One lucky commentor will win a copy of Love Revealed (Book 1, The Market Series). 

 In the post Valentine’s Day euphoria I want to talk about love and sex.

One important element for the romance genre is love. Without the feelings, without emotion, all you have is sex. And probably not great sex either. I know on Valentine’s Day most people think of flowers, chocolate, dinner, and sex. All together it should express the core emotion of love. Sex is an important and intimate part of love which makes writing great sex an intimate and important part of writing romance.

All of the lingering touches, gazing into each other’s eyes, and quiet conversations lead up to the consummation of love.

Sex.

Ever wonder how erotic romance authors write those hot sex scenes? Me too! LOL! Okay, well since I write those scenes I probably have the inside track. But, I never really thought about how I do it. Then I offered to teach an online class about writing hot sex. And suddenly I had to figure out just how I go about writing all that hot sex.

It’s funny, because the husband and I always crack jokes about him being my research assistant. Let me start by saying I do not write about my personal sex life.  That falls in the TMI column, and frankly it’s nun-ya. Nun-ya bizness. I also have to keep in mind my mother reads my books and I couldn’t possibly cope mentally with her imagining my sex life based on my books. So, please don’t think that I do everything I write about. Some is a yes and some a no. You’ll never know what falls into which column.

Now, here is what I discovered about my process. Though I don’t really break things down into a detailed process–trust me when I tell you this is freaking amazing since I’m seriously anal  retentive in my day job–I definitely have a process. In a very general sense, here’s how I break it down.

First, I decide will they or won’t they? I know, you would think this is obvious in erotic romance. But, honestly the when is still dictated by the story. I mean, how often do characters meet, strip, and have rockin’ sex? (Wait! Don’t answer that. LOL!) But you get my point. It’s gotta make sense.

Second, there are some details to be decided. These are things we think about in real life, but way ahead of time. Like, where is the sex going to occur? Trust me when I tell you it matters. There is a big difference between writing a sex scene leaning against a wall in a dark alley and writing one where the hero and heroine are laying down on a bed.

Then you have to do all the blocking. That’s right. Insert tab A into slot B. If you don’t know how things are going to go down then you get stray body parts moving independently or extra limbs in the mix (which might totally work in your sci-fy story).

Finally you have to put it all together and layer in some emotion. Cause ya’ know, they have to feel something for it all to matter.  Keep in mind, I’ve only glossed over things here. But great sex scenes don’t just happen. Like any other scene in the book, they must be crafted carefully for best effect.

So, don’t just poo-poo the hawt lovin’ as filler. If it has been written right, then it should offer so much more than mere physical touching. It should provide an emotional intimacy that is difficult to achieve without it.

For those of you who are aspiring writers or are just looking to improve your sex scenes I will be offering an online class through Romance Writers of America’s, San Diego chapter later this year called Pumping up the Sexual Volume. Check their website or mine for details.

Question: What do you like best about a sex scene? Least?

In the mean time, check out my latest release:

Love Redeemed (Book 2)

Decadent Publishing

Brennan Whitling wants for nothing but the love of a good woman. He has a close family, good friends, and a successful textiles import business. But, a beautiful and elusive young woman he has only seen from afar haunts him. Until a chance meeting leads to far more than dinner.

Serena Freemont has only ever known the life of a prostitute. When an invitation to dinner by a handsome gentleman provides her an opportunity to experience life as a young lady, it’s too tempting to pass up. Much like the man issuing it. After a night of passion she must disappear or face his reaction when the truth is revealed.

To find happiness Serena must shed her past long enough to realize she is worthy of a future. To win her heart, Brennan must show her the redemptive power of love.

 Decadent Publishing | Amazon | B&N | Amazon.uk | ARe | Coffee Time Romance

Sorcha Mowbray is a mild mannered office worker by day…okay, so she is actually a mouthy, opinionated, take charge kind of gal who bosses everyone around; but she definitely works in an office. At night she writes romance so hot she sets the sheets on fire! Just ask her slightly singed husband.

She is a longtime lover of historical romance, having grown up reading Johanna Lindsey and Judith McNaught. Then she discovered Thea Devine and Susan Johnson. Holy cow! Heroes and heroines could do THAT? From there, things devolved into trying her hand at writing a little smexy. Needless to say, she liked it and she hopes you do too!

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