Sex in Thrillers - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T15:31:38Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/sex-in-thrillers?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A311289&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAs for writers groups: surel…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-23:537324:Comment:3114842011-08-23T17:23:34.573ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
As for writers groups: surely the members are not representative of the wider reading public.
As for writers groups: surely the members are not representative of the wider reading public. I believe you have to be comf…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-23:537324:Comment:3114762011-08-23T16:14:22.436ZGloria Ferrishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/GloriaFerris
<p>I believe you have to be comfortable with what you're writing, or the awkwardness will show, whether the details are few or many. Personally, when reading, I skip over detailed descriptions of the mechanics or even the emotions of the deed. I feel like I'm standing outside in the flower bed peeking through the window. A bedroom door closing is enough for me! But, then, I write humorous mysteries and get a lot of mileage out of the mating dance. The teasing, don't you know, can be…</p>
<p>I believe you have to be comfortable with what you're writing, or the awkwardness will show, whether the details are few or many. Personally, when reading, I skip over detailed descriptions of the mechanics or even the emotions of the deed. I feel like I'm standing outside in the flower bed peeking through the window. A bedroom door closing is enough for me! But, then, I write humorous mysteries and get a lot of mileage out of the mating dance. The teasing, don't you know, can be hilarious. However, if the situation warrants it and the spirit moves you, let 'er rip.</p> Not familiar with either the…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-22:537324:Comment:3113072011-08-22T17:20:09.556ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Not familiar with either the drink or his books, alas. :)
Not familiar with either the drink or his books, alas. :) Another member of my writer's…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-22:537324:Comment:3112822011-08-22T16:44:03.602ZBrian Hoffmanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BrianHoffman
<p>Another member of my writer's group says that one sex scene per book is the maximum. </p>
<p>Reading through your advice, I think I'll keep any sex scene light and "off camera" as much as possible. I agree with Dana's point that these scenes can interrupt the action and in a thriller action is what the reader is looking for.</p>
<p>Another member of my writer's group says that one sex scene per book is the maximum. </p>
<p>Reading through your advice, I think I'll keep any sex scene light and "off camera" as much as possible. I agree with Dana's point that these scenes can interrupt the action and in a thriller action is what the reader is looking for.</p> Dana, thank you! I had not o…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-22:537324:Comment:3113022011-08-22T16:35:37.975ZMary McFarlandhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MaryMcFarland
Dana, thank you! I had not once ever thought about a sex scene stopping the action, but they sure as heck do. To me, that's major food for thought. Racing for my keyboard so I can revise (and compress) those sex scenes. Heh.
Dana, thank you! I had not once ever thought about a sex scene stopping the action, but they sure as heck do. To me, that's major food for thought. Racing for my keyboard so I can revise (and compress) those sex scenes. Heh. I.J., I can't resist. Would…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-22:537324:Comment:3113012011-08-22T16:34:04.970ZMary McFarlandhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MaryMcFarland
<p>I.J., I can't resist. Would "Sex on the Beach" be a good title for a Konrath novel? Since he names them all after drinks? </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sigh, we digress (or at least I do). </p>
<p>I.J., I can't resist. Would "Sex on the Beach" be a good title for a Konrath novel? Since he names them all after drinks? </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sigh, we digress (or at least I do). </p> Joe Konrath is on this topic…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-22:537324:Comment:3112912011-08-22T14:36:39.743ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Joe Konrath is on this topic also. I'm convinced that men and women write sex differently. Keeping an eye on writers' sex scenes can be amusing. And yes, they can be revealing.
Joe Konrath is on this topic also. I'm convinced that men and women write sex differently. Keeping an eye on writers' sex scenes can be amusing. And yes, they can be revealing. I read some good advice about…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-22:537324:Comment:3112892011-08-22T13:56:18.266ZDana Kinghttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DanaKing
<p>I read some good advice about sex scenes once; I wish I could remember where.</p>
<p>Basically, the author said less is more, and to leave as much as possible to the reader's imagination. The problem wasn't with graphic descriptions or worries about offending a reader. The problem is that a sex scene, with rare exceptions--erotic thrillers, for example--stops the action. The story does not advance while the characters have sex. Depending on your expected reader, this can be a…</p>
<p>I read some good advice about sex scenes once; I wish I could remember where.</p>
<p>Basically, the author said less is more, and to leave as much as possible to the reader's imagination. The problem wasn't with graphic descriptions or worries about offending a reader. The problem is that a sex scene, with rare exceptions--erotic thrillers, for example--stops the action. The story does not advance while the characters have sex. Depending on your expected reader, this can be a problem. </p>
<p>Unless the scene tells us something important about the characters involved, less is definitely more.</p> Brian, I have a feelin' you'r…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-22:537324:Comment:3112462011-08-22T11:54:20.118ZMary McFarlandhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MaryMcFarland
<p>Brian, I have a feelin' you're diggin' deep with this topic. My first novel was a romantic suspense, so I had to pretty much follow tip sheets for the sex with a capital "S." I had trouble writing those scenes to be frank about it. </p>
<p>Some of my reservations about writing sex scenes occurred because I didn't want that vanilla-cream sex that readers would ignore and read past to the next page (I'd sure read enough of that). Part of it was, however, because of a deep-rooted self…</p>
<p>Brian, I have a feelin' you're diggin' deep with this topic. My first novel was a romantic suspense, so I had to pretty much follow tip sheets for the sex with a capital "S." I had trouble writing those scenes to be frank about it. </p>
<p>Some of my reservations about writing sex scenes occurred because I didn't want that vanilla-cream sex that readers would ignore and read past to the next page (I'd sure read enough of that). Part of it was, however, because of a deep-rooted self conciousness that I might "reveal" myself if I were to be too graphic or . . . not graphic enough, and then--even those issues are governed by genre: I would, for example, feel freer about the language and type of sex I used if I were writing hard-boiled as opposed to mainstream mystery. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Then--there was the problem of how to make my my sex scenes stand out from all the millions of others I had read. I mean, how many ways can our characters have sex--even OTT sex (whatever that is)--unless they're zombie detectives and antagonists with extra body parts that do really bizarre things?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I like Jeffrey Mariotte's response, though. What I've learned about writing those challenging sex scenes myself is:</p>
<ul>
<li><div>They are good when they conform to genre requirements, which conform to reader norms and values</div>
</li>
<li><div>They are good when they are well-integrated with plot or when they illuminate character, as Jeffrey points out</div>
</li>
<li><div>They are good when I get done reading them and think, yeah, I want to try <span style="text-decoration: underline;">that</span></div>
</li>
</ul> I've only had two short stori…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-08-22:537324:Comment:3112112011-08-22T10:31:50.620ZRobin Jarossihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RobinJarossi
<p>I've only had two short stories published, but I tend to pull away from the rude bits (as do many crime novelists I like).</p>
<p>My wife, on the other hand, writes for Mills & Boon and her stories have a lot of sex in them. That's what readers for her line expect – so, perhaps, the answer is to work out what your readers might want.</p>
<p>Robin</p>
<p>crimetimepreview.com</p>
<p>I've only had two short stories published, but I tend to pull away from the rude bits (as do many crime novelists I like).</p>
<p>My wife, on the other hand, writes for Mills & Boon and her stories have a lot of sex in them. That's what readers for her line expect – so, perhaps, the answer is to work out what your readers might want.</p>
<p>Robin</p>
<p>crimetimepreview.com</p>