“Alfred Hitchcock first put forth (and proved) the notion that the monster the viewer never actually sees—or sees only in a flash-blur—is more frightening. The lead-up, the heightened anticipation, is what does it.”
This, in the context of writing sex scenes, made me laugh out loud. Excellent comparison, though.
I’ve always kept things family friendly in my stories but I think this will be useful advice nonetheless.
I had fun experience years ago when I let an acquaintance read a short sex scene I wrote more for character study. The characters were a married couple so the bedroom stuff is reflected in their flirting.
The acquaintance loved the erotica. I was surprised, because I didn't think much of the scene, it was just research.
The main story, the acquaintance didn't like so much (too dark). It was a difference in taste, but it did make me wonder if I had knack for more sensual writing.
Also I think I accidentally followed your advice when I wrote the scene three years ago.
I had a thought last night that you may have already had, Harvey - this could be a series. Next you could do How to Write a Fight Scene, etc. What do you think?
Re the link: I recognized the name Mencken. I just read about him and Theodore Dreisel in a huge book about literary censorship. H.L Mencken had a falling out with Dreisel partially because Dreisels prose became less literary in the book An American Tragedy. Thanks for the link, I love reading about the history of books.
“Alfred Hitchcock first put forth (and proved) the notion that the monster the viewer never actually sees—or sees only in a flash-blur—is more frightening. The lead-up, the heightened anticipation, is what does it.”
This, in the context of writing sex scenes, made me laugh out loud. Excellent comparison, though.
I’ve always kept things family friendly in my stories but I think this will be useful advice nonetheless.
Yeah, that whole "monster" thing. I chuckled as I wrote it. :-)
Ah, yes. I faked it. I see that now, but did not realize it until you pointed it out. Thank you Harvey!
You 'faked it'. Chuckle. Enjoy.
Wow! Thank you Harvey! I just climaxed :)
In all seriousness, this was incredibly helpful. I wrote a sex scene but it didn’t feel like how you described. Your tips will definitely help.
You're welcome, Manisha. :-) "Feel" is definitely the operative word. If you don't feel what the characters are feeling, the readers won't either.
I had fun experience years ago when I let an acquaintance read a short sex scene I wrote more for character study. The characters were a married couple so the bedroom stuff is reflected in their flirting.
The acquaintance loved the erotica. I was surprised, because I didn't think much of the scene, it was just research.
The main story, the acquaintance didn't like so much (too dark). It was a difference in taste, but it did make me wonder if I had knack for more sensual writing.
Also I think I accidentally followed your advice when I wrote the scene three years ago.
Takes all kinds. :-)
I had a thought last night that you may have already had, Harvey - this could be a series. Next you could do How to Write a Fight Scene, etc. What do you think?
Actually I wrote a post on fight scenes a while back. Or maybe I called it "high-action" scenes. Something like that. :-)
Re the link: I recognized the name Mencken. I just read about him and Theodore Dreisel in a huge book about literary censorship. H.L Mencken had a falling out with Dreisel partially because Dreisels prose became less literary in the book An American Tragedy. Thanks for the link, I love reading about the history of books.
You're welcome. :-)