Writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon

LuckyLucy11

I read Anais Nin to help write erotic scenes, she has a whole language for sex and if my writing can arouse the reader like hers does then I've succeeded! I try include as much sex as possible without ruining the story itself, some say that novels like Lady Chatterley's Lover aren't resolved because the lust eclipses the actual love story.

Sex is a result of the characters themselves really, how they fit together and how they express that feeling. Some fear it, some want to dress as a dominatrix etc

SlopingBird

Thanks for clarification Jei-jei. It was pretty awful, wasn't it?

While I was on holiday, I read Robert Goddard's long first novel, Past Caring. Unlike his later books, this one included a graphic sex scene which seemed completely incongruous with the rest of the thriller-style storyline. In this instance, the too-graphic scene was unbelievable (woman stripped naked on quiet beach in Devon and proceeded to seduce protagonist) and was a complete switch-off; the author discomfiture was obvious so I wondered if someone (his editor?) had suggested a graphic sex scene would help to sell the novel.
OH has just provided new author feedback on a novel which had a hilarious predatory female seduce the protagonist in a completely unbelievable way (in an equally unbelievable place - though I'd better not reveal too much in case anyone knows the author!) and later flash her breasts at him. I tend to think if you can't 'do' sex and the effect just ends up being comedic, maybe it's better to steer clear of these scenes altogether.

Anglea

Hi all

I think writing is like art. If you are painting a scene you need to find the focal point and use artistic licence to omit or move things around. If you draw exactly what you see it can look out of balance or cluttered.

What is also interesting is the perspective. I have a painting of a local scene done by a well known artist and ex kept saying to me it was artistic licence as the trees weren't around the church as depicted, in real life there are roads either side. However, not long ago I happened to be outside the church as I wanted to do a sketch and realised that by standing in a certain place, it did look as though it was surrounded by trees, the roads were invisible.

So with writing if a scene doesn't work, you could try writing from a different angle.

I know what you mean about that RG book Sloping Bird, I read a thriller recently and the sex scene was out of place and went on too long.

freeoffers

Jei-jei wrote: »

As he laved the mounds of her delicate chest, Chastity's nipples twisted themselves into erotic peaks, resembling Chinese pastry. She trembled as Steel's turgid staff prodded the folds of her womanly shrine like a happy chopstick.

I hope laughing at the above isn't an inappropriate response. Turgid staff and happy chopstick indeed!

freeoffers

Jei-jei wrote: »

On finding interesting names to call the man's willy (Christ I sound like a schoolkid!) so far we have: pillar of manhood; rod of love; happy chopstick (see above); velvety blade; manhood; shaft; engorged member (an MP on expenses?); burgeoning muscle.

I'm thinking I also saw hot rod but might have been on a website for cars by then... Just gonna go with the medical standard and will put the work into re-drafting a more sensually heated love scene. There's always room for improvement.

I feel like a teenager again!
Aching bulge, erect manhood, hardness, rigid flesh. My fav (titter titter) is love's sweet arrow.

freeoffers

Anglea wrote: »

Hi all

I think writing is like art. If you are painting a scene you need to find the focal point and use artistic licence to omit or move things around. If you draw exactly what you see it can look out of balance or cluttered.

Absolutely. I've firmly come to the conclusion that we shouldn't call it writing a book, we should call it crafting a book. One thing I try to bear in mind is that I'm writing fiction and it doesn't have to conform to the same rules as something factual.

Jei-jei

freeoffers wrote: »

I feel like a teenager again!
Aching bulge, erect manhood, hardness, rigid flesh. My fav (titter titter) is love's sweet arrow.

Velvety blade. That's got to be mine.

Some really useful comments above. I have to look up this book by Robert Goddard, and check out Anais Nin. I think I might have read something by her years ago; can't be sure.

Even though the sex scenes can be erotic, I'm finding that the realness of the hero is so important because (in my opinion anyway)he's the one that's going to keep those pages turning. I'm trying to hone his character as much as the heroine's, changing everything that looks like a cliche and re-writing it in a more (hopefully) natural way.

Trying not to think about my submission because I just realised that I used one word when I meant another. Dang!! I'm sooo annnoyed. :mad: Hopefully it won't go against me since it only occurs once. Positive thoughts.

Gazing_On_Sunsets

Hi folks, it's been a while since I've been on this thread...anyway the Mills and Boon New Voices writing competition opens today. You've got until 10 Oct to upload the first chapters of your book - you can also vote on other people's entries. You could win the services of an Editor, and an iPad and a heap of books. Looks cool! http://www.romanceisnotdead.com/
Good luck!

glamrochick

would like to read one of these, would lvoe to write about old 70s comedys or the sexploitation films of the 70s like confessions

freeoffers

Jei-jei wrote: »

Trying not to think about my submission because I just realised that I used one word when I meant another. Dang!! I'm sooo annnoyed. :mad: Hopefully it won't go against me since it only occurs once. Positive thoughts.

I'd sure like to think that they can overlook the odd mistake and focus on the characters, story and writing. Let us know how it goes. Like you mentioned before, there are times when you read and re-read a submission and you see what you want to see. Did you read it out loud? That's what I'm doing with my work. I find it really helps.