Sex?

[pt_tangles]

Great entry title, eh? lol Anyway, I am having a bit of a conundrum. Two of my characters are married (the Witch and what was going to be a Vampire, but has thus far not really turned into one yet), and so far there are a couple of scenes where they are alone together (in bed). Should I put in a sex scene or two or should I just leave that to the imagination?

I know that badly written sex can really detract from a story. But I am not so sure that it would add anything (other than extra words). What are your thoughts on sex in books? Does it belong? Does it really matter?

--Phae

ps - I did manage to churn out about 1200 new words in the last couple of hours, so yay me!

Comments

[droops.livejournal.com]

Put in a small sex scene and see what you think of it. If you want to expand it you can.

[matrinka69.livejournal.com]

Only use sex scenes if they're going to both fit the story and further it. You might try the "fade to black" sex scene style, where you allude to the sex about to happen, but leave the details to the imagination of the reader.

[jalilifer.livejournal.com]

Is their sexual relationship a definitive aspect of their relation? Will it illustrate a character trait which is definitive to either character? Will what happens between the sheets have a parallel somewhere else in the plot? Does their sexual appetite affect the plot? If yes, to any of these, then it's not a gratuitous sex scene. If the answer to all of these is no, then there's no need to include it.

Originally, I thought that a sexual relationship was a part of my plot, but now I'm reconsidering. What I really need to capture is a sense of (false?) intimacy. Sex is one way to do that, but not the only way.

I think I'm going to keep the sexual fantasy scene I wrote though, as I do think it's an important part of my main character's psyche.

[mariadkins.livejournal.com]

The rule of thumb I've learned is "leave it out" - unless and only unless it adds something to the story at a given point - and absolutely do force the scene; it shows and detracts from the story.

[droops.livejournal.com]

All fiction is improved by a well-written sex scene, just like all real life is improved by a well-enacted sex scene.

Very true words. Very true.

[mariadkins.livejournal.com]

Yes. That's exactly it!!

[elf]

The avid slash reader speaks up.

All fiction is improved by a well-written sex scene, just like all real life is improved by a well-enacted sex scene.

If you need inspiration or pointers for specifically witch/vampire sex, I can round up some links to several Hermione/Snape stories where Snape is a vampire.