7. Sensation and Emotion
So you’ve managed to write a descriptive, unique sex scene with realistic sex acts and no terms for body parts that do not SCREAM OFF the page and actually fit the portrayed characters.
And now I get to tell you that’s still not enough for a good sex scene. Many porn writers actually stop at this point.
With the result that the sex scene still feels clinical and gratuitous.
Why is that?
Because it’s not enough to write what happens, to describe the physical aspects of sex. If you leave it at that, all you’ve got is porn.
For a meaningful erotic scene, you also need to include the sensations and the emotions elicited by the physical acts, what the sex feels like and how that makes your characters feel.
It’s not enough to write:
He was fairly thick. Thankfully, he knew that. Smiling at her, he carefully worked himself inside her until he was fully sheathed. She gasped, and he began to move.
You need to include which sensations that evokes within her.
If the writing just hovers over the body parts like a video camera, the effect you create is that of a porn flick. It’s not enough to ‘see’ the body parts involved, you need to feel them.
And—important!—sexual touches are not limited to genitals.
To create a unique, authentic sex scene, exploring other erogenous zones of the body can be immensely effective.
Although she was slick with need, it almost hurt when he entered her. She couldn’t keep from gasping at every inch he slid further in. Once he was fully inside her, she experienced a sensation of almost unbearable fullness-and at the same time, a desire for more. With a soft sigh, she arched against him, creating the slightest friction. He bent forward and brushed his lips along her collarbone until he reached the hollow at the base of her throat. She shuddered at the delicious sensations that pulsed and throbbed deep within her.
But you should do even more: You also need include how the acts you portray in your scene make your characters feel. And that’s more than just the physical experience of sex acts. What is the emotional reaction of your character?
‘More,’ she breathed. His scent, mixed with a hint of sweat, made her heart speed up. ‘More…’
A look of intense concentration on his face, he lowered himself and brushed his lips over hers.
‘Always,’ he whispered.
His unexpected tenderness made her feel strangely fragile. Inexplicable tears prickled at the corners of her eyes. Precious, she thought. You are precious to me…
Then he began to move inside her, gently, but insistent. With each push and pull, waves of desire washed over her, bringing her closer and closer to release.
After a while, his rhythm faltered. His breathing grew heavy. Suddenly he squeezed his eyes shut, scrunched up his face, pushing hard as he came. What an endearing expression in a man who was always on his guard! She nearly melted with the love she felt for him.
And that’s STILL not the end of it really… because writing your sex scene you shouldn’t forget the context—the plot of your story.
- Why are your characters having sex?
- What will change in your story because your characters are having sex?
TIP!
- Don’t forget that a body consists of more than just a cunt and a cock.
- Do not stop at describing the physical acts of a sex scene. If you leave it at that, the scene can feel clinical and gratuitous.
- Include the sensations that each action, each movement, each caress provokes!
- And don’t forget the emotions! Stay with the feelings! There is more to a sex scene than the physical acts and how your characters experience them. How does the encounter make them feel?
- Last but not least: Why are your characters having sex in that scene? Why does it matter that they have sex? Don’t forget the context and the plot of your story.