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Spanking scenes? Erotic or Gross?

Thread starter Writing Jedi
Start date Sep 14, 2006

How do you feel about "spanking" scenes in a romance"

I don't react or care either way.
Votes: 7 17.9%
I find it a little erotic.
Votes: 13 33.3%
Total turn off!
Votes: 19 48.7%

Total voters

39

Status: Not open for further replies.

Writing Jedi

Super Member

Registered

Sep 14, 2006

#1

I am considering a spanking scene in my book, just because the two characters seem to be heading that way. However, this is not erotica or anything, and the sex stuff overall is very tame.

So, without asking anything about your personal preferences (LOL) when it comes to reading about spanking scenes in a novel, is it acceptale to you? Erotic? Just a turn off?

I might skip it or I might include it. Am I crossing any "S&M" boundaries here?

Thanks for anyone who gives me their opinion.

And by the way, this scene is not between the hero and heroine, but a secondary couple who are heating up.

Nakhlasmoke

yes

Super Member

Registered

Sep 14, 2006

#2

I think they have to be done *really* well to come across as anything other than naff. I've read plenty, and mostly they just make me go, eh, whatever. A few have hit my buttons though.

If you are going to write it, you'd better be comfortable with it, because I think that any skittishness on your part in writing a scene like that will definitely come across to the reader.

But go ahead and write it, you may not use it in the final draft of the novel, but on the other hand it may be a briliant piece of writing.

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Absolute Sage

Super Member

Registered

Sep 14, 2006

#3

Writing Jedi said:
I am considering a spanking scene in my book, just because the two characters seem to be heading that way. However, this is not erotica or anything, and the sex stuff overall is very tame.

So, without asking anything about your personal preferences (LOL) when it comes to reading about spanking scenes in a novel, is it acceptale to you? Erotic? Just a turn off?

I might skip it or I might include it. Am I crossing any "S&M" boundaries here?

Thanks for anyone who gives me their opinion.

And by the way, this scene is not between the hero and heroine, but a secondary couple who are heating up.

If there's spanking involved, I'd say they're definitely heating up.

I'm going to fall back on the two standard answers: #1 - It's all in the execution. Meaning, if you write it well, and it works for the characters and the story, I, as a reader, am likely to follow where you lead. You know, there's spanking as in, they're "playing" or "horsing around" and he spanks (notice how I presume he's doing the spanking <G>) and it sizzles and turns serious/sexy. Or is the scene more premeditated on the characters' parts? How you handle it will play a part in how your readers respond to it.

#2 - What's your target market? Because it can depend on your target market how this will be received. It may seem jarring to readers, also, if the rest of the book isn't very sexy, and then you've got a sexy spanking scene. Where if the rest of the book is sexy, that sets the tone, and the reader will more receptive to the scene.

The Super writers were having a discussion today regarding sensuality levels in Supers. Supers have a wide variety of sensuality levels, from closed bedroom doors, to more explicit. But I don't know what our eds would think about a spanking scene.

So if you have a specific market in mind, that could play a role. Of course, if an editor loves the book, but hates the spanking bit, she'll simply ask you to take it out.

Susan G.

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

Super Member

Registered

Sep 14, 2006

#4

I think it depends on your story and the target market.

I'm sure many people love to be spanked or love to do the spanking.

Perks

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Kind Benefactor

Super Member

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Sep 14, 2006

#5

You forgot to put 'totally hysterical' on your poll. I'm fairly vanilla, but I can at least see where some kinks could be interesting, but every time I read or hear about spanking being erotic, I just start laughing. Nearly busted a gut in Anne Rice's The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.

There has to be a market for it though, and good writing is good writing even if someones tush is glowing from a paddling. Lol!

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

Super Member

Registered

Sep 14, 2006

#6

Perks: I totally hated that book. Sooooo...well, ridiculous is the word that comes to mind for me. Heh.

I only finished it because my boyfriend at the time just LOVED that book. But considering all the...er...quirks he had, no big surprise there.

Writing Jedi

Super Member

Registered

Sep 15, 2006

#7

Thanks to those who responded!

There's a variety of answers, and at least there was no "I am totally OFFENDED by those scenes" or whatever like that. LOL.

Thanks, Susan, for giving me lots to think about.

I am going for it.

Let's hope I can make it hot & spicy and not just cheesy or funny. LOL.

Popeyesays

Now departed. Rest in peace, Scott, from all of us

Requiescat In Pace

Registered

Sep 15, 2006

#8

Different 'strokes', I guess.

I never thought hitting people might be considered erotic, but that's my set of strokes.

Regards,
Scott

kristie911

Happy to be here

Super Member

Registered

Sep 16, 2006

#9

When I pick up an erotica novel, I expect something along those lines...otherwise, why would I be reading it? lol But if I was reading a romance, say Karen Robards or Nora Roberts for instance, and I came across a spanking scene, it might leave me feeling a little icky. I want them to have sex but not like that. I guess in a romance I expect it to be more tender.

I wouldn't stop reading but it might put me off a little bit.

Sonarbabe

Working In A Coal Mine...

Super Member

Registered

Sep 16, 2006

#10

If it were in a Harlequin Blaze type book or something like that where I knew that the line or the publisher is known for putting out more risque sex scenes, I would be okay with it as long as it was playful and enhanced the mood. I think I would probably squirm if I were to pick up a regular romance novel and read an S&M scene.

Robin Bayne

~writes for Him~

Super Member

Registered

Sep 23, 2006

#11

I don't mind them in historicals-- like "Whitney, My Love."

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Self-Ban

Registered

Sep 23, 2006

#12

I see spanking as pretty archiac. It was a pretty common fantasy for men who actually were spanked and had that as a formative experience. IMHO now it is an ardent but typically older niche market. Not that I am by any means an expert on such things.

I see it in old movies and it strikes me as archaic. Of cpurse there are some modern examples--David Feintuch is obviously totally into it.

Akiahara

Super Member

Registered

Sep 24, 2006

#13

Perks said:
You forgot to put 'totally hysterical' on your poll. I'm fairly vanilla, but I can at least see where some kinks could be interesting, but every time I read or hear about spanking being erotic, I just start laughing. Nearly busted a gut in Anne Rice's The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.

There has to be a market for it though, and good writing is good writing even if someones tush is glowing from a paddling. Lol!

That trilogy is my secret pleasure. :Shrug:

:Shrug:

I think it just really depends on who will be reading the book and if you're comfortable with the subject.

Nickie

Not too old to learn

Super Member

Registered

Sep 25, 2006

#14

Last year, I finished my "Daughter of the Sun". This is a novel about a strong woman, who denies to be defeated. The story is set against the background of the 16th century, and Maria, the heroine, gets kidnapped by Aztec warriors.
In this book there are some pretty rough scenes, along with some S&M and spanking. The man Maria is given to uses this to humilate her. I thought these scenes were necessary to prove how Maria lives through all that.

Nickie

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Kind Benefactor

Absolute Sage

Super Member

Registered

Sep 25, 2006

#15

They're a shrug for me. I don't find spanking erotic (even though some S&M scenes can be) and don't incorporate it in my own life, so I tend to skip the scenes. I think there's definitely a contingent of readers who find it erotic, but I couldn't tell you who they are.

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

Kind Benefactor

Super Member

Registered

Sep 25, 2006

#16

I think of spanking as more of a man's fantasy than a woman's but that's probably just me.

Ol' Fashioned Girl

Hand? What hand?

Kind Benefactor

Super Member

Registered

Oct 6, 2006

#17

I came late to this party, but there's a scene in one of Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander' series where Claire, the heroine, gets spanked - it's not erotic in the least (nor is it meant to be)... I'm totally against 'domestic violence', so a friend warned me about the scene before I read the book. I was dead set against it and thought it would ruin the whole series for me, but oddly enough, it didn't. Without spoiling it for those who haven't read 'Outlander', it was exceptionally well done and fit perfectly in the historical setting. So... bottom line... if it's necessary to the story and well done, it can overcome the reader's prejudice.

TeddyG

The Other Shoe Will Fall!

Super Member

Registered

Oct 6, 2006

#18

WOAHHHHHHHHHHHHH OFG
One sec...time out on the boards...

Spanking in D/s or BDSM is NOT considered "domestic violence"
It is part of a lifestyle..that people CHOOSE to keep and follow...

You may not understand it...I may not think it is sexual...but there are MANY people who do follow such a lifestyle and they do feel it is a "sexual" act.

I am not going to get in to psychological makeups and the way...as that is not important...BUT this is a legitimate and oft-used type of foreplay in D/s and BDSM.

I used to think like you. But I know and have met in various chat systems along the way, many serious, intelligent people who choose such a lifestyle. So whenever I see this I tend to say my two cents.

It may not be for you or for me. But it is certainly legitimate when practiced among consenting adults who choose it. And btw it is a fascinating world to learn and study. I am just not into pain, but there are SANE, INTELLIGENT people who are into various levels of it. That is not a carte-blanche on everything. It is just a way to say, that an erotic story which does have a spanking scene will speak to many people (and I think you would be surprised as to how many.)

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Self-Ban

Registered

Oct 6, 2006

#19

Spanking may be either consensual lifestyle or non-consensual abuse depending on the context in the book.

Sonarbabe

Working In A Coal Mine...

Super Member

Registered

Oct 6, 2006

#20

veinglory said:
Spanking may be either consensual lifestyle or non-consensual abuse depending on the context in the book.

What she said. That about sums it up, really.

Aubrey

Super Member

Registered

Oct 6, 2006

#21

Put me in the "finds it lame and occassionally funny" catagory. If it's done for fun it strikes me as silly. If it's done seriously it strikes me as degrading, though I know most of the people who do it wouldn't see it that way. For some reason to me, skin to skin strikes, whether they be spanks, slaps or whatever, just come too close to physical violence for me to tollerate. When no tools are involved it doesn't seem as much like a game anymore and too intrusive.

BTW, never engaged in any kink in real life, just stating literary preferences.

Robin Bayne

~writes for Him~

Super Member

Registered

Oct 6, 2006

#22

Ol' Fashioned Girl said:
I came late to this party, but there's a scene in one of Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander' series where Claire, the heroine, gets spanked - it's not erotic in the least (nor is it meant to be)... I'm totally against 'domestic violence', so a friend warned me about the scene before I read the book. I was dead set against it and thought it would ruin the whole series for me, but oddly enough, it didn't. Without spoiling it for those who haven't read 'Outlander', it was exceptionally well done and fit perfectly in the historical setting. So... bottom line... if it's necessary to the story and well done, it can overcome the reader's prejudice.

Good example! I had forgotten that one--I loved that series. In fact, something similar starts to happen in one of the sequels, as well!

BradyH1861

Hold Fast.

Super Member

Registered

Oct 7, 2006

#23

I have nothing constructive to say. I just find myself drawn to threads which mention spanking.

Brady

rhymegirl

It's a New Year!

Kind Benefactor

Super Member

Registered

Oct 7, 2006

#24

BradyH1861 said:
I have nothing constructive to say. I just find myself drawn to threads which mention spanking.

Brady

We talk about spanking a lot in HOL, Brady.

BradyH1861

Hold Fast.

Super Member

Registered

Oct 7, 2006

#25

To the HOL thread, Batgirl!

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