! The squats are really paying off.

Yeah it’s definitely noticeable, dude.

I thought this was a fun starting piece: we're going to watch a friendship relationship evolve over time.This is based on interactions I had with a friend in law school, except I didn't have a crush on him. He was hot, and I probably would have been down to clown at least once, but definitely not my type in the long-term. Definitely not. Note that the primary character is being referred to as dude. That's because she hasn't transitioned yet.

[expect a ton of empty space with big chronological gaps]

Of course. Should I come over?

…

…

Oh. OH.…When did you know?

Do you mind telling me more about?

Anything for yo—

Have you chosen a name?

Anything for you, Mia.

he's so sweet and supportive right? That's because I want you to fall for him, too, and see him the way she does.This one is super unfinished. Needs to be expanded by at least 10 more lines.

need at least 5 scenes in between

Hey Mia, how’s your day going?

Honestly?

Really terrible.

I do. ..Thank you.

I just feel overwhelmed here. Everything looks effortless for you.

How do you do that? How can you smile all the time?

How? How can you smile and act so at ease?

Seriously?

… I’m sorry that that’s how things are.

Yeah, but I don’t have to make nearly as many compromises.

The two scenes above and the two below were where I started. I wanted to establish the friendship, then introduce the romantic element. Also social commentary. Also hawt stuff.

[MISSING BRIDGE]

Ah. Ohhh. Oh wow!! I’m so oblivious….

Would you still want to?

Here?!

Can you be quiet?

(whispers to self) …this is so hot… shirt…

Let’s do it.

hawt afyou've never wanted to bone in the middle of the day in a meeting room at work?so hawtI'm so proud of that "try to be" line. Vocal partners are the best partners. Everyone knows that.

even the sex scenes are drop-ins. This is romance; I'm letting the readers imagine for themselves what foreplay led up to this moment.

Sorry! I didn’t know it would hurt! ......Wait, what are breast buds?

Promise.

You lost me.

You’re being a little hostile…

Apologize please

Thank you for apologizing.……………

You’re welcome!

Robert Heinlein (one of the most influential sci-fi writers of all time) did this sort of ellipses storytelling (see, e.g., Stranger in a Strange Land). I really like it. It lets the reader fill in the gaps with their own theories and fantasies. I also like the way it pops up somewhat unexpectedly. Re-focuses the reader.It's weird that few modern writers use it as a writing device. I think modern literature is too obsessed with telling "the entire story".

She got a job in SF, so we’re moving. Management already signed off on me transferring.

Three weeks.

Never over-write perfect scenes

I’ve got the app set up and linked with the vibrator. All ready to go.

Is it in yet?

Gotcha!

I’m think I’m going to leave it on for a minute or two.

Grunt twice if you want me to stop.

Dirty little slut.

……..……..

I think in a few weeks.

I do.

That scene was taken from my own life, but I was the person with the app.Do you like how I'm writing sex dialogue? Simulating the vibration, etc. to convey the intensity of the moment. People underappreciate the degree to which form can enhance content.Again, I write massive time gaps into the scene. I want the reader to fill in those gaps themselves.

Mia!? Why would you point that out?! I was pent up! I haven’t had sex in over a month. Of course I was fast the first time!

Mean teasing.

Did you…?

Ughhh I feel guity.

As I expand this, I'll need to show post-transition personality developments. I think, here, I want them to have a broader conversation about sex, and what "good" sex looks like for each of them. That's the current concept, at least.

no clue where to place this scene. But I think it's a good scene/has great elements. It'll be used somewhere.

I can’t do this anymore. She’s going to find out.

This isn’t who I am.

You’re right, ok? I can’t get you out of my head, I can’t focus at work, I can’t focus when I’m at home.

Excuse me?

You mean as a couple?

How long have you felt like this?

To be there when your Dad passed.

We could have talked this sooner, regardless.

What about your partner?

Not sure if I'm married to this partI need to decide whether He chooses the main character or his wife, and then come back to this, I think.

hey Mia, could I talk to you in the bedroom for a second?

How long has he been fucking you?

YEARS!?

How often?

omg He always stays with you when visiting the head office

… *light sobbing* …

I was your friend. You dated my sister! How could you? To ME!?

get out of my house, NOW

low effort "women fighting over men" dialogue. I'm going to rewrite this into something more mature and realistic.

…I’m better than yesterday.

Stop trying to mom me.

Sorry.

No.

This is your fault, Mia.

I don’t want to see you.

You pursued me. You made sure it could never end.

We’ve been friends for years!

Don’t guilt me into being ok with this.

Stop pretending this isn’t your fault.

That doesn’t make this ok.

….…..

like I said, I wanted this to be a meaningful romance story. one where the main character thinks long and hard about what sort of boundaries she's drawing. About what sort of person she's been, and what sort of person she wants to be.And whether she'll compromise out of fear of loss.