The word fervor’s definition is 1. great warmth, passion, or earnestness of feeling or 2. intense heat.

According to the Romance Writers of America, “Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending.” Both the conflict and the climax of the novel should be directly related to that core theme of developing a romantic relationship, although the novel can also contain subplots that do not specifically relate to the main characters’ romantic love. Other definitions of a romance novel may be broader, including other plots and endings or more than two people, or narrower, restricting the types of romances or conflicts.’ The author will show the reader two main character’s fervor for each other, but along the way create a conflict ensuring the love element is hard won in one way or another.

As many of us know there is a large TikTok following of ‘spicy’ romance currently. Themes can be of alternative creatures, mafia dons, stalkers, arranged marriages, etc. There doesn’t seem to be any limit to what happens within the pages, there is certainly a lot of fervor. Some will argue it is refeshing to be able to write and read ‘anything’, while others have reservations. Whichever side you are on, there is always a choice to read or not read such content.

I am currently writing a ‘spicy’ romance and while researching the current hot novels have been overwhelmed by the intensity of their following as well as the content. What we read and are comfortable with is as varied as the people we are, and so is the current content with novels which have pages of trigger warnings! As an author is is exciting to write without limits, although restricted to your own limitations, or pushing pass them!

So the questions are:

Is there a topic or theme too far, too degrading, too explicit?

Should there be limitations brought on content?

Who would police the content and how?

Does it really matter – it is after all just fiction?

Fantasties are just titillations for the mind right?

What is your view on smut?