My guest author today is the wonderfully talented Jolyn Palliata. She is discussing the challenges and joys of writing a love scene – and giving away an ebook to TWO lucky commenters (sneak peek below at one of the prizes). Jolyn says:
One of the most challenging things a writer can do is write a love scene. For some, it comes (no pun intended) naturally, and for others it’s a constant struggle to climb that mountain and reach that peak (okay…pun intended).
So how do you write a love scene? My approach is to figure out the Who, What, Why, Where and How of it all, and then go to town!
What
First, you need to decide what you’re comfortable with? If the author feels uncomfortable writing the scene, then I can guarantee that not only are the characters going to feel his/her pain, but so are the readers. And no one wants to read about an awkward sexual encounter—we get enough of those in real life! Decide where your comfort lies (hinted at, implied, or describe in detail), and stay in your comfort zone. I, personally, run between implied and described in detail. But I’ve found I’ve gotten braver from book-to-book.
Who
Well, these would be your hero and heroine, of course. And, if the situation permits, possibly a third party. *delicious shiver* Sorry…flashbacks to Platinum Passion. I’ve yet to dabble in ménage, but I just about guarantee I’ll go there eventually.
Where
This is an important one—sometimes the where can dictate the how and why. It can lend the overall tone and urgency of the situation.
On the kitchen counter: creative (or at least has the possibility to be)
In a bed: romantic
On a beach: decadent
Against the wall: impromptu
On a park bench: kinky
In a hay loft: hidden/forbidden (and pokey…ouch!)
On the floor: impatient
In a car: no better option
Why
Love scenes are great fun…period. But you’d better have a good reason for it. This is where you can look at the Where list, and build. Is it lust or love? To prove a point, stake a claim…punish? Or are they just bored? (Please, don’t let this be your reason! If the characters are bored, then your reader is bored, and it’s going to take a helluvalot more than a steamy love scene to jar them awake.)
How
Now you know as well as I do, there are different types of love scenes; making love and having sex are two very different things. Again, look at the Where list, and go from there. Better yet, close your eyes and picture it. Wait. On second thought, don’t picture it just yet. (I could have lost half my audience right there!). Unfortunately, that’s a hazard of the job—a good imagination can be counter-productive to the whole writing process. Although, if the writer is distracting themselves with the scene, you can be damn sure the reader will get into it as well! The other side of that is the technical piece. Once you draft your love scene, you will eventually need to go back and edit it. Cut this, cut that…oops, already used that word. It almost becomes a game—how many different ways can I describe fire-licked passion, sensual body heat, and sweat-slicked skin before it gets monotonous? Oh, and one other thing…don’t forget the experience level of your characters. This can make the difference between a fumbling affair and a smooth seduction.
The most challenging love scene I’ve written thus far was for Connected (Twists of Fate #1). How do you write a scene between a woman and the spirit of the rock star stuck in her head? It ended up being a blast to write, and probably the most creative love scenes I’ve written.
The most fun I ever had was writing a scene for Impending Reprisals (to be released in April). Don’t you just love it when a man is trying to make a point, win an argument, and stake a claim through sex? (Words failed him, so he let his actions speak volumes.) It was probably the most punishing scene I’ve written to date.
The most raw and heart-wrenching love scenes I’ve written were in A Modern Love Story, where the intimacy proved to seal a bond…and then to shatter it.
Love scenes are pivotal in a romance. No matter the what, who, where, why and how, they lend so much the character development, plot, and emotional journey. So if you’re going to write a love scene, make sure you have the “how to’s” covered. And most importantly, be creative!
To readers and writers alike… Is there anything you’d like to add? Any writing tips or thoughts? Or perhaps a love scene that’s stuck with you, and why?
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by. And thank you, Jennifer, for having me as your guest.
Two lucky commenters will win their choice of Connected or A Modern Love Story (eBooks to be gifted via Amazon). I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions!
Here’s a sneak peek at Connected:
A rock group’s rhythm guitarist, Rhys Alexander, dies and finds himself bound inside the body of a woman he’s never met. Can she help him move on to the other side, or will he end up finding the love of his life…after his has already ended?
Excerpt:
After a few minutes of digging through her closet, Addison came up with two black dresses. She wanted something simplistic to fit her style, but elegant. Something not too revealing, but feminine; something that would make a man drool but leave enough to the imagination to have him wondering what was hidden underneath.
What are you doing?
“I’m trying to decide which dress to wear.” She chewed on her fingernail as her eyes shifted from one dress to the other.
Wear the one on the right.
Her eyebrows shot up. “You can see them?”
Hell, no. But your inability to make a fucking decision is raking at my nerves.
“So you just picked one at random?”
It’s a decision, isn’t it? It’s not like you’re any closer to one.
She lifted a shoulder in semi-agreement as she eyed the wraparound number on the right.
Worked for her.
She shoved the reject dress back into the closet before she went to dry her hair and throw on some make-up.
Rhys was surprisingly quiet throughout, and then she realized he had closed off their link. Why? She had no idea, but at this point it hardly concerned her. She was just thankful for the quiet.
After fluffing her blonde locks and putting on her face, Addison shrugged out of her robe. She took her time as she picked out some frilly panties and bra—because you just never know—and then wiggled into the dress.
“Oh, boy,” she mumbled, studying herself in the mirror. The dress didn’t leave as much to the imagination as she had hoped. She couldn’t go out like this, could she?
A sly smile crept to her face. Well, maybe…
What’s up, sweetheart?
Aaand the cocky attitude was back.
“Just checking things out. This dress is a bit…revealing. I’m not used to it.”
He chuckled. What? he teased. Can you actually see your knees?
She pulled at the fabric wrapped tight around her chest as her ample breasts kept trying to pop out and say ‘hello,’ and then she tugged fruitlessly at the hem.
“It shows a lot more than that,” she muttered, rethinking if she could leave the house this way or not. After all, it was only a third date, and on top of that, she never truly intended to ever wear the dress; it was a impulse purchase on a day she had felt a helluva lot braver than she did just then.
Jesus, it can’t be that bad. Hell, if any damn flesh is showing, you’d consider it to be too revealing.
“I would not.” Though she probably would.
Don’t get all offended and shit. You showed me your picture, remember? Very proper, very conservative, very non-revealing. I know your type.
“My type. Is that so?” She propped her hands on her hips, her contempt pushing her to prove the stereotyping asshat wrong. “Would you like to see for yourself? Then you can enlighten me with your vast knowledge as to how this dress is too conservative, and fits my type perfectly.”
Snorting a laugh, he encouraged her further. I would love to see your oh-too-sexy dress, sweetheart. Lay it on me. I’ll try to contain myself.
Striking a ridiculously sassy pose that had her giggling, she projected her image from the mirror.
He made a choking sound, and she felt his entire being seize up.
Frustrated, she shut down the image. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
For crissakes, woman, you’re fucking hot in real life! What the hell happened to the prim-and-fucking-proper-working-class girl?!
Suddenly feeling very confident, she tipped her head to the side and studied her image again, being sure Rhys saw it as well.
“I let my hair down, which I’m known to do when I go out. I put in my contacts, which I also do from time-to-time. And I put this on,” she ran her hands down her dress, caressing every curve. “Which, I might add, you picked out. I think you made the right choice, don’t you?” She turned in the mirror, glancing over her shoulder to show the ‘v’ of bare skin slashing down the back.
Addison, baby, you’re killing me. Of all the damn luck; to be stuck in the head of some searing hot babe. He groaned as if in real pain.
She laughed at his dramatics, and closed off the image. “What does it matter what I look like? I’m still me. The irritating woman you fight with constantly.”
Yeah, but before I was getting a rise out of you ‘cause I could.
“And how has that changed?”
His voice shifted low, almost sultry. Now I’m kinda thinking of it as foreplay.
It was her turn to make the choking sound, followed by a wave of heat planting itself firmly in her cheeks. “Oh, please.”
That’s right, baby. Beg.
She couldn’t help but laugh, refusing to take the man seriously. “This is going to be a long night.”
His chuckle joined hers. Count on it.
“You better behave yourself, Rhys.”
To that, he had no response.
~~~
For more information on Jolyn Palliata, please visit her website.
To purchase her books (in eBook and Paperback format), please visit Amazon.
I only wanted to try a new theme for my website/blog! It seemed easy at the time – just install my WordPress theme of choice, then click “Activate”. Maybe a bit of tweaking might be involved, to make sure everything looked good, and that was going to be all I did yesterday evening. I’d spent the day at work on the computer, and I wanted a night off at home.
Thanks so much, Jennifer, for having me as your guest today. I’d like to talk a little about the sensual side of love. As an m/m erotic romance writer, it’s easy to get caught up in the techniques of love and overlook the eroticism. For myself, I like to have my characters’ emotions fully engaged in the moment.
The virtual book tour for EDUCATING ETHAN continues this week with a number of stops all offering the chance for a reader to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card (plus one for the host with the most comments). I would love to see you drop by and visit – and if you leave a comment at any point on the tour you’ll be entered in the draw for a gift card:
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