Sex in YA Novels

wise_dec4u · Sep 14, 2009

I've noticed that sex in YA novels in more prevalent than ever before. I remember when I first read my first V.C. Andrews novel in the 7th grade and thought that was shocking. Now that seems tamed compared to serial novels like Gossip Girls, etc.

Well, it's seems I've accidently stumbled into writing my own YA novel. It deals quite a bit with sexuality and I wonder what YA readers would consider to be crossing the line. For example is a graphic scene involving oral sex consider to erotic for YA if the characters are between the ages of 17 and 18?

We all know that a lot of teens lose their virginity before age 18 (myself included), but is it taboo to do so in writing? Do the characters both have to be 18 to go all the way? Maybe some of you who have actually published YA novels can tell me what agents/editors consider to be too risque for YA audiences. I would also love to hear some of your opinions about sex in YA novels?

Blind Writer · Sep 14, 2009

Okay, this comes up a lot. Let me step in before Shady Lane shows up to give her sage wisdom.

My novel just sold to a major house. My MC is seventeen and engages in casual sex with another seventeen-year-old. There are a few racy scenes (I don't call them graphic, but I don't fade to black as soon as a lot of authors) and there is a scene involving oral sex. (again, not what I'd call "graphic" but....)

The characters CAN have sex. As long as you aren't writing erotica, it should be fine. If a house or agent wants you to tone it down, they'll tell you. But you're right. Teenagers have sex at young ages. (I'm not one of them, but whatever...) so just be real. You're audience appreciates honesty. If sex happens, it happens.

Stunted · Sep 14, 2009

Now that I think about it, I read a lot of YA books with sex, but I haven't seen much YA oral sex. I was actually thinking about that last night. Maybe I should go for it.

kaitlin008 · Sep 14, 2009

I definitely agree--it seems like oral sex isn't in books that often yet. I think there are probably a couple of reasons for this, the main one coming to mind is that if you don't do it just right, the actual description of the act might sound sort of...gross. I thought you did it well, though, Kody.

As for the original question, I think it's pretty obvious from the fact that there already are books out there with sex that it's perfectly fine. Sex happens, not everyone waits till age 18. I personally don't care either way when I'm reading, although I'm firmly of the opinion that if you're uncomfortable with sex (eg thinking or talking about it makes you embarrassed) then you should absolutely not write about it. It'll be really obvious. I'd rather there be no sex than awkwardly written sex! And of course, not all teens have sex, and those who are keeping their virginities don't necessarily have to be doing it for some amazing reason--sometimes they just don't feel ready and don't do it.

I think I've started rambling, so yeah. Basically I agree with Kody.

lonestarlibrarian · Sep 14, 2009

Maybe I'm reading the wrong books, but I end up coming across teacher sex more frequently than anything else. Two eighteen-year-olds wouldn't be too shocking. I think I've come across oral sex once, but it was pretty vaguely written.

But then again, as a reader, I find the tension in YA books is far more delicious than anything else... if/when they get to the actual sex part, it's usually a bit disappointing. If the author doesn't take the time to build good tension first, the sex part usually comes across as pretty tawdry.

)

bethany · Sep 14, 2009

Stunted said:
Now that I think about it, I read a lot of YA books with sex, but I haven't seen much YA oral sex. I was actually thinking about that last night. Maybe I should go for it.

Looking For Alaska?
King Dork?
SandPiper?

Blind Writer · Sep 14, 2009

Faking 19 by Alyson Noel had oral sex.
Vague, but well handled.

bethany · Sep 14, 2009

The ubiquitous Rainbow Party, almost in Nick and Norah and almost oral almost walked in on in House of Night...

I really don't remember sexual detail in all books. Really really.

Blind Writer · Sep 14, 2009

I was just informed that there's oral sex in Wicked Lovely, also, but i haven't read this.

Haha, Bethany! I know. I feel so dirty for knowing all these books with sex, but it isn't as if I TRY to read them. It just happens that I do.

bethany · Sep 14, 2009

Yeah, if you read lots of realistic stuff, you are going to come across... a good deal of sexual tension, sexual situations, and ... sex.

bethany · Sep 14, 2009

A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl.

Blind Writer · Sep 14, 2009

Hm, who's book did I read recently that involved sexual situations, sexual tension, and sex? Hm...can't remember....The title started with an H and ended with an andcuffs.

Done very realistically and gracefully, I might add.

Blind Writer · Sep 14, 2009

Not oral, though. So it doesn't totally fit this issue.

bethany · Sep 14, 2009

Oral was referred to in the hot tub scene! But yeah... My mom just started reading Greedy (after asking to do so repeatedly) and gave it back saying, I like books where characters do stuff besides think about sex, and I was like what? and she was like, you know, like books by Dean Koontz? (mothers). The moral of this story is-- I like sexual tension, and don't give your book about a bisexual teen to your mother.

Blind Writer · Sep 14, 2009

We clearly don't have the same mother.

My mother--after bugging me for months--finally read The Duff after it sold. Haha. Dunno how much any of you know about TD. Body image is a big issue, but sex--casual sex, to top that--is a HUGE part of the plot. I wasn't even nervous. My mother has no notions of being protective in the sheltering sense. She loved it. Sex and all. (Whih is semi-awkward, actually)

My dad, however, has not read it.
He might think it's autobiographical....ugh.

bethany · Sep 14, 2009

My mom hated Handcuffs when she first read it, but now she pretends she always loved it and those were my perceptions of her perceptions. Oh well.

Blind Writer · Sep 14, 2009

Hahahaha!

My mother read the first few chapters of Handcuffs when I bought it. Now I'm supposed to be mailing it to her. So, ya know, I'm pretty sure MY mom will love your book, hon.

Then again, my mom let me watch South Part when I was like 10. I just had to promise not to repeat the bad words. So...yeah. Liberal.

bobcat22 · Sep 14, 2009

Wise dec4U..... I skirted around sex in the first drafts of my novel. I didn't think I should mention it much or go into detail, but then I sent it out to some agents. I had an agent read my full and was interested in revisions, but she wanted it more "edgy." I've been reworking it and not shying away from sex (although it's not graphic), and am so much happier with the finished project. I felt like I wasn't being totally truthful in the first draft, and by including it (because my character would have sex), the book is a million times better.

vroth · Sep 14, 2009

Haha...while reading this it occurred to me that when I showed my MS to my mother, she was like "so are they going to have sex?/when will they have sex?" or something to that effect, to which I replied "uh...they're not?" (I have nothing against sex in YA, but it would feel unnatural in my writing, so I don't do it.) It's mega weird to discover that you're more conservative than your mother. Uncomfortable, really. :gone:

Zoombie · Sep 14, 2009

If you're uncomfortable writing something, it means you should totally explore it, so you can push your comfort zones and learn new things about yourself, your characters, and your ability to write!

So, if sex makes you uncomfortable, study it, find out why, then explore it with your words and your mind and any willing partners you care to find.

...just...ya know, don't do anything stupidly dangerous.

courtneyv · Sep 15, 2009

Blind Writer said:
I was just informed that there's oral sex in Wicked Lovely, also, but i haven't read this.

Melissa Marr alluded to it in like one line. It's not graphic at all.

kaitlin008 · Sep 15, 2009

Yeah, I really think you could've taken it however you wanted. (Which I'm guessing is what she was going for?)

YAwriter72 · Sep 15, 2009

courtneyv said:
Melissa Marr alluded to it in like one line. It's not graphic at all.

Wow, I completely and totally did not even notice it.

Blind Writer · Sep 15, 2009

See, and I like that. The idea that you can take it how you want to. That way, those readers who might not be comfortable with the idea an imagine something else.

I don't think it needs to be "graphic" to get a point across.

I really think FAKING 19 is a good example. Am I the only one who has read this? It deals with sex and oral sex, and it does it in a way that you know perfectly wel waht is going on, but it isn't over the top.

bethany · Sep 15, 2009

Right, I think it might not be a lack of oral sex in YA literature so much of a lack of detail about the sex. I'm all about making your stuff realistic, but that doesn't mean every detail is relevant (there is a lack of toilet sitting in YA ((and all)) literature because it is almost never ((stephen King's dreamcatcher?)) necessary to have a character on the toilet. Now, I'm not equating sex with...that. I'm just saying the sex needs to develop characters and move the story forward. So the author has to decide what's relevant...the fact that they had sex? The way they had sex? And since lots of YA sex scenes fade to black some pervy person (Zoombie) might think YA lit was full of oral sex.

Anyway, those parenthesis just blew my mind and I'm not even going to try to close them. Write what's important to your story. If you're comfortable with being detailed, that's fine. It can always be edited later.

Sex in YA Novels

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