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Writer identity crisis?

I know what you are, but what am I?

Any romance writers out there?  Do you ever ask yourselves, where does my writing material fall? Am I a chick lit writer? Or maybe I write contemporary? Or, is it erotic? If this is you, take a look below at a brief summary of the most popular subgenres in romance today.

Contemporary
This genre is set in present time (after World War II) and it focuses primarily on the emotional attachment between the leading characters. In contemporary romance the relationship is typically monogamous and not explicit (sexual content/language). Also, the intimacy doesn't normally deviate from the conventional. The story does have to have a HEA* for the characters, and the HEA almost always occurs in the traditional romantic sense.

This genre is set in either the present or the past. In erotic romance, both the sexual and emotional aspects of the relationship are integral to the storyline and the relationship is typically monogamous and can be explicit (sexual content/language). Also, the intimacy may be unconventional (fetish, BDSM, etc.). The story can and normally does have HEA/HFN**, and typically the HEA/HFN occurs in the traditional romantic sense.

Sensual
This genre is set in either the present or the past. In sensual romance the relationship is primary to the storyline. In sensual romance the story is spicy and steamy and the relationship is typically monogamous and not necessarily explicit (sexual content/language). Also, the intimacy may be unconventional (fetish, BDSM, etc.). The story can and normally does have HEA/HFN, and typically the HEA/HFN occurs in the traditional romantic sense.

Chick lit
This genre is set in present time (after 1970) and it focuses primarily on issues of modern womanhood topics which are often addressed humorously. Some chick lit authors weave elements of romance into their novels, but chick lit is not generally considered a subcategory of the romance genre. In chick lit the story can and normally does have HEA/HFN.
*Happily ever after
**Happy for now

There you have it friends, a quick and dirty overview!
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