Barry, yes, thank you. That and body parts. There are words, on a sliding scale of the socially acceptable (inversely proportionate to their usefulness, of course), with which we can refer to these parts. And they don’t make people cringe.

But no, not in the bodice ripper sense. They make up silly names for humping.

And thanks for the kind words. That was the first story I ever sold, so it has a special place for me… and always makes me nervous. Ha!

Aaron, I find sex scenes are at their best when not taken seriously– but then I think that about almost everything. Like you, I shy away when possible, but I don’t mind it if I find myself looking down the barrel of one now and then, when necessary.

I feel you on the underage thing, too. I’ve been in that situation and no matter WHAT the story requires, can’t really make myself do it. I must be getting old.

Cate, no, don’t! Sex scenes can be important!

Actually, I only have explicit sex in one of the novels I’ve written, and only because how it happens is genuinely a major plot point. As in, how they behave. For most other stuff, I fade out, because what goes on just before is so often all I need to make the point.

… I want to see an early novel of yours. Don’t guess you can be bribed– even for synopsis/pitches?

Personally, I generally shy away from most sex scenes. Like Michael, I frequently find them a little superfluous. That, and I can’t take them seriously. Oh, and so many of my damn characters are under 18, I’d feel dirty doing it (ouch, what a pun), to them.

I’ve never really thought about this, but I think you’re right. Funnily enough, I’ve written sex scenes but always removed them in the final edit. Not sure if that’s because they embarrassed me or because I found them superfluous. It’s probably because I’m crap at writing them!

BTW, Mark Deniz visited me earlier this week (see my LJ for photographic evidence!) and he very generously gave me a copy of Voices. I read The Mirror last night. Excellent stuff, Katey. It’s just the kind of thing I couldn’t begin to write but enjoy reading immensely. I’m looking forward to reading your Harvest Hill story, when my contributor copy arrives.

The latter point stands. More sex. Yes.

MG, thanks!

It was like listening to the Abbott and Costello ‘Who’s on first’ skit all over again.

Brilliant.

And there should be more sex, in all genres – and in real life…