I'm writing a novella. I had entered into a contest and wasn't chosen as a finalist, though i thought mine was really good compared to what i read. I know. Most people feel that way about their own writing. So a new friend told me about another contest, but i'm not sure i want to enter a contest. Maybe i should just submit. However, the two winners of the contest will be published. First place in book format, and second in e-book format. But i digress. That's not what i wanted to write about.
My question is: How far can you go, word wise, when describing the sexual act? I mean really. If you look at the old terms that were used in historicals many moons ago, you'd see phrases like 'swift sword' or 'hot steel' or heaven forbid, 'piercing manhood'.
Now, i'm not one for certain words. I don't like them in real life and i refuse to use them in my writing, no matter what. I'll use the occasional "F" word and a bunch of others, but i cannot stand the 'c' word for a woman. I truly can't. It turns my stomach and makes me want to wash out that person's mouth with soap.
But how do we know what's appropriate or not? Is it personal taste? Is it publisher taste? Granted, it depends on the genre. If i'm writing erotica, the more sexy, the better. But i can write sexy without using certain words and i know that certain editors and publishers want those words.
If i'm writing contemporary romance, then should i use the more flowery terms? Words such as 'piercing manhood' instead of a more straightforward type of word?
Do you see what i'm asking? If i had to describe my writing style, it would be blunt without being crude. I'm a contemporary gal. I like blunt, in your face, sexual scenes. I'm not a wishy-washy person. If you want to take five pages to describe the scene, go ahead, but if you use vague and euphemistic words, then blech! But then again, if you use the words that i don't like, i won't read that either. I'll skip right over it.
As i'm re-reading this blog, i realize that i'm very much perplexed. Maybe i should just say "to hell with it" and do what i want. But i might not get published, and that's my goal.
So...if anyone has any insight, i'd greatly appreciate it...
Hugs and smooches on this rainy, icy, snowy, day.
Nini :)
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It will depend whose pov you're writing the scene from
men typically don't use the same expressions as women do
but
the Intrigue I'm reading at the moment - a love scene from the
heroine's point of view - just has the hero putting his fingers inside
her and finding the right spot
flowery language is not something I use when I think of my erogenous zones so that would pull me straight out
a
"great" love scene has me so hot I generally don't remember (nor care)
what language was used but that must mean that there are no taboo words
or overly flowery ones
Hope this helps
Hugs
Sadhbh
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RE: CORRECT USAGE OF WORDS
I guess it's one thing to for a Bloke use them and quite yet another for a Bloke to see them in print while he's reading a book. I really don't appreciate too much graphic in a book (I get the picture ~~ chances are I've done what's being described), in reality, this Bloke has been quite "filthy-mouthed" when in bed with a chit, but afterward, neither of us "remembers" what we called "things".
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