How to write a sex scene, part 3

[resonant]

I've moved this series to my webpage. You can find it here.

Comments

[jaebi-lit.livejournal.com]

I haven't written a sex scene, aside from two really bad, really short ones for comic drabbles. So, I guess I haven't seriously written a sex scene. Even so, I found what you said to be really helpful and illuminating, not just for writing smut, but for writing in general, so thanks for posting these! And when I do end up writing smut, I'll be sure to look back at these posts.

And now I really want to read a Rodney/Radek attempting to strip fic.

[yahtzee63.livejournal.com]

I hope it didn't sound like I was being nitpicky! I didn't mean to be.

[nestra.livejournal.com]

And he's going to say, "Jesus, Rodney -- say something so I -- know it's you," and Rodney's going to put his mouth right against John's ear and say very quietly, "You know it's me," and I for one would have no complaints at all about a scene like that.

Maybe you should write the rest of it. Just as an example, you know. For academic purposes.

I agree that it's completely weird when characters who otherwise won't shut up suddenly go reverently silent during a sex scene, unless there's a good reason why.

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

No, not at all! I thought it was a very useful distinction. (I probably should have replied to the comment before making the post, huh?)

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Make the sex fit the characters (and not the other way around)

Yes, please. Please, please, please.

Single most important rule of smutting, imho. Far too many sex scenes are ATG (Any Two Guys) fic instead of the characters.

[melora98.livejournal.com]

Hey there! Just wanted to add my "thanks" in here for posting these. As I'm fumbling my way through writing my first "big" fic, this is all VERY helpful. :-)

[kindkit.livejournal.com]

I'm really enjoying this series of essays. To the wonderful points you've just made above, I'd add something that Te said somewhere: distinguish between your own turn-ons and those of your characters. Just because you like a certain sexual scenario or activity or kink or whatever, doesn't mean your characters will. And the scene should be about what the characters want, not about what you as author want, or it will feel forced.

Te's words were much better, but that's my approximation. It's advice that has been lodged in my brain since I read it, and that I think has improved my sex-scene writing immensely.

[bettyp.livejournal.com]

Did you know that with that whole "you know it's me" thing, that you have written one sentence that's hotter than 90% of the porn I get off my beloved sga_noticeboard in any given week? Yes, you say? That's why you're writing these, you say?

Very well. I'll go back to taking notes now.

[serialkarma.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say that I've been enjoying this little series the last few days. In my case, though, it's because so much of what you say can be applied in one way or another to writing other-than-sex-scenes. For me, writing porn has always been surprisingly easy, it's everything else that has a tendency to frustrate and stump me.

In particular, this:

Here's how to start: Don't think about what happens in the scene. Think about what payoff you want from it.

really struck a chord today, considering I've been agonizing how to get through a particular scene in a story I'm writing and it just occurred to me that this was the angle I needed to approach it from. Thankfully, it seems to finally be coming together. In retrospect it's ridiculously obvious, but I've noticed that those are the things we sometimes need someone to point out to us. So thanks!

[etben.livejournal.com]

I second this suggestion like nobody's business. I mean, purely from academic curiosity and all that...

[panisdead.livejournal.com]

a porn star who looks like Rodney McKay

...and that's where I was torn between ahahahah and aw, yeah.

Seriously, I'm finding this little series of tutorials fascinating. They're simultaneously psyching me up and psyching me out regarding something I'm working on.

[fleurrochard]

He will, in fact, probably babble something highly parenthetical and only partly comprehensible, and then go away, and it will only be hours later that John will suddenly go, "Oh, my god, I thought he was complaining about being on jumper pilot rotation but actually I think he just told me he's in love with me."

I'd like to read that story. *nodnodnod*

[wearethestars.livejournal.com]

And he's going to say, "Jesus, Rodney -- say something so I -- know it's you," and Rodney's going to put his mouth right against John's ear and say very quietly, "You know it's me," and I for one would have no complaints at all about a scene like that.

I have to say... even for a "HOW TO" guide... that's hot.

*runs away*

[thete1.livejournal.com]

This is totally the core of everything I believe about porn. Just... yeah. My own ancient porn manifesto is all about this, and it cannot -- EVER -- be stated enough.

It's *such* a newbie -- and, when it comes to writing erotica, there are some newbies who've been writing for *years* -- mistake, and a huge one. Because, after all -- this is *fan-fiction*. When we're not writing about the characters, we're fucking up. Full stop.

In other words... Timmy approves and so do I. :D

[lierdumoa.livejournal.com]

SO COOL to see that other writers do this, because no one ever really talks about writing porn. For my part, I get a vague idea of what I want to happen in the scene, a much clearer idea of what I want to happen to each character emotionally, and go from there. I figure if I can get the reader inside the character's head, as long as the character thinks it's hot, the reader will too.

This makes me want to make my own sex scene post, though if I did it would be more of a style analysis and comparison thing than a how-to thing like you're doing.

[namastenancy.livejournal.com]

This is a great series of essays. I don't write any more but I read tons and your essays are helping me understand on a more logical level why some sex scenes work and some don't. Also, please add me to the list that would love to read your John/Rodney sex scene - just for a further understanding of this academic subject.

Really.

[janet-carter.livejournal.com]

And he's going to say, "Jesus, Rodney -- say something so I -- know it's you," and Rodney's going to put his mouth right against John's ear and say very quietly, "You know it's me," and I for one would have no complaints at all about a scene like that.

As others said above, wow, that's hot. I have no complaints, either.

...two guys who are quoting John Donne to each other.

Peter Wimsey doppleganger story?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

*points* YES.

Although, I'd be really interested in seeing a 'What Not To Do' example scene too. *snicker*

[hlglne.livejournal.com]

Now I know why I enjoy writing Quinlan Vos. He doesn't say much--makes the sex so much easier!

No really; this series is lovely.

[hlglne.livejournal.com]

Yes! Wimsey on Wimsey!!

[darthfox.livejournal.com]

And he's going to say, "Jesus, Rodney -- say something so I -- know it's you," and Rodney's going to put his mouth right against John's ear and say very quietly, "You know it's me," and I for one would have no complaints at all about a scene like that.

neither would i, for the record. what is it people are doing for you these days to get you to write things? making icons? i can make icons. what do you want? (e-mail me separately, if you don't mind, because i'm still not getting notifications?)

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

And he's going to say, "Jesus, Rodney -- say something so I -- know it's you," and Rodney's going to put his mouth right against John's ear and say very quietly, "You know it's me," and I for one would have no complaints at all about a scene like that.


Let me jump in on this bandwagon because I've just imploded. Except may I say, never mind the purely academic reasons, I want the impurely non-academic!! *is puddle*

Oh, and McKay/Zelenka? Strip seductively, do whatever, as long as it's these two. Guh.

God, I love these 'How to' posts, Res! I am saving them all! This is the best, the BEST EVAH writer's workshop.

As Picasso and Renoir said, 'I paint with my prick', which, back in the palmy days of wymmyns lib I thought was beyond chauvinist piggery but which viewpoint I have now entirely succumbed to. Write with the damn pussy, make me feel hot and shivery, writing is so erotic, and slash is like a supremely distilled condensate of that.

You know it's me... omg, *is puddle again*, that is about it: slash in a nutshell.

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

though if I did it would be more of a style analysis and comparison thing
Yes, please!

And if you do it (when!?), could you comment about it to me so that I can scuttle over to your LJ because I've not got you Friended and don't know you but I would really love to read this style analysis thingy!

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

That would be so interesting to read!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

This is slowly turning into fic, you realise? You thought and wrote more about sex-muted Rodney, which has me *chuffed*