I like it here. I have a great view and I can put Kahlua in my coffee before heading into the office, so that’s badass.
For those of you who missed the memo, I just left my career as a high school English teacher – so I could be here with you. And after my first post, you’re already sending me sweet vibes via email. How cool is that?
The first note I received was from an Amazon bestselling author who is concerned about how much raunch to put in her sex scenes. How to make the pages steam without burning her career.
So you’re telling me I get to talk about nasty things every week, while drinking morning cocktails? Yeah. Yep. Yes.
Bitch of a job this.
Here’s the question:
“I need tips on writing a love scene. I can write fuckhot love scenes when I’m writing erotica, but I can’t publish erotica. (Long story, but it comes down to I’m a teacher in a tiny rural community and omg-the-drama-it-could-cause.) But more than that, I don’t want to have to write erotica in order to write romance.
“Because of that, any love scenes I write are fade-to-black or vague, and even my own mother said she wishes I’d write something a little dirtier. (Isn’t she great?) So I’m wondering if you have any tips on how to write a decent love scene without having to cross the line to erotica.”
She had me at ‘fuckhot.’ And at the bit where she details her concerns because of her career. I taught in Podunk, Missouri (shout out to MoCo) in the beginning of my career, which is part of the reason I chose to begin writing with a pseudonym. Juggling professional and writing careers can pose problems if you’re supposed to be seen as a role model. So I understand entirely why she’s bound to PG-13 material – and I think her mom is badass.
Still, I’m not entirely sure there is technically much difference between writing romance and erotica. Most of us assume one is dirtier and kinkier, but they both have a similar goal, right? To arouse their audiences’ sexual desires.
The difference, I believe, is between an entire manuscript and a scene. Here’s my thought:
There is something smoldering hot about a sex scene refusing to give away all the details, letting the readers’ imaginations run wild.
Because of that, I don’t think she really has a problem at all, but an awesome opportunity to play with her words and flirt with her readers (like foreplay).
Here’s my suggestion:
I always love detailing bodies coming together, using verbs (enraptured, danced, grazed, etc.) to describe their placement, without coming out and saying anything about penis-and-vagina action (or other combinations of sexual organs).
An example?
“His hand grazed the curve of her lower back as she sank into the down comforter. She blossomed for him underneath his broad shoulders with her smooth legs intertwined and buckling around his waist.”
We’re not talking about penetration. Frankly, blossoming for him could mean many things. But imagery makes the reader see something and they will go wherever their imagination wants. That’s exciting (for them and you).
The rule I write sex scenes by is simple. If I would cringe saying it to one of my former bosses, I probably need to leave some of the dirty work up to the readers.
Erotica is great, if that’s what you want to write, but you don’t have to write an entire book of it, if you don’t want to.
Playing with unusual verbs and putting a metaphor on its proverbial back are two ways to get the point across without giving away the goods.
Funny, this is the second post I’ve referenced giving it all away (and my refusal to), yet here I am dishing out tips on how to make your work dirtier while avoiding a mud bath.
You guys sure put out one hell of an initiation.
Got writing questions for Lindsay? Email capo@rebeccatdickson.com. Confessions of a Dirty Blonde goes out every Thursday.
Where fear and procrastination come to die: Word Sparks is LIVE
This is a call to writers. And people afraid to call themselves writers. And soon-to-be-writers.
I see you tapping your pen on your temple. I know you’re hedging, holding your words in because you think they aren’t just right. I can smell anxiety ten miles away and you, my friend, reek.
So here’s the plan:
I’ve crafted some sexy writing prompts that get delivered to your inbox five days a week. Phrases. Images. Videos even. Shit to spark your pen and keep you productive.
You take those, which I aptly named Word Sparks, and freewrite, journal or post on your blog. Whatever makes you happy – and writing.
Together, we shall kick the shit out of the internal editor. Capiche?
Why writing prompts?
Responsibilities make finding time to write difficult. They can create conflicts between ‘must do’ and ‘want to.’
Having too many responsibilities with zero time to pursue your dreams is a problem.
It’s also an excuse.
Don’t tell me you don’t have time to write because I don’t want to tell you you’re wrong.
Too often, we let fear, confusion and stress fill our days. Your dream of writing is easier to avoid if you over-schedule yourself. I’m not implying you have it easy (day job or otherwise) or that you should ignore your family.
I’m asking you to devote a little time to yourself every day. To exercise your brain and your creativity.
The 15 minutes you use to scan Netflix.
Your lunch break.
The kids’ nap time.
What about 30 minutes before bed?
The more you write, the better you become. Time spent writing fuels you. Want proof? Read what Malcolm Gladwell says about the 10,000-hour rule.
But Becky, who are you to prompt my writing?
My sketchy math skills say I’ve put in 29,936 hours on this writing and editing gig. It’s a conservative estimate that doesn’t account for weekends (which I almost always work) or the three years I was a freelance writer before launching this place.
I know your struggles. I can relate on a deep level. I was the writer who did everything BUT write for many years. Until I figured out how to get past that shit and… Write. My. Ass. Off.
I can coach, coax, edit, inspire and cheer you on.
But at the end of the day, you are responsible for your success.
You have to show up.
Too often, we humans have mad dreams and no direction. We sit around waiting for someone else to tell us what to do in order to get what we want. Do you see the insanity in that? (Click to tweet.)
Word Sparks, if nothing else, will keep the act of writing on your mind, taking up active space in your brain on a regular basis, jostling you to get shit on the page. As a writing coach, this is my unabashed goal.
Count on encouragement (applause or guttural chants). Signup for Word Sparks writing prompts so I can harass you and your inbox five days a week. Bonus: This is actually a step in the direction you, as a writer, want to take. Imagine?
You’re already going after goals.
***
P.S. You know we have an awesome cell phone app available, right? Hop onto Google Play for your Droid or the App Store for iPhone and search for “Write Raw.” And don’t forget to leave an app review.
P.P.S. The entire app image collection also lives on Pinterest. (We add more as they are released.)
How much raunch to put in sex scenes :: Confessions of A Dirty Blonde
I like it here. I have a great view and I can put Kahlua in my coffee before heading into the office, so that’s badass.
For those of you who missed the memo, I just left my career as a high school English teacher – so I could be here with you. And after my first post, you’re already sending me sweet vibes via email. How cool is that?
The first note I received was from an Amazon bestselling author who is concerned about how much raunch to put in her sex scenes. How to make the pages steam without burning her career.
So you’re telling me I get to talk about nasty things every week, while drinking morning cocktails? Yeah. Yep. Yes.
Bitch of a job this.
Here’s the question:
“I need tips on writing a love scene. I can write fuckhot love scenes when I’m writing erotica, but I can’t publish erotica. (Long story, but it comes down to I’m a teacher in a tiny rural community and omg-the-drama-it-could-cause.) But more than that, I don’t want to have to write erotica in order to write romance.
“Because of that, any love scenes I write are fade-to-black or vague, and even my own mother said she wishes I’d write something a little dirtier. (Isn’t she great?) So I’m wondering if you have any tips on how to write a decent love scene without having to cross the line to erotica.”
She had me at ‘fuckhot.’ And at the bit where she details her concerns because of her career. I taught in Podunk, Missouri (shout out to MoCo) in the beginning of my career, which is part of the reason I chose to begin writing with a pseudonym. Juggling professional and writing careers can pose problems if you’re supposed to be seen as a role model. So I understand entirely why she’s bound to PG-13 material – and I think her mom is badass.
Still, I’m not entirely sure there is technically much difference between writing romance and erotica. Most of us assume one is dirtier and kinkier, but they both have a similar goal, right? To arouse their audiences’ sexual desires.
The difference, I believe, is between an entire manuscript and a scene. Here’s my thought:
There is something smoldering hot about a sex scene refusing to give away all the details, letting the readers’ imaginations run wild.
Because of that, I don’t think she really has a problem at all, but an awesome opportunity to play with her words and flirt with her readers (like foreplay).
Here’s my suggestion:
I always love detailing bodies coming together, using verbs (enraptured, danced, grazed, etc.) to describe their placement, without coming out and saying anything about penis-and-vagina action (or other combinations of sexual organs).
An example?
“His hand grazed the curve of her lower back as she sank into the down comforter. She blossomed for him underneath his broad shoulders with her smooth legs intertwined and buckling around his waist.”
We’re not talking about penetration. Frankly, blossoming for him could mean many things. But imagery makes the reader see something and they will go wherever their imagination wants. That’s exciting (for them and you).
The rule I write sex scenes by is simple. If I would cringe saying it to one of my former bosses, I probably need to leave some of the dirty work up to the readers.
Erotica is great, if that’s what you want to write, but you don’t have to write an entire book of it, if you don’t want to.
Playing with unusual verbs and putting a metaphor on its proverbial back are two ways to get the point across without giving away the goods.
Funny, this is the second post I’ve referenced giving it all away (and my refusal to), yet here I am dishing out tips on how to make your work dirtier while avoiding a mud bath.
You guys sure put out one hell of an initiation.
Got writing questions for Lindsay? Email capo@rebeccatdickson.com. Confessions of a Dirty Blonde goes out every Thursday.