A few weeks ago, I got into
a discussion about writing sex scenes with a new author who found
them difficult and embarrassing. She thought that readers would
believe she had done the things her characters did. Every time she'd
get into a groove, the thought of family or friends reading it would
make her freeze, stifling her creativity. I'm not sure if I can help
with that feeling. I am often mortified when I hear that my
mother-in-law has been reading my erotica. I mean, who wouldn't be
shaken up? I can't help an author with qualms over who may be reading
his or her works. At some point, an author needs to own the work and
be proud of all that effort and time and tears.
Keep It Real
As for writing sex scenes? I
could say wing it. There seem to be no wrong ways in yaoi even if
they defy the physical facts of male anatomy or physics and gravity,
in some cases. It's clear that even some of the best writers out
there don't know a lot about gay sex. One of the first mangaka we
localized admitted that her agent had purchased gay porn for her to
watch to improver her accuracy. She's very well known, and this is
still a problem. I think getting the sex right is worth the effort.
Mechanics are easy to research. Without spending any money, you can
find quality porn that will give you the basics. Do not look at anime
or manga yaoi for instructions on actual sex. Too many of them get it
wrong (I mean the physical mechanics are just plain wrong) to use as
an example of how to write your own scenes. However, to really write
how characters feel during sex, it really helps to have had great
sex. I'm not saying that having had great sex is essential in writing
great sex scenes, but it really, really helps.
For me, sex is a way to
reveal a character – no pun intended. How they make love tells a
lot about who they are. Sex between the characters is just another
way of communicating. It's really jarring to have a character take a
180 from his normal personality when he is in a sex scene. A playful
Seme becoming a hyper-violent bully in bed rings false and can be a
complete turn off. Likewise, the uber macho Seme who inexplicably
gets lovey-dovey cutsy during sex is really off putting as well.
Using the personalities seen outside of the bedroom actually makes
writing the scenes in the bedroom easier. Creating a whole new
persona for a character is not easy. I'll give you some examples of
how I write and then a few suggestions for films and anime to watch
that have terrific character driven sex scenes.
The Dominant/submissive or Seme/uke Relationship
As I have said many times
before, there is more to this relationship that physical restraints
or violence. My biggest baddest dominant or Seme, Darius Galatea,
begins seducing his gorgeous and willful uke, Andreas Hesper, the
first time he touches him. Darius is the most powerful man in a
planetary system. Aside from that he is extremely hot and sensually
compelling. His regard can be so intense that he cannot work with
anyone on his staff that is attracted to males. There have been too
many misunderstandings and broken hearts and obsessive stalkers. The
arrogance in Darius is fully justified. Yet he takes nothing for
granted when he really wants something or someone. Andreas Hesper has
relatively little power compared to Darius. However, he is powerful
in his own world. He knows instinctively if someone means him
physical harm and knows how to protect himself. Andreas is also
incredibly beautiful and sensual and full of mischief. Those
qualities catch Darius' interest and complete attention. Just as he
would in a complex business deal, Darius immediately began
calculating the way he would pursue Andreas. He wants to addict
Andreas to having sex with him. He wants him to willingly give
himself completely for an indefinite amount of time. This entire plan
begins with a dance in Ensnared Volume One .
The
decision was made in a split second. Before Mykos could offer a
course of action, Darius was on his feet. A second later, he was
pulling Andreas into his arms. In one smooth movement, Darius
entwined his long, elegant fingers with Andreas’ then pulled his
left arm behind his back to bring him close. The other hand firmly
held the right hand to guide the dance. Andreas was stunned for a few
seconds, but soon he was moving in a sensual counter rhythm. Andreas
relaxed in his grasp then met his gaze. Darius was impressed, and not
just because of the way Andreas felt in his arms. They fit well and
moved very well together – almost like they had danced that way
before. What Darius admired was the attitude he was getting from
Andreas. The challenge was there, but there was also curiosity in
those incredible green-gold eyes. He met Darius’ eyes without fear,
yet there was fascination and appreciation there as well.
Andreas
Hesper was not fawning over Darius. He was subtly fighting, him all
to the beat of the music. Every 8th
beat, he tried to pull back and get some distance from the Cosi’s
body. No one watching them knew just how hard Andreas fought against
being overwhelmed. He was very graceful and very subtle in his
movements. Darius was just as graceful and subtle pulling Andreas
back pressing him close without grinding against him. Though he knew
that his face remained impassive, Darius felt a spark of lust from
holding Andreas that he hadn’t felt in some time – if ever. He
had to fight a nearly overwhelming urge to grab him by his hair and
kiss Andreas long and hard. He wanted to weaken him to the point
where he’d be willing to give his body for thorough use until he
could come no more. Yes, that was deeply appealing and completely
impractical.
Instead,
Darius dipped his head to one side to scent Andreas just behind his
ear. He smelled of warm spices. With that honey colored skin, Darius
was certain that he tasted delicious. The Crew Leader inhaled
sharply then leaned into the hold Darius had on him. The Cosi looked
Andreas in the eyes once more. What he saw almost ended his fragile
resolve. The fight was still there but this time his eyes were
dilated and a little dreamy. This time, when he tried to pull away,
Darius was certain that Andreas was fighting himself. Darius wondered
what he would try next to escape.
“I’m
Andreas Hesper, Lord Galatea,” he said. Darius found he liked that
deep, rich voice a little desperate.
“I
know that now,” Darius replied mildly. “It’s unfortunate that
I’ve never dealt with you personally. That may have to change.”
Andreas
swallowed hard just as the song ended. Darius released him with clear
reluctance.
“Thank
you, Lord,” Andrea said softly.
Darius
wasn’t sure if he was thanking him for the dance or for releasing
him. He returned to his table heedless of the gaping eyes upon him.
When circumstances force Andreas
to seek protection from Darius, words are used to seduce him into
complete surrender.
Andreas
leaned heavily on the wall and stared absently out the window. Though
his mind was still racing, his body felt like it was made of lead. He
didn’t even notice that Darius had returned until the Cosi was
looming over him. In that weakened state, Andreas found the man’s
presence overwhelming.
“Darius...what...what
will you have of me?”
“What
do you mean?”
“Do
you want me to be...naked for this whole time I am with you?”
“Ah,
yes....always naked...always ready to receive me,” he murmured with
a ghost of a smile playing on his face.
“Yeah,”
Andreas managed with a hard swallow.
“Do
you want to be always naked and ready for me?” He asked huskily.
Andreas
felt his face flush. It was in his head to say hell no, but his brain
couldn’t make his mouth say the words as he looked up into the
Cosi’s hot blue gaze. What was happening to him?
Darius
gently took Andreas by the chin once again and gently tilted his head
up.
“We
will share a great deal of pleasure, sweet Dami,” Darius said. “I
know you have a profoundly sensual nature. I am not willing to share
that nature or your beauty with anyone. You are not permitted to be
unclothed for anyone save me. Nor is anyone else to touch you.”
Andreas
was deeply relieved.
“The
morning has caught up with you,” Darius observed. “You probably
didn’t sleep well the night before.”
“No.
Not really.”
“Go
find the Master Suite, and lie down,” he said. His voice was
gentle.
“But...don’t
you want....aren’t I supposed to...”
“I
will have you until you can’t come anymore,” Darius promised. His
voice became sultry. “Have you ever been wrung dry, Andreas? Have
you ever begged to stop coming?”
Andreas
felt his knees weaken as his mouth went dry. He shook his head and
waited for the kiss and the crush of that hard body against his.
“I
want you awake enough to enjoy all the torment you’ve courted,”
Darius murmured as he ran his thumb along Andreas’ lower lip. “Take
your rest. You’ll wake when you’re hungry.”
Once in the bedroom, long before
pinning Andreas down or shackling him to the headboard, there is the
kiss. Darius uses kissing to weaken knees and drain resistance. By
the time he gets around to using a restraint, Darius has taken the
fight out of Andreas. That uke is willing to give Darius anything. He
doesn't even have to demand. Meanwhile, Andreas wants to caress
Darius as he is being caressed, but he rarely has the presence of
mind to do anything but moan and come really hard. Andreas doesn't
really mind any of this despite the power he possessed outside of his
Seme's penthouse. In fact, the more Andreas gives in to his Seme, the
more he wants to yield. In the latest short story, Enthralled (available for free in YGG Magaizine Issue 1), Darius
finds out just how far his uke is willing to go to submit to him. But
beyond being dominant and arrogant, the same humor and tenderness
that comes out in their conversations comes out in their lovemaking.
Andreas is playful when he isn't coming really hard. Darius is
exasperating. They laugh often in bed.
In
short, make sure that you get some good examples of actual sex. If
possible, have great sex yourself. Finally, make sure the characters
are the same inside the bedroom as outside. Also, don't worry about
people thinking bad things about you for writing erotica. Such
critics will find a reason to be haters no matter what you write, so
write what you enjoy!
For
love scenes that fit the criteria described in the blog, I recommend
Judas Kiss featuring hot man on man
Have fun writing, and please share your results on the Yaoi a GoGo Facebook page. We may put you in YGG Magazine!
