Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Guest Blog and Kindle Giveaway with Scott Nicholson

Love Scenes: Kissy Face or Full Monty?
By Scott Nicholson
http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/



One of the challenges of writing is learning how much romantic description to include in your stories.

Early in my career, I tended to keep most of the physical love play offstage, either avoiding it or referring to it without direct mentioning of body parts. My characters tended to be in romantic attraction and might kiss, but only rarely did it get to S-E-X. One of those occasions was my story “Constitution,” where a man has died but wills himself to keep his flesh integrated so his wife won’t be alone. At one point in the story, he must come to grips with his crumbling bits on the marital bed.

While I do have a romantic element in most of my novels, sometimes it’s the typical “family under duress” that’s fairly common in thrillers, especially in supernatural tales where normalcy is challenged. Of course, we expect order to be restored and families to bond and everyone to live happily ever after, so that sort of tension is expected (and the resolution is expected, too, which is why so many modern stories are predictable.)

My first real sex scene, in Forever Never Ends, is handled in a stream-of-consciousness flow of sensations and impressions, switching back and forth between the two lovers. It’s a little poetic and unusual for a thriller, and there’s nary a heaving bosom or swollen manhood in sight.

My novel The Manor (now out in UK as Creative Spirit) has trappings of a Gothic romance, with an early tension developing between the two lead characters, Mason and Anna. While as best I remember they don’t so much as kiss throughout the book, by the end there’s the suggestion that they have a possible future together. My book Troubled features a budding romance between two young teens, so obviously I keep their clothes on.



Solom features an important sex scene early on, but it’s the delayed consummation of a second marriage, and the woman basically channels the man’s dead first wife to evoke a response in him. Technically, it’s a nice piece of sexual description and acrobatics, handled well, I believe, though looking back it is kind of creepy because of the woman’s displacement. A local grandmother wrote me a note praising the sex scene, saying it was “nice and unhurried.”

I got a little more cynical by the time They Hunger (now called The Gorge in the UK) came out, and there are at least three sex scenes, and none of them are the products of healthy relationships. There’s the ongoing aloof affair between two characters, a brutish sex scene between a killer and the woman who’s become enthralled and later disgusted by him, and one totally gratuitous hook-up that takes place with little motivation and an unlikely situation—while under threat of imminent death.

The Skull Ring is your basic romantic suspense, with an ongoing subplot of attraction/paranoia, with the two main characters eventually coming to rely upon one other before the climax. Drummer Boy has a scene where a teen confesses his love to his best friend, who freaks out that his friend is gay and almost kissed him—but the entire theme of that book is “otherness,” and that foiled kiss is just a symbol of being a misfit kid.

Speed Dating with the Dead has one sex scene, but it’s a fairly aggressive, demon-spawned bout that I’ll probably rewrite later. At the time I was thinking I needed to write an “adult” thriller, but the most interesting characters are older teens who have attraction but no hanky panky.

I like to think of my books as written at a PG-13 level, but I’m not sure I’d let my daughter read them all at that age.


Maybe we’ll start with October Girls, my YA paranormal romance by LC Glazebrook, and let her go from there. The teen witch Crystal has a serious thing going with her steady beau, but Bone, who has come back from the grave, is determined to make up for all she missed due to her untimely death at 16. And, when you’re dead, you don’t have to worry about pregnancy, disease, or the fallout from bad decisions. Which is good, because the unborn twin of James Dean has the hots for her.

Sex. Romance, Love. How do you like the steaminess of your sex scenes, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being a firm handshake and 10 being raunchiness that would make Tiger Woods blush?

-------------

Scott Nicholson is author of 12 novels, including the thrillers Speed Dating with the Dead, Drummer Boy, Forever Never Ends, The Skull Ring, As I Die Lying, Burial to Follow ,and They Hunger. His revised novels for the U.K. Kindle are Creative Spirit, Troubled, and Solom. He’s also written four comic series, six screenplays, and more than 60 short stories. His story collections include Ashes, The First, Murdermouth: Zombie Bits, and Flowers.

To be eligible for the Kindle DX, simply post a comment below with contact info.

Feel free to debate and discuss the topic, but you will only be entered once per blog. Visit all the blogs on the tour and increase your odds.

I’m also giving away a Kindle 3 through the tour newsletter and a Pandora’s Box of free e-books to a follower of “hauntedcomputer” on Twitter.

Thanks for playing.

Complete details at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/blogtour.htm

113 comments:

hendy said...

I for one don't need all the descriptive body part kind of romance though I do want some romance and enjoy all that surrounds the physical part.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

Joe F. said...

Love the blog... and the free kindle.
Thanks,
Joe

josafisch@yahoo.com

Bibliophile said...

For me, sex scenes can be anything from mild kissing to scorching hot full-on sex, but they have to be believable in the context of story and characters and a necessary part of the story.
Gratuitous sex scenes have made me throw a book at the wall in anger.

Cathy W said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SandyG265 said...

I don't mind sex ina book but I don't want detailed descriptions. And they need to fit into the context of the story.

Judy said...

Sex needs to be in a romance novel.
For me, it doesn't have to be hot and all times, just go along with the situation that it happening. I like a bit of a story, not all sex in every scene.

Your books look very good. Enjoyed the post.

Judy
magnolias_1@msn.com

Bookhound78 said...

If I had to pick a S-E-X level, I guess I'd go middle of the road, around a 5. Although I've read plenty of works that score anywhere from -6 to 16. It kind of depends on my mood at the time; I can't read an Ed Lee book all the time, but sometimes it's just what I wanted.

By the way, the scene in Speed Dating with the Dead surprised me because I hadn't read a scene like that by you before. Although, They Hunger is one of the few books by you I haven't read, so I don't know how that one compares.

-Neal

Betty: Reflections with Coffee said...

Not every book needs sex --- looking back on t.v. programs (Moonlighting is one example), it jumps the shark when the chemistry is fulfilled.
One of the sexiest movie scenes ever is when Rhett carries Scarlett up the red carpeted stairs, and the next morning she wakes up with a smile on her face. I was 8 years old when I first saw that movie, and that scene has stayed with me for decades. Not that I understood what went on during the night ... but now it leaves more to the imagination! Also the eating scene in (I think) Tom Jones.
I'd say it depends on the book -- range from 4 to 13.

Author Scott Nicholson said...

Neal, I was going to cut that scene but was thinking I wanted a little "tougher" scene to move toward the urban fantasy genre. In retrospect, that was one of those decisions made by external factors instead of what the story needs, so I will almost certainly revise it later.

I enjoy sensuality over sexuality. A woman with flowing hair and dress is going to rev me more than some hardbody prancing around in tighties, or nothing.

Scott

author Christa Polkinhorn said...

As an author I find writing sex scenes one of the most difficult parts of a love story/romance. Getting them right is really important. There has to be a build-up, tension, some spicy (but not too explicit) details. Describing body parts is okay, if it fits the scene as a whole. In general, I tend to err on the side of caution. An overdone sex scene can be utterly ridiculous. You want to leave something to the imagination of the reader.
Christa
cpolkinhorn@msn.com

Anonymous said...

I would guess my steam-o-meter to top off at 3. If it gets too steamy I have a tendency to look around to see "who can see me reading this book?"

I have read above my comfort level however and am slowly learning new things.

authorjcphelps@yahoo.com

Kathy Habel said...

Please enter me.
bkhabel at gmail dot com

Alex said...

I'm going to cop out with an "it depends!" Whatever matches the mood of the story and the characters.

debbie said...

For me, I don't mind it, it can go to level 10, but it has to be pertinent to the characters and the story. I have seen authors use it, because they don't have a very good storyline. It ends up ruining the book for me. As long as it fits in with the plot and the character of the people involved, it is fine.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

It depends on the book for me - if there is enough emotional interaction between the characters, sex can be a side issue.

Chrizette
baychriz at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Sex scenes are good. Who doesn't like sex? Having said that I have read some pretty raunchy details in sex scenes and it's just a bit over the top for me.

randymir@gmail.com

Katie said...

thanks for the chance to win!

kt1969 at comcast dot net

Regge Ridgway said...

I have some unresolved issues about writing sex scenes in my novels. When is it too much or too little. When is the scene going to lable me a pervert forever in the minds of my relatives. For me I just have settled on what would be esthetically pleasing to me if I were the one reading. I agree with other comments here that romance trumps the porn descriptions. No easy answer here and will hopefully discover a balance that won't turn off a reader. Reg

katsrus said...

I don't mind if there is none or if there is a lot. You should be able to use your imagination or have it be believable. Great post.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

monapete said...

Great Post!!

monacart32 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Oh boy, its getting closer and closer to my official stop ... Nicholson-mania rules !

Barry
anamchara@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

As long as the scene is really needed for plot / character development, write it as you see fit.

stacypilot at yahoo dot com

R.S. Hunter said...

I've never written a sex scene in any of my works yet. I don't have anything against sex or even explicit scenes. I think the reason why I haven't is I'm not confident in my writing ability to write the scene and not have it be cheesy or cliche.

rshunter88 AT gmail.com

anamlgrl said...

definitely depends but I never mind reading something shmexy!!
anamlgrl@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Well, unlike the Family Television Council, I don't consider a firm handshake sexual contact. Well, I suppose it depends on what the hand is shaking. :)

shane said...

My heatmeter would read off the charts, as I tend to write graphic but sensuous scenes, the details of which are often diluted to foreplay and foreshadowing of the "main event(s)" in the ifnal edit. Since my characters are always in love, in some form or fashion it technically is not pornographic but what I refer to as realistic. Thank you.

Teawench said...

I've written some erotica but just for fun. Whether or not I like it in a book depends on the storyline. I really don't like it when it's thrown in for shits & giggles. If a book/movie/whatever starts heading in that direction & it doesn't really fit the storyline I get pissed. It totally takes me out of the book and slaps me in the face with it's awkwardness.
teawench at gmail dot com

JL Bryan said...

I don't have a limit to what I can tolerate, but it does need to be true to the characters.

I find that sexual tension--and also sex that doesn't go well for one reason or another--have more dramatic power than just a regular sex scene.

chey said...

If there are sex scenes in a book, they need to be appropriate to the story. I don't like it when it seems like the sex scenes are just thrown in to get a more steamy rating. I'd rather be reading the story.
chey127 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

It's a hard balance to keep it tasteful and still have that oomf.

bunkercomplexATgmailDOTcom

Unknown said...

As long as the sex fits properly within the pages of the book and doesn't feel forced or gratuitous, it doesn't matter if its a level 1 sex scene or a level 10 sex scene. I'm all about Gratuitous nude and sex scenes in a movie but in a book they just fall flat if the story doesn't lend itself to the scene properly.

calseeor (at) gmail (dot) com

Sharon S. said...

I don't like erotica. All those gross metaphors for talking about naughty parts is very distracting. I like sensual/romantic scenes. Where some of it is left to the imagination of the reader. I also like my horror that way, not the sensual part just the leaving it to my imagination .

Candace said...

I'm right in the middle with a 5. I like some romance and a little bit of steam, but I tend to skim the full blown sex scenes.

candace_redinger at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I personally find the trend of extremely graphic sex in books disturbing. There just doesn't seem to be any difference between a romance novel and erotica anymore.

Frankly, I find that numerous or graphic sex scenes distract from the story and it's the story I want to read. When I want to read erotica, I read that genre, it doesn't have to be in everything.

In fact, it's difficult to find romance novels that aren't graphic unless they're inspirational, a genre that doesn't really interest me.

All the graphic sex also makes it hard for me to share good stories with my 18-year-old daughter. Although she's old enough to read anything, and kids today have been exposed to far more than I was at that age, I don't want to give her a book and say "here, read this smut".

The latest book in a series from one of my favorite authors was really disappointing. The couple had sex within the first few pages and there were so many sex scenes, I found myself wanting the author to get on with the story. I mean, really, is that ALL they're going to do? I still haven't finished it, which is unusual for me.

So on your scale, I would say a max of 5 would be about right.

lorraine_lanning[at]yahoo[dot]com

LaQ said...

Doesn't bother me bit. ;)

LaQuiet(at)gmail(dot)com

Estella said...

Sex scenes can be anything from kissing to full on hot sex for me.
I enjoy reading it all.

kissinoak at frontier dot com

elf said...

I think it depends on what mood I'm in. Sometimes I really just want a great story and the frequent passionate interludes seem to detract from the progress but other times I want a good steamy encounter. I really object to the same phrasing being used time and time again within a book--if it's that hard to describe the encounter, perhaps there are too many being included. Thanks for your blog, it was very informative.
wksworld at msn dot com

elyse said...

i want my tinglemeter off the chart when it comes to sex and romance...so make it raunchy and good... and please avoid phrases like her flowering womanhood and the iron flesh of his manhood...also unreciprocated oral sex pisses me off... women are always sinking to their knees worshiping at the phallus...lets have some men do some muff diving...

so um...yeah... make is down dirty and absolutely delicious or dont even try to do it at all...

Bethany C. said...

I don't mind at all if an author just implies that sex took place. I generally find sex scenes kind of silly and unnecessary. I'd rather be reading about something that's moving the plot, not a sex break. But it doesn't make me not read a book if I know there's going to be sex. If there's too much sex in a book for me, then I think that the writer just didn't have enough ideas to fill an entire novel, or I didn't realize it was 'that kind' of book. This probably makes me sound kind of uptight- I'm far from it. Sex scenes in book don't make me uncomfortable or offend me; I guess it's just not what I read for.
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

It all depends on the book. Sometimes I don't want any sex or romance sometimes a good x-rated scene is just perfect.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

Jason said...

These books look like a lot of fun. Don't have twitter:( but I would love a kindle. :)

Jase
vslavetopassionv(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I don't need all the details but do enjoy a bit of romance in my read

stephanie(.)pridgen(@)gmail(.)com

Monster A Go-Go said...

So, you are prudish on paper--and in the bedroom (so the rumors go... I know all about you in your long flannel night shirt, long jogns and curlers, 1950s twin beds and a chastity jock strap). Obviously you are saving your sexual energy for the goat barn!

You say you like to keep things "PG13". We BOTH know that's code for "Party Goats 13"--meaning your baker's dozen harem of your favorite goat gals! Those goats know how to party--and it's shocking how explicit you get with them when you are so chaste on the page.

I understand you have a shocking adult video in the works you are trying to market--GOATS GONE WILD!! I heard all about the scene where two goats, after brazenly flaunting their teats at the camera, start butting heads over who gets to be your "pen pal" for the evening!! There's nothing like a roll in the hay with a goat in your mind...especially if the goat eats the hay afterwards, destroying all of the evidence!

It would be sooooo much easier if you were into cows. You'd be the Hugh Heifer of cow-dom. But with goats...??? I guess you're the Guru of Goats. Heaven help us if you give up writing horror, let your hair down, and switch to goat porn. I don't think your pen would be all that hindered then... Perhaps we should wait for your tell-all autobiography??? I can almost see the cover now: a bridge over a chasm with a sign on it that reads "Goat Crossing", with some lovely, nubile lady goats looking a little timid and shy about crossing over...and then you, peeking out from under the bridge with a little dialogue bubble that reads "Trip-trap-trip-trap, are those lady goats crossing over my bridge???" The title: "Sex Troll: Goats, horror and other creepy things from under the bridge"---something like that.

Blah! Blah! Blah! Gotta get back to work.

Oh, by the way, SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD and DIRT arrived yesterday...and, even though I'm still wallowing in my microbiology class (EEEK!), I should be starting "SkSKULL RING" sometime this weekend.

Christa, if you are out there, I also received YOUR book yesterday in the mail as well! Zowie!

Have a go-go groovy day! (I need to get back to work... Ho hum...)

Cheers!

Brenda Wallace said...

Well, you've obviously outgrown your writing shyness, in order to ask such troubling questions. I've read many great novels that didn't include sex scenes. But, I guess I would generally rate my reading/writing preferences for about a 7 and the scene does need to fit there. I don't read or write erotica, but I do think building sexual tension definitely increases that page turning tendency. I don't like the idea of my daughter later reading my scenes, especially remembering how uncomfortable it was for Anne Lamott to read her father's books. I think the scenes you've written, Scott, are unusually well done and do add to your novels. I haven't read the demon-spawned bout, though. Interesting question. varbonoff22 at cox dot net

Inanna said...

If I want the full monty, I'll buy erotica, kwim? I don't mind a romance and some sex thrown in, but for me, it's kind of like gore - if it's gratuitious, it just makes me roll my eyes.

inannajourney at gmail dot com

sohamolina said...

I am enjoying your articles. Contact info:

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

or @sohamolina on twitter

Texas Book Lover said...

Ok...I have been trying to do this all day and I keep getting this "service unavailable" Talk about fustrating.

Now...I would say it depends on my mood as to whether I want a teeny type scene I can sit down and talk to my daughter about or full blown erotica! There is certainly something to be said about both!

Thank you very much! Maria Smith
mmafsmith@gmail.com

HODGEPODGESPV said...

when i was in college, we would read sexy novel as a break from intense study during finals. i don't think i got as much from them as my friends as i couldn't figure out where all the body parts were in orgy scenes. but then i was a huge doris day fan and practicing virgin sooo. i still like allusion in books and movies rather than 'nitty gritty' even though 'practicing' other things as an old married lady.

i think i am most offended by 'off color words'. i took a college course 'the word is not the thing' and became less sensitive to them, especially if they are natural to the person. (like Richard Pryor). but i recently picked up a book by a well known comedian where every sentence was full. after 3 pages, i went back and tried reading them without the explitives...either way it was crap and senseless. it is the only book in a life time of reading, i have ever thrown into the trash.
spvaugan@yahoo.com

Paul McMurray said...

Scott, I knew Monster A Go-Go would be salivating at your post. Count me in for the Kindle!
Paul
mrlucky@charter.net
PS: 3 worst words in sex:
"Is it in?"

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I don't read erotica so I'd say a 3 is as high my scale goes. As a male, sex is displayed better in visual media (for obvious reasons) [No, not that reason. Get your mind out of the gutter.] It seems that females respond more positively towards sex in text (sext?) than males. And even they have their own individual scales amongst them as noted from commenters above.

Like others have said, it depends on the story. I find myself not really caring about the sex scene when it comes around. Sometimes it gets in the way of the story. Whereas the sex is sometimes the good part in visual media, it's frequently the boring part in books. For me at least. I've never read a sex scene that was particularly memorable for any reason. But I haven't read some of the raunchy stuff. I can imagine it could get pretty memorable.

With that said, sex happens. It's a part of life. Blah, blah, blah. And it should be written about if it makes sense within the construct of the story.

michaellmartinjr[at]gmail[dot]com

Lori A. said...

I'm probably a 5.
ljatwood at gmail dot com

booklover0226 said...

I don't mind sex in books, even if it's detailed, provided it flows with the story line.

I read one book which had a sex scene in each chapter!

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Cathy M said...

I read a lot of erotic romances, though I need the romance to be part of an amazing storyline with compelling characters.


caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Sherry said...

I don't think the sex scenes have to be really explicit to be good. Sometimes when I'm reading a sex scene and it's really long and drawn out I will skip it. I think that sometimes just a hint of sex is better than a long drawn out scene.

sstrode@scrtc.com

Kate Scott said...

Please enter me!

kate[at]parchmentgirl[dot]com

donnas said...

Great post. Really for me it all depends on what fits the story. I hate when the scenes are thrown in just to be there, or its uneven. If the scene starts and ends at lets say a 3, it shouldnt jump to a 10 for 2 lines and than back.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

n2france said...

So far I haven't read a book where they threw in a sex scene for the fun of it. Writer's might worry about it but they aren't going overboard.

Author Scott Nicholson said...

@Regge NEVER consider your relatives when you are writing. It's the kiss of death. Family are the people you always lie to, and a fiction writer needs to tell the truth

@shane one person's realism is another's fantasy (those sad, sad people...)

@elyse, that's funny! Good homosexual romance in a "straight" book would also be cool. I had a brief scene like that in Creative Spirit, where the gay couple has the only healthy romantic relationship in the book--at least until things go strange

@Monster, cows require a stool and that's too much trouble when in the throes of passion

Looks like it's clear there's a broad range of tastes and enough subgenres and levels to serve them all.

Scott Nicholson

Margay Leah Justice said...

I don't mind sex in books as long as it's tastefully done and flows from the story. I don't like it when it's too graphic or crude or is just written in for shock value.

Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I don't mind sex in books as long as it's tastefully done and flows from the story. I don't like it when it's too graphic or crude or is just written in for shock value.

Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

Jane said...

It all depends on my mood. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a light read where the sex is behind closed doors, but I think most of the time I expect more detailed descriptions and more action.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

author Christa Polkinhorn said...

Hey, Monster A Go-Go. Have fun with the book!
Christa

Unknown said...

Thanks for the chance to win! Great post!

ashleysbookshelf@gmail.com

Ashley's Bookshelf

Jeff said...

I don't know if I have read a ten, but I would enjoy it if I love the characters. I feel that I need to know the character to be in on their intimate details. I think I rather like the story be sappy like a hallmark movie and not the sort that makes me nervous of disastrous outcomes and I definitely do not like a violent situation. I like to be rooting for the participants and look forward to a happy outcome.
It those cases, then, I go for something as near a ten as seems real. I agree with your response... "and a fiction writer needs to tell the truth." I have a hard time sticking with any reading that doesn't ring true.

Jeff White whitejw@ameritech.net

Jesse said...

I'm never much for sex scenes in my books. In fact, I avoid romance books and other books that may incline towards romance such as the Twilight saga.

I don't mind if there's romance going on between characters - it's fact of life - as long as the book isn't *about* the romance.

-Jesse
conrad.jd (at) gmail (dot) com

Cori Westphal said...

What a Fangtastic giveaway! ;)

coriwestphal at msn dot com
@coriwestphal

Icedream said...

I'm in agreement that it relies on the context in which it is written. I will read rated X to rated G as long it is believable. Oh, and please, please- no silly euphemisms, bleck!

Douglas Dorow said...

Scott writes Erotica? Who knew? Almost forgot to make my tour visit, what with Chilean miner rescue, my son's hockey tryouts and this great Minnesota fall weather.

dwdorow@gmail.com
ThrillersRus.blogspot.com

Mary Kontrary said...

I don't mind a sex scene or maybe two in a romance/mystery/historical/fantasy/paranormal/etc. novel, even a scorching all-holds-barred one(assuming it's a necessary part of the plot and not just thrown in because the author or the publisher thinks it will make a lackluster book sell better), but please! Not scene after scene going on for page after page. Gack! As someone else commented, if I wanted to read porn, that's what I'd buy. :) As for my own work, I write sex scenes when called for, but I work hard to put humor, romance and genuine emotion into them. Thanks for asking and for the chance to win! mkip at aol dot com.

Carol said...

I also believe that sensuality serves most stories better than sexuality.

Karen Bell said...

Sometimes I turn on tts when I'm crocheting. If you want to hear something really funny, have your kindle read the sex scene in Speed Dating to you.

bluefrog62@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

this is interesting


maidenhealer@hotmail.com

FairyWhispers said...

kindle? seriously?

goddessbloom@hotmail.com

Kippoe said...

Interesting post

Deanna said...

I would LOVE a Kindle DX. Thanks for the opportunity to win one! :)

P.S. Click on my name for my contact info. ;)

Andrea I said...

You always have interesting posts.


andrea.infinger@gmail.com

Shai Williams said...

My husband who is also an author isn't comfortable with out and out sex scenes either. I wonder if it has something to do with being a man. Not to be discrimatory but different sexes do picture sex differently

blogbaby(at)comcast(dot)net

Kristie said...

I think that 5 is good for me. I don't mind ipmlied action either but some stuf makes me cringe. TMI and all of that. *LOL*
kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com

Weston Kincade said...

For me, I try to leave more to the imagination and kneep it at a 6 or lower when reading and writing. I find that foreplay and a great build up will lead the imagination to incredible heights without turning away a reader. However, that is just one sole opinion.

Wakincade AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

Hi,
My level for sex in books changes per that book..
I mean if I reading a book that has had chapters and chapters of build up and then you get a lets say #2 scene I would be extremely disappointed but the same could go if I was reading a nice smooth booth and hello here's a #9 scene..
All depends..
Good luck to all..
:)

baby_blackroze@yahoo.com

Doreen said...

I do like to some romance books. I don't need to know all the details though....give it a 5. :)

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I'm not a fan of anything graphic (or any erotica)...

I think full-on raunchy sex in the pages of a novel is a bit trashy. So maybe like a 3 or 4? I don't need explicit details, or page-long descriptions of body parts and their actions. Do you hear me Laura Adrian? Knock that crap off!

My friends tease me that I would have made an excellent pilgrim. :)

Stefanie647@msn.com

Linda Kish said...

I'm not interested in reading long drawn out sex scenes.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Kimberly K. said...

That was interesting to see how he handles "sex" in his stories.

kellysydow at yahoo dot com

VickyTinky said...

Count me in too!

vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

Thank you for the great blog post! I'd love to be entered to win too ....Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)

Pink Panther said...

For me, it's 4-6 on the romance scale. Not too much, just enough!
You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

Unknown said...

i'm a prude!! LOL maybe a 3 or 4.
hancoci_s at msn dot com

Hank Brown said...

Great question, Scott. As I age I'm becoming slightly...prudish, for lack of a better term. As a young man I'd take as much sex (real or depicted) as I could get, just for the sake of sex. Now that strikes me as "raunchy."

I don't know why, but when puberty struck, I automatically compartmentalized romantic love from sexual desire. Years ago I discovered one woman who united those passions in me.

I still think sex can be a beautiful act to depict, but only as an extension of the love between a man and woman. If a writer doesn't "invest in the relationship" between the lovers, then their sex scenes will probably smack of gratuitous titillation. IMO.

Twitter: MachineTrooper
twofistedblogger.blogspot.com

Nancy said...

Give me more than a handshake but not enough to make Tiger blush..is there anything that would make Tiger Woods blush!
Sometimes the tension leading up to the romance/sex scene is the best part!
Nancy Hà Nội

MarjoleinBookBlog said...

great blog and contest!

marjoleinbookblog at gmail dot com

Cathy W said...

Thank for the chance to win.
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

Abbi said...

usually if there's a sex scene in a book i pass through it. not because im a prude (after all we do have 5 kids) but i just think there is already enough of it on tv so i dont really want it in my books too
kidpack05 at yahoo dt com

EVA SB said...

I prefer foreplay to descriptions of actual sex. That makes it pretty clear what is happening and my imagination can fill in the details.

Both crude language and cliche annoy me and take me out of the story.
But in some stories the references are so subtle I haven't realised they've had sex until the girl got pregnant - not good!

Gail said...

I enjoy romance, but prefer to skip the graphic descriptions...
Gail in Florida
cowgirl3000 AT gmail DOT cm

Kim said...

Scott Nicholson and Halloween month...priceless!

skeltons3 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I am really having fun visiting some cool blog sites!

dreamer dot ima at gmail dot com

James Rasmussen said...

It doesn't really matter...as long as there's content in it (i.e. no gratuitous sex). Otherwise, it's a skim read at best and a close/delete book at worst.

jamesemr (at) gmail (dot) com

monapete said...

Great Post!

monacart32 at hotmail dot com

Riva said...

I'm of an age where I prefer my sex scenes to be suggested, not graphically displayed.

dulcibelle [at] earthlink [dot] net

jpearson said...

I say only if it adds to the book and the story--- not just form graphic sex! Just like swearing for a movie--- why put in three fucks in a row when one would have sufficed!

https://booksthoughtsadventures.com said...

I am all about the romance...

pattyden2@aol.com

Horror Books said...

As far as sex scenes go, if its integral to the plot I can handle most any level. I prefer it to be important to the story because otherwise it distracts me and ruins the "willing suspension of disbelief".

I do have problems with rape scenes. Sometimes I can handle them and sometimes I put the book down and never go back.

I remember "Constitution". You waned the reader before the story that it would be challenging. I have to admit that I scoffed at your warning and dove into it daring you to do your best. I did finish it but . . . it took a lot more effort than I expected to get past that sex scene. Wow! That was a lunch-loser.

Thanks for the chance to win,
Greg "The Undead Rat" Fisher

theundeadrat (@) gmail (.) com

Unknown said...

Full monty... kissy face... full monty... kissy face... weighing the scales, maybe tipping...

but I enjoy full monty...lol

Dottie :)
gymmom_027@yahoo.com

A.P. Fuchs said...

Sex scenes are a funny beast, both in that they can be a challenge to write well and, frankly, they use “funny” words to describe what’s going on.

Personally, it’s been a long while since I’ve written one. Before, it was about being graphic and saying what body part did what. Then I grew up, and instead of throwing what were basically porn scenes into my fiction, I more so just suggested what two characters did/would do. There’s something more tantalizing about that and more intimate.

I like your idea about crisscrossing between thoughts and emotions. That’s what sex is like, anyway, when your “making love” and not just, well, you know.

Coscomentertainment [at] gmail [dot] com

www.canisterx.com

POSSESSION OF THE DEAD and ZOMBIE FIGHT NIGHT available for the Amazon Kindle. Grab your copies here!

Stacey Smith said...

Well I Like a good Love Seen not Getting eny in my Real life.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

byonge said...

Hm,

byonge@lonepinetv.com

doreen lamoureux said...

This is super. Thanks
dorcontest at gmail dot com

Heather said...

I would love to be entered!
littlebearries@yahoo.com

sablelexi said...

i prefer love scenes to be the fade-to-black type. I don't need to see what is going on, its enough to know its hapening.

jlynettes @ hotmail . com

Anonymous said...

hufflepuffgrl13@yahoo.com

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