Writing sex scenes

Sex scenes. They're pretty much a given when writing romance, but we don't want to just read about the mechanics of "the act." Personally, if I wanted to read about that, I'd find a sexual education pamphlet or read a hardcore erotica story. As Sierra mentioned on Monday, there has to be a balance to these types of scenes. The reader has to feel like they are there with the characters and experience what it's like to be the heroine and/or hero, instead of feeling completely like a voyeur.

I agree that writing a love scene can be hard. It took me a while to feel confident in writing them. I still struggle a little with them. There's always the thought of when I get this published, what will so-and-so think of me? I had a scene that I wrote once several years back that I couldn't bring myself to keep because of that pressure. Now I kind of kick myself for completely deleting it.

Also, there are times when I just have to be in the mood to write one. Writing comes from the imagination, and sometimes I just don't feel very imaginative when it comes to that area. I find that I can always write a fight scene, but GOOD sex scenes come harder (no pun intended). At those times when I'm not feeling into the scene, I tend to go on with the next scene, or write an outline of the sex scene and then move on.

So, how do you find the inspiration to write sex scenes? What do you like most about them? Least? Let me know what you think. =)

Please Welcome Author...Tawny Taylor

Hello everyone! I’m so thrilled to be here this week.

I guess I could start with a short introduction. For those who don’t know me, I’m Tawny Taylor, and I write uber-hot romance stories for Changeling Press, Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington and Pocket. The vast majority of my published works are paranormal BDSM stories. Many of them are also ménage-a trois.

I thought I’d comment about this week’s topic, since it’s interesting.

So, what’s my answer?

It depends.

Personally, I find that no part of writing is easy. Ideas, dialogue, sex scenes, romantic scenes, emotional moments…at one time or another, they’ve all come easier than the others. It seems to depend upon what else I have going on at the time.

Like right now, NOTHING is easy. I have a house full of bored, bickering kids (IMO, school should be year-round *g*). There’s lots of noise and commotion, and I’ve spent the winter and spring hibernating. I want to go outside. Breathe fresh air. Get bit by insects…you know, live. Thus, my writing suffers. Come fall, though, I know I’ll be ready to dig in again. At least that’s been the way things have gone since I started writing in 2001.

Now, this winter was the total opposite. After the holidays, it seemed like it all came easier (you’ll notice, I didn’t say easy). I had lots of stories in my head and they all wanted to come out. I couldn’t write fast enough. Emotion poured onto the page. Raging hot love scenes. I was just loving the process. That was when I wrote this week’s release with Ellora’s Cave, Masters of Illusion. I’d just watched a moody, dark movie called The Illusionist and my imagination took flight. The characters pretty much wrote the book for me (I was the one who got carpel tunnel, though. *g*)

So, there you go--my response to this week’s topic. It depends…

…on whether my kids are home from school

…on the weather outside

…on what and how much I’ve fed my imagination (yes, my imagination must be fed on a regular basis. You wouldn’t believe the “food” it craves.)

…on my hormones (TMI?)

Thanks again for having me! I had a great time!

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Tawny Taylor

www.tawnytaylor.com

MASTERS OF ILLUSION, Available in ebook formats, Ellora’s Cave