[sindohte]

In honor of GLT who was my writing buddy and a writer who definitely knew how to put the oomph into a story, I decided to start this thread.

There are a few writers out there, especially those who are part of the Village, who are now finding themselves at the point where they are sitting down at their computers to write a sex scene for the first time. So whether you have currently written about the beast with two backs or if you are a reader who enjoys sensual reading, what words of advice do you have to offer?

My main piece of advice is - anticipation. Let things slowly build between two (or more ) characters, so that the sexual tension takes on a palpable presence. Although a quick shag is fun and all that, drawing out the sexual tension makes for more thrilling reading imho.

[Gwenevere]

Oh! Making the beast with two backs! Sorry I don't have a comment on the topic, but I couldn't help but give you props for the Othello reference.

[sindohte]

Why thank you

[BittenBuggy]

Hmm... I am by no means a good smut writer, but what 'works' for me is imaging (in great detail --- this is the fun and potentially distracting part) your scene. Think about every action that will take place, and give it an air of sensuality, even if it is as simple as slipping the corner of a tunic off your shoulder. You don't need to describe EVERY movement at EVERY point, but attention to detail is imparitive when writing. It is the difference between this:

'The gown fell off her shoulders and pooled onto the floor.'

And this:

'The silken garmet slid down her curves, caressing her pale skin with its sensual touch and falling to the ground without a sound.'

Also, smut writers seem to think that people who read smut are stupid and don't know what REALLY occurs. Therefore, they feel the need to use the same words over and over again. Make it colorful, describe what happens but don't really describe it. Infer rather than come out and say it. It adds an air of mystery and 'fluff' if you will that is a lot more entertaining!

More shall be posted on this subject at a later date... For now, I am going to go write smut

[Scribe]

Its possible to be raunchy and tasteful at the same time. I often find writing about emotions as well as the physical mechanics of it the easiest. I also switch from perspective to perspective which perhaps gives the scene a bit more scope instead of making a one sided affair.

While clinical language is not recommended, excessive flowery language will also make the scene look ridiculous. And I don't know why having the male appendage described as 'elf hood', just make me laugh. I tend to use manhood to indicate masculinity, not race. Uh, can't think of anything else....anyone else? Do? Want to chime in on this one?

[Roisin]

I have a real problem figuring out what to call the genitalia. I don't really like the "euphemisms" you get in romance novels, but if it's too clinical it's just very flat. So to speak.

Roisin

[sindohte]

You bring up a good point BB, sensual writing should make use of the five senses - touch, taste, smell, vision, and hearing. Hmm, let me see if I can use all of the senses in a single paragraph.

He stood behind her and watched as she removed the pins from her hair. Stepping closer he wrapped his arms around her waist and inhaled the delicate scent of the lavender water she always used. She turned to face him and he laughed softly at the memory of how they had hurried upstairs without saying good night to their guests. As he kissed her, the mulled wine she had sipped druing dinner made her kisses all the sweeter.

I know that the above example is a little bit artifical since I forced myself to use all of the senses in such a short amount of space, but I always try to use between 2 to 3 of the senses whenever I write a love scene in order to make it more three dimensional.

[miriel361]

What an interesting thread....

My thoughts on the matter: I find it very difficult to write sex scenes. I have to be in the mood for it (read that anyway you want Sindohte)

The more sex scenes I write, the harder it gets because I hate repetition and writing the same thing over and over. Or at least using the same words over and over.

So then I try to write it differently and then it doesn't always work.

Hence, I have started to spin out the point at which my characters have sex and work up the tension. (except in a PWP).

Still even in a PWP, pacing is the most important thing in sex scenes. Don't rush it (unless it is a quickie)

My best sex scene (in my humble opinion) was in a different genre. It followed a theme of travelling to a foreign city and requiring a travel guide.

Sex isn't always perfect. And it isn't always earthmoving. Sometimes it is the imperfections that makes the scene.

Sometimes less is more.

[KhazarKhum]

Sometimes the less you see, the more erotic it is. Imagination is the greatest asset the reader has; and letting them use that imagination will make a scene far more thrilling and exciting than simply describing the mechanical motions of copulation.

[dolarabee]

[miriel361]

[sindohte]

Scribe and Do both mentioned the issue of perspective in a love scene. That raises some more questions for me -

1. As a female writer (since that is the gender of most of us here) is it more difficult to write from the male perspective, about the same level of difficulty as writing from the female perspective, or easier?

2. Would you choose to write from a particular perspective to convey a certain mood? In a discussion that I read recently someplace that I now forget, Viv talked about how her word choice differed when she was writing from the guy's perspective and how from the female perspective, she used more flowery sorts of terms.


Personally I don't find it any harder to write from the male vs. the female perspective. I think the reason for that is that I write with the intent that in the end, it is about satisfying the female character while the male character takes pleasure in knowing that he has pleased the female character.

I think the gender of the author can have a major impact upon the tone or ultimate goal of a love scene. I have read stories written by male authors where it is clear that the only purpose of the woman is to satisfy the man's needs. Even if these stories are technically well written they strike me as being for the most part hollow, because there is not that connection between the shared elements of the sexual experience.

Sex can be thought of like baseball. It is a team sport where you need complementary players working together like a catcher and a pitcher. A catcher by himself has no balls to catch While a pitcher without a catcher is just aiming his balls at nothing

Another thought to share - men are visual creatures, so I try to be very conscious about having male characters enjoying the sight of the female character be an important part of a scene. Even though I may skew things in that direction, paying attention to other aspects of the experience is still important.

[dolarabee]

[inglor]

Just what the doctor ordered, This is answering some questions I had.
We (males) are VERY VISUAL (hence the huge # of porn with neked women).
So lots of visual description of stuff is great.

My experience is that I have to write and then read it then add more to it, write-read, write-read, building a scene a little at a time, like building a wall with bricks, you don't throw them all up at once. Each brick has its own place and order, and must be checked that it fits properly and is aligned. And then you have to step back and check your each course to see if it is straight and level, otherwise you can build a wall, or scene in this metaphor, that just doesn't hold up and leaves the reader dissatisfied. While a well thought out and carerfully constructed scene can leave a reader flushed, breathless and looking hungrily about the house for thier significant other (or nearest cylindrical object )

To me, sex scenes are the hardest and most time consuming to get right, when they are bad they are annoying, but when they are done right, they are remembered.

Writing sex is like the act itself, done correctly, it can make up for shortcomings in the relationship or story, put if done poorly, can reduce the joy in a good relationship and make a great story just ok.

I'm done being philosophical for the day.

Inglor

[inglor]

OOPS, not yet:

As a male reader/writer I have a tendency to be more visceral, especially when there is a long build up to the actual business. BUT, I think men (at least me and my friends), more so than women, REALLY get off when their partner is enjoying the situation. When you can sit back and your partner's eyes cross, toes curl and shout things that they would be embarrassed about is better than anything. Knowing that you did that to to them is more satisfying than having it done to you. Sometimes it's an ego thing, sometimes it's a caring thing, but it is still a much more gratifying experience when you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that your partner is completely (underline, boldface, italics, !!!!) satisfied.

For instance, Oral Sex: in my experience and conversations, most women don't enjoy giving it as much men do, and enjoy recieving it more than men do

More from the male perspective as it comes to me (ew, sorry about the pun)

Inglor