This past weekend, I spent a whole day working on a major love scene in my work in progress. Laboring, sweating, deleting, rewriting while sighing, huffing and pulling my hair. Do you get the picture?
I usually start my love (or sex) scene with enthusiasm. Hey, everyone loves to watch Hero and Heroine gazing into each other’s eyes, trailing a seductive look over each other’s cheeks and lingering to study each other’s lips. Should we go for it? Is it going to taste as good as it looks?
Once they overcome an initial hesitation—so to speak because my alpha hero and my assertive heroine always know what they want—they melt into each other’s arms, play, nibble, devour. They have fun and like what they are doing. So why stop now?
Once they overcome an initial hesitation—so to speak because my alpha hero and my assertive heroine always know what they want—they melt into each other’s arms, play, nibble, devour. They have fun and like what they are doing. So why stop now?
More exploration is in order.
In the old historical novels I used to love years ago, HE would take the lead in the next phase of the game. Now-a-days, SHE likes to show she is a woman of her time. During phase two, hands run from throat to waist to skim the flesh in between, and lips soon follow. Things get hot.
To cool down, they open a few buttons and lower a couple of zippers. Often enough, the undressing has the opposite effect. They get warmer, even blazing hot. Caresses and kisses are not enough to extinguish the fire but soon lead to a mutually explosive satisfaction. Unless someone, or something, interrupts them, and then they will try again in the next chapter.
This is the basic plot of my love scene.
Since I usually layer my writing, I go back to check if Hero and Heroine display their emotions. After all, they are flesh and blood characters who live, love and suffer. They need to share their feelings with us. If not, I torture them until they do.
In the old historical novels I used to love years ago, HE would take the lead in the next phase of the game. Now-a-days, SHE likes to show she is a woman of her time. During phase two, hands run from throat to waist to skim the flesh in between, and lips soon follow. Things get hot.
To cool down, they open a few buttons and lower a couple of zippers. Often enough, the undressing has the opposite effect. They get warmer, even blazing hot. Caresses and kisses are not enough to extinguish the fire but soon lead to a mutually explosive satisfaction. Unless someone, or something, interrupts them, and then they will try again in the next chapter.
This is the basic plot of my love scene.
Since I usually layer my writing, I go back to check if Hero and Heroine display their emotions. After all, they are flesh and blood characters who live, love and suffer. They need to share their feelings with us. If not, I torture them until they do.
I forgot to mention I always try to choose an interesting setting that would put Hero and Heroine in the right mood. I also add a few sensorial details. The ocean breeze carrying the scent of her perfume. The taste of vodka on his lips. The callousness of his palm against the softness of her skin. Characters have to smell, taste, and feel to be real.
My book, TO LOVE A HERO is set in Belarus, a Russian country I visited on business trips, a place where I learned to drink vodka, toast by saying Nazhtrovia, and discover the Russian hospitality. Sure enough my hero, General Sergei would invite the American heroine to a toast of vodka before tasting her lips.
In my second book, French Peril, the French hero, Count François has often a glass of 
wine in his hand. He describes himself as follows: I can’t resist a pretty woman. I come from a long line of glorious adulterers and fabulous lovers.
Do you like love scenes? How often or how many? Hot ones? What temperature would you like the sex scenes to reach?
Leave a comment for the chance to win one of my ebooks.
Mona Risk is the author of two romantic suspense novels published by Cerridwen Press: To Love A Hero and French Peril, are set in Russia and France respectively and have received several stellar reviews.
M. Risk also writes medical romance novels published by The Wild Rose Press:
wine in his hand. He describes himself as follows: I can’t resist a pretty woman. I come from a long line of glorious adulterers and fabulous lovers.Do you like love scenes? How often or how many? Hot ones? What temperature would you like the sex scenes to reach?
Leave a comment for the chance to win one of my ebooks.
Mona Risk is the author of two romantic suspense novels published by Cerridwen Press: To Love A Hero and French Peril, are set in Russia and France respectively and have received several stellar reviews.
M. Risk also writes medical romance novels published by The Wild Rose Press:
Babies in the Bargain, winner of 2009 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite and 2009 Best Romance Novel at Preditors & Editors Readers Poll.
Rx For Trust: 5 stars at Readers Favorite and Happy Ever After Reviews,
Rx in Russian to be released April 2011.
“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!" -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.
I love a sensual love scene when it's surrounded by emotion and has a purpose. I don't read erotica and can't get into characters having sex for the soul purpose of release.
It takes a good few days to write a love scene because I want the reader to be totally connected.
Great post, Mona! I like how you make those scenes complete with all the senses and in a unique place. It makes it so much more than "hooking up" for a night or the thing I detest - "friends with privileges" Ugh
I like a hot love scene, but must admit that in my soon to be released erotic story Hot Spanish Nights I labored over some of the scenes, particularly since the language is graphic.
Enjoyed the post, Mona. Since you have been so many intriguing places, your books brim with interesting characters and settings!
Autumn, I found out that the love scenes are the most difficult to write if you want to put the right dose of emotion, action and heat. I don't write erotica. Gosh, a simple love scene is difficult enough.
Judy, you need the senses in a love scene. See, hear, smell, touch, and taste. In that order, our senses provide a good sensual scene.
Bianca, the graphic language is what turns me off in erotica. I read a few erotica that I loved because they didn't have the 'language'.
Nightingale, I am delighted to hear that you love my books.
Excellent post, Mona. Highly insightful. I agree with Autumn. :) I find writing good love scenes very challenging.
Adding sensory detail to a love scene is what makes it hot to me. If done well, the words pull me onto the page and I feel as if I'm the heroine.
I love how you use the imagery in your writing Mona. I want to smell the wind after a rain, see the ocean and watch the shattering waves, hear the seagull squawk. And you do that Mona. And you do it when you write a love scene.
Good stuff Mona!
I like love scenes, but not too many per book. I'm fine with all heat levels -- it just depends on the characters and what the scene is about apart from the physical act. My favorite love scenes always have to do with what's going on emotionally between the lovers. I am also fine with earthy, graphic language if it suits the story.
It's all about seduction. Make your reader want it as much as the characters do by teasing then along.
Never allow the characters to have sex or make love the first time they realize they want each other.
Use all senses, even if you must really think about them.
Beth, writing love scenes is definitely a challenge for me. The first one I wrote in To Love A Hero was not realistic according to my DH who said they will both fall off the chair. LOL
Pam, resd my Rx for Trust. It has only one love scene but I think it's really romantic. You will love the hero!!!
Mary R. I am so glad you like my love scene and sensorial details. I put so much work in it!!!
Barbara, I agree with you. The love scene should come naturally as part of the story. In To Love A Hero I have five love scenes, very different in tone. In Babies in The Bargain and Rx For Trust only one love scene. The story doesn't call for more.
Mary M. you said better than me.
Mona,
I love a love scene--as long as I don't have to write it. I agree with the other ladies. It's all about the emotions.
Oh yes, Joanne. It's all about the emotion.