Article #19
The Technique for Love Scenes

Readers seem to enjoy novels that contain some sizzling love scenes, so long as the scenes are not contrived. This does not mean that the scenes have to be torrid or in some instances even pornographic, because frequently, less is better than more.

If you leave the conclusion of a love scene up to the imagination of the reader, it can frequently be more dramatic than the writer could ever describe on paper. The imagination is an extremely strong force and if left up to the individual reader could be even more powerful than anything the writers would think of. The love scene can take on a greater importance in the manuscript if handled by a writer with real sensitivity.

An abundance of idle conversation in a love scene, doesn't necessarily mean a strong theme, for instance, if after the second or third date the man asks the woman whether he can come into her home for a "nightcap", she can let the reader know what her intentions are by saying absolutely nothing. All she has to do is hand him her keys and let him open up the door for her. That gives an immediate suggestion that she not only wants him to come in for a nightcap, but anything else the two of them would agree upon.

The couple, after entering her home or his apartment, don't have to jump immediately into the sack, because that's what the author thinks the reader expects and or anticipates. Such is not the case at all, the reader would like ample foreplay and have the couple maybe turn on some romantic music, light a few candles and have a sip of wine and/or champagne.

Carolyn Campbell, who recently wrote a wonderful article for Writer's Digest, suggests, among other things, that a writer should get the reader involved in the love scene, and then they're able to completely relate to the mood. Readers love to lose themselves in the excitement and or tension of a good romantic scene between characters in a book. A good way for the writer to accomplish this is to put either himself, or herself into the scene. If the writer feels the passion between the two lovers, then, it's quite natural that the reader will also feel that same passion. An easy example of this, would be the torrid love scene between Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in "Gone With the Wind". When he picked her up and literally carried her into the bedroom, everyone watching that scene, and or reading the novel could feel the tension and passion of both of the parties.

If the writer proposes to write a scene where the two lovers begin kissing, then the writer can put himself into the middle of the scene, and explore the different ways to arouse someone's passion with intimate kissing in the use of the tongue, lips, fingers, etc. The author can also fantasize for the characters in the novel, by exploring different methods that the author has heard about but has not been aggressive enough to actually try in real life. The writer's imagination can conjure up wild, wonderful acts of sexual play.

Believe me when I tell you, that if the author can become aroused during a love scene between the characters in the novel, the passion of the scene will also be felt by the reader, and that's a guarantee.

Carol Campbell, in her article further urges that the lovers should always be kept in character. I'm not so sure that I personally agree with this philosophy, because if a man has a cute sense of humor, than you sure don't want him cracking jokes while he's trying to woo and romance his proposed lover. Actually, subtle changes in both of the lover's personalities could make the scene a lot more meaningful. A woman who generally has a sharp, quick wit might be totally melted by her lover's insistent and passionate way with his tongue, hands and or other parts of his body.

This could have tremendous effect on the reader, because it would become immediately known that the character has somewhat changed his/ her personality, because of the wonderful love-making techniques of his/her mate.

A lover who reacts quite differently than a reader might expect because of certain personality traits that the reader has already been made aware of, could be terribly affected by the passion and the embraces and love-making technique of his/her lover. So affected, that the personalities of the lovers also change out of character.

Another way to fully explore a good love-making scene, would be to create a sense of urgency and/or tension. Not the kind of tension that you would create with your lover if in the middle of passion, you stop and you answered the phone or went to see who was at the front door. You could create a wonderful tension or "tease" with the reader if the lovers stopped the action for some additional romantic interlude.

A perfect example of that would be to refill your lover's glass of wine, and/or hold her in your arms after making love for the first time and gently begin to arouse her and/or him, again through kisses and the use of your total body parts. Lovers are frequently stimulated by the thought of different techniques in lovemaking but are afraid to mention them, because their lover would think they are too aggressive, or even worse "something the matter with them." The philosophy of a good writer should be that anything that happens behind closed doors so long as both persons agree to is "fair game" and should be fully explored.

Readers love to be treated to pleasant surprises in love scenes especially if all or most of their own fantasies have been amply fulfilled.

In addition, lovers should not be afraid to express themselves with romantic language, and/or even strong language if the situation calls for it and both lovers agree to it. Gradually feel your partner out, and you can even ask them and/or suggest certain words, phrases and/or movements that might excite them. This kind of love play could gradually build suspense, anticipation and even tension between the two lovers, all of which, could encourage aggressive but satisfying love making - the kind of lovemaking that both lovers have dreamed about all their lives. Readers will love the writer forever!