Non-erotic sex and erotic non-sex

How do you feel about non-erotic sex scenes? Or sex scenes with intentions other than to arouse? Recently, we were reading the finalists for worst literary sex scenes. Obviously, they did not arouse. But if that was not their intention, would they be as bad?

Say, for example, if a writer approaches a sex scene with the intention to horrify or for comedy. Are you disappointed with a sex scene if it doesn't arouse?

Similarly, how do you feel about erotic non-sex? That is, an erotic scene where the sex never comes to fruition. It's not a build-up to a sex scene, but simply eroticism without the sex, a tease. Are you disappointed with an erotic scene if the sexual or erotic tension is never resolved physically?


And what is the market for these kinds of things?

Wayne K said:

I read a mutual masturbation in second person between the author and the reader--I forget who wrote it--but it was fabulous.

And I hate second person.

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Dammit. I had an idea for something like that.

How did it handle the reader's sex?

thethinker42 said:

Well...rape scenes, for one thing. Of course rape isn't about sex, but if you want to get technical...there you go.

I've written sex scenes that were designed to do things other than arouse. One showed the character pining after someone else, wishing he could be anywhere but there, having sex with his wife strictly out of a sense of duty. It's not arousing, not meant to arouse. If it arouses anything, it's sympathy for the male MC.

In fact, I may post that one in SYW later *strokes chinbeard*

ETA: Here it be.

I have others where the sex is meant to come across as creepy, manipulative, sad, guilty, you name it. The intent isn't always to arouse.

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ELMontague said:

Kuwi,

There's a place for everything. It boils down to how you handle it. Bad sex scenes are only scenes that have been mishandled. The literary bad sex scene was just bad writing.

IMO

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Glad to hear it

I'll have to take a look at that, Lori, thanks. I've been hesitant to post some of my less-usual sex scenes, since I'm not quite sure how they'll be received--and while they definitely won't fit in any other SYW, I was wondering if this one was appropriate, given the name.

scarletpeaches said:

There's no such thing a a bad blow job.

Okay, serious answer - if sex is for a purpose other than arousal? Great. As long as it moves the story along or reveals character, I'm good.

And as for erotic non-smex? That's like foreplay to me. A build up. As long as it's later fulfilled. And let's face it, there can be so much in a touch, a kiss, even a look. It's possible to make that sexy if you're skilled and observant enough of a writer.

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Wayne K said:

I'd PM you her number, but I burned it and buried it in the backyard.

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Hmm, without password shield, I must be delicate.

I'll say this. I had a friend who wanted to get revenge on her boyfriend. So she, umm, used her teeth.

He liked it.