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EDITORIAL Ms. Goodie Two Shoes writes about Mr. Hot Pants Heart thumping, palms moist, she settles her shaky fingers on the keyboard. Millions of thoughts run through her mind, those that aren't very good…at least that’s what her momma had told her as a young girl. Squeezing her eyes closed, pictures of half-dressed men float through her mind and her mouth turns dry. SEX! No, it couldn't be time to write the sex scene, could it? Her religious leader would certainly kick her out of church for fear of a bolt of lightening spearing down from heaven. What about her parents? Would her own husband disown her? Her poor children would have to walk down the streets with their head ducked from now on. But she’s a romance writer. It needs to be written! She swallows the lump of fear lodged in her throat and takes a deep breath. Once her eyes are open, she focuses on her story. Reminding herself it’s a natural thing, she proceeds, her fingers fly across the keyboard as if they had a mind of their own. His masculine scent of leather and spice fills the air, consuming every breath she takes. In her head, the scene unfolds, the hero sweeps the heroine off into another world where seduction and passion rule. Seeking fingers, curious kisses… The more she writes, the wider her grin spreads. Her heart now beats a different rhythm. Her palms are moist for entirely different reasons this time. And in her chest…love grows. This excitement is the thrill she needs –the energy that gives her the courage to continue and not be afraid. I don't know about most writers, but I've certainly experienced this a time or two (or three or four) since I first started writing. Those who don't read romance stories label us as ‘smut’ writers. All we think about is sex – twenty-four hours a day. My husband tells me this numerous times, and it isn't for flattery. <grin> But there’s a bigger picture. The overall picture that nobody sees but romance writers. We aren't writing about sex. We're writing about love! HOWEVER…this doesn't mean I'm not going to have sexual tension in my stories. In fact, I live for sexual tension. In one of my critique groups, I've been labeled Queen of Sex Scenes. Even been called LoverLips. Even some of my reviewers have said I'm Queen Of Sexual Tension. Should I be offended? Heck no! I'm thrilled!! Don't tell my husband. He'll just roll his eyes again. <snort> I write Sensual…don't you just love that word? It rolls across your tongue like a lover’s passionate kiss. Makes you want to deepen your voice in a sexy tone, lower your lids half-mast and part your mouth. Maybe even swipe your tongue across your dry lips… Okay, I'm getting carried away again. I need to get back to the point of this article. You can still be a Goodie-Two-Shoes and write about Mr. Hot Pants. The characters you write about are real to you – and especially to your readers. When you begin to write these scenes, remember this rule: Action first, then reaction. You shouldn't have your characters just touching each other. Readers need to know how your characters are feeling during this time. Here are some wrong examples, and some right examples. Wrong way: His large hands slid up her arms to her neck, his thumbs rubbing across her erratic pulse. One by one, he pulled the buttons apart on her shirt until her breasts jutted forward. Her breathing became ragged when he cupped her caressed her nipples. Right way: His large hands slid up her arms to her neck. Releasing a pleasurable sigh, she tilted her head back, allowing his thumbs to rub across her erratic pulse. His hands moved down and one by one he pulled the buttons apart at her shirt. Excitement and desire built inside her chest, and she held in the moan ready to explode. When he finally cupped her breasts and caressed her nipples, she expelled a ragged breath as she held his hands to her body. With most every movement the hero makes whether it be kissing, touching, stroking…or even talking, reader wants to know what the heroine is thinking during this time. Action first (touching, kissing, etc), then reaction (sighing, moaning, laughing, etc). This also makes your characters more than just cardboard's cut-outs. This brings them to life! Write about your character’s feelings, about their hearts pounding like a tom-tom against their ribs. Write about sweaty palms, shaky limbs, and out of control breathing. Write about shivers of delight that cascade over your characters bodies. Passionate tremors that seem to have a mind of their own… And write about the glorious moment when your characters come together. If you feel like religion should be added…then have one of your characters praise God at that point. But the fact is – these feelings are real! This is real life! You're not writing porn just because you’re writing a sex scene. You’re writing about love. And think of the alternative… You could be writing about murder, killing, and torturing other humans. <shivers> Nah, not for me! I’ll stick to romance thank you very much! Phyllis Campbell is an Award-winning, multi-published romance author who has been writing for fifteen years. She’s been published for the past five with several electronic companies and print publishers. She’s an active member of RWA and has served as President, and continues to help her chapter by judging and coordinating contests. www.phyllismariecampbell.com |
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