Playing the sex card - Page 4

MeiLin · 10-09-2011, 08:50 PM

I agree. A niche for every taste now.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-11-2011, 08:32 AM

I think that settles it. The scene goes in and the blurb gets redone. And as soon as I settle on a new title, I'll redo the cover to a more appropriate (noir-type) cover.

VydorScope · 10-11-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

I think that settles it. The scene goes in and the blurb gets redone. And as soon as I settle on a new title, I'll redo the cover to a more appropriate (noir-type) cover.

Good call.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-15-2011, 03:22 PM

If anyone's interested, I think I'm done with the proof/rewrite, and I'll be finishing the book for release this week. This is the cover I've created for it.

(Edit: New cover shown; the old cover has been replaced by the new cover, as I used the same filename.)

Keryl Raist · 10-16-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadioflex

And why does any of that require an explicit sex scene? It's all for titillation and market expectations. Now, I'm sure you're unlikely to agree with me but as an exercise imagine being able to convey every one of those, dubious, points without the need for gynaecological gymnastics in the scene. I can think of ways to convey these outcome of sex without sex. You really don't think you can?

Which is not to say I object to sex scenes - although they do nothing for me. I like proper porn - I just think it's a complete lie that anyone is using them to advance the plot.

What if the plot involves the character's sexual awakening? Lady Chatterly's Lover wouldn't have worked faded to black.

Or a character recovering from abuse? The first consensual sex after a rape would be immensely revealing, and if the book is about the character healing, necessary.

Or a love story where the two characters are apart? A graphic sex scene remembered fondly by both/either character will not only do a great job of showing the flavor of the relationship, but also illustrate the tension of longing for what is lost. The Crow (the original comic) is an exquisite illustration of this point.

So, yes, in most stories it probably isn't necessary. But in some it belongs and works very well.

Keryl Raist · 10-16-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

If anyone's interested, I think I'm done with the proof/rewrite, and I'll be finishing the book for release this week. This is the cover I've created for it.

I like the fact that the title is very clear, but the graphic isn't wowing me.

VydorScope · 10-16-2011, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keryl Raist

I like the fact that the title is very clear, but the graphic isn't wowing me.

Its not my genera so was not gonna comment on it, but since Keryl said exactly my opinion I figure I'll just +1 her.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-17-2011, 10:29 PM

Nag, nag...

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-22-2011, 07:26 PM

FYI, the book has been released on my site. And yes, I redid the cover...

Keryl Raist · 10-22-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

FYI, the book has been released on my site. And yes, I redid the cover...

Not that I'm an expert, but I like this one much, much better! Here's wishing you lots and lots of sales.

ScalyFreak · 10-22-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

FYI, the book has been released on my site. And yes, I redid the cover...

That cover is MUCH better! There's a free sample somewhere on your site, I hope?

chrisanthropic · 10-22-2011, 11:10 PM

I agree, the new cover looks much better - good luck!

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-23-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

That cover is MUCH better! There's a free sample somewhere on your site, I hope?

Yes, the first 3 chapters are available as a free sample on my site. Glad you like the new cover!

ScalyFreak · 10-29-2011, 10:23 PM

I know it's been a few days, but I stumbled over this blog while surfing the web for new authors to discover, and it reminded me of this thread. I think she makes a couple of very good points. There are far too many poorly written sex scenes in books today... and not enough of the very well written ones.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-30-2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

There are far too many poorly written sex scenes in books today... and not enough of the very well written ones.

Agreed... but that can be said, truly, about a lot of scene types... dialogue... action... suspense... war. A lot of writing is bad, but it is overlooked or ignored, or the fact that it isn't good is simply said and left there.

I think the real difference here is the stigma placed on sex in writing--and every other media--by those who are afraid of letting it out into the light. That stigma forces writers to second-guess their efforts, to avoid "going too far," upsetting readers (or critics) and unfairly branding them as undesirable. No other type of scene, except, perhaps, "torture-porn" has that stigma... the fact that "porn" is added to the word "torture" is a clear indicator of that.

Then, the writing, good or bad, is tarred with the "smut" brush almost immediately.

When I was working, I was a lot more worried about the stigma than whether or not I could write a good sex scene. In fact, I had to come to grips with the stigma first, deciding that I was not going to worry about it. Once I did that, I was able to write the scene with the same level of competence that I'd write any other scene.

Which begs the question: Do I write a good sex scene? As always, it's up to readers to decide that competence.

10-15-2011, 03:22 PM	#49
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	If anyone's interested, I think I'm done with the proof/rewrite, and I'll be finishing the book for release this week. This is the cover I've created for it. (Edit: New cover shown; the old cover has been replaced by the new cover, as I used the same filename.) Last edited by Steven Lyle Jordan; 10-22-2011 at 07:28 PM.

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10-09-2011, 08:50 PM	#46
MeiLin professional daydreamer Posts: 71 Karma: 537292 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Portland, OR Device: Kindle	I agree. A niche for every taste now.

10-11-2011, 08:32 AM	#47
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I think that settles it. The scene goes in and the blurb gets redone. And as soon as I settle on a new title, I'll redo the cover to a more appropriate (noir-type) cover.

10-17-2011, 10:29 PM	#53
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Nag, nag...

10-22-2011, 07:26 PM	#54
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	FYI, the book has been released on my site. And yes, I redid the cover...

10-22-2011, 11:10 PM	#57
chrisanthropic Fiend Posts: 148 Karma: 559930 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: none	I agree, the new cover looks much better - good luck!

10-29-2011, 10:23 PM	#59
ScalyFreak Sith Wannabe Posts: 2,034 Karma: 8017430 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: I'm not sure... it's kind of dark. Device: Galaxy Note 4, Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Fire HD, Aluratek Libre	I know it's been a few days, but I stumbled over this blog while surfing the web for new authors to discover, and it reminded me of this thread. I think she makes a couple of very good points. There are far too many poorly written sex scenes in books today... and not enough of the very well written ones.

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