Hi everyone. This is a little bit of a delicate one. I'll try and word it as nicely as I can.
My question regards sexual content in written work. Obviously we're all writing for a specific audience. But I can't decided how much is 'okay'.
Can anyone offer some kind of guideline?
It goes without saying that I'm not writing a work of erotica but I still think that sexual relationships are an important part of the main storyline. Do you shy away from it entirely? Mention it extremely delicately or just go all out and describe everything?
My sincere and most humble apologies, please delete if this post is not acceptable.
-Cate
Hi Cate. Before I read the replies you already have, my thoughts were much the same, although my reply is less well worded. I have a novel partially first draft finished that has had to take a back burner whilst I push my finished work. (sounds rather grand) It has, by the way the murders take place, GOT to have sexual content. I have and am trying to make it so if my daughters ever do get to read it they won't be disgusted with their dad, in choice of words or/and description, so for me no swear words. That's MY choice. That has been "my" line of care for what I say and how I say it. But AGAIN that is me, I don't know if that helps. I think it all depends on why the sexual content is there. Titillation... then leave it out, but if it is part of the building of a relationship and it's, dare a man use this word... beautiful, then I would go ahead.
If it's rape then be careful not to glamourise the act. It is I think all down to what you want to use the content for, it is real, it happens or none of us would be here.
Hope you come to a comfortable resolution, regards Paul.
Sex scenes come in all sorts of levels, from gently coy to outright pornographic. What's okay in your work is how much you are comfortable with, and how much fits with the characters themselves. Do you need to follow them through the bedroom door? Can you make your scenes erotic by suggestion, rather than by graphic detail? It's just as viable to imply sexual scenes as it is to spell them out - and frequently better. There's a reason why there's an award for the Worst Sex Scene each year - and why it's won by famous, well-seasoned writers.
There's something to be said for looking through a veil, and it can be much sexier than the A slots into B type of writing that frankly palls very quickly. We all know the mechanics: we want to know how this particular couple bring individuality to the bedroom, not watch them do the same old, same old bedroom tango.
Is this a romance novel, or is the romance secondary to the plot? Does it mark a point of progression in the relationship between two people, or is it just there because you think you have to have a sex scene?
The fact that you've been reticent about asking your question suggests that you're not sure of your audience or of your readiness to write sex for public viewing. Bear in mind that in cyberspace no-one can see you blush! What you have to do is be true to your story; lock yourself away where no-one can look over your shoulder, and write the scenes the way you see them.
Read other novels, and see what works for you. M&B do different levels of heat; sample a few (even if the novels themselves aren't your thing) and find your comfort level. Decide what makes a written sexual encounter work, and what fails. In other words, do your homework.
I have a brilliant cartoon in my office, cut from The Guardian years ago. It's by Posy Simmons, and shows a woman bashing away at a computer writing a sex scene. She starts out very cool, very intellectual; the typing gets faster and more frantic as she gets into the flow. At the end, she sits back with a cigarette, exhausted but satisfied. So there you go - something to aim for!
Lorraine
I agree with Louis; if it fits in with the story then include it. As for the level of explicitness and how you describe things, that depends on the intended audience/genre, what exactly you want the scene(s) to add to your story, and personal preference. In the end you have to go with your gut and remember that there will always be people who think it's too much, and others who think it's not enough.
I would also say its equally important that *you* are comfortable with what you are writing, and with the knowledge that other people may one day be reading it!