Creating Sexual Tension Is Not About Graphic Scenes

I am always amazed, after I read books that have been listed by reviewers has "HOT" that these books are far from it. Apparently, to many reviewers, creating a "hot" book is about how many different positions and scenarios the author can put the characters in. Creating sexual tension is a book is really not so much about the number of scenes, or the actual bedroom scenes, but what happens when they are not "getting busy."

It seems that many authors believe that sexual tension is that "morning after" regret of what they did. Although this can be a tense moment for the characters, especially if they were with someone who was questionable, or if they think they "crossed the line" this really isn't the tension that is going to build to a great read. In situations like this, what you are really seeing is a complication between the characters and not a real conflict. Getting through this is really a matter of a simple conversation. OK. maybe the conversation is not simple, but in terms of plotting, it really is that simple.

Creating true tension is getting the characters close to each other, build up that heat and tension, and then back off. The goal is to get the readers to this point of thinking they were "so close." In many ways, this is like a great roller coaster. You think, as you head up that hill, that this is going to be the big drop, and then the architects simply drop you down a little. Close, but not the "big one."

That feeling  you are trying to get is that same feeling you have (or had) when you were first with someone in a dating phase. That tension of wondering if now is the right time for: the kiss, the next step, the saying of the "L" word.

I should also note this feeling is not that cliche phrase we see so many authors use. "When she reached for the cup and their hands touched, there was a spark of electricity." This is a spark only. The tension you are trying to work toward is that turbulent feeling you have that lasts for a long time.

Don't get me wrong here. I am not saying that stories should be free of those "hot" scenes. What I am saying is to make those scenes count. Make those scenes the true "ultimate release" for the characters and make the feeling truly a memorable experience for the readers.

Keep Your Characters Dressed!

Sex is dirty, gross and disgusting. Let's face it, there is so much to deal with when you have your characters jumping into bed with each other. There's the awkward first time. There's the issue of birth control. How about the next day issues and the thoughts of "was this a one night stand?" It is for this reason that I call for a movement to keep our romance heroes and heroines virgins.

Huh?

Now, before you all start freaking out, let me explain. There is an element of truth in all that I have said so far, and, it is certainly something to consider. I honestly have to say that I have seen a lot of great writing and stories come across my desk, only to be ruined by the authors suddenly feeling the need to get their characters naked and getting them "busy." They have been sucked into the belief that only the hot and sexy stories sell. This is wrong.

We have to remember that writing romance focuses on the building of a relationship from the beginning stages of being introduced, to those awkward moments of opening up to the other person, to that final stage

of suddenly realizing they are both madly in love with each other. When authors now throw their characters into bed with each other, they are now forced to have to deal with another sub-plot to their potentially already complicated story.

I think the other issue I have with many of the stories is the simple fact that many authors simply don't know how to translate into words amazing sensual experiences and sex. One group of writers turns the scene into an ugly combination of cliches and clinical terminology of the scene. In these situations, I do have to say that the "Introduction to Sex" videos we saw in health class are far more exciting that those reads.

On the other side of the coin, we have authors who feel the need to move the story into borderline "soft-porn." Characters are trying things that defy gravity and convention. Now the scene becomes an effort to make the characters do things that no one else has ever done before. Unfortunately, when this happens, the author has often forgotten that one thing that they should have been focused on all along. The main story arc.

Look, don't get me wrong here and yes, I am going to start sounding like a parent talking to a teen. I am not saying to eliminate all of the sex from the stories. I am not saying you can't have your characters "experiment." What I am simply saying is to focus on your main story arc and the relationship building. If the time is right and if your characters feel like taking it to the next level, then go for it. But if you do get your hero and heroine naked, make sure they do it in a way that works toward that story and makes everyone feel good once they move to the next chapter in their book.

Too Much Sex - Yes It Can Happen...

So, you heard the rumors that XYZ Publisher or ABC Editor really likes stories that are hot. Since this is a person you really wanted to write for, you go back to a work in progress and steam that little bad boy up. You open up the book with sex, and then, somehow, every other chapter, find a way to have the hero and heroine in another compromising, and yet apparently, very enjoyable position, um situation.

This will sell, right?

The odds are this story might not have any better chance of selling than it did in the first draft. In fact, the addition of all those extra scenes will likely result in a quicker rejection due to a plot line that seems to have pointless elements.

Just because a story is considered a romance does not mean that the characters have to be jumping into bed every chance they get. Some writers try to pawn this off adding sexual tension because one or both of the characters feels guilt or anxiety over the incident. This is far from sexual tension.

Sexual tension is nothing more than two characters who want to move the relationship to a new level and the passion between them is amazingly hot, but they are continually finding the relationship with a road block from outside or one that comes from either the hero or heroine.

If you think of the really hot characters in great novels or movies, the characters simply ooze sexual energy and when the characters are getting near each other, the tension becomes even stronger.

Now don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong about adding some great sex scenes in your book, but they have to be there for a purpose. Like anything else the characters might do during your story, there has to be a reason for the sex to happen. Just because you feel the characters haven't hopped in the sack yet is far from a good reason.

Scott

A Tip For Keeping The Relationship Going

I had the chance to listen to Mary Jo Putney at the WisRWA conference and she brought up a fantastic idea that I think romance writers, too often, tend to forget.

She was taking the time to discuss how to keep the reader moving through the story and brought in the discussion of the relationship and the moment that the characters decide to finally move it to the next level. What she noted was that too often, she found that many characters were sleeping together and committing themselves to each other too soon in the story. The problem with this, especially in the area of romance, is that now the story has no where else to go. Since the ultimate goal of the story is to get the characters together, and you have done this too soon, what is there left to do?

I have to agree with this 100%. The idea of sexual tension in a story is not how the characters deal with the morning after, but the tension building up to the wanting and final release of all that tension. We want to see that frustation in the part of the characters. We want to see those first unclear feelings as the characters grapple with emotions they may not have experienced to that level before. Yes, I said emotions and not "physical responses." We then want to see the characters move into this feeling of wanting to do more but not sure how to progress. When they have figured this out, the question then becomes not how to progress but should they progress.

Sure, hot stories are great. I am not saying to hold off on those emotions. Just find a way to slow those characters down some and give the reader a chance to get to know them before you move them on to that next level.

Scott

When Should They Do It?

So, you're writing a romance and plan on making it steamy. Heck, you've heard time and time again that the sexier you make the story, the better the chances at selling. Right?

Well, first of all, that is not the key selling point with editors and agents. Despite rumors out there, it is not all about what goes on behind the closed doors. Still, I often have conversations with writers about when their characters should finally get to it. And, like all other elements of the publishing industry, there is not easy way to answer this question.

I am a firm believer in really building up the sexual tension between the characters. No, this is not about engorged body parts and uncomfortable feelings. I am talking pure relationship level here. I love to see the stories where there readers can really see the uncomfortable (and yet pleasurable) feelings of two characters falling in love. I love the stories that keep holding us off and just when we think something will happen, the characters change their minds and head off in another direction.

O.K. I may date myself on this one, but I love to use the examples of Sam and Diane from CHEERS and Kevin and Winnie from THE WONDER YEARS. The writers of these shows held these characters apart for the longest time, and it was great. We would tune in each week to see if Sam and Diane would finally get that kiss (remember the 2 -part sail boat episode?). We couldn't wait for Kevin and Winnie to finally figure out, in their adolescent way, that they were meant to be together. This is tension.

So, when someone asks me when they should spice up the relationship between their hero and heroine, the answer is always the same - "When they are ready."

We need to remember that we want to see the characters grow together over time. If they rush things too quickly, they have nothing to work toward.

And I know what some of you are saying. "But the tension is whether they should have done it or not. My characters struggle with this and that is the tension." No, that is the same guilty feeling someone has when they are now faced with wondering if they wanted a relationship at all. In these cases, the deed happened far too soon.

I am reminded of a comment that Faith Black said when she was with Avalon Books. If you are familiar with this line, they keep it really clean. Anything sexual that happens, according to Faith, happens between the chapters and not on the pages. But here was the key thing she would push for. Writing a story that really had the passion and the heat, but no sex. That was good writing.

So, my word of warning. No, you don't have to start off with the action in the first pages. Heck, it might not happen until way into the book. But please, work on building that tension and building those relationships.

Scott