Book Writing Problem

[TheDivineRose]

I just turned 18 recently.
I've had this idea for a book since I was little and its evolved as I have grown into a more mature storyline. It has a lot of action and fighting but also several intimate scenes.
Adults wanting a sexy read would have trouble getting through the gore and plot but teens would have trouble reading the plot when it got sensual.
How can I make a rough book more sensual, or an intimate scene less intense (which I really don't want to to, the intimacy is a crucial element in the development of the main character)?

 

[neonlyte]

I just turned 18 recently.
I've had this idea for a book since I was little and its evolved as I have grown into a more mature storyline. It has a lot of action and fighting but also several intimate scenes.
Adults wanting a sexy read would have trouble getting through the gore and plot but teens would have trouble reading the plot when it got sensual.
How can I make a rough book more sensual, or an intimate scene less intense (which I really don't want to to, the intimacy is a crucial element in the development of the main character)?

WOW... this is actually a difficult question to answer if you really are only 18.

First of all, you are probably making naive asumptions about readers - write the story out, beg or bribe an age range 18, 35, 50 & 65 to read it and see what they tell you. my guessing is everyone except the 18 yr olds will be comfortable though they might mention, grammer, spellin: punktuation... - and sentance construction in equal measure.

Write it... send it to me, though I won't promise to read it (Will aged 2old)

 

[strangedaze]

I just turned 18 recently.
I've had this idea for a book since I was little and its evolved as I have grown into a more mature storyline. It has a lot of action and fighting but also several intimate scenes.
Adults wanting a sexy read would have trouble getting through the gore and plot but teens would have trouble reading the plot when it got sensual.
How can I make a rough book more sensual, or an intimate scene less intense (which I really don't want to to, the intimacy is a crucial element in the development of the main character)?

I think you should worry more about writing something you enjoy, its your art, when you start trying to anticipate the audience, you run the risk of watering down the passion in your story. Once the first version is done you can get feedback of course, and change as needed, but start first with your story

my opinion anyway

 

[TheDivineRose]

Thanks.
I'll do it the way I think it should be done, and the post a few chapters to see who likes and doesn't like it and why.

Being 18 and having a mind like mine is so difficult sometimes

 

[strangedaze]

Thanks.
I'll do it the way I think it should be done, and the post a few chapters to see who likes and doesn't like it and why.

Being 18 and having a mind like mine is so difficult sometimes

having a mind is always better then the alternative

 

[TheDivineRose]

lol, thanks.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Thanks.
I'll do it the way I think it should be done, and the post a few chapters to see who likes and doesn't like it and why.

Being 18 and having a mind like mine is so difficult sometimes

Having a mind kinda sucks, no matter what your age is.

Action stories with sex can be very effective, and sex is a good way to grow your character, IMO. The pitfalls are making sure that the sex scenes flow right out of the overall story, and don't read as if they are tacked on. And whatever growth happens during those scnes must be carried over into the rest of the action, one way or another.

On a purely technical note, you want to remember to guide the expectations of your readers-- and then cater to them. My most recent favorite series solved that problem by having the sex begin each episode-- contrary to what you'd expect-- and then the action and non-sex plot points, and the episode would end as the characters were cooling down from the battle and heating up for bed, so to speak. Admittedly this series was primarily about the porn, so I don't know if this helps you out at all!

 

[gauchecritic]

I never wrote an actual story until I came to Lit. (screenplays yes but stories no)

I'm a person that shies away from the big picture, even though I can see the big picture as long as someone else does the work.

I've made notes for several books. I've plotted no end of books. But I never got round to writing any of them.

It wasn't until Lit that I realised that a whole and complete story could be written in less than a book. (reading gazzillions of short sci-fi stories never gave me a hint).

So, the thing is, and here's the thing: your story doesn't have to be a book.

 

[n_ricki]

Just let it all out

Don't let any assumptions about anything keep you from YOUR writing. Just do it. I'm certain that it couldn't be at all bad. If you'd like me to read it, I'd love to. Just about everyone here would too. Go with the flow.

 

[Weird Harold]

Adults wanting a sexy read would have trouble getting through the gore and plot but teens would have trouble reading the plot when it got sensual.

I think You're wrong about what the reactions would be. Check your local library for a John Ringo series that begins with Ghost -- it runs about five books at the moment and is very much like you describe your premise, lots of over-the-top violence and sex scenes as hot and graphic as a main-stream publisher will allow.

I don't believe that graphic sex scenes would cause teens to have a problem or even that they'er particularly necessary to make your story a 'sexy read.'

Another well-known series that fits your general outline is the Outlander[/i] Series by Dianna Gabaldon; the series is technically a time travel/alternatate history novel, but it is categorized and marketed as a "Historical Romance" or for the later volumes simply "literature" in the bookstores. It contains some very graphic violence and some very graphic sex, but neither are in any way gratuitious.

As Stella pointed out, you want to make sure the sex scenes actualy advance your story and don't appear "tacked on." I'd add that the same is true for the violence -- the level of graphic depiction should be enough to advance the story, but not enough to be gratuitious or irrelevant.

 

[wildsweetone]

...
How can I make a rough book more sensual, or an intimate scene less intense (which I really don't want to to, the intimacy is a crucial element in the development of the main character)?

a rough book more sensual... hmm how about portraying sensuality using one or several of the characters, or more specifically, using characteristics of a character that makes them appear sensual to the reader?

you can write sex scenes at any level i.e.

hinting at sex:
They made their way up the stairs, bumping into the railing only once.

She awoke the next morning to sunrise and the Summer breeze billowing the lace curtain the only evidence of his lovemaking, ruffled sheets and the familiar indentation of his head on the pillow.


mid range (maybe):
He took her fingertip into his mouth, his tongue circling the skin whilst her eyes glazed smoke and she held her breath for an interminable time, arching her neck for his teeth.

Within moments they were making love, right there in the hallway, her back to the wall, legs around his torso, he thrusting hard and fast, smothering her orgasmic wail with kisses.

And then they were straightening their clothes, glancing in the hall stand mirror straightening hair. One last glance of longing and they rejoined the museum tour.

intense:
It wasn't that she didn't like swallowing, it was more that she worried her gagging reflex would cause the extraneous problem of vomiting. He didn't give her a chance to build on those worries. He pushed his cock deep into the back of her throat, gloated to see her eyes bulge and water, shouted in triumph when he slipped in further, holding himself there for a moment before pulling slowly out.

She gasped around his cock, dragging in air, squeezing his balls with her red painted nails. He didn't warn her, simply pulled her hair and thrust deep into her mouth again, past her gag reflex and held still. He knew one more thrust would have him spurting down her throat. He hadn't decided if he wanted her to swallow it, or if he wanted to bathe her face in his cum.

etc. (they are just examples written without edit or thought other than to try and portray different intensities to you. the more intense, the more volume, more descriptive the sex scenes become. in my opinion.)


the intensity of the sex scene depends on what you want your characters to portray. you can have very mild sex with hefty adventure, you can have an orgy with little or no adventure. if they are sneaking in a quickie during a shoot out, is it going to be soft, gentle sex or raging red hot sex? write what suits the story, write what fits the plot.

write what feels right for you.

I never wrote an actual story until I came to Lit. (screenplays yes but stories no)

I'm a person that shies away from the big picture, even though I can see the big picture as long as someone else does the work.

I've made notes for several books. I've plotted no end of books. But I never got round to writing any of them.

It wasn't until Lit that I realised that a whole and complete story could be written in less than a book. (reading gazzillions of short sci-fi stories never gave me a hint).

So, the thing is, and here's the thing: your story doesn't have to be a book.

your mind is showing.

 

[RaLaWrites]

I was getting ready to type up a lengthy post before I read the other responses. Seems like I'm echoing everyone else's sentiments.

In any event, I look forward to reading your story(ies).

Being 18 and having a mind like mine is so difficult sometimes.

Oh, how I can agree with that. I'm eighteen myself, even though others think I'm much older. I wonder why....

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

What are the odds that an 18 year old can write anything? Its gotta be like a bozillion to one.

The idea an 18 year old has a mind is a flattering delusion...or lie.

 

[CWatson]

What are the odds that an 18 year old can write anything? Its gotta be like a bozillion to one.

The idea an 18 year old has a mind is a flattering delusion...or lie.

Don't worry about it, man. Just because you can't understand it, doesn't mean it can't be true.

 

[gauchecritic]

Don't worry about it, man. Just because you can't understand it, doesn't mean it can't be true.

I've often wondered how he manages to stay earthbound given that no one can understand gravity therefore he ought to be flying off the planet.

 

[poppy_cock]

I just turned 18 recently.
I've had this idea for a book since I was little and its evolved as I have grown into a more mature storyline. It has a lot of action and fighting but also several intimate scenes.
Adults wanting a sexy read would have trouble getting through the gore and plot but teens would have trouble reading the plot when it got sensual.
How can I make a rough book more sensual, or an intimate scene less intense (which I really don't want to to, the intimacy is a crucial element in the development of the main character)?

Congratulations on turning 18. Gosh, I remember 18. I felt all grown up...

My first thought is that you really can't have read that many books. Of course you can mix blood and gore with sex. I've read quite a few books where...

Oh wait. 'Course, you won't have read those yet. Listen, now that you're a grown up too, you can go choose books from the adult section of the library. Yay! You don't have to stick to Dr Seuss anymore!

Hey, I'm just kidding around. Best advice has already been given. Write the book you want to write. Don't worry about who will read it. Besides, if you've never actually gotten around to writing any of it down, you might just find that getting down to writing the book is a darned sight harder than you thought.

Plotting's the easy bit.

Good luck, and happy writing!

 

[TheDivineRose]

Thank you all for your help.
I feel very welcome here.