Trouble With The Sex Scene
Show not tell. Show not tell.
Oh I see it now. Good Lord!
**Let this be a warning that this content is not appropriate for readers under 18 years old. I know I wouldn't like it if my kid was reading this!**
I'm not even going to pretend I know all the ins and outs (no pun intended) of what makes a good sex scene. I know what feels good. I know what I like to read in a good sex scene, you know...what I consider to be a turn on. Here are few things I oonsider when I get ready to explore some sexy time with my characters!
1. Eye contact during sex is hot, and intense, and scary, and romantical. There is a lot of room to play with emotions of characters when they are looking into each others eyes as they bang each others brains out.
2. I'm not a doctor and I don't find it interesting let alone sexy to describe the "mechanical" aspect of sex. Blood rushing, body parts throbbing, sweat pouring, iron hard, squishy and soft, you get the idea. When I close my eyes I want to see them doing the damn thing. Not; he inserted part A into slot B. No thanks.
3. What are we in 5th grade? Yes, I know what a penis is , and I think that they are awesome. And yes, I know what a vagina is, because well, I'm a girl. Now If you read adult fiction with people that have sex in it, then you know damn well what a penis, vagina, and if you're real naughty an anus is. Sorry, those names don't have a lot of sex appeal. I see those words in a book and I start looking over my shoulder for Sister Mary Margaret to come marching down the aisle to rap my knuckles with a ruler for giggling. Go on, get dirty. Schools out.
4. Nothing wrong with missionary. I'm just saying! It can be hot as hell, or a total snooze depending on how you show it. Missionary is lovely when the characters are all in love and doing it all nice and sweet. Especially when the hero has some making up to do. There are plenty of opportunties to get thrown against the wall or bent over the hood of a car OFTEN. Mix it up!
Writing a good sex scene isn't easy. When I'm settling down to write one, I like to set the mood. I get into my most comfortable sweats and fuzzy socks and relax on my couch with my laptop. I might light a few candles, and put on some music. I think about how much my characters want each other. And then I let them go for it. And afterwards I cry because I'm still single and living vicariously through two imaginary people I conjured up in my head. Sad, ain't it?
