Sex, Violence, Language - OH MY!!

Most new writers are afraid to write sexual or violent scenes.  They’re afraid of what people might think of them personally once they read such racy material. But the modern reader has come a long way from banning such books and a lot of traditional publishers such as Mills & Boon have expanded their prints to include material of such a nature.

But where do you draw the line?  What constitutes as too much?  Obviously you don’t want to push it so far that you end up alienating the reader on the other hand if you attempt to put in such graphic images in your story you don’t want it to fall flat. Writing graphical scenes about sex with children or corpses is a firm line that really shouldn’t be crossed.

More often than not the most important question to ask is if you’re writing the scene for the shock value of it or is it necessary to the plot.  If the torture, sex or general violence help define the character’s ideals, motivation, or is relevant to a future event then you should include it. 

But the most powerful image is that which you do not see.  It’s usually better to write in a way that lets the reader’s imagination do the heavy lifting.  Remember to be consistent when writing graphic scenes and keep it within the basic personality structure of the character.

Here’s a list from WRITER’S FORUM  #121

HOW TO NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR INNER CENSOR

1.  Read the experts.  The best way of improving your writing is to read plenty of good writing

2.  Do have a plot and/or fully formed characters to hang your sex/violence scenes on: don’t add them just for the sake of it.

3.   Broaden your mind: discover the sub-genres and fetishes – you might find your heart’s desire!

4.    Ignore your Inner Mother: remember that it’s your characters having sex/getting violent, not you.

5.    F it your language to the scene. How explicit do you have to be? Forget bad euphemisms and clichés.

6.    Sex sells – but it’s not all about the sex.  Think emotion.  If you can work with the sensations and emotions your characters feel, this will add depth to the passionate side of your story.

7.    Always follow the guidelines of the particular publisher you wish to write for.  If they say they don’t want bodily fluids; for instance; faeces and urine then don’t put such things in for shock value – it won’t work.