Thank you for presenting this material. It should certainly help those writing sex scenes.
Of course, with "darker" romances -- e.g., those involving kink, and more specifically those with hard-core sadomasochism -- some of the "rules" do not necessarily apply. Moreover, while so many experts bleat that we must "show, don't tell," it is rather difficult to present certain details without an explanation. Moreover, some readers will inevitably be "horrified" by what is described.
I'm not sure what to make of your comment about keeping it physically "possible." While many people may deem certain responses "impossible," a given minority will have first-hand experiences that support and validate the fictional scenes.
Nevertheless, even with the less orthodox approaches to sex, I am quite certain authors have much to glean from this entry. Again, gratitude!
As I explained in my first paragraph, you have to know your reader. Reader's expectations prevail. Sometimes, you read certain sex scenes that are physically impossible, say, a sex scene that involves having intercourse against the wall. Unless the guy is built like a linebacker and has extreme endurance, the chance of him holding you against the wall with your legs wrapped around him for enough time to get off is not likely to happen without some apparatus (sling). Still, I've read sex scenes where it happens all the time. I think one of the videos also mentions this. Again, the idea that a woman can orgasm easily without some clitoral stimulation is also a bit far-fetched. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's not likely to occur with someone she just met. Not that I would scream, fake, fake, fake, but probably. The only rule that does apply to darker stuff is still consent, and there are still ways to weave in description with emotion so the description does not overtake the scene as you do in your books. 👌
Your blog always gives me something to think about. Thanks for the info.
Thank you for presenting this material. It should certainly help those writing sex scenes.
Of course, with "darker" romances -- e.g., those involving kink, and more specifically those with hard-core sadomasochism -- some of the "rules" do not necessarily apply. Moreover, while so many experts bleat that we must "show, don't tell," it is rather difficult to present certain details without an explanation. Moreover, some readers will inevitably be "horrified" by what is described.
I'm not sure what to make of your comment about keeping it physically "possible." While many people may deem certain responses "impossible," a given minority will have first-hand experiences that support and validate the fictional scenes.
Nevertheless, even with the less orthodox approaches to sex, I am quite certain authors have much to glean from this entry. Again, gratitude!
Hi Ellen, I'm glad. They give me something to think about too!
As I explained in my first paragraph, you have to know your reader. Reader's expectations prevail. Sometimes, you read certain sex scenes that are physically impossible, say, a sex scene that involves having intercourse against the wall. Unless the guy is built like a linebacker and has extreme endurance, the chance of him holding you against the wall with your legs wrapped around him for enough time to get off is not likely to happen without some apparatus (sling). Still, I've read sex scenes where it happens all the time. I think one of the videos also mentions this. Again, the idea that a woman can orgasm easily without some clitoral stimulation is also a bit far-fetched. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's not likely to occur with someone she just met. Not that I would scream, fake, fake, fake, but probably. The only rule that does apply to darker stuff is still consent, and there are still ways to weave in description with emotion so the description does not overtake the scene as you do in your books. 👌
So pleased you included resources to amp up our game!