gonna talk on this post because some buds on another platform had questions and its been some time since i talked on this issue so here goes. basic statement is this: my erotica books are not a joke, or a parody of romance, or 'intentionally bad'. they are sincere art. i am not doing a 'bit' - ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

chucktingle.bsky.social • 22 hours ago

gonna talk on this post because some buds on another platform had questions and its been some time since i talked on this issue so here goes. basic statement is this: my erotica books are not a joke, or a parody of romance, or 'intentionally bad'. they are sincere art. i am not doing a 'bit'

Reposted from Chuck Tingle

what now?

Comments

kwooten.bsky.social•22 hours ago

Anyone who has read your books would know how much they prove love! I appreciate your writing and your way.

evilmam.bsky.social•22 hours ago

Like people trying to copy the enduring success of Abba by making deliberately campy trash. No sincerity = no lasting joy. Same with the B-52's. Sincerely joyful freaky artists. Dirty Back Road? Fabulous. People being 'freaky', no thank you.

elfherself.bsky.social•20 hours ago

In fanfic, we tag things like that "crack treated seriously."

The base premise of "falling in love with a toaster" is funny. "Sentient motorcyclist dinosaur shows up at your local cafe—to flirt with you" is funny.

And after that, the stories are just romance fics, and that's why they work.

sammcquail.bsky.social•22 hours ago

You are undoubtedly one of the most genuine writers I've ever come across. And in a world that's largely been consumed by ironic and post-ironic sentiment, that is a blessing. Keep on trotting.

exmemoriam.bsky.social•22 hours ago

Also:

For something to be *intentionally* bad, it has to be bad in the first place.

jheijndermans.bsky.social•22 hours ago

I never thought you were doing a bit. My own first erotic book started out as a grim joke, until I made it erotic on a dare by a friend, and found myself recapturing the joy of writing.
I don't think any art is just a gag. There's always something of the creator in there.

abbeystbrendan.com•21 hours ago

Agree, and also this does remain true of comedy, even gags.

I've created a few little comedy shows, and every one of them was riddled stem to stern with my perspective and sense of humor. It cannot be otherwise – and those who try to avoid putting themselves in the art will create only slop.

jheijndermans.bsky.social•21 hours ago

Sometimes, you even do it by accident/unintentionally. I've had people pick up my books, then message me "are you okay? is there anything we can do", and it turns out the headspace I was in was…far from great.
How I ended up with 'writer of sad smut' label...

abbeystbrendan.com•21 hours ago

Oh yes. Every time. That's why the choice is 'make slop' vs 'put yourself in it'. If you don't make slop... you're in there. Like it or not.

Hence: the only thing to do is know it and steer it.

perlandria.bsky.social•21 hours ago

I have a friend who is too tender-hearted to get current events directly. It hurts them. Your books are so current and the titles are so evocative that we use them as a way to mirror events to my friend in a kind way. Thank you for transforming reality into silly love.

5eadubbz.bsky.social•21 hours ago

yourpalroachie.bsky.social•22 hours ago

it's wild people still think that because Harriet Porber made me care a lot about a living motorcycle woman. I feel like something written ironically for a bit wouldn't hit like that

chromorbid.bsky.social•21 hours ago

I don't even read your books but I honestly have never gotten the "it's a bit" interpretation from your works at all. too many of the titles feel like a visceral cry into the void for love in strange or sad places. as a disabled pervert I understand

chucktingle.bsky.social•22 hours ago

in fact if it were up to me i would not even file them as comedy. there are elements of humor that i lean into from time to time, and my characters say funny things, BUT THE CORE FEATURE to me is not humor. i would call them magical realism, experimental erotica, surrealist, or post-dada.

chucktingle.bsky.social•22 hours ago

THAT SAID i understand why people find them funny. that reaction is a totally fine trot and it has built up a huge fan base of buckaroos. i am happy to bring joy to this timeline in any way it comes, and the assumptions of some huge comedy bit make sense. it ends up a trojan horse for my message

tomforsyth.bsky.social•22 hours ago

Reminds me of Terry Pratchett's writing. It's effective! Good on you.

chucktingle.bsky.social•22 hours ago

i think thats why books that try to copy my erotica success usually fail to find an audience, because most of the time its someone who sees what im doing and copies the wrong part. long term, it does not work as a joke. it does not work if its mean spirited. the key is sincerity, which you cant fake

theheartoftoast.bsky.social•21 hours ago

Thank you for writing this thread. Sincerity is what it's all about, we need more people to embrace all the weird stuff and be unapologetic about it. Art is beautiful and strange and personal, follow Chuck's message and let your heart shine.

chucktingle.bsky.social•22 hours ago

so every so often i get angry folks sayin 'chuck tingle doin his BAD EROTICA bit still' and its so funny to me because i can FEEL their frustration that this 'joke' has become so popular. theyre SO confused why, but the answer is sitting right in front of them. its successful because its not a joke

chucktingle.bsky.social•22 hours ago

anyway i talk on this sometimes because it is interesting, and HOW WONDERFUL it is to build interesting art, but also i hope that other creators who can see this example and find confidence in their own UNIQUE TROT. there is so much power when you let sincerity guide your creation. LOVE IS REAL

trickyc66.bsky.social•21 hours ago

Thanks for this bud; I understand we are all operating under a framework that likes to assign things as SERIOUS or NOT SERIOUS based on how comfortable it is to DOMINANT CULTURAL NARRATIVES but dang if SHARED BY THE CHOCOLATE MILK COWBOYS doesn't get me crying REAL serious tears every time dang 🥹

kylenne.etheirys.social•22 hours ago

world’s greatest author 💜 thank you chuck. we always need this way.

lonesiekarp.bsky.social•21 hours ago

every time i second guess myself writing something, i remember that no one is going to experience it the same way. i can write it because i have a story i want to tell in my way and i can only hope that it resonates with someone else too.

gureito.bsky.social•22 hours ago

i have yet to read any of your books. but i keep them close: my treat to myself on the day i am able to accept enough of me to really appreciate them. meanwhile, i laugh at your covers, and cry at the blurbs, but in sheer *release*. the little bits of joy that break free at seeing you being YOU.

yukiepants.bsky.social•22 hours ago

THANK YOU FOR THIS THREAD

ravenkane.bsky.social•19 hours ago

You are an inspiration and an incredible author Chuck! I wish more people could realize that even things with humor mixed with erotica can have deep personal meanings and messages. Keep making the art you want to make.