Don’t get it right, get it written…until you have to get it right?

[Emilymcplugger]

So like most of us when I start a sex scene it'll often be quite routine descriptions of part a being inserted into part b.

Been there bought the T-Gel.

However, I do love it when I have to get into the zone and do the getting it right part, especially on elaborate scenes, when the visuals are a tapestry and you almost have to live the moment.

There’s still something quite raw and visceral about it, even in the comedic, eloquent prose…which what I write.

What do you think?

 

[EmilyMiller]

I find I edit my sex scenes less than plot-related stuff. It’s normally typos and “d’oh! you just had the FMC take her panties off twice.” They seldom get the structural overhauls that plot stuff does.

Em

 

[EmilyMiller]

I find I edit my sex scenes less than plot-related stuff. It’s normally typos and “d’oh! you just had the FMC take her panties off twice.” They seldom get the structural overhauls that plot stuff does.

Em

To build on this. I’m normally channelling either the specific acts I am describing, or their analogs (no I have never been fucked by a tentacle, but some kinda similar experiences). So I am perhaps bypassing things that happen when advancing the story in other areas.

Em

 

[onehitwanda]

I've fallen into the less-is-more trap when it comes to writing sex scenes.

I still doubt I'll ever top Death and the Maiden though.

 

[NotWise]

I've fallen into the less-is-more trap when it comes to writing sex scenes.

I still doubt I'll ever top Death and the Maiden though.

Huh? I know "Death and the Maiden" as a song and string quartet by Franz Schubert. What are you referring to?

 

[yowser]

A lot depends on the nature of the story, and of course, the folks involved. I think comedic/eloquent prose works fine when it matches the characters.

It is a ticklish business however, and to me the sign of bad writing is overly detailed descriptions, unless they are the 'right' details (emotional states, granular sensations) and 'writing off to to the side' is often a better approach than the blunt head-on take. I tend to dislike the 'porn camera angle' business unless it is woven in well to the story (a mirror perhaps, or a spectator narrator.)

 

[onehitwanda]

Huh? I know "Death and the Maiden" as a song and string quartet by Franz Schubert. What are you referring to?

the story linked in my signature.

 

[samhasstories]

I find I edit my sex scenes less than plot-related stuff. It’s normally typos and “d’oh! you just had the FMC take her panties off twice.” They seldom get the structural overhauls that plot stuff does.

Em

Same. I get the head of steam writing the sex scenes and just let that flow. It's the plot stuff that often needs the most work, getting characters into the situations I want them in, or I re-read the dialog and it comes across wooden or uninteresting and needs to be redone.

The most common edit I make to sex scenes is to bump them to later, or reduce the payoff to tease it out a bit more. Sometimes when I'm in the heat of writing I want to get to the action, so I go for it. Then in my more rational frame of mind I decide that maybe I shot it off too soon*.

*It's nice, to be able to revise that. My younger self might have appreciated that superpower.

 

[Djmac1031]

I personally have gotten to a point where I'm trying less to get it PERFECT in the first draft.

I know my weaknesses well; repeated words and phrases, over using adjectives, run on sentences, too short / too long paragraphs, etc.

Trying to perfect it while writing a story can slow the process to a crawl, if not a complete halt.

So now I just write the damn thing. Fix the mistakes later.

Sex scenes in particular. It's way too easy to keep using the same things over and over.

So I write what I want to happen, just get it out there.

Then I can decide; too much? Not enough? Too flat? Too overly descriptive?

 

[EmilyMiller]

I've fallen into the less-is-more trap when it comes to writing sex scenes.

I still doubt I'll ever top Death and the Maiden though.

Death and the Maiden was:

Em

 

[samhasstories]

the story linked in my signature.

I was originally going to write a story about Death, in the style of Neil Gaiman's Sandman character who I've always had a secret love for.

Sold.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Sold.

It’s really really really good.

Like, “I should give up writing as I won’t ever be able to do that” good.

Em

 

[NotWise]

the story linked in my signature.

Doh!

 

[Djmac1031]

Sold.

It’s really really really good.

Like, “I should give up writing as I won’t ever be able to do that” good.

Em

I'll back up that Death And The Maiden is an amazing story.

That said; please don't quit writing, Em.

I still need you to help when I get around to writing the third part of my Angels & Demons saga, and I also need your help in convincing @onehitwanda to let me connect her story into our shared universe.

 

[Anton25]

So like most of us when I start a sex scene it'll often be quite routine descriptions of part a being inserted into part b.

Been there bought the T-Gel.

However, I do love it when I have to get into the zone and do the getting it right part, especially on elaborate scenes, when the visuals are a tapestry and you almost have to live the moment.

There’s still something quite raw and visceral about it, even in the comedic, eloquent prose…which what I write.

What do you think?

 

[Anton25]

Do you ever find yourself repeating a sex phrase from another story…? I do!

 

[EmilyMiller]

I'll back up that Death And The Maiden is an amazing story.

That said; please don't quit writing, Em.

I still need you to help when I get around to writing the third part of my Angels & Demons saga, and I also need your help in convincing @onehitwanda to let me connect her story into our shared universe.

Convince @onehitwanda ? Hmm…? How to do that ?

Em

 

[onehitwanda]

Convince @onehitwanda ? Hmm…? How to do that ?

Em

Why are my ears suddenly burning...

EM! Are you playing with my action figurine voodoo doll again?!!? We talked about this!

 

[Djmac1031]

Convince @onehitwanda ? Hmm…? How to do that ?

Em

I dunno. You're the one with the feminine wiles...

 

[Euphony]

It’s really really really good.

Like, “I should give up writing as I won’t ever be able to do that” good.

Em

I have a feeling @onehitwanda reached that crossroads in the past as well.

If she made a different decision than she did, we wouldn't have her well written stories to read.

I can't imagine she'd want all her efforts to better express herself to cause another author to give up their own necessary expression journey.

Real storytellers aren't wired that way.

Be a real storyteller. Definitely to others on their journey. Especially to yourself.

 

[Euphony]

Why are my ears suddenly burning...

EM! Are you playing with my action figurine voodoo doll again?!!? We talked about this!

It's like always with you two.

 

[onehitwanda]

It's like always with you two.

are you not entertained?

Anyway, it's not Em's fault. I'm older, I should know better. I do know better. I'm just terrible.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Why are my ears suddenly burning...

EM! Are you playing with my action figurine voodoo doll again?!!? We talked about this!

But it’s such fun when I run my finger over it just here…

Em

 

[Euphony]

are you not entertained?

I'm clearly not the target audience. I'm just glad this multiplex has plenty of screening rooms.

No fresh popped popcorn really chaps my hide tho.

Anyway, it's not Em's fault. I'm older, I should know better. I do know better. I'm just terrible.

Bee: "I blame the pollen."

Pollen: "It's not my damn fault, I'm just here minding my own business."

Farmer: "Look you crop dusting loons..."

 

[mirafrida]

I do try to not get too hung up on perfection on the first draft of a sex scene. This can usually generate a lot of "in the moment" details that are keepers - hopefully differentiating the scene, and particularizing it to the characters and situation.

Then there's usually a major edit pass to fix word choices, polish the tone, and get the pacing right. The latter can lead to substantial modifications (on the order of adding, removing, or moving paragraphs).