(writing question) Do you ever...?

[cloudy]

I'm at a point in a story I'm writing where I had planned to put a sex scene, but I find myself reluctant to write it, now that I'm actually there.

The story would work without it, I think, but not the way I had planned, so I don't really want to skip it this time, but I'm having trouble actually writing it.

Anyone else ever have this problem? If so, what did you do?

 

[Guest]

I'm at a point in a story I'm writing where I had planned to put a sex scene, but I find myself reluctant to write it, now that I'm actually there.

The story would work without it, I think, but not the way I had planned, so I don't really want to skip it this time, but I'm having trouble actually writing it.

Anyone else ever have this problem? If so, what did you do?

Democracy and the truth!

Burning the head of chameleon on an oak fire will cause a thunderstorm.
- Democritus

 

[cloudy]

Democracy and the truth!

Burning the head of chameleon on an oak fire will cause a thunderstorm.
- Democritus

Well, that was helpful.

 

[CharleyH]

Yes, chapter two is all an SM scene. A bitch to write because I did not want to write the sex. It is both necessary and unecessary, but I needed to work out how the scene related back to chapter one. FINALLY, yesterday, only 3 months after starting chapter two, it came to me! Break the scene up with two flashbacks at the appropriate moments during the sex that coincide with the action of the sex. If that makes sense.

In other words, did you ever see The Hours? The way they edited the scenes by one person walking out of a room in 1990 and cut to someone walking into a room in 1950.

Anyhow, it worked for this story, and I am on my merry way. Sometimes things just can't be written until they are ready to be. LOL That's the only way I can describe it. Not a lot of help, I know.

 

[wornoutkeyboard]

I have come across this problem a few times and here is what I do:

Write a good 3000 words including the sex scene.

Then....

Write a good 3000 words without the sex scene.

See which one seems to connect with the characters better....or perhaps it is a blend of the two.

If you are truly fearing writing the scene at all...try writing the story without it and then adding it later. Careful doing it this way though because you may loose out on flow if you aren't used to skipping from scene to scene. Another concern is that sex powerfully changes people emotionally and mentally and you may end up writing the scene and finding out that what is supposed to come after it no longer seems to fit the character's mindset.


My biggest problem is that I really have to put off writing sex scenes until the end because if I do it before I am coming to the conclusion of a story, I can sometimes get "spent" (Anyone have a cigarette?). And much like good sex, sometimes you don't want to go for another bout. You're satisfied and you just want a good nap.

If it's done right....you don't always need an encore.

~WOK

 

[NoJo]

I have come across this problem a few times and here is what I do:

Write a good 3000 words including the sex scene.

Then....

Write a good 3000 words without the sex scene.

See which one seems to connect with the characters better....or perhaps it is a blend of the two.

If you are truly fearing writing the scene at all...try writing the story without it and then adding it later. Careful doing it this way though because you may loose out on flow if you aren't used to skipping from scene to scene. Another concern is that sex powerfully changes people emotionally and mentally and you may end up writing the scene and finding out that what is supposed to come after it no longer seems to fit the character's mindset.


My biggest problem is that I really have to put off writing sex scenes until the end because if I do it before I am coming to the conclusion of a story, I can sometimes get "spent" (Anyone have a cigarette?). And much like good sex, sometimes you don't want to go for another bout. You're satisfied and you just want a good nap.

If it's done right....you don't always need an encore.

~WOK

That's good advice.

I actually write sex scenes completely separately. When I've finished my story I just pick a few off the rack and paste them in. Even if it breaks up a sentence, or even a word of the main story , nobody seems to notice. I still get a good 2.9-3.3 score.

 

[Boota]

Except for my few attempts at erotica, I always leave out sex scenes. I just think they break up the action in a story that isn't about sex or sexually themed. In my novel the only sex scene I describe is between two dogs. Everything else takes place "off camera".

 

[Black Tulip]

Yes, I have had the same problem.

I usualy put the story aside for a while. Perhaps have a look and add a few sentences every now and then, but not much.
Even start a completely new story to take my mind of.
After a few days of dancing around so to speak, I can give in to the most powerful urge; I write it and then see how it works out.

In my experience you have to be prepared to cut out a whole part afterwards, but at least it will get you on your way again.

 

[Black Tulip]

Except for my few attempts at erotica, I always leave out sex scenes. I just think they break up the action in a story that isn't about sex or sexually themed. In my novel the only sex scene I describe is between two dogs. Everything else takes place "off camera".

Hi Boota,

Totally off topic, but how went the Grammy's?

 

[yui]

If I can't make a particular moment work, I'll put asterisks and make notes (word order, expressions, images, feelings, tastes, etc.) about the ideas fluttering around in my brain about what I would like to happen, and then I'll move on to something that writes easier. If I sit and try to make it happen, I write trash.

Maybe you could make notes about what you wanted to write initially, but write it now the way you feel it?

Luck,

Yui

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I'm at a point in a story I'm writing where I had planned to put a sex scene, but I find myself reluctant to write it, now that I'm actually there.

The story would work without it, I think, but not the way I had planned, so I don't really want to skip it this time, but I'm having trouble actually writing it.

Anyone else ever have this problem? If so, what did you do?

Don't make them do something they don't want to do. That's just gratuitous sex, which is good, but gratuitous.

Lots of times I start writing a story that turns into something I hadn't planned on. I just finished a story where I had planned on the two characters going to bed together, but it veered off in another direction and that never happend. So okay. It just means that I write serious fiction in addition to porn.

---dr.M.

 

[Boota]

Hi Boota,

Totally off topic, but how went the Grammy's?

Hi Black Tulip,

We didn't go up for the Grammy this year. We're starting the campaign for 2006 right now. A panel of 18 producers just decided unanimously to push our album Triple X. They're going to pull a few songs from the other albums and see about putting them on Triple X for the remastering. It's looking really positive at this point.

 

[Boota]

Another thing about writing sex scenes that I should probably say is that when I do write one it has already planned in the context of the story. I leave a lot of freedom for improvisation, but I have a solid basis for what I'm going to try to achieve. I kind of think of it like blocking a sex scene for a movie when it comes to the physical action.

So far all of my sex scenes have been gratuitous. And most of them pretty damn funny.

 

[rgraham666]

I've got one story where I'm torn over the end. Sex or no sex, either would work.

Probably going with no sex though. The way the story is written, sex would complicate the character's lives. And be kinda cold.

I'll leave the story working in my mind until I'm comfortable with it.

 

[Guest]

If so, what did you do?

Soon.

 

[Guest]

 

[cloudy]

Cloudy,

I've got kinda the opposite problem. The story needs a sex scene, but the story's already very long and there are several subsequent sex scenes, but without this one, the rest would too much, too soon. They're (the characters) are asking for it, but the author's being a lazy schmuck and can't find the inspiration to write it.

Wanna swap?

As to your situation, are the characters willing or not? If they aren't speaking with you, then err on the side of caution and leave it out.

They are, that's the thing. They're an established couple, already very much in love, but I just...can't...write...it.

*sigh*

 

[Guest]

 

[wornoutkeyboard]

They're an established couple, already very much in love, but I just...can't...write...it.

See.... the fact that they're an established couple might be a roadblock (or at least it would be for me) because it takes a not more to make the sex seem new or different and worth writing about. That's why if you pick up a harlequin (admit it...you have...and you will again) they spend lots of time describing the first sex scene and then after that it's just followed by "they tumbled into bed" shortly followed by "she lit a cigarette". Of course they might just throw in a few throbbing manhoods and moist love tunnels for good measure.

I see why you feel challenged. But as I always say....when in doubt...follow the advice of the Magnificent Dr. M. If you can't write the scene there might be a good reason for it.

~WOK

 

[cloudy]

See.... the fact that they're an established couple might be a roadblock (or at least it would be for me) because it takes a not more to make the sex seem new or different and worth writing about. That's why if you pick up a harlequin (admit it...you have...and you will again) they spend lots of time describing the first sex scene and then after that it's just followed by "they tumbled into bed" shortly followed by "she lit a cigarette". Of course they might just throw in a few throbbing manhoods and moist love tunnels for good measure.

I see why you feel challenged. But as I always say....when in doubt...follow the advice of the Magnificent Dr. M. If you can't write the scene there might be a good reason for it.

~WOK

Harlequin's make my eyes burn.....but overal, good advice. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

They are, that's the thing. They're an established couple, already very much in love, but I just...can't...write...it.

*sigh*

Have a break.

Have a Kitkat.

 

[cloudy]

Have a break.

Have a Kitkat.

ewwww!

Maybe a Heath bar instead?

 

[Guest]

ewwww!

Maybe a Heath bar instead?

Anything you say, dollface.

 

[Guest]

Have a break.

Have a Kitkat.

Hey CV You big sexy hunk of m... Man?... Woman?.. Alcohol?... Whatever.

Your brain facinates me cause I think your really smart and stuff and i was wondering

Oooops Dropped my gum.

I was wondering cause I just spilled abox of toothpicks and do you know how many of them there are I know you can tell cause your one of the smart guys that people dont stand under

Debbie

I gave you one this time cause I think I know you better now.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I'm at a point in a story I'm writing where I had planned to put a sex scene, but I find myself reluctant to write it, now that I'm actually there.

The story would work without it, I think, but not the way I had planned, so I don't really want to skip it this time, but I'm having trouble actually writing it.

Anyone else ever have this problem? If so, what did you do?

I have the problem all the time. Especially if I am into the flow of a story and am more concerned with keeping the rythem of the story going. My solution has always been to just drope a note to myself that a sex scene is needed and go on. Once I have the story done, I come back & do the scene. Occasionally, I will do this with a particular non sex scene I want a certain way or am unsure of how I want to write it.

It dosen't work for everyone, but for me, the highly detailed needs of the sex scenes often require me to have a different mindset when I write them.

Hope it helps.

*HUGS*