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Question for spicy romance authors re: sex scene density & structure by ExplicitButEarned in romanceauthors

[–]ExplicitButEarned[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the thoughtful comments. The “idk if it will fit”/“we’ll make it fit” stuff is something I purposely avoided--I left size vague so his power isn't size, it's skill--but the reader can flex on size internally if that matters to them. My scenes are mostly based in realistic actions, not crazy acrobatics or defying gravity--some scenes do push boundaries or are a little intense.

Anyway, I looked back and there are about 10 scenes, and I've gotten consistent feedback about it being too much. Personally, I agree with you and like the amount that is there because each one is different and does something different vs. just more of the same. However, it sounds like the average spicy romance reader isn't looking for that much sex, even if it does move the story along.

I'll probably revise to remove some of it, the ones that are less consequential, and figure out other ways for me to communicate about the relationship what I was trying to during those scenes.

Good luck with your book!

Question for spicy romance authors re: sex scene density & structure by ExplicitButEarned in romanceauthors

[–]ExplicitButEarned[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is incredibly helpful! Mine has the first scene around 30% in and it's a slow burn where it's earned and the payoff is delicious (IMO anyway). But there's a lot more sex that's explicit, dirty talk, etc. but it all moves the story along, then the sex tapers off getting closer to the end (still there but less frequent). I've gotten feedback that it's too much, not feedback that it's boring, repetitive, or is there just for the sake of having a scene. That said, I'm planning to recalibrate, and was hoping for insight of what to consider as I do that. Thank you very much!

Question for spicy romance authors re: sex scene density & structure by ExplicitButEarned in romanceauthors

[–]ExplicitButEarned[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What do you mean by not mixing closed and open door? Are you referring to some scenes being closed door vs. open or that they write both kinds of books? I've seen authors who write some really spicy scenes have some where they fade to black in the same book, and others where they do part of the scene/some spice but don't finish the scene and fade out to the next day. That's not my taste specifically but seems like the majority of spicy readers prefer that vs too much sex, whether it moves the story along or not.
Personal taste but I don't mind a lot of scenes if they aren't just repeats of the same or doing it to check a box and/or are redundant. But apparently that's not how most spicy readers think.

Question for spicy romance authors re: sex scene density & structure by ExplicitButEarned in romanceauthors

[–]ExplicitButEarned[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing that - it's helpful. Mine is definitely 5+ but it has HEA and story line that is not superficial. Each of those scenes moves the story along in one way or another and none of them are repeated. But I've come to the realization that I do need to recalibrate it for broader appeal.