Natalie's review
The Joy of Writing Sex: A Guide for Fiction Writers by Elizabeth Benedict
If you're looking for a guide on how to write really hot erotica, this is not it.
However, if you're looking for things to keep in mind while writing sex scenes that actually accomplish character development or plot progression, then this is perfect. This was exactly what I was looking for, since I don't think sex scenes removed from characterization or plot can even be that hot. Furthermore, the sex in books is often *not* hot and shouldn't be; it's certainly important to be able to write bad sex well. The author has written a number of sex scenes, and interviews a number of other authors for the book and almost always gives an actual scene from a book to highlight key points. She sets down some excellent guidelines for making scenes relevant and memorable.
The best thing about this book is the way it is organized by types of relationships and circumstances surrounding the sex, and the sort of things characters in those situations inevitably consider. It touches on loss of virginity...more
However, if you're looking for things to keep in mind while writing sex scenes that actually accomplish character development or plot progression, then this is perfect. This was exactly what I was looking for, since I don't think sex scenes removed from characterization or plot can even be that hot. Furthermore, the sex in books is often *not* hot and shouldn't be; it's certainly important to be able to write bad sex well. The author has written a number of sex scenes, and interviews a number of other authors for the book and almost always gives an actual scene from a book to highlight key points. She sets down some excellent guidelines for making scenes relevant and memorable.
The best thing about this book is the way it is organized by types of relationships and circumstances surrounding the sex, and the sort of things characters in those situations inevitably consider. It touches on loss of virginity...more
