Here are five tips that I always follow to nail writing love scenes:  

1. Include plenty of foreplay.

Just like in real life, it’s important for characters to build up to sex/intercourse. Sex won’t feel believable to readers if the characters don’t warm up enough. Start off with neck kisses, a hot makeout, heavy petting, mind-blowing oral, anything to show that your characters are in the mood. 

Writing good foreplay will also help readers feel more invested in the story because they’ll actually believe your characters are hot for each other. 

And remember: foreplay isn’t just physical. It’s also stuff like naughty texting or dirty talking or a sexy look exchanged in a crowded room. Anything to amp up the heat of the moment and convey that these two characters are fiery hot for one another and dying to get it on. 

2. Lay it on thick with emotion.

Having your characters express how they’re feeling while they’re being physically intimate with one another marks a huge step in the narrative. It shows them being physically and emotionally vulnerable at the same time. And it often represents a huge moment in the plot. They’re taking their relationship to a whole new level with this act of physical intimacy, and it feels all the more special when they’re able to voice their emotional connection with each other in this moment too. 

Whether the characters are confessing their love or admitting that they really, really like each other or that they been fantasizing about this hot moment for ages, they all serve the same purpose: they’re being open and honest with one another by talking about their feelings, and that heightens the intimacy of the physical act of sex. 

3. Don’t forget about protection.

I’m the kind of writer who wants to be realistic and responsible when writing love scenes, and contraception is part of that. 

It doesn’t have to be some long, drawn-out discussion about birth control or condoms. It can just be a quick mention of a character grabbing a condom from their wallet or nightstand. Or something as simple as mentioning foil ripping in the middle of an especially hot scene. Or a character mentioning that they are on the pill, have an IUD, etc. Just something that establishes the characters are practicing responsible behavior in the midst of sexy times. 

4. Add a bit of awkwardness.

Again, this plays into the realism aspect of my stories. Not every love scene goes off without a hitch from start to finish—and that’s okay. A bit of awkwardness can actually be endearing and make your characters even more lovable and relatable. 

It can even serve as an opportunity to provide some comic relief, which can be a fun and lighthearted way to break the tension in the middle of such a hot moment. 

Some of the awkward moments I’ve included in love scenes are clothing mishaps and being interrupted by loud noises/phone calls/family members/friends/coworkers/pets. 

5. Always establish consent.

I’m of the opinion that when you write sex, you should always establish enthusiastic consent. It doesn’t have to be an awkward conversation. Consent can be very hot. 

For example, here’s an exchange between the two main characters in my new romance On Location that establishes consent: 

My hand stills against Drew’s stomach. “So…you like the way I’m touching you right now?” 

He grunts another yes. 

Slowly, I run my hand up his stomach, relishing the way each hard line feels under my palm. I stop on his chest, just over his heart, which is thundering inside of him. A quiet pant falls from his mouth. 

He swallows. “You can do whatever you want to my body, Alia. Asleep, awake. Any time, any place. You have my permission.”

I tilt my head up, until our faces are barely inches apart. “I’m so attracted to you, Drew. Like, you have no idea.” 

His half-smile turns full. It’s so bright it cuts through the darkness. 

“It’s been a struggle not to drool over you while we’re shooting.” I tap my fingers against his chest, quietly delighting in the way his hard mass barely budges. 

“It’s been the same for me. You’re beautiful, Alia. Every time I look at you, I feel like a creep because I can’t stop staring. I still can’t believe we ended up here.”

My heart melts in my chest. Whatever blip in the universe that resulted in us seeing each other again, I’m thankful for it. 

He cups my cheeks with his hand. Closing my eyes, I hum. 

“I’ve been trying not hardest not to pull you aside so we can finish that kiss we started that night we met.” 

“We can finish it now.” 

See? Super cute and very sexy conversation about consent. And not one bit clinical. It’s clear Alia and Drew have the hots for each other and are aching to go to town on one another. 

I hope these tips help you with writing love scenes that are exciting and believable.

Sarah Smith is a copywriter turned author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie’s stash of romance novels. She’s been hooked ever since – most recently with her books Faker (2019) and Simmer Down (2020). On Location comes out Fall 2021. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and her adorable cat, Salem. Learn more at https://www.sarahsmithbooks.com, or you can teach her here on Twitter and Facebook!

The post #5onFri: Five Tips for Writing Love Scenes appeared first on DIY MFA.

One reader told me she loved my book, however, she could never leave a review because she didn’t want her family and friends to know she read “those kind of books.” As an author, it’s motivating to see how much the dynamic has changed since then. 

With an increased demand for books in the erotica genre, it is important for authors to meet or exceed the reader’s expectations. Not only does it give us the opportunity to exercise our creative freedom, but it keeps audiences intrigued and thirsting for more. 

Here are a few tips on how to write sex that sells!

Know Your Genre and Subgenre

Some people think you can just write a sex scene, slap the “erotica” label on it, and BOOM! instant erotica bestseller. 

There’s more to it than that. 

Like with any genre, you have subgenres. And erotica is no different. Therefore, you must first decide the angle of your story and make sure you know how to work within the parameters of that genre or subgenre. 

For example, I now write in the erotic romance subgenre which is slightly different from erotica. What’s the difference? The erotic romance genre explores the various aspects of a relationship, the emotional, mental, as well as the physical. While erotica may focus on just the sexual aspects, erotic romance tells a love story that encompasses all of the dynamics. 

Other subgenres to consider are erotic thriller, erotic suspense, erotic fantasy, etc. 

Knowing your genre and applicable subgenres will provide the necessary guidance on exactly how much, or how little, to emphasize the sex throughout your story and readers won’t be disappointed. But beyond that, there are certain techniques you can develop to write sex that sells.

Bring the Passion off the Page

Have you heard the phrase, “it’s all in the details?” Well, that certainly applies when you set out to write sex that sells. 

Writing a sex scene is an art because you really have to use your words to make that scene come alive. This is where it’s even more important to develop all of the senses. Not only what is being seen, but what is being heard? Is there music, moaning, applause? What about smells, candles, incense, peppermint on his breath. Think about touch, is his skin wet with sweat, smooth, rough? Is the sex on crisp, satin sheets, a cold counter in the kitchen, or the gritty sand of the beach? Taste… well, I’m sure you get the picture. 

All of these details will stimulate your audience. They won’t just read your scene, they’ll experience it. 

Find Your Inspiration

What really seems to help strengthen your sex scenes, is if you’re in the mood (or if you’re not, you hopefully get there by the time you finish the scene). 

There are different ways to get yourself to that point. One trick I like to use is music. Music will help put you in the right frame of mind so you can effectively transpose those same feelings on the page. 

Just like sex sessions are different, so are the scenes you write. If my characters are sneaking in the restroom stall at work to have sex, my pacing may be more hurried and urgent. So, my music will reflect that tone to evoke those emotions. Whereas, if my lovers are celebrating their wedding anniversary in their honeymoon villa, my music may be more relaxed, romantic, and slow. 

Picture how you would visualize the scene if it were on-screen in a movie or TV show. What type of music would play? That’s your playlist for the scene. 

Music is just one way to inspire, but there are others as well. Perhaps you need to watch a porno or eat a certain type of food known for being an aphrodisiac. You can light candles, take bubble baths, dim the lights, or even use your partner to stoke those flames. 

However you decide to find your inspiration, don’t be afraid to do what works to awaken those feelings within yourself so you can, in turn, awaken them in your reader. 

Have Fun With It

This is where you can really stretch those creative muscles of yours. Have fun with it. Let your personality shine and don’t feel compelled to shy away from certain opportunities to really heighten the peak of your scene. 

One of my catchphrases is that I like to “entertain, as well as educate.” Even if I haven’t personally experienced certain sexual liberties that I write about, this is my chance to experiment. 

For example, I’ve tapped into more of the unconventional erotic romance, which has opened the door for an even wider range of narratives, such as non-monogamous relationships (polyamory, swingers, etc.). This is because I love learning and writing about new things that set me apart from other authors. And because it’s so much fun for me, that is what shines through and makes my books that much more engaging and enjoyable.    

HAPPY WRITING!

Briana Cole is an acclaimed author known for exploring unconventional relationships and making readers question all expectations about love, lust, and monogamy. Her newest book is Couples Wanted  (Kensington). An Atlanta native, Cole graduated cum laude from Georgia Southern University and is a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In addition to being a published author, she is also a motivational speaker, sex educator, and actress. Her motto and ultimate drive toward success is a famous quote from Mae West: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Connect with Briana online at BrianaCole.com, and on Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, and Twitter @BColeAuthor.

PS—Check out this guest post about writing your story fast that Briana wrote for DIY MFA.

The post Making Love to the Page: How to Write Sex that Sells! appeared first on DIY MFA.

Today I am delighted to have Tiffany Reisz on the show!

Tiffany is the USA Today bestselling author of the Romance Writers of America’s RITA®-winning Original Sinners series from Harlequin’s Mira Books. She has also received a Lambda Award in Gay Fiction for her novel The King and two Romantic Times Editor’s Choice Awards for Best Erotic Romance and Best Series Romance.

Her erotic fantasy The Red—self-published under the banner 8th Circle Press—was named an NPR Best Book of the Year, a Goodreads Best Romance of the Month, and received a coveted starred review from Library Journal. Her latest book, which is set in the world of The Red, is the erotic fantasy The Rose.

Tiffany lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her husband, Andrew Shaffer (who I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with previously on the show), the New York Times Bestselling author of Hope Never Dies. She has two cats. The cats are not writers.So listen in as Tiffany and I chat about her amazing new novel, The Rose, and why embracing the delete key, no matter how many words you must trash, can be the thing that takes your book from good to great.

In this episode Tiffany and I discuss:

• Using a framing device to craft an erotic romance.
• Elements to consider when writing a sex scene.
• How to discover your own erotic vocabulary.
• Finding the key that opens up your story and lets the words flow.
• How to know when you need to trash your existing draft and start over.

Plus, Tiffany’s #1 tip for writers.

About Tiffany Reisz

Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Tiffany Reisz graduated from Centre College with a B.A. in English. She began her writing career while a student at Wilmore, Kentucky’s Asbury Theological Seminary. After leaving seminary to focus on her fiction, she wrote The Siren, which has sold more than half a million copies worldwide.

Tiffany is now the USA Today bestselling author of the Romance Writers of America RITA®-winning Original Sinners series from Harlequin’s Mira Books. She has also received a Lambda Award in Gay Fiction for her novel The King and two Romantic Times Editor’s Choice Awards for Best Erotic Romance and Best Series Romance.

She also writes mainstream women’s suspense fiction, including The Bourbon Thief (winner of the Romantic Times Book Reviews Seal of Excellence Award) and the RITA®-nominated The Night Mark.

Her erotic fantasy The Red—self-published under the banner 8th Circle Press—was named an NPR Best Book of the Year and a Goodreads Best Romance of the Month. It also received a coveted starred review from Library Journal.

She lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her husband, Andrew Shaffer, the New York Times Bestselling author of Hope Never Dies. She has two cats. The cats are not writers.

Her latest book The Rose, an erotic fantasy set in the world of The Red, is now available.

To connect with Tiffany check out her website at www.tiffanyreisz.com.

And to listen to Tiffany’s husband, bestselling author Andrew Shaffer’s, interview and learn all about combining noir with bromance head over to DIYMFA.com/225.

The Rose

USA Today bestselling author Tiffany Reisz returns to the world of The Red with an imaginative sequel full of lust and magic, and the dangers unleashed when the two are combined…

On the day of Lia’s university graduation party, her parents—wealthy art collectors with friends in high places—gift her a beautiful wine cup, a rare artifact decorated with roses. It’s a stunning gift, and one that August Bowman, a friend of her parents and a guest at Lia’s party, also has his eye on. The cup, August tells her, is known as the Rose kylix, and it’s no ordinary cup. It was used in the temple ceremonies of Eros, Greek god of erotic love, and has the power to bring the most intimate sexual fantasies to life.

But Lia is skeptical of August’s claims of the cup’s mythology and magic—after all, he’s a collector himself, and she suspects he just wants to get his hands on this impressive piece of art. So he dares her to try it for herself, and when Lia drinks from the Rose kylix she is suddenly immersed in an erotic myth so vivid it seems real—as though she’s living out the most sensual fantasy with August by her side…

Realizing the true power of this ancient and dangerous relic, Lia is even more wary of giving it up, though August insists it is only safe with him. He’s willing to pay the full value of the cup, but Lia has another type of trade in mind. One that finds them more tangled up in each other—and in fantasy—than either was prepared for…

The Red

Mona Lisa St. James made a deathbed promise that she would do anything to save her mother’s art gallery. Unfortunately, not only is The Red painted red, but it’s in the red.

Just as she realizes she has no choice but to sell it, a mysterious man comes in after closing time and makes her an offer: He will save The Red if she agrees to submit to him for the period of one year.

The man is handsome, English, and terribly tempting…but surely her mother didn’t mean for Mona to sell herself to a stranger. Then again, she did promise to do anything to save The Red…

If you decide to check out The Rose or its companion novel The Red, we hope you’ll do so via these Amazon affiliate links, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode 248

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Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 248: Embracing the Delete Key to Unlock Your Story — Interview with Tiffany Reisz appeared first on DIY MFA.

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