Sex scenes in story telling – My thoughts

Recently the discussion of sex scenes in movies/tv shows/books made the rounds of social media. I didn’t really partake as these things seem to come along every now and then like a carousel, with both sides arguing points pretty much to themselves. I do however have an opinion on the matter.

Any sex scene and if we’re going to be completely honest any scene at all should serve a purpose and enhance the story. This is particularly true of sex scenes because they command so much attention from the reader, especially if there is any level of explicitness. For the majority of readers there’s an embarrassment, right or wrong, when reading a sex scene. Also, by their nature, sex scenes are intimate experiences for your characters and therefore intimate experiences for your readers. 

Another thing to consider is how explicit is the scene going to be? A lot of that will depend on your audience but you need to keep in mind what you’re trying to portray as well. This goes back to making sure the scene is necessary. If you’re trying to display how slutty your character is can you achieve that with a simple fade to black? Is there some reaction, emotion, or action that happens during the sexual act that is really telling? Then there is going to have to be some build up to that. Some level of explicitness is required. Is the whole sex act just a necessary evil so to speak?  Then fade to black might be best. 

As you may or may not know, I write erotica. The whole question of sex scenes applies to erotica just as much as any other genre. In fact it may be even more crucial in erotica than in any other genre. Erotica is a story where the main theme is the erotic so the sex scenes are a main focus. A sex scene just for the sake of sex adds little. 

The use of sex in story writing is best when used with a purpose and with the knowledge of what it will bring. Sort of like seasoning in cooking use to enhance the flavor of your story or even in a case such as erotica use as the main course but use it for more than just to have it there be it for shock value or titillation. A proper sex scene can do so much more.

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