𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝

EP - 04

SMUTPAD?

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Is Wattpad an equivalent to "Smutpad"?

Have stories that are 99% smut, 1% plot overshadowed the ones that actually deserve some recognition? Whose fault is that-writers or readers? Buckle up, because that's just one of today's questions.

First, what exactly is "smut"?

It's a buzzword on Wattpad, but what does it actually mean, and how did it end up here? Let's break it down.

Traditionally, if a book has long and descriptive intimate scenes that overshadow everything else, it falls under what many consider "smut."
Those unfamiliar with reading often describe smut as "paperback pornography."

But who faces the actual criticism? Writers in the erotica genre-a genre with a long history in literature.

Erotica, though, is not the same as writing a user manual for physical intimacy. It's meant to capture why intimacy matters, engaging readers emotionally and intellectually.

Somewhere along the way, though, nuanced erotica turned into mainstream smut. And now, ironically, readers who aren't interested in smut are the ones getting side-eyed, as if they've got outdated tastes.

As I learned more about erotica, I found there's a distinction between "spicy" books and smut. A spicy book strikes a balance, blending romance, emotion, and steamy scenes, but not making those scenes the sole focus.

Well-written intimacy in stories can reveal character depth, desires, and nuances, helping readers connect with characters in meaningful ways.

However, excessive smut can sometimes overshadow the story, leading to unrealistic portrayals of intimacy. Including explicit scenes doesn't automatically improve a book's quality.

Truly memorable stories are driven by plot, well-crafted characters, and thoughtful themes, not by explicit scenes alone. Personally, the best romantic tension in books is the kind that makes readers feel invested in the buildup, rooting for that moment of connection without an overload of explicit content.

It makes me wonder-what exactly are young readers absorbing, especially when many of these stories feature dynamics that wouldn't exactly win awards for "healthy relationships"?

When these books lean on harmful stereotypes, they end up setting up problematic expectations for young, easily led readers.

As readers and writers, we have some responsibility when young minds are soaking up all these 'dark' relationships.

Are we normalizing unhealthy dynamics by romanticizing them in our stories? I know I might've dabbled in these darker reads myself, but that doesn't mean we should lead others down the same path without caution.