Writing Fluff
Author Sharita Lira
Today I wanted to speak about writing fluff. What’s fluff? Well, coming from the word fluffy it means soft and comfortable right? So when writing something considered fluff in my opinion it means the same. What’s wrong with this? In my world nothing at all.
I’ve read plenty of authors who’ve written some fluffy stories that have little tension and they’ve been some of the most enjoyable books I’ve ever read. To me, it matters what the characters say. What do they want and when do they want to get together? At times when I sit down to write out the character outlines and a list of details in chronological order, I already know how quickly my two people will get together for their happy ever after. Sometimes it happens within 30k, other times a lot longer.
In the book I’m editing now, I Like Em Pretty, the characters don’t have sex until around 50k. Its’ filled with tension, a murder, and some suspense along the way. This is one of the few books I’ve written where this occurs but in my mind this isn’t an issue. Whatever an author feels comfortable writing they should do it. To me, being multifaceted is the key. Do I want to write only fluff? No but I won’t be opposed to it. I allow my characters to guide me when I sit down to write. Whatever Nathan and Bryant or even Kajika and Frankie say should be done is usually the way I go. This works for me and I hope the readers appreciate it too. If not, I totally understand. The great thing about fiction is there’s plenty to choose from.
As a reader I look at a wide variety of stories. Sure more tension and angst makes the getting together part if there is one a lot hotter but at times, I want to sit down with “Roger” (my kindle) and read a romance that takes me away from the world. Perhaps it’s a fantasy paranormal or even just a contemporary romance where the characters are together within 20k. Am I mad when this happens? No. I’ve read plenty of romances, some of the het, where I felt the characters story was complete in 100 pages or less. It’s all in the mindset and in my opinion, the same applies to writing.
So in conclusion, do I love the fluff? Yes. Do I love the angsty and tension filled? Still yes. In my opinion, everyone should be able to write and read what they like. If fluff isn’t your thing, then you have the right to move on. If you don’t like a lot of tension, you can skip it. Me, I like it both ways! *smiles*
My fluffy romance Candyman is available now from NNP. Book 5 of the Something New on the Menu Series.43
Blurb: Alain Roux is the new President of the world famous Diamond Candies chocolate factory on the South Side of Chicago. His father, Demi Roux lost his battle with cancer and has left it in his care despite Demi’s brother’s advice to leave it to him. Alain has no interest in the company but to fulfill his father’s last wish, he takes on the day to day of it anyway.Ty Washington is a born and raised Southsider who’s working there to put him through college. Recently, his father threw him out because he confessed he might be gay. When he and Alain talk, his heart soars and as badly as he tries to fight it, the two connect and eventually they decide to give their relationship a try.
In BL’s own humorous way, she’ll tell the tale of a man and his subordinate as they overcome the struggles to build a long lasting commitment.
Alain tossed and turned until the alarm went off at five-fifty, signaling time for a shower. “Shit!” He pulled the pillow over his head, not even bothering to shut the annoying thing off. “Oh God, who signed me up for this again?” Alain finally reached over and hit the top of it, making the noise stop. Still yawning, he removed the blindfold and rubbed his eyes. “Still fuckin’ dark outside. No one should hafta wake up when there’s no sun out!” Would he ever adjust to these early mornings? Who knew, but he’d have to do it soon.
Slowly, he slid his feet from under the cover, attempting to put them into the slippers that sat at the side of the bed. “Coffee, I need coffee!” Tossing the eye covering, he raked his locks with his hand. “Damn, hair a bit long much?”
The moment he did manage to get his toes into those warm shoes, the door opened and Lucas came strolling in with a big mug and a tray of what looked to be food.
Alain smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Now this might be a good reason to wake up early.” Damn, stop flirting! He knew it was wrong to be making suggestive comments to his deceased father’s lover, but he couldn’t help himself. The man was just too delicious to ignore.
Lucas rolled his eyes. “Cut that out! Sit up and eat this small breakfast that Marisol made for you and get ready to go. I told the staff we’d be there between seven and seven thirty.” Lucas made a production of checking his Rolex.
Still not wanting to move, Alain ate a piece of toast and sighed. “Ack! I hate getting up at this hour!”
“Well, too bad. You need to be at your best Alain, if you wanna beat your uncle.” Lucas sat on the end of the bed and stared at him some more, then he grinned. “God, you look more like Demi every day!”
Alain nodded. His smug grin replaced the grimace. He took a sip of the coffee, then slid closer to Lucas and peered into his grey eyes. “Do you wanna find out how much I’m just like Dad?” Alain couldn’t help but flirt with Lucas. The attorney was hot, hands down one of the hottest men he’d ever come in contact with. Plus, he knew it riled Lucas up.
“Hey, no; you stop that! I told you, never in a million years! Now eat your breakfast!”
Alain glanced at the ceiling and went back to eating. “Sorry Lucas, you’re just so handsome, ya know? I’ve gotta get me a man and quick! I’ve been way too lonely!”
Lucas cocked an eyebrow and drew up his lips. “Obviously!” He got up from the bed and looked at his timepiece once more. “Just hurry up and meet me downstairs. Don’t make me come back up here after you, ya hear?”
“Yes sir!” Alain saluted. He allowed his eyes to follow the hot counselor as he left his bedroom. “Dayum, baby. Dad? Why’d our lawyer have to be so hot? You cursed me!”
After eating his breakfast, Alain got dressed and finally Lucas got him out the door and on the way to the Diamond Candies building. As soon as he arrived many of the employees stood, as if they were in the military, saluting and greeting him as he walked the floors.
“Morning!” When he went to the management floor; a crowd of workers stood along the narrow halls, stepping outside their offices to say hi to their new boss. Alain nodded and spoke to each one, tightly gripping his cup of coffee.
Behind him was Lucas, doing the same while holding a stack of files – one for each of the employees. Alain had asked for them so he’d know all by name and a little about each of the top workers.
He sipped from his tall mocha latte and removed his glasses from the bridge of his nose. Now I’m awake. He used to only wake up this early when Demi wanted to take him out golfing or if they were on holiday, otherwise he never even opened his eyes before ten. Alain would have to get used to these early starts.
Once they’d made their way to the large office at the end of the hall, Lucas opened the door and Alain stepped in. “Wow! A lot’s changed a lot since I was last here.”
“Demi didn’t tell you he redecorated? After he found out about his uh, illness, he had it totally rehabbed to something he thought you might like more. He wanted to make sure you’d be totally comfortable.”
Dear old Dad!
That last statement brought a small tear in his eye as he glanced at the large space that was now his working area. The picture windows gave a great view of the outside. White walls, mostly bare; one modern abstract painting hug above the mantel of the fireplace. On the other side, a file cabinet with a stereo system on top, and in the middle, the long desk made from fine wood with rounded corners on which sat only a vase full of white roses and a pen set with a nameplate that read Alain Roux, President.
“Ah Lucas, are those from you?”
He blushed, “Yes, I thought you’d like them on your first day. It’ll motivate you to see the title even though it isn’t official. Go on – go sit at the desk and try it on for size.”
Alain returned the smile and did as Lucas suggested. Taking a seat in the leather chair, he breathed a sigh of relief when his buttocks sank into the cushion. “Oh… this chair is fabulous.”
“Gives good massages too,” Lucas added and pulled up another chair from the corner of the room.
Alain cocked an eyebrow. “Does it give hand jobs? I might need that after a frustrating day at the office.”
“Alain, will you stop?” He laughed. “Is that all you think about?”
“Yep. You know that old song by Korn, A.D.I.D.A.S? Shit, that’s what makes the world go ’round, Lucas.”
“Not the business world Alain. Here it’s all about the cash and the power.”
“You couldn’t be more right my dear Lucas!”
Alain’s smile turned immediately upside down. That wretched voice! Jakob had come to pay him a visit on his first day.
