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When writing a story, I form a mental picture of a love scene. The more erotic, the better. I want to transfer my mental picture to the readers in words. If scenes don’t come clear enough in my head and I continue with the love scene, I’m unsure if I’m leaving my readers hanging wondering what’s going on.
Sometimes it takes me a day or two to get the right image and make sure the description of a love scene isn’t vague. That’s what it’s all about when you write. Giving enjoyment to the reader and taking them along for the journey whether it’s in the bedroom, or an office setting.
I like to think my readers feel something when I put emotions into a heated argument between my characters, or an erotic bedroom scene. This is my whole purpose in entertaining even though it’s only for a short while until they finish the book.
In the back of my mind, I’m hoping they enjoy the first read so much, they’ll glance at it the second time. That’s when you know you’ve succeeded as a writer. The five little words I couldn’t put it down is music to an author’s ears.
Is this how you feel as a writer in conveying such realistic scenes that the reader can’t put the book down? And here’s a question for the readers out there that are reading this blog. Do you feel a writer goes into enough detail in love scenes and other scenes in the story to give you an emotional impact that remains with you long after finishing the book?
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12 comments:
For me a love/sex scene is more like a work in progress. I start it off and, as a true pantzer, follow my erotic mind. Usually I revisit the scene and add things. A love scene is flexible and can take additions and deletions, especially from an emotive standpoint. It's slow work--the slowest part of a book.
I laugh at the writers who won't write sex scenes and denigrate authors that do. I say give it a try and then we'll see how good a writer you really are.
Ciao
When I'm writing a sex scene I have to immerse myself in the character, see the experience from their viewpoint with their thoughts and reactions. Almost as if I'm asking them, "What do you feel now? What's happening now?" Because if I can get that perspective down "on paper," then I can pass it along for the reader to experience as well.
Great post, Mary Suzanne.
Thanks for commenting, Dee.
I'm the half of a writing team and I write all the short. very erotic books. The other half of Mary Suzanne contributes to the longer novels with the love scenes less graphic.
She told me she's not comfortable writing erotic scenes that are so hot the page sometimes smokes. I guess that's where we're different.
If I can give my readers enjoyment, I try to write what I'd enjoy reading whether the sexual content is very X-rated and only for an adult audience.
Thanks, Jenna.
After writing a sexual scene, I reread what I've written a little later for editing.
If I can feel my emotions connected to the sexual encounter I've described on the pages, I'm hoping anyone buying the book will feel the same reacttion.
Well-written erotic scenes can really put a zing into the reading experience, but not if it's over-done. Too many can get in the way of the plot, and if there are waaay to many, then they cease to be erotic and become farcical.
I've read a 100,000 plus novel that, if the unnecessary sex scenes were cut out, it would have made a nicely paced, hot novella. As it was, by the time I was less than half way through, I was thinking, 'oh, no, not again!' It was as if the author [a wellknown and much published author] had a checklist of Kama Sutra positions and was ticking them off - not erotic, not titilating, just plain boring :(
Chris,
I know what you mean. The story shouldn't be overshadowed by the sex scenes. Let the plot flow and if a sex scene is needed at a certain point, by all means put it there.
Thanks for commenting, Chris.
I've always appreciated a good love scene in my books, especially if they're well written I love a good steamy scene between the hero and heroine but I'm also very fond of sweet loves scenes.
I've been reasonably satisfied with most of the books that I've read love scene wise, hopefully I'll never read a book where there are sex scenes that don't really have to be there.
Gabby,
You're right, a good love scene with emotion and detail gives a reader more enjoyment.
When I wrote the blog, it wasn't about how many love scenes that are in a book, but how I want to get across the images and emotions I'm feeling while writing those love scenes. I hope I've succeeded in all the stories I've written.
Thanks so much for commenting.
I love menage scenes because they're so enjoyable to write. I just finished a m/m/m scene and I agree with you that the more explicit, the better with seductive imagery and lots of emotion between the characters. Getting all that across in a menage can be a challenge but it's doable. Thanks for a great blog post!
Thanks, Lizzie for commenting.
I agree about trying to convey an emotional image to the reader. I believe this makes the read so much more enjoyable.
Mary - great post. I go along with every comment, but really resonate with Jenna - who asks her characters 'what do you feel now?' The sex scenes are one of my favorite parts to write...I can really allow the passion to soar...and like other's here, I like to go back and remove what is overkill and embellish the emotional connection.
Thank you Mary.
Kay Dee Royal,
Thanks so much for commenting. Like you, I love to write sex scenes. I'm always hoping I transfer my images and emotions into my love scenes.
I go back later and check what I've written so that I can change and edit to make a more emotional scene for my reader.
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