Hey, Lola here. Barbie is up to her eyeliner in plotting and polishing so I'm taking over today's post. Pull up a seat, grab your favorite beverage (depending on your timezone...or not) and let's get down and dirty.
Let's talk sexual tension.
Oh yeah, you know what I'm talking about. I don't care how old fashioned you are, EVERYONE loves a little spark, a little touch, a little... hey, do I have to keep this PG?? Anyway, you get my drift. Let's face it, sexual tension can either make or break your novel (not to mention their relationship). There is nothing better than losing yourself in a story, falling in love with the characters to the point where you feel you know them so well, you WANT them to be happy - and happiness can only be with each other.
So each glance, each innocent touch (or not so innocent) just pulls us closer and closer. The author sucks us in to their relationship and we can't put the book down until we find out if they make it. Do they ultimately end up together?? How many times have you read a book where you just don't want to stop reading because in doing so you would be stopping their progress to happiness and it's sooo imperative they get together. I swear, it's as climactic for the reader as it is for the characters!!
The great thing is, you don't have to write romance to write great sexual tension!Some of my favorite stories are the mysteries and thrillers that don't warrant a love scene or love interest, but yet the authors throws in this subtle sexual tension between characters that makes the book "human" or more "believable" if you will. These super-cops/agents, etc... are human. They have lives and needs and desires. And we are totally in as readers. The romance doesn't have to carry through the entire book, either. Just a touch, done right, will make us want more. We'll want to see if something more happens in the next book, and the next, and the next!
So how do you go about writing it? Barbie Jo does okay in the sexual tension department (when she's not in Middle Grade land - cuz that's a big fat No-No!), but...she has issues with the whole Alpha Male thing. I think she has A.M. Syndrome, and she refuses to seek help for that. Although one wild weekend in Italy with Marco the Italian stud-muffin could totally fix that problem. (Cassy, you got any contacts? Barbie Jo needs research, and I think the rest of the M&M crew should tag along for "moral support") Just sayin'.
But seriously, I think sexual tension helps to hook the reader no matter what their sizzle factor is. If the author keeps the flame contained....I think even a shy, mellow reader could find herself suddenly sizzling. There's no need to get graphic, although there are authors who do, and readers who insist. I think there's something incredibly sexy when an author builds us up to the brink of insanity and then closes the door. And by the dialogue and description of the morning after, we know exactly how good it was! Not to say that a little sneak peak wouldn't be a bad thing either, but then I want inside their heads. I want to know the passion for each other besides the physical, ya know? Show me the Love!!!
So do you put sexual tension in your stories? is it intentional or do the characters make it happen on their own? And how "far" do you go? Do you close the door, or give the show?
And as a reader, what do you like? do you want to lose yourself in the fantasy or would you rather leave it up to your own imagination?
Spill it, Lola is in the house!!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
I started out writing romance because I love the sparks that fly between two people.
I was thrilled to discover that just because I write cozy mysteries now, it doesn't mean I can't still have those sparks...
aka the sexual tension!
That's my favorite part of a romance, anyway. The build of flirting and teasing looks and even the heated sparring that makes you just want to grab the other person and kiss them senseless.
A love scene is nice, too, but man it's that killer, hook me reel me in and keep me reading sexual tension that I adore :-)
Good luck Lola!
Hey Lola! Sounds like you're keeping Barbie Jo in line and productive.
Sexual tension. I love it. The building tension is usually better than the actual sex scenes. I do write sex scenes, but not graphic. Although that depends on the opinion. I just had a reader review Awaken and loved it but thought it was a little too steamy for her tastes. Another loved it and emailed me to thank me for writing a wonderful book with mild sex scenes as opposed to the graphic scenes that she sees so much of in romance. Go figure!
Anyway, I don't close the door, but my sex scenes are kind of unusual. I don't do graphic. I don't like erotica. I don't write it and I don't read it. It's great that you can have that sexual tension in any genre (adult genre, that is). I read where Janet Evanovich said she hated writing sex scenes when she wrote romance, before the Stephanie Plum series. She said she's much more comfortable with the sex scenes in the Stephanie Plum series. She can close the door, but she's still got a lot of sexual tension. I mean Ranger sizzles. And Morelli's no slacker.
Lola -- welcome! Great post too. :)
I think "sexual tension" is just another type of mystery, which is what keeps readers flying through the pages. They want to know "what will happen next?" and it's the uncertainty that draws them deeper into the book.
Personally I feel cheated when the door is closed. I've gone through all this buildup with the characters, and I know how important it is to them, especially emotionally, so I want to stay with them. :)
My characters bring a lot of sexual tension with them, so it's fun to write. In fact, that's where I'm off too now!
For me, writing sex has never been a problem. What that says about me could be a whole other book! I love the sexual tension, also, but for some reason, I really love writing sexual innuendo when another character hits on my heroine. Usually, it's a bad guy, but sometimes not.
Since I write cozies as well as straight mysteries I had to learn to go with just the tension. In my second book, I finally let them do the Horizontal
Boogie, but as you said, it was behind closed doors and only referred to in dialogue the next day.
I like reading both ways. And Donna, you're such a romantic!
And Lola, get back to work.
Lola: You have picked an important topic. I am lousy lousy at writing sex scenes (my husband says I seem to know the "stuff") but getting it onto the page is hard for me. The flirty, the come-on's and the innuendo is fun to write.
I agree that it plays a huge huge part of many good books. Without it the characters seem flat and unreal. We all can relate to the flash and flair that comes when there is sexual tension in the air.
As for volunteering an Italian stallion? I'll keep my eyes open on my next trip in September. Will keep you posted!
Lola, it's nice to see you're finally earning your keep and helping Barbie Jo out here.
I like reading and writing sexual tension more than reading sex scenes. Once they do 'the nasty' it's done. By keeping the tension up I keep reading wondering when and where they'll finally do it. I think the touch, brush even the attempted kiss helps move the story forward more than reading they're doing it.
I like writing the tension because then I get to come up with unique and intriging way to stop the H&H from taking it to the bed.
With me the interruption usually involves a collie sticking their nose or body in between them.
I don't write romance per se, I tried once and when it was finished, was told it had too much plot for a romance. So yes, I've written the sex scene too, graphic, but tastefully done I think.
On that note however, I wrote a suspense with no sex, just the hint, the morning after sort of scene and was told by a writing group it was the best sex scene they'd ever read.
As for my reading, depends solely on the mood as to how much I want, how graphic.I will admit it's refreshing when I find a good story without sex and still keeps the feel true.
I love to tease my characters and my readers. I let them want sex, think about it, dream about it and even come close to "doing it". When my CPs insist it's time for the hero and the heroine to have sex, I delay it one more scene. Then I drag it out. I want my readers to wish they could be the heroine.
Once they have the most wonderful sex ever, I don't let them do it again for a while. Since they know what they're missing it's even harder for them.
Post a Comment