Despite the image that I have posted, no, this is not a blog about the 1991 hit by Salt n Pepa. This is a blog about me trying, rather unsuccessfully, to write the dreaded love scene. It's just that every time I think about writing the DLS, this song pops into my head. I might as well be a virgin, because for the life of me, I CAN'T write about sex without sounding overly cliche (think along the lines of 'his throbbing member') or like I am writing the instructions for putting together some IKEA furniture (slot part A into part B then pound).
See what I mean? Hopeless, and full of bad puns...
I even skipped the DLS, wrote a whole chapter of what happens after the fact and now I need to go back and fill the gaping whole that is the DLS.
Maybe if I had another song floating in my mind, I might be more successful? Oh I don't know... Any advice? How do you girls get in the mood (sorry, bad pun again) to write about sex?
LOL - if your sex scene is half as amusing as your post, I'm sure you're onto a winner!! Sorry I don't have any advice about getting in the mood. I often find it hard to stop thinking about people I know reading it, but I think sometimes once you get past that... if flows!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Me too - I was recently asked by a friend if I use my own expereinces in DLS's. Funny enough no. If I ever get published, I am going to cringe at the thought of my mum reading my book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachael - a bit of humour can go a long way.
ReplyDeleteAm afraid I can offer no advice. My love scenes are all cliche ridden (which probably goes a long way to explaining why none of my books have ever been published).
I do what Natalie Anderson once suggested. Just write it as if no one will be reading it but you. Once it's all down, you can go back and take out bits (so to speak!) or tone it down or sex it up or whatever.
ReplyDeleteI have to say it works for me. As to the cliche part, I try to keep the mechanics plain (no throbbing members!) but the feelings intense, though it is difficult!
And BTW, you will never write a love scene that absolutely everyone likes because if there's one thing that people have decided preferences on it's a love scene. One woman's sexy is another's yuck! :-)
Oh Jackie - you are so right. Have read some scenes thinking wow, and others thinking ho hum...
ReplyDeleteAh ha! An IKEA furniture manual! Writing will never be the same again for me! I have no words of wisdom except don't over think it (I sound insane don't I?). Surprisingly once I stopped worrying about how pathetic I was going to sound I surprised myself and I don't think there was a cliche in sight ;) If that fails try getting your characters drunk lol ;)
ReplyDeleteI just checked my work email and received some spam, check out this subject heading, maybe i should just use this for my DLS: Hammer your pile in her triturate hysterical.
ReplyDeleteMmm - not sure what it quite means but an improvement from what i have at the moment...