Writing explicit stuff...

[bookmadgirlie]

I believe that if you can skip forward through explicit scenes, then you should. In the roleplays I do, whenever the characters are about to do something of the type, I just do this:

~~~

And then I write something like this - "A few hours later, they collapsed upon one another, tired." I leave it completely up to the imagination of the reader.

[shaphat]

Hum, well about explicit stuff I rarely add any to my original stories, most of the violence I write is not that explicit. I think I'm just not that good at writing it. I only add steamy scenes when I'm writing fanfics, I once wrote an SM one, that's the most I've done. btw when I write a sex scene in english I'm not bothered at all by it, but if I try to write it in my native language (spanish) it's rather embarrasing. XD

[Fran]

Hum, well about explicit stuff I rarely add any to my original stories, most of the violence I write is not that explicit. I think I'm just not that good at writing it. I only add steamy scenes when I'm writing fanfics, I once wrote an SM one, that's the most I've done. btw when I write a sex scene in english I'm not bothered at all by it, but if I try to write it in my native language (spanish) it's rather embarrasing. XD

Amazing ... and the song says 'Spanish is a loving tongue ....'

[Maud Fitch]

Explicit stuff seems to refer to sex and violence but there are other things which have the potential to be explicit.

In "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, there's a scene in Chapter 18 between Minny and Celia in the bathroom. It features a lot of blood and has the stomach-churning ability to be quite graphic. Instead, it is subtle and shows the reader just enough to get the whole picture without using vividly descriptive words.

[SharisseEM]

I use profanity in my writing, there's violence and then there's also the sex scenes but I guess it all depends on how you're using it and how you write it. For me, I write romance and I write whatever feels natural in that situation.

Like with sex scenes, if it's historical or something, I might use 'dusty pink tips' but in paranormal or something, I could just straight out use the word 'nipple'. It also depends on the characters I guess. Some could be more coarse in their language and I'll follow that language in their POV but some could also be more demure. As for violence, the hero and heroine never commit senseless violent acts without a good reason or it makes it difficult to like them. The villain can go right ahead.

I'm fairly comfortable with explicit stuff and I find it gives a book more depth but that's just my opinion. It keeps readers on their edge of their seats like they're right there with the characters, feeling their pain, falling in love, etc. It's what I enjoy when I read so I want to give the same enjoyment to my own readers.

[icemech04]

Generally when it comes to the explicit I find it best to treat it as it is; that is, I don't water it down -- yet I don't glorify if it detracts from the story.

If I'm to include a scene at all, whether it be sex or what have you, my first question is: what is the purpose for this scene.

If I'm writing a horror story, I'm not going to write a page about the protagonist and his wife having sex -- unless of course, its essential to one of the pivotal story elements.

[Brandi Noelle]

I have written more explicit scenes if the story warranted them, and if it doesn't, I leave them out. Sex scenes can sometimes be vital for the story, but I don't write them just to write them. If writing something makes me uncomfortable, I don't create a plot that makes it necessary.

As far as the verbiage used, euphemisms and the like, it depends on the genre. Historical fiction tends to use cheesier terms (see the "glistening lotus flower" reference above!) while contemporary fiction will go with the more standard words and sometimes the naughtier slang.

[DustinPBrown]

As far as the verbiage used, euphemisms and the like, it depends on the genre. Historical fiction tends to use cheesier terms (see the "glistening lotus flower" reference above!) while contemporary fiction will go with the more standard words and sometimes the naughtier slang.

The cheesiness pulls me right out of the story when it goes overboard. If I read "glistening lotus flower" I think I'd drop the book from laughing!

[Brandi Noelle]

The cheesiness pulls me right out of the story when it goes overboard. If I read "glistening lotus flower" I think I'd drop the book from laughing!

Me too! Those are usually the scenes I read out loud to my husband for a good laugh!

[Victor Rose]

When you write, do you ever write explicit stuff? I'm think of things like sex scenes, profanity, and violence? Do you use euphemisms when these things come up in your stories?

Yes, my writing contains explicit stuff (mainly violence and sexual). I don't use euphemisms, at least none that are overt. However, I don't write snuff, romance, or erotica stories. I attempt to give just enough details to set the scene and then let the reader's imagination take it from there.

Depending on how worldly the reader is, the same scene can range from extremely violent/sexual to almost none at all.

[JD Stanley]

When you write, do you ever write explicit stuff? I'm think of things like sex scenes, profanity, and violence? Do you use euphemisms when these things come up in your stories?

Not on purpose usually, but yes, I've written explicit content - sex, murder, rape - as appropriate to a story. Usually it comes out as the next logical event in the sequence. I've never written an explicit scene just for the sake of it, though, because they add nothing and ring false. I detest reading any story where it's contrived or done simply for the shock value and adds no weight or has no purpose in furthering a story. And profanity? Yes, but depends on the character. In real life I curse like a sailor, so it doesn't hurt me to write those words, though at the same time they would if it wasn't appropriate to the situation, so would prevent me from going there.

This was an interesting question to me, because I never really thought about it in the plain light of day to be honest. I don't plan for those things to come out in writing - they just happen. Being a working writer and having been freelance for a long while, I'll write anything for money up to having written straight-up porn for cash. But that's appropriate to that genre and also the entire point of that, if you know what I mean. And no, no euphemisms there for certain, that's all naughty bits and raw language.

Violence is equally difficult for all humans to write about (sociopaths aside, I suppose), because we don't like getting bashed about, do we? It makes us uncomfortable to think about happening to ourselves, makes us think about our vulnerability, so really should be uncomfortable to write as well as read. But again, writing any kind of violence in detail should be done well and should be done in context. And, I think anyway, should explore as much about the discomfort going on in the emotions and mind of the character as in their body parts getting smashed up. It can be very effective to take the internal position, describing the chaos inside the character while chaos unfolds upon them. Less gory for detail, but doesn't skimp on the making you squirm aspect to read it, because as humans, we know exactly how we would feel if we were there.

Overall, I think all types of explicit writing can be a good vehicle for character exposition. But it must be done well and for the correct purpose or there's no point. If there's no point, it shouldn't be there.

[Rebeccaej]

I figure there are two different takes: if the explicit stuff is what the reader is there for (porn or...some sort of slasher horror, I guess?) then go ahead and be graphic, but make sure it stays interesting. There's nothing more boring than reading, effectively, "he inserted tab A into slot B, repeatedly. Yup, he sure did, alright."

My guide for anything where the explicit stuff isn't the draw is to make sure that the sex and violence are the least interesting thing on the page. If it can be left out without affecting the plot, it should be left out. If it can be hinted at and happen off screen, it should happen off screen. The only time I include it is if it contributes something interesting to world building or character development.

In the novel I'm writing now, I have a scene where a character, who lives with her enormous family of about 300 people, goes into the communal sleeping quarters to grab something to read. Without batting an eye, she walks through the usual daily orgy, turns down an offer and approaches her bed. She passes a guy we've seen her flirting with, "entangled" with another woman. He invites her to join in and she says no thanks, kisses him briefly, and gets the notes she came for.

I use the sex to reveal just *how* close their living situation really is, and to bring out different emotions than we've seen before, but the sex isn't the focus of the scene at all.

[MLove83]

Great topic/question! I agree with those who said it should only be included if it adds something to the story. Then again, I think that's true of every scene. Filler of ANY kind makes for a very boring read.

I'm surprised how many people said, "If it can be left out, it should." Why?! Can you imagine making that same statement if we were discussing a humorous scene, or one which might make the reader cry?? I say, as long as it feels like a natural part of the story, anything goes! It is a writers job to make people feel things, whether it's love, sadness, happiness, horror, amusement, fear, arousal, shock, etc.

That being said, there is a right way and wrong way to do it. Balance is the key. I have read or watched all sorts of sex and violence in books, movies, and tv. Some of it I enjoyed, some of it sickened me. When writing, you SHOULD take care in how things are worded. I, and many other readers, will laugh or roll my eyes if it's cheesy and grimace or put it down altogether if it's shockingly crude.

[ReyvrexQuestor Reyes]

I am not averse to writing in explicit sexual contents. I opine these are facts of life. It is another thing, however, if you write in a manner that offends common decency and values. As long as you do not put any of the parties in a bad light, it will be okay. When I say "common decency," this should be taken to mean, just the common sexual manners employed by ordinary people in sex. And this is to rule out depravity, sadism and other perverted acts. Bestiality is considered a "no-no" in my writings. And to write in a very detailed and titillating manner would be a plus factor. Anyone could just skip the parts if they don't want to read it.

[Archie Tewksbury]

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