The story might demand a particular style of sex scene, but if the genre you’re aiming for has different expectations, you need to consider that as soon as possible in the writing process.
Where does the writer start the decision-making process? I’d normally suggest going with what the story demands, but the writer thinking about putting sex in fiction should really consider something else first, something before plot or story. And once that decision is made, writers are faced with dozens of related decisions. How can you write sex into your stories in a way that fits character, story, and reader expectation?Ĭhoosing to include the sexual activities of characters is a significant decision for writers.
But the topic of sex in fiction is important for writers.ĭo they or don’t they? Will they or won’t they?Īre the acts explicit or implied? Do they happen off the page, behind closed doors? How often do characters indulge? Is a character’s personal life integral to the story or merely part of the background? Maby Fiction Editor Beth Hill last modified March 10, 2011ĭo your fictional characters have sex? And if they do, how do you present it?