Charlie_Eleanor

How far is too far when it comes to sex in a novel? I am reading a book right now, and it seems that the first 200 pages were building up to this one scene in the novel where the main character finally had sex with a man she was flirting with in the story. It was a really big dissapointment, and consequently, made me rethink the few sexual scenes I have in the story I am writing. So, I was hoping for some other people's opinions of how far you think a writer should go with a sex scene? To be more specific how far you think a writer should go with a sex scene in a fantasy novel?

Thank you for your time. I really appreciate it!

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Diego

I write screenplays, and what I do it get to the point where they are taking of there clothes, and end the scene, in your case the chapter of section. Then later I show there reaction, or them right after they have finished.

Kyrie

I don't think you should go too far, unless it's erotic fantasy, just enough to know what's going on.

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Beardedtroll

It depends. Are we talking about Spot meets the Cuddly Bunnies of Candy Kingdom or Hobbits of Gor? "Fantasy book" covers a lot of range, from fluffy children's books to porn-by-any-other-name BDSM fetishism stories.

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lin

So in erotic fantasy it's okay to go too far?

ClancyBoy

You could just rent a porno. Who reads books for sex?

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lisajane

ClancyBoy, read a Mills & Boon novel. No woman reads them for the plot.

I'm not fussed at all with graphic sex in a novel, I've written it before myself. If the story calls for it, write it in, if the story doesn't call for it, then don't. It's up to you whether you think graphic sex should be in your story, and don't have a second thought for people who find it gross.

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Archduke Robert of France

Well I was reading Ender's Game, I think it was, a while back. Anyhoo, I found all the scenes where people were nude to be excessive and really ruined the story. So, absolutely no spawning please.

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Charlie_Eleanor

I agree that it just depends on what the story is. I simply wanted to see if there was a popular opinion that sex was taboo in books that are not erotic fiction. I just didn't want to alienate a large audience. It seems that people are more mature then I gave them credit for.

It seems to me that if you have a story about adults discussing adult concepts then adult things are bound to happen.


Thanks all for your opinions!

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Hayden

I would probably skip through it if it went into immense detail of the act, but we all know what happens, so it's not one of those things that needs an in-depth description.

I'm reading Robin Hobb's, the Farseer Trilogy at the moment. It's starting to contain quite a few sex scenes, but they take up hardly anything more than a paragraph each time and that feels adequate.

JoannaMac

I totally agree with this. It also depends on how good you think your descriptive writing is. You have to be clever when it comes to writing about sex as it's very easy to come across as cliche and cheesy, no matter how good your intentions may be.

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red lantern

Go what is comfortable for you, keep your audience in mind but don't let them ride your back like a hairy little imp. If it passionate make it so, if it is casual make it so, be somewhat descriptive but every grunt is not always necessary sometimes it is better to leave it unwritten and let the imagination of the reader take them there if they want to go.

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tucanbundy

I think it's best to describe it somewhat but not get too intense with it, especially if you want to get what you write published.Particularily if you're like me and mainly write using minors as characters.

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Voodoo

make the reader want to put down the book and go hire a pro.

if the elves want to get down, let them.

make the dwarves sweat.

~Kouryuu~

I think it's totally fine. I mean, as long as it doesnt start to feel like porn. If it's important to the characters and the production of the story that they have relations, then sure, go for it. I dont think its wrong at all. Like whats been said already, who reads books for sex?! But if it's what makes your story work, put it in.

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