is a "sex scene" necessary? - Page 2 - Writers Forum

wyf · 10-19-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_K

Sex scenes are cliche, although you can definitely imply it. If by scene you mean more than a few lines, then yeah it's always wasteful unless the story itself is about something or something major happens during the sex scene.

im finding it difficult imagining last tango in paris without the sex scenes. Pass the butter.

lin · 10-19-2007, 12:22 PM

You want to discuss, this is a discussion board.

It doesn't matter if you say "In my opinion" or not. Of course it's your opinion.

It's not a pseudo debate. It's not a debate.

Those sentences are just nuts and need to be ignored. Go back and READ them and see if YOU can figure out what you were trying to say.

C_K · 10-19-2007, 02:41 PM

Well, I do admit to typing 'something' twice when I meant to say "sex" the first time, but if you can't understand the gist of those two sentences, then you aren't much of a reader.

I can dumb it down for you and do some extreme elaboration:

Sex is overused in writing, plays, movies... etc. However, since sex does happen in real life, you can bypass the drawn-out sex scene and either imply it or devote only a few lines. There is a small separation between romance novel and proving a point.

If your story is completely about sex, then what I said might not be true because, obviously, it would need to have sex in it. Or if something is accomplished during the sex that is essential to the plot, then it is (again, obviously) important to include it.

Most of the time, these things are not necessary. There is a huge chance of ruining your story and embarrassing yourself as a writer if you mess up during your sex scene, so having a sex scene just to have a sex scene seems to be an unnecessary risk.

As for Murakami's NW, I don't even know if all the sex was necessary. I believe he was writing sex to write sex. That's a good book, and I've read it plenty, but Murakami is obviously a pervert. Heh, a great writer, but a perverted, borderline-pedophile with an ear fetish. If you don't believe me, you haven't read enough of his writing.

Out of all of his scenes in that book, although you can hardly call them scenes because they were not very drawn out, I'd say only the one between Reiko and her piano student, and the first sex scene between main and Naoko were important. Midori was my favorite character, but that scene was unnecessary... the kiss scene was infinitely more powerful. Face it, sometimes people like to write sex; it doesn't make them bad writers, but the question was NECESSITY.

Anyway, this has been "Point, counterpoint, counter-counter point." So, I'll leave it at that. I felt needed to clear up that my first 'something' was supposed to be 'sex'...

It happens.

-CK

Buddy Glass · 10-20-2007, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_K

Well, I do admit to typing 'something' twice when I meant to say "sex" the first time, but if you can't understand the gist of those two sentences, then you aren't much of a reader.

Most of the time, these things are not necessary. There is a huge chance of ruining your story and embarrassing yourself as a writer if you mess up during your sex scene, so having a sex scene just to have a sex scene seems to be an unnecessary risk.

It's as if you're just going on a random rant against sex scenes, though nothing you say seems grounded in anything specific. Perhaps some examples? Of course there's a risk, they're always a risk. But that risk is just as easily applied to other human actions in literature.

Quote:

As for Murakami's NW, I don't even know if all the sex was necessary. I believe he was writing sex to write sex. That's a good book, and I've read it plenty, but Murakami is obviously a pervert. Heh, a great writer, but a perverted, borderline-pedophile with an ear fetish. If you don't believe me, you haven't read enough of his writing.

A pervert? What do you have against sex? Lack of it? He's not a pervert because he writes about sex. Besides, there are writers whose work deals more obsessively and "pervertedly" with sex than Murakami's.

Quote:

Anyway, this has been "Point, counterpoint, counter-counter point." So, I'll leave it at that. I felt needed to clear up that my first 'something' was supposed to be 'sex'...

It happens.

-CK

Don't get so touchy because people disagree. It happens.

lin · 10-20-2007, 04:20 AM

It was dumbed down enough as it was. That was my point.

Alex McKee · 10-20-2007, 11:22 PM

Could end up ruining an otherwise excellent and serious piece of writing. Or you could manage to write a sex scene in which the characters act human.

I've yet to read a truly human sex scene.

wyf · 10-21-2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_K

Murakami is obviously a pervert.

I think you have some serious issues, young man. Murakamis sex scenes are essential in the context of the society in which they were written which is in many ways more repressed than ours. you wont ever get the full benefit of murakamis books if all you read are the words on the page.

Guitar_chick133 · 10-21-2007, 10:14 PM

Wow, I didn't know my question was going to spawn this much argument. I am still debating whether to put it in ( I'm not gonna, not until I can find a good enough reason. lol) unfortunatly I'm not as well read as some here, but I try. all this "debate" however is actually kind of inspiring to write something else

Wallmaker · 10-26-2007, 07:23 PM

Okay, as far as scripts go... I say ... MAYBE! Good questions to ask yourself...what type of a script is it? If is't a sexy romantic comedy where these two characters want each other badly? Then, I'd say--hell yes, that's gonna sell your script. If these are people who are getting to know each other, or are shy, reserved, waiting for the right person, maybe sex isn't right for them...

Here's what your story seems to be about: exploring these two characters and their relationship. And maybe that's a progression. Maybe they start out as strangers, then associates, then friends, maybe lovers...then, yeah we have to know they're lovers. Or maybe they start out lovers, and the relationship falls apart as they become more estranged... Either way, a sex scene tells us something about them and their relationship. That's what's gonna matter.

Explore your story, and you'll have your answer. On how much to show... well, that's another question... maybe you don't want actors and actresses to turn down a stellar part because they're not comfortable with it...or maybe we don't need to see much... A comedy could start out two people making out in the hallway of a hotel room, tearing each other's clothes off, fumbling for the room key...
then we cut to him and her in bed, as far away from one another as possible...wierded out. It didn't go well. She says, I thought every guy liked to be called "princess" in bed...

Well, jeez, we can fill in the blank pretty well now, can't we? in fact, it's even better in our heads.

Bryuko · 10-26-2007, 09:06 PM

Well, I love sex (who doesn't?) Personally, I never liked graphic sex scenes in novels though. I never could shake the feeling that authors who get carried away with it are undersexed and are using their writing as a prelude to masturbation.

lin · 10-26-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

I've yet to read a truly human sex scene.

You have GOT to get your head out of all that sheep porn.

futurewriter18 · 10-28-2007, 04:24 AM

I say do what you feel is best. Personally i would prefer a sex scence only to show the true passion and love that have for each other. I think it adds a certain hotness to a story. Sometimes I pick up a book just to skim through to the sex scenes but then again that's just me.

lazerbeak · 10-28-2007, 04:05 PM

It's interesting that people seem quite hung up on this... there's a prolonged sex scene thread in one of the other topic headings on this forum too.

Personally, I don't see the big deal. Include/exclude them with the same discretion you would use over any setting or action. You'll know if it fits.