Writing explicit scenes in fantasy

[Galacticdefender]

I don't generally write sex scenes. I write the emotions leading up to it, but then I pretty much cut off to something like describing the sunset and imply what the characters are doing. I don't think the act itself is very important in a story. (in my story anyway, the characters confessing their love for each other is the main goal of the scene, and sex is pretty much just implied.) It's not that it makes me feel uncomfortable, it's simply that I don't find it important enough to actually describe in detail.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

And that's the point, Galacticd, in a nutshell. If it's central to your book and character's, it should be in, if not least said soonest mended. It did stay in my book in two scenes, the first to cement a relationship, show an element to the characters not shown otherwise, the second because it was the central relationship to the book and the intimacy had to be seen to make the pathos of the ending really impact.

Or maybe I just like writing smut...

 

[Gumboot]

My style has always been apologetically graphic. So if there's violence it's graphic. If there's sex, it's graphic. Having said that, what I've found is that in the rewrites I tend to tone back the graphic description heavily, and not out of any sort of prudishness (heck, I work on "Spartacus", I'm about as desensitised as you can get!) but just because I find on re-reading it can slow things down and get confusing. I tend to keep things as graphic, but I'll reduce my description to one or two key moments instead of describing a blow by blow account.

My biggest problem is describing the ah... appropriate... anatomy and so forth, because I find the correct names to just sound too clinical and modern but if you get into those weird metaphors that's when you're in romance novel territory. I'm sorry, but no one owns a "love tunnel" except perhaps a circus ride owner.

 

[J-WO]

Next time any of you rock the kasbah, remember to keep a pen and notebook on the bedside table.

 

[Warren_Paul]

My style has always been apologetically graphic. So if there's violence it's graphic. If there's sex, it's graphic. Having said that, what I've found is that in the rewrites I tend to tone back the graphic description heavily, and not out of any sort of prudishness (heck, I work on "Spartacus", I'm about as desensitised as you can get!) but just because I find on re-reading it can slow things down and get confusing. I tend to keep things as graphic, but I'll reduce my description to one or two key moments instead of describing a blow by blow account.

My biggest problem is describing the ah... appropriate... anatomy and so forth, because I find the correct names to just sound too clinical and modern but if you get into those weird metaphors that's when you're in romance novel territory. I'm sorry, but no one owns a "love tunnel" except perhaps a circus ride owner.

The trick to writing sex scenes is not to actually describe the anatomy, especially for the lower parts. just use Him, or Her.

As for writing it graphic then cutting it down in the edit, that's normal, for everything, I believe. Many authors tend to overwrite their first drafts then cut words out. I've taken 30k words out over my whole manuscript so far.

On a side note: Do I understand you correctly that you just said you write screenplays for Spartacus?

 

[HareBrain]

The trick to writing sex scenes is not to actually describe the anatomy, especially for the lower parts. just use Him, or Her.

Er, I'm not sure you intended this to come across as it does.

"She looked at him. And then she looked down, at Him."

 

[AnyaKimlin]

Her hand wrapped round his him.

 

[TheTomG]

Too funny! Laughing my him off (the usage applies to all lower areas, right?)

 

[Ursa major]

Don't laugh too hard: we don't want to have to call for a hearse.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

if he laughs too hard would that make Tom a Stiff Him ? (sorry! I am procrastinating)

 

[Grimbear]

Use the right names, people. It avoids confusion and/or hilarity.

Richard Morgan has a lot of sex in his books. eg 'The Steel Remains'.

Don't think he ever avoids using the right names or relying on euphemism.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

I do grok a good euphemism.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

Euphemisms are the life blood of some of my stuff lol

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Next time any of you rock the kasbah, remember to keep a pen and notebook on the bedside table.

If you've got time to take notes, then you're not doing it right!

 

[Gumboot]

On a side note: Do I understand you correctly that you just said you write screenplays for Spartacus?

No, I'm an Assistant Director on Spartacus. Writing is just a hobby. For now...

 

[Warren_Paul]

Er, I'm not sure you intended this to come across as it does.

"She looked at him. And then she looked down, at Him."

Yeah, your right, not how I intended it.

see end of post

Too funny! Laughing my him off (the usage applies to all lower areas, right?)

Ha ha, laugh it up...

Her hand wrapped round his him.

Very funny, now just take the 'his' out and you have how many romance novels write it.

"Her hand wrapped around him".



But hey, at least I gave us all something to laugh about

 

[Jo Zebedee]

That's what it's all about WP. And I'm still laughing.

 

[J-WO]

If you've got time to take notes, then you're not doing it right!

The trickiest part is keeping the laptop steady.

 

[Susan Boulton]

The trickiest part is keeping the laptop steady.

*Chuckle.*

Watching Boardwalk Empire can help

 

[hopewrites]

Next time any of you rock the kasbah, remember to keep a pen and notebook on the bedside table.

funny story about that... no, wait... cant share. if i take out the bits i cant say the rest doesnt make sense.
to sum up, there is a way to do that correctly. you need your partners consent, and only write after the cool-down-cuddle.