Romance Writers Love Their Sex (Scenes)...Especially This One
Call it perverted, or sick, or sexually obsessed.
But I am one Romance Writer who loves to write sex scenes.
I think this may be one of the biggest perks of romance writing. To spend an evening with your hot male character, who you've built lovingly into the world's most perfect man (but not too perfect...he has to infuriate the romantic heroine as well. Not just woo her)...
With a glass of champagne by your side, you lovingly caress your keyboard...you stroke those keys like you would a lover...the words spilling out onto the page in a hot, sensual, steamy way...
Sigh. This is bliss. This is my idea of a good night.
To get 'in the mood', all I need is some pink champagne, some flickering candles, some sexy music on the headphones (perhaps JT...he's got some sexy songs, that boy)...
And my hero and heroine. Then I'm all set.
In fact, if I don't watch myself, and hold myself back, my novel soon becomes one filled with sex scenes...
The hero is reaching for the cereal box in the kitchen...
And suddenly there's a sex scene (must be good cereal).
The heroine is kicking some ghostly butt...
And suddenly there's a sex scene (kinky).
A murder is about to occur...I've set the scene up, all ready for the 'kill scene'...
And suddenly the so-called killer is acting all strangely romantic and sensual ('Hello!' I shout at my keyboard. 'You were supposed to wrap a rope around her neck...not smother her in kisses! That's it, I'm outta here.'
Oh, wait. That's Inner Critic shouting that line. Sometimes she's not such a bitch, after all. Sometimes she's quite helpful).
I have to curb my, er, sensual enthusiasms, and control myself (quite hard to do sometimes...oh dear Lord, there's that word again.)
Otherwise my novel turns into erotica, and clearly my novel is romantic suspense, with a dash of paranormal (at least, the Kit series is. My other novels are more straight romantic suspense).
I've come to the conclusion that three sex scenes, perhaps four (but more often than not, I'm thinking four is too many), are the perfect amount to set the book on fire.
I know that I, as a reader, enjoy my sex scenes, too, but not in excess. Even though I'm guilty of falling into the (sex) trap, I can't stand it when a book I'm enjoying suddenly falls into multiple (appropriate word here) sex scenes.
I like action aplenty in the books I read, as well as romance and suspense, perhaps a bit of horror thrown in...
But too many sex scenes and I'm turned off, would you believe.
So I've carried over this principle, and my reactions to other people's books, to my own writing. Too much really is too much sometimes.
I believe sexual tension, or romantic tension (same thing to me), can even replace an entire sex scene. In fact, sometimes I'm a little disappointed when my characters actually get around to 'the deed.'
Nothing beats the heat, the build-up, the lead-up to 'the event.'
Unfortunately, the sexual depravities of the romance writer gets too much sometimes, and you just can't help yourself. Suddenly there's sex scenes galore.
Perhaps a couple of erotica books under my belt won't be such a bad thing??
But I am one Romance Writer who loves to write sex scenes.
I think this may be one of the biggest perks of romance writing. To spend an evening with your hot male character, who you've built lovingly into the world's most perfect man (but not too perfect...he has to infuriate the romantic heroine as well. Not just woo her)...
With a glass of champagne by your side, you lovingly caress your keyboard...you stroke those keys like you would a lover...the words spilling out onto the page in a hot, sensual, steamy way...
Sigh. This is bliss. This is my idea of a good night.
To get 'in the mood', all I need is some pink champagne, some flickering candles, some sexy music on the headphones (perhaps JT...he's got some sexy songs, that boy)...
And my hero and heroine. Then I'm all set.
In fact, if I don't watch myself, and hold myself back, my novel soon becomes one filled with sex scenes...
The hero is reaching for the cereal box in the kitchen...
And suddenly there's a sex scene (must be good cereal).
The heroine is kicking some ghostly butt...
And suddenly there's a sex scene (kinky).
A murder is about to occur...I've set the scene up, all ready for the 'kill scene'...
And suddenly the so-called killer is acting all strangely romantic and sensual ('Hello!' I shout at my keyboard. 'You were supposed to wrap a rope around her neck...not smother her in kisses! That's it, I'm outta here.'
Oh, wait. That's Inner Critic shouting that line. Sometimes she's not such a bitch, after all. Sometimes she's quite helpful).
I have to curb my, er, sensual enthusiasms, and control myself (quite hard to do sometimes...oh dear Lord, there's that word again.)
Otherwise my novel turns into erotica, and clearly my novel is romantic suspense, with a dash of paranormal (at least, the Kit series is. My other novels are more straight romantic suspense).
I've come to the conclusion that three sex scenes, perhaps four (but more often than not, I'm thinking four is too many), are the perfect amount to set the book on fire.
I know that I, as a reader, enjoy my sex scenes, too, but not in excess. Even though I'm guilty of falling into the (sex) trap, I can't stand it when a book I'm enjoying suddenly falls into multiple (appropriate word here) sex scenes.
I like action aplenty in the books I read, as well as romance and suspense, perhaps a bit of horror thrown in...
But too many sex scenes and I'm turned off, would you believe.
So I've carried over this principle, and my reactions to other people's books, to my own writing. Too much really is too much sometimes.
I believe sexual tension, or romantic tension (same thing to me), can even replace an entire sex scene. In fact, sometimes I'm a little disappointed when my characters actually get around to 'the deed.'
Nothing beats the heat, the build-up, the lead-up to 'the event.'
Unfortunately, the sexual depravities of the romance writer gets too much sometimes, and you just can't help yourself. Suddenly there's sex scenes galore.
Perhaps a couple of erotica books under my belt won't be such a bad thing??
I need a tissue and a ciggy.
Motherhood
To Federline,
That was gross. I need a bucket to throw up in.
K.L.
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Love the imagary this conjures up !!!
I too am a lover of writing sex scenes. I love lying in bed at night and planning the next erotic, sensual or just plain dirty scene I'm going to write.
Love it.
I don't even use all of them, sometimes I plan them just for fun.
One of the perks of the job I suppose!!!
Time for me to go now and plan my next erotic scene.
Life is sooooo hard sometimes.
A.H.
The Voices in my Head
Well, now you have done it. *giggle*You used S-E-X in the title, along with perverted, sick and S-E-X-ually obsessed. I was offended. Then I clicked on the title, you know, to make sure I was offended. I read it thoroughly, twice, and yes, I am definitely offended. I can't believe how much you talked about the S-E-X. *giggle*
I, for one, do not like to read books that have the S-E-X in them, where all they talk about are bulging man parts, and receptive women parts to the bulging man parts...*oh the horror.* *giggle*
Please refrain in the future from such use of the word S-E-X, it makes some people very uncomfortable. Especially me, because now that I have read your post five times, you know, just to be sure I am reallllllly offended...well, I am. *wink*
Sex it up, you lil' vixen!
Voices~
Rugby World Cup 2007
Is this hard to write? I mean...is it all it's cracked up to be?
Cherry Angel...I cannot wait to read 'Betrayal'.
I'll be back. I'm all a flutter now and cannot come up with a single quip...
Good to have you back my Angel sis
Dusk
Motherhood
A.H.
As a fellow romance writer, and fellow Angel...
Of course you like sex. It's only natural.
It is definately the most fun aspect of romance writing...everything else about it is...er...hard.
I, too, have many scrapped sex scenes. Perhaps we should bring them all together, and make another book???
The Angel's Guide to Hot Sex (Scenes).
Erotic fiction is the new romance novel, you know. All the insider's talk about it (I'm on the outside, eavesdropping, you see).
Your Fellow Depraved Romance Writer,
K.L.
Motherhood
To Voices,
I love what you said. I am still laughing about it!
(Bulging man parts...that was the real kicker)
That leads me to reveal it is very, um, hard (that damn word again! The Romance Writer can not escape it! It follows her around, like a sick puppy dog), to come up with sentences regarding male anatomy. Very, very hard (whoops...can't help myself).
It's all fun, though. All good, clean fun (or dirty fun. Whichever way you look at it!).
I hope I can offend you some more another time, Voices (wink). I'm on a controversial roll at the moment.
At first I was sad, now I seem to be rolling around in it ('At first I was afraid, I was petrified...')
(Sorry. This is no sleep last night and no caffeine yet. Not a good combo)
K.L.
Motherhood
My Golden Dusk,
As long as I can heat up some ladies, then I must still be a Romantic Writer, after all.
(Was there any doubt? I'm back, baby. I'm back!)
Obviously, women are the number one readers of romance novels, particularly the ones leading more to erotica (the new romance, as I've already predicted...or stole from hearing murmurings in the publishing industry).
A little trivia for you...did you know I've been published in men's mags for erotic fiction? Twice...was asked for more, but the pay wasn't up to my standards (it was less than 5c, you see).
This actually reminds me of my stepmother informing my 80-year-old grandparents of this...at my father's 50th.
There was sudden silence, then my Grandpa asked me for some sex tips.
I think I died laughing. I think we all did.
See? Everybody wants a little sex...
(Perhaps should not have said that...cannot help but feel somebody out there will disagree with that).
Much love, my Angel,
K.L.
Rugby World Cup 2007
Everybody wants a lot of sex!!!!
Just ask Grandpa!
Cherry my sweet...you're on fire...
Dusk
Horrorphile
Oned of the best sex scenes I've ever read in a novel was in a sf-crime novel called Altered Carbon - extraordinary book indeed - by Richard Morgan. In it the anti-hero gets it on with the woman of the man whom hired him for a investigative job. This is in the future where the rich can have themselves "re-sleeved" (when their body is badly damaged or gets to old and frail they have their cortical stack removed, which is then kept on ice and then re-inserted into a new fresh body). So this woman is a couple of hundred years old, yet is in the body of a svelte 20-something. She's then had the body chemically-genetically enhanced so that when she is aroused she secretes pure amphetamine (it is in her saliva, sweat, lovejuices) ... So when she is making love with someone the experience becomes intensely euphoric. Pretty wild stuff! And very well written, explicit, yet concise and erotic.
The Voices in my Head
In all seriousness...I will pay you good money to write a post on the problem you just described about finding suitable descriptions for bulging man parts and ask everyone to help you out.
It would be on the popular list for DAYS, people would then write posts about your post and how it offended them, traffic would skyrocket from people wanting to see if they should, in fact, be offended and if you use the right keywords, Google will have all sex stuff up there and there would be clicking in every direction...It would be the largest payout Orble ever had to do!
It's a plan. I should be an agent instead of a writer..lol
(Seriously, write the post...PLEASE?!) *giggle*
Voices~
Celebrity Obsession
I used to hate writing sex scenes. Now I LOVE them too!
Laurell K Hamilton writes some very very steamy lovescenes. Considering that the involve werewolves who sometimes shapeshift during sex (which involves a lot of ickiness) and a fair bit of S&M type stuff she does a great job making them extremely erotic.
KylieW
Horrorphile
the werewolves sound very intriguing!!! i'm gonna do the second horror quiz on werwolves ... Are Hamilton's novels horror??
It reminded me of a screenplay I want to write about this idea that werewolves are in fact homosexual (both sexes), and only copulate with the opposite sex for procreation. The story centres around a young man and woman who are werewolves and discover they are intensely attracted to each other, and the consequences from the affair they embark on (ie within the lycanthropic community) .... I'm gonna call it Hot-Blooded .... A forbidden bond, a dark affair, a hirsute romance ... A howl and a whine and I'm after you.
V8 Supercar Pitstop
A.H.
V8 Supercar Pitstop
The Angel's Guide to Hot Sex (Scenes).
Bugger, that's the best title for a book I've heard in years. Imagine how well it would sell !!
Something for the future, hey?
A.H.
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I have read Betrayal the middle-bit-somewhere and think it has the makings of a great novel, K.L. It needs editing, but that's what editors are paid (handsomely) to do...isn't it?
This post is interesting too, because in my own book there are sex scenes that I must circumnavigate... like most writers I have read a variety of ways in depicting the amorous bulging and panting scenes, but sad to say, without any enthusiasm in actually finding a way of portraying said activity to my satisfaction.
I have driven myself mad with questions: What am I trying to make the reader feel, happy, hum-drum or horny? Because my novel is using a subjective charatoer plot... what did I feel... I say 'did' becuase I have been married for 16 years...*lol* Seriously, though I have found that no matter the focus my words become erotica, no matter which way I take it... because I cannot write Fabio-style portrayals of said activity, where as Voices so rightly says, everything is bulging about the place in a really ridiculous fashion... I think passionate interludes are amongst the hardest things to write about...
I guess you've just got to write about it as you 'feel' and then that takes the whole piece of work into another genre where publishing is concerned... I blame the publishers because they want everything so pigeon-holed... But recently in good advise I gave to a friend I suggested looking at nature for new descriptions of natural said-activity... (I'm not going to say that word regarldess)...*lol* or whom I said it too...
I hope the humour that is meant in this comment comes through the written typeface...I have already been blasted and told off today for having an opinion... it seems to be a trend lately....(?)
Lilla...
PS sorry if I haven't framed my sentences properly, or put the right verbs in the right places, I drank a few Pina Colada's last night at Tracy's Orble party and slept under a tree... after strumming my guitar and eating some exotic flowers with Lily...
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Aah yes, for what it's worth I think your semi-sex scene in Betrayal (in the middle) that I read was smoking and I think you captured the 'heat' really, really well. I loved the supernatuiral interuption... but loved it! It's hard to say whether she should have protested more because I haven't read the rest...(?)
As I said, it needs editing to tidy up some of the loose corners, (and I say that in a professional capacity as an ex-editor)... becuase the plot and storyline is really solid... I think it is a corker K.L. and I really hope you do pursue it.
Cheers
Lilla...
Joe Blogg's Blog
manchesterunited
collingwoodfootballclub
Bulging man parts:
The swollen menace
The bacon torpedo
The angry bishop
The crumpet trumpet
The veiny Dick Chaney
The beef jerky
The pink winker
The lateral thinker
Motherhood
To KylieW,
I had to reply to you first, cause I've been meaning to share with you that I've picked up the first Anita Blake book in Laurell K Hamilton's series....
AND IT'S AWESOME!!!
Where has this series been all my life?
Loving it! Seriously loving it!!
Thanks for recommending it, you and Dusk Devi.
Much love,
K.L.
Motherhood
To Bryn,
The book you've mentioned intrigues me...will have to hunt it down.
I've heard Anne Rice's books can be quite erotic. Another one I haven't read.
I know you like vampires....then you have to pick up Hamilton's books....the Anita Blake series.
All I can say is: WHOA.
Sex, horror, vampires, zombies....I'm loving this book, the first in the series.
It's called Guilty Pleasures. You've got to read it. I really think you'd enjoy it.
Anyone with a dark side would enjoy it!
There's vampire strip clubs, there's blood galore, there's the Circus of the Damned...
I'm seriously in love with this series.
Alright, enough raving by the mad, perverted, depraved, dark side Romantic Writer.
K.L.
Motherhood
To Voices,
You can be my agent anyday. In fact, I could pay you to be my agent, since I haven't got one.
And to your suggestions...I will need to get myself in the mood, have a lot of pink champagne on standby, have Justin Timberlake on the headphones ('I'm bringing sexy back...'), and think of all the alternative words I've ever used, or should use, or should never use, for hard, bulging man parts...and all sorts of other naughty words.
Sounds like a (devious) plan.
K.L.
Motherhood
Dusk Devi and A.H. (I know, I've put you two together...but that's only right and fitting, isn't it? The two angels in my life and all),
Yes, I think we could set the world (and my poor Grandpa) on fire with our little erotic, romantic, sex book.
Where are these damn publishing houses and magazines?? We are gold. Especially the three of us.
K.L.
Motherhood
Hi Lilla,
There was so much of your personality and wonderful qualities in your comment. I love it!
Am seriously jealous about the whole drinks and sleeping under a tree, and eating exotic flowers...
I would have sooo been there. Oh, yeah.
(Give me an exotic flower anytime)
Thanks for your words on Betrayal. I'm glad you liked it.
I just need that damn editor now (hello?? Hello?? Where are you??).
That novel is sheer blood, sweat and tears (and more blood - mine!). I know it still needs work. I just keep striving forward with the rest of the novels I'm working on.
Need to spend some time and go back to Betrayal. It's out there, in the big, wide world, but have had no takers yet (obviously).
It will happen, because I can not believe all my hard work and tears and blood were for nothing.
Plus I can't very well get the second book in the series published, that I'm currently working on, without the first getting picked up!
Aargh!! It's enough to drive a Romantic Writer mental.
Thanks for all your words, Lilla. Fully appreciated.
K.L.
Motherhood
To Joe Blogg,
You romantic writer, you.
May need to steal a couple of these...
Especially The Pink Winker.
Now that is gold (good as gold, mate. Good as gold).
K.L.
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Just to let you know it looks like the party has kicked on for another nite at Tracy's if you want to pop over there... if she's around... she might be laying down again, I'm not sure...
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Come and have a couple of cocktails with me. Pregnancy doesn't matter in a virtual world ... YAY!!!
A.H.
Movies and Life
I've never written any sort of sex or smoochy scene so this is an interesting topic to read. I haven't read any of Betrayal yet, KL, but I'll do that soon
Lilla, I thought your post was very coherent especially after all those cocktails we had the other night. Yes the party will kick on until we run out of supplies or energy...even if I'm lying down, feel free to help yourself to food and drinks and dance anyway that you like. The more animated the better...
Byee
Joe Blogg's Blog
manchesterunited
collingwoodfootballclub
Yeah, it works for me.
Movies and Life
Horrorphile
Motherhood
To Lilla and Tracy,
I'm sorry I missed another party!!!
And, Lilla, I'm liking the new you. Very cute.
(I jumped a bit, actually, when I saw this lovely cute, new face there)
K.L.
Motherhood
To Joe Blogg,
You ARE a romance writer.
In disguise as Joe Blogg.
K.L.
Motherhood
Bryn!!!!!!!
I can't say anything else...you've bombarded me with horrible imagery with your one sentence!
K.L.
Horrorphile
Admittedly I am not really into writing sex scenes. It's a christian thing.
But I have read some brilliant ones ages ago.
Colleen McCulloch and Alice Borchard (sister of Anne Rice who is also brilliant at that kind of thing) have produced excellent work in that area.
There aren't many guys that I have read that are that good at it though. They get too distracted, you can see it in the way that they write.
JZ
Joe Blogg's Blog
manchesterunited
collingwoodfootballclub
Motherhood
Hi Bryn,
Yes, I knew that...that's what is so fun about you.
K.L.
Motherhood
To JoshZ,
Yes, I'm going to be sexist here, and say male writers just can not write the proverbial sex scene.
It just can't be done.
I don't know why....the different chromosome?? Who knows.
I wasn't aware these two authors wrote great sex scenes....thanks for enlightening me, JZ!
I will check them out.
The Sexist Romantic Writer,
K.L.
Motherhood
To Joe Blogg,
So what you're saying is...you could be bribed into writing a romance novel??
Then the pink winker could be brought to life...and your other fantastic names for bulging members.
K.L.
Motherhood
JZ,
P.S. Joe Blogg may be the only exception to the rule....he can write a sex scene!
Joe Blogg's Blog
manchesterunited
collingwoodfootballclub
And Apparently there are few limits to what Joe Blogg can do. I hear he can even make lycra look good.
JZ
Two dogs, a long thin stick, blue paper and some lube.
The dogs, must build a 16th century catapult using the stick and my supple overweight body.
NOw thats a sex scene!
(The lube is for the gears on the catapult)