So I went to my local RWA meeting yesterday (shout out to the Prairie Hearts! :D) and the topic of the appropriate amount of smexy that one should use in their writing came up during a presentation by one of my Prairie sisters, Robyn. It was a great presentation and it got me thinking . . . what is the acceptable level and how often should the smexy, smexy occur?
I write New Adult of course and this may come as a surprise to some, but college students-- now pull in really close so you can hear this---have sex *whispers* I know it's insane! This fact is indeed true. Some more than others, but it is occurring just the same.
Now when I think about the high level romance YA novels I have read, basically anything by Simone Elkeles or Jennifer Echols, they have STEAMY scenes and these kids are in high school, so what's good for a New Adult?
I want to be conscious of the reader, but at the same time put the level that I enjoy reading as well. You would think that when writing a novel about 20 somethings! there are no rules for this, but there really are. You don't want to offend anyone, but at the same time you don't want to be unrealistic.
New Adult is not Adult fiction writing. These 20 somethings! have different worries and responsibilities and graphic sex is not necessarily what people want to read or see, but sweet "close door" isn't necessarily it either.
I enjoy Jamie McGuire's Beautiful Disaster and S.C. Stephens' Thoughtless as far as a good example for our New Adults, but some might think it's a little too smexy.
I guess it's all subjective, but I am curious about all you readers and writers out there. What's your "smexy" level? Do you enjoy "close door," Euphemism City smexy scenes, partially descriptive smexy, no holds barred, or do you just breeze over them entirely?
16 comments:
For me, it just has to feel right. I know that is totally a cop out, but its true. As long as the smexy stays true to the characters and true to the story, I'll like it :)
There's a time and a place for everything, and it's called college. ;)
NO HOLD BAR LET CHRISTIAN GREY TAKE ME TO THE RED ROOM EVERYDAY ALL DAY FOR THE REST OF MYLIFE!!!! i honestly got so sick and tired of a lot of the YA not going there!!!! Beautiful Disaster was SOOOOOOOOOO perfect for me in every way when it comes to smexy!!!! i mean HELLO!!!! Travis is just delicious!!! but you know i dont think its a matter of how graphic the act is described or of what they are doing, but how it makes me feel. Now Obsidian did a GREAT job of making me melt but also not having to go there (as much as i wish!!!)
and then there is Mr. Grey, do i really need to explain anything with this!!!
personally i love all kinds of smexy as long as its realistic and tastefully done!
Tara
Before I EVEN write my reply I have to like *FAVORITE* this comment. Gah Tara I am SO with you!!!!
Okay. I love YA from the bottom of my heart. But from the moment I read Beautiful Disaster my reading life was changed forever. I WANTED more smexy and I was so let down when there was this steamy buildup with no reward after I got done reading it. Then I found the wonderful S.C. Stephens and then I found E.L. James and let me tell you my mind was blown. It is just the way it makes me feel really and these gals just do it perfectly. My smexy has to be done right and be believable. My problem with adult books is the wording used with smexy that bothers me, and the timing of the sex. New Adult flows more and uses language all of us think. But god. I am a smexy fan. And I eat up every bit of it.
;]
ShawnaLeAnn
Dreaming In The Pages ∫ Enter My Giveaway
hahah thanks love!!!! and your response i am behind ALL THE WAY!!!! i think this is an undiscovered genera that will maybe blog up!!!! i think that there should be a 20 something revolution!
Tara
Yeah for a revolution! I shall be at the forefront! hehe
Love your response Shawna. It definitely has to be done RIGHT and at the right times like Robyn said. I also agree about the wording in some adult books. E.L. does a good job of this, but I am a sucker for a witty sarcastic heroine so when she makes things light and then it creeps into the sensual seriousness of the "love" it's great. It makes us all comfortable to read :)
Haha, Tara! Yes Fifty will continue to hold my heart, haha. Beautiful Disaster was definitely a big turning point for me and now I just love books written this way. For some good YA definitely check out Simone Elkeles and Jennifer Echols. They do not disappoint :)
Yes, so true. It's all about the characters and what THEY are comfortable with first and foremost when writing for them. If things are well with them then they will be well with your audience!
Totally agree and thanks for your advice about book three. My characters will definitely have to take a "break." :D
Oh, I agree with you all.
I like more smexy but not totally graphic. I think an even mix of feelings and graphics might be the way to go.
I didn't read many NA books because I can't find many, but some YA I felt dealt well with sex are the ones by Jennifer Echols, Simone Elkeles and Kody Keplinger. Though, I admit, they could have gone one step further and I wouldn't have minded lol
I think it really depends on the book and the characters. Rachel's Holiday gets pretty steamy, and I thought it was great. As where I didn't like the scenes in The Time Traveler's Wife. Not because they got to graphic, but because when they were told from the wife's point of view I just thought the language was off, I didn't think it was how most women talk.
I'm up for anything, as long as it fits with the character.
depends on the book an character and the war is describe. I like when they left something to the imagitation. i don't like to grafic sex scenes.
Great post! I love some steam but nothing too graphic. I think some of the smexiest scenes are the ones who leave something to the imagination. And I agree with Shawna about the language often used in adult novels. Many times it doesn't sound authentic and totally takes me out of the moment. I find many of the YA and NA smexy scenes more realistic.
Great question.... wow that is hard to answer. I've actually read both PERFECT CHEMISTRY and FORGET YOU and LOVED the 'sexy' scenes. But at the same time there are other books that attempted these same 'scenes' and failed miserably. I think it really depends on the overall purpose of the book. It also depends on my mood (yup I'm a mood reader lol). Sometimes I want a high level of smexy other times I don't want any at all. You make some really great points :) Now I'm in thinking mode....
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