Questions Answered: Tense, Balance, and Where to Put the Lovin'

First, Happy Valentines Day to everyone! : ) I hope you all have a fun day full of love, chocolate, or whatever makes you happy.

Now, last week I opened up the comments to any question you guys may have. So I thought today would be a good day to answer those. And if these questions spark any other questions, feel free to ask them in the comments.

Alright, first, Jessica asked  "there have recently been a few discussions on tense past/present . Do you have a preference when writing?"

I think this is truly a personal preference question. There is nothing wrong with using either, though I have heard a few agents/editors lament about present tense on occasion. I personally have no desire to write in present tense. My thoughts naturally happen in past tense, so I'd have to fight that to write any other way. However, I have read a number of present tense YA books that I enjoyed.

The warning I will give is that present tense is much harder to pull off than past tense, so if you go that route, know that you'll have to pull it off flawlessly. I've critiqued a number of different people via contests and such that have tried the present tense thing and it just didn't work. And very often, those manuscripts are the ones with the most mistakes in tense switching (slipping into past tense by accident every few paragraphs.) So I would say if you choose to do present tense, make sure you have a good reason why and not just because you want to be "different". Yes, it can feel more immediate and intense in present tense, but be aware of some of the problems you could face as well (some outlined here.)

Kayleen asked: "How do you juggle all the things you have to do in a day? That seems to be a consistent battle at my house."

You're not alone, it's a constant battle for me too. We just moved my kiddo to 5 half days a week of preschool so that I could find more uninterrupted writing time. All I can say is that the only thing that works for me is squeezing in writing time (whether it be computer time or thinking through the story time) wherever I can. The thinking part happens in the shower or while I'm supervising kidlet's bath or when I'm laying in bed before I fall asleep. I make a conscious point to think on the story, work out problems I'm having in a scene, planning the next scene, etc. so that when I do get that time in front of the laptop I'm ready to get actual words on the page.

I also am in the ongoing battle of learning how to say "no" sometimes. I get asked to critique or guest blog or judge a contest pretty regularly and I always want to say yes. I like doing those things. But I'm realizing that sometimes I'm going to have to say no because if I say yes to it all, my writing time goes to that instead of to writing and that's not good.

So I know that's probably not an overly helpful answer, but the truth of the matter is...something will always get pushed to the side. I just try to make sure it's not my husband, my kidlet, or my writing. If laundry isn't always caught up or there are dishes in the sink when I go to bed at night, I'm okay with that. Those things can wait (for a little while at least.) : )

Karla asked "Since you write and read erotic romance, I'd love to hear your opinion/thoughts on this: How early in the book do you think the first erotic scene should fall -- and/or -- how long is too long to make the reader wait for that first blazing hot encounter? "

Okay, so this is a question near and dear to me because I struggled with this exact thing in my book. Many erotic romances you read--especially the ebooks--have a sexy scene or full out love scene VERY early, like first chapter early. The thought I guess is that--this is erotic, let's set that tone immediately. I'm okay with that structure. I've seen it pulled off beautifully many times. However, I don't agree that it HAS to happen that early. My first sexy scene in my book isn't until the end of chapter four and even then it's a flashback scene and no actual sex happens.

I actually got points off when I entered a contest because I didn't have a love scene in that first thirty pages. But lo and behold, the book got me the agent and book deal. Why? Because I apparently did what was right for the story. I couldn't have my couple get together that early. They were past lovers and had some MAJOR issues between them to deal with before they could even be in the same room with one another, much less the same bed. It wouldn't have worked.

So Karla told me not to tell her "it depends on the story" lol, so I'm going to say--do what is right for your characters. If you have enough sexual tension building, readers will hang with you for that love scene and then just think how delicious it will be after all that build up? However, don't forget that key--if you have no sexual tension and you go on and on with narrative in an erotic romance (or any romance) then people are going to be checking the spine thinking--wait, this is a romance, right? Plant the seeds, the sexy thoughts, clue us in to how viscerally the hero and heroine are affected by each other--promise us the hot love scene that way then make sure you deliver what you promise.

Alright, so those are my answers. Thanks for the questions! What do you guys think? Agree/disagree on these issues? And any other questions pop up while reading this?

Bom Chicka Wah Wah: Types of Love Scenes

Photo via The U.S. National Archives

I promised on Wednesday that I'd post about heat levels in love/sex scenes and how to decide which level to go with for your book. This is an updated post from earlier in the year.

This information was pulled from two classes I attended at the DFW Writer's Conference on writing sex scenes--one by author Jenni Holbrook and the other by author Shayla Black.  (Great conference btw, if you're looking for a conference to go to DFWCon is coming up in February and is going to be huge. I think there are like 10-12 agents already confirmed to be there for pitches, plus the workshops are always great.)

Now on to the sex (or not as the case may be)! As most of you have figured out, I write and read sexy and erotic romance, so love scenes are an integral part of my stories.  Now, I know many of you may cringe at the idea of writing sex on the page and think this isn't for you.   But even if you're writing clean cut YA, you should know what the components are because a simple kiss IS a love scene if done correctly.

First, let's get the main rule out of the way:

DO NOT put in a love scene unless it changes the character(s) and moves things (usually internal conflict) forward.  Just like any other scene, it must serve a purpose.

Okay, now let's identify the types of love scenes (care of Jenni Holbrook):

1. Closed Door/Fade to Black

--This is where the sex is implied, but not shown.

Use this:

--When the change in the characters does not happen during the actual act.

--Think of old movies where they kiss and then the camera pans to bedroom curtains fluttering in the breeze.

2. Glossed Over Sex

--This is where a little more is shown--maybe a little touching and buildup, but then that door slams shut.

Use this:

--When the change in the character happens during the intimate moments leading up to the actual bom-chick-wah-wah.

--Ex.) Dirty Dancing (one of the hottest scenes EVAH), when Baby and Johnny dance in his room.  (YouTube won't let me embed the video, but here's the link, if you'd like your daily swoon.) They take off shirts and touch and kiss while dancing, but that is where the change happens--when she says "dance with me" and he accepts the invitation.  Then we see them in bed, kissing, and the scene fades.

3. Full Sex Scene

--This is what you'll see in many mainstream romances and other genre fiction.  The sex happens on the page, door open.

Use this:

--When the change in the characters or revelations about the characters happen during the actual sex.

--Ex.) The Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood books.

4.  Explicit Sex Scene

--This is most often used in erotic romance and erotica.  A full sex scene, like above, but everything is described and the language used is no holds barred.  (Yes, you know what words I'm talking about.)

--FYI: the difference between erotic romance and erotica is that e. romance has a primary relationship and there is a happily ever after.  Erotica is more about sexual exploration, doesn't necessarily need to be relationship based, and doesn't require HEA.

Use this:

--Just like a full sex scene, the character change happens during the act.

--If you are using kinky sex acts

--This is not for the faint of heart.  Make sure you read lots of erotic romance to get a feel for exactly what explicit means, lol.

So, how do you decide which level to write at?

1.  Comfort level has to be there.

--If the idea of writing a sex scene makes you squeamish or if you are one of those people who (*gasp*) skips past the love scenes in books, you're probably going to want to fade to black or gloss over.

--The reader will be able to tell if you were uncomfortable about writing it.

--If you think you want to write sex, then make sure you read widely in your particular genre to get a feel for what works and where those lines are. 

--And as I mentioned in the comments on Wednesday, I think it's helpful to read one level of heat above what you're planning on writing. So if you want to write sexy, read erotic. It will help you get more comfortable about what you're going to write, desensitize you a bit to the embarrassment factor.

2.  What does your character/story need?

--According to Shayla Black, if you can pluck out a sex scene and it won't change your character's arc or transformation, then you probably didn't need the scene in the first place.  Do not put it there just to have one (see main rule above).

3.  Know your audience

--You have to know what you are writing and who you are writing for.

--If you put a full sex scene in an inspirational romance, your readers would be appalled.  If you're writing erotic romance and you fade to black, your readers will want to string you up by your toes and beat you with your book.  :)

--And if you're writing YA, you have even more of a challenge.  Figure out if you're writing edgy or traditional and how far your want to push.

And one last Public Service Announcement since this came up in Wednesday's comments:

Even though it's hard, try not to let the "my mother/grandmother/father will read this" factor hold you back. I get it. I've had the same thoughts about what I'm writing BUT here's the thing--will you keep yourself from writing the story you want to write, a story that could entertain thousands of readers because of ONE or two people in your life?  If you're not comfortable writing love scenes because you personally aren't cool with it or it's not your thing. That's fine--you shouldn't do it if that's how you feel. However, if you like to read/write sexy but are stopping yourself because of what others think, then you're letting other people dictate your passion. Don't give others that much power over you.  (Just my humble opinion. Take it for what it's worth.)  

Alright, so I hope this helps.  Writing love scenes is one of the most challenging things to get right.  If you want to know more, I also have posts on sexual tension and writing sex scenes you can check out.

So, where do you fall on the levels in your story?  And are you a person who loves to peek past that door or do you skip those scenes?  (For the record, I'm fascinated by you scene skippers.  How do you do that and why? lol)

 

 

Love Scenes 101: Don't Be Corny or Porn-y

Photo by Boris SV

I'm the final stretch of another round of edits, so today I'm bringing you an (updated) post I did about a year ago on love scenes. Hope you enjoy!

So what exactly constitutes a love scene? Are they only important for those of us writing romance? Of course not. 

A love scene can involve any number of things. It could be that kiss that your readers have been rooting for since page three or it can be full out swinging from the chandeliers romp (I'll talk more about how to choose the level of heat on Friday). But regardless of the type you're writing, it can make or break a story. Nothing will make me put a book down faster than a cheesy or non-emotionally engaging love scene. 

So let's look at what can cause a lackluster scene and then what you can do to make it sparkle so that your readers remember that moment long after putting down the book. 

What can turn a hot moment cold?

You're squeamish

If you, the author, are not comfortable with the scene, your readers will be able to tell. Do not write an erotic romance if the thought of typing out four-letter words in a sex scene makes you cringe.

Shallow POV

The reader needs to feel like she is in the moment with the characters. So make sure you use Deep POV effectively and don't pull out of that.

Lack of character development

If your characters are flat, their love scene will be as well. We need to be invested in the characters.

You haven't established sufficient motivation for the scene.

Don't have them kiss/jump in bed/etc. just because it feels like a good time. Make sure we know why they are doing this now. That doesn't mean that things can't happen fast. Many romances have a love scene very early, but you have to establish the WHY and get us connected to the characters before that moment happens.

You haven't raised the stakes enough.

The risk of them getting together is nil and therefore uninteresting. What consequences could happen now that they are giving in to their love/desire for each other?

No change happens.

Love scenes should change the people involved--be that good or bad.

The scene lacks emotion.

All we have is description of the physical acts and not what's going on in their heads and hearts. This can turn a great sensual scene into gratuitous (and boring) porn. *yawn*

So what are some ways to make sure your love scene gets readers' hearts racing?

Make sure you've sufficiently built up tension.

This is beyond VITAL. Without tension build up, a love scene won't mean anything. See this post.

Write in emotions.

Tell us what's running through your character's mind. Often the emotions in this type of scene will be mixed, but let the reader know what's going on. THIS is the whole point of the love scene--how it affects the characters.

Love scenes should be tailor-made

You should not be able to cut and paste a love scene and drop into a different story. Only these two characters could have this exact scene.

Conflict should still be present.

If both love each other, have no obstacles, and jump in bed--snore. They have to be risking something. Otherwise, it's just two people doing it.

Use dialogue.

I love using dialogue in a love scene. Teasing words can be great for tension. Dirty talk (a personal favorite of my hero in Exposure Therapy) can be fun because often it's pushing the other character out of their comfort zone.

A sense of humor can come in handy

Love scenes don't have to be totally serious. Kissing or getting naked with someone can be awkward and a little humor and sarcasm can help ease nerves and bring the characters closer together. I find playful sarcasm sneaking into most of my love scenes. It's okay for them to laugh, too.

Write what you feel comfortable with and what is right for the characters.

Love scenes don't have to be fully described (although they can be). You can shut the door and fade to black. It can be a simple kiss. You have to be comfy with the amount you're letting your reader see. And make sure it's appropriate for your character. If you're character is a virgin, don't write a scene where she acts like a pro.

Don't fear the naughty. If your story calls for a little or a lot of dirty, and you feel comfortable writing that type of scene go for it.

If your hero is a notorious badass and playboy, he's probably going to be a little raunchier in bed. And raunchy doesn't have to mean it's porn. If you put in emotion and have built appropriate tension, even a threesome with all the four letter words used can be engaging and romantic. (Really, I promise.) And stop worrying about if your grandmother is going to read it. You're an adult, get over it. :p 

Remember the POV you're writing in.

If you are in the hero's point of view, remember that guys are going to think in a different way than the woman. He's probably not having flowery thoughts (maybe love thoughts, but not flowery). And he's hopefully not going to refer to his uh, friend, as his love sword in his head, lol. 

Speaking of love swords...

Don't use cheesy euphemisms and purple prose. You don't have to use the clinical or crude terms (although you can depending on what you're writing), but use ones that don't make your readers laugh or roll their eyes.

Make sure it's the right time.

Don't put in a love scene just cause you think you need one. Motivate it properly. And it MUST move the plot forward and change the people involved in some way. Every scene has to have that purpose.

Sources: Writing Erotic Romance and Fiction Factor. Another great source (for the 18 and up crowd) author Stacia Kane's Sex Writing Strumpet series of blogs.

And last bit of advice: if your heart isn't racing while you write the scene, you're doing something wrong. You should be anticipating that scene as much as you want your reader to. The first love scene I wrote for my romance, I was sweating by the end of it, lol.

So do you have any tips on writing these scenes? Do you find them difficult to write? (For me they are hard, but so much fun at the same time.) What's one of your favorite love scenes from a book/movie/tv show? Which author do you think writes the best sexual tension/love scenes?

Bom Chicka Wah Wah: Sex Scenes

Yeah, I'm going there.  Two of the classes I attended over the weekend were on writing sex scenes--one by author Jenni Holbrook and the other by author Shayla Black.

As most of you have figured out, I write and read sexy romance (and now am writing an erotic romance), so love scenes are an integral part of my stories.  Now, I know many of you may cringe at the idea of writing sex on the page and think this isn't for you.   But even if you're writing clean cut YA, you should know what the components are because a simple kiss IS a love scene if done correctly.

First, let's get the main rule out of the way:

DO NOT put in a love scene unless it changes the character(s) and moves things (usually internal conflict) forward.  Just like any other scene, it must serve a purpose.

Okay, now let's identify the types of love scenes (care of Jenni Holbrook):

1. Closed Door/Fade to Black
--This is where the sex is implied, but not shown.
Use this:
--When the change in the characters does not happen during the actual act.
--Think of old movies where they kiss and then the camera pans to bedroom curtains fluttering in the breeze.

2. Glossed Over Sex
--This is where a little more is shown--maybe a little touching and buildup, but then that door slams shut.
Use this:
--When the change in the character happens during the intimate moments leading up to the actual bom-chick-wah-wah.
--Ex.) Dirty Dancing (one of the hottest scenes EVAH), when Baby and Johnny dance in his room.  (YouTube won't let me embed the video, but here's the link, if you'd like your daily swoon.) They take off shirts and touch and kiss while dancing, but that is where the change happens--when she says "dance with me" and he accepts the invitation.  Then we see them in bed, kissing, and the scene fades.

3. Full Sex Scene
--This is what you'll see in many mainstream romances and other genre fiction.  The sex happens on the page, door open.
Use this:
--When the change in the characters or revelations about the characters happen during the actual sex.
--Ex.) The Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood books.

4.  Explicit Sex Scene
--This is most often used in erotic romance and erotica.  A full sex scene, like above, but everything is described and the language used is no holds barred.  (Yes, you know what words I'm talking about.)
--FYI: the difference between erotic romance and erotica is that e. romance has a primary relationship and there is a happily ever after.  Erotica is more about sexual exploration, doesn't necessarily need to be relationship based, and doesn't require HEA.
Use this:
--Just like a full sex scene, the character change happens during the act.
--If you are using kinky sex acts
--This is not for the faint of heart.  Make sure you read lots of erotic romance to get a feel for exactly what explicit means, lol.

So, how do you decide which level to write at?

1.  Comfort level has to be there.
--If the idea of writing a sex scene makes you squeamish or if you are one of those people who (*gasp*) skips past the love scenes in books, you're probably going to want to fade to black or gloss over.
--The reader will be able to tell if you were uncomfortable about writing it.
--If you think you want to write sex, then make sure you read widely in your particular genre to get a feel for what works and where those lines are.

2.  What does your character/story need?
--According to Shayla Black, if you can pluck out a sex scene and it won't change your character's arc or transformation, then you probably didn't need the scene in the first place.  Do not put it there just to have one (see main rule above).

3.  Know your audience
--You have to know what you are writing and who you are writing for.
--If you put a full sex scene in an inspirational romance, your readers would be appalled.  If you're writing erotic romance and you fade to black, your readers will want to string you up by your toes and beat you with your book.  :)
--And if you're writing YA, you have even more of a challenge.  Figure out if you're writing edgy or traditional and how far your want to push.

Alright, so I hope this helps.  Writing love scenes is one of the most challenging things to get right, in my opinion.  If you want to know more, I also have posts on sexual tension and writing sex scenes you can check out.

So, where do you fall on the levels in your story?  And are you a person who loves to peek past that door or do you skip those scenes?  (For the record, I'm fascinated by you scene skippers.  How do you do that and why? lol)
 
 
 
 
 

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