Welcome Aaron Patterson in our Feature Friday Clean series. A series that invites guest to post on AP as to why they like clean fiction. Take it away Aaron...
Sex, yes I said Sex!
We have all heard the line, “Sex Sells.” And in many cases it does, it got you to look at this post and gets many more to look at a book or some sort of media better than anything out there. You will see thrillers and novels with a short skirt or long legs on the cover in order to move more copies. However, I don’t think you need that to sell a book.
I write “Clean” fiction. What does that mean to me? Well, no sex (Lead in but never in the bedroom) and no profanity. I drew this line for my own writing and it has not hurt me at all. In fact, it might give me an edge up as I can sell my books in Christian bookstores as well as any other book outlet.
I have never heard someone say, “This book would have been so much better if it had more cussing.” Most of the time no one even cares if it is not there, but some do care if it is. I figure why cut off a huge group of people who want to read an edgy thriller or a horror novel that will scare them to death but don’t want to weed through all the profanity and graphic sex.
Now I understand there is a big argument over what is clean fiction. What is cool and what is a no, no. I really don’t care what the groups think, as this is my own line. I also only market the “Clean” aspect of my books to the Christian bookstores; to everyone else it is just a mystery or a thriller.
I have two Mystery/Thriller novels out and a new Teen Thriller that just released. They are doing well and have made it to #1 in 3 categories on Amazon for over a year. I sell an average of 3,000-5,000 books a month online and people seem to like what I write. Does it matter that it is clean to most? Nope, to some though it is a breath of fresh air.
My advice: make a stand, draw your own line, and stick to it. Market your book like crazy—it is all about marketing. I believe my book is better because it is clean, not subpar. Believe in what you write and go for everything.
Can you be a bestseller with “Clean” fiction? Yes, if I can do it, so can you.
Aaron Patterson is the author of the bestselling WJA series as well as two Digital Shorts: 19 and The Craigslist Killer. He was homeschooled and grew up in the west. Aaron loved to read as a small child and would often be found behind a book, reading one to three a day on average. This love drove him to want to write, but he never thought he had the talent. His wife Karissa prodded him to try it and with this encouragement, he wrote Sweet Dreams, the first book in the WJA series, in 2008. Airel is his first teen series and plans for more to come are already in the works. He lives in Boise Idaho with his family, Soleil, Kale and Klayton.
Aaron Patterson
Twitter: @Mstersmith
Facebook: Aaron Patterson
Website: www.StoneHouseInk.net
Books:
Sweet Dreams
Dream On
Airel
19 (Digital Short)
The Craigslist Killer (Digital Short)
The eBook on eBooks (Digital Short)
Thanks for visiting Aaron! You hit the nail on the head, well said!
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to take a stand. Well stated!
ReplyDeleteWell, dern. I can scratch those Aaron Patterson novels off my TBR list! LOL! Kidding! I'm a big fan of Aaron's books and I respect his stand on values!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Michelle V
When I started writing it came natural not to put cuss words and sex scenes in. I got picked on A LOT by friends who said I had some sort of hang up. So what did I do? I forced a couple of sex scenes and four letter words in my books. Not only was I uncomfortable, but I didn't feel they added to the story at all.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful everyday that Stephanie has given us a home where it's okay to have our own standards. I don't mind reading a book that has a couple of four letter words, but I want my dad and my teenage son to both feel comfortable reading my work.
I hope one day I hit the 5000 book a month club...and I will feel good knowing I did it the way I wanted. Thanks for the post!
I never cared for to much swearing in books or movies, When I started writing my YA novel. My swearing was limited to very mild words, not the very offensive 4 letter words. I don't have any sex scenes, but I have alluded to to premarital sex with a couple of my characters, It so easy to do without having your characters undressed or in a scene. I do show the consequences of it. I live in a town where many high school students get pregnant while they are still in school. So though I use it as a tool to further my story into the next book, I also feel many young adults can benefit from learning the consequences of premarital sex.
ReplyDeleteI admire your policy, keep up the good work.