Magical vagina trope

blackcat777 · Dec 16, 2017

Does anyone want to climb on the soapbox and talk about this trope in relation to romance? Where it falls short? Where it has been badly employed? Are there ever instances in which small degrees are acceptable? How much sexual healing is realistic? If someone was thinking about using it, what would you tell them to do differently instead? What are all different ways you've seen this trope used?

I'm reading Stacia Kane's Be A Sex-Writing Strumpet and she's slamming it pretty hard in regards to erotic romance. It's come up randomly during my internet trawls a few times this week, too, so it's been on my mind and I'd love to hear any opinionated person wax eloquent on the subject.

I have some subversions in mind that I think are clever but I'm not sure how original they actually are.

Marian Perera · Dec 16, 2017

What kind of subversions are you thinking about?

MaeZe · Dec 16, 2017

I don't know what the magical vagina trope is. Would that be like the zipless fuck?

mccardey · Dec 16, 2017

MaeZe said:
I don't know what the magical vagina trope is.

Totally not going to google this.

blackcat777 · Dec 16, 2017

It's basically "sex fixes everything," or a hero that instantly becomes glued to a heroine for no other reason than that they had great sex... or her vagina is magical, basically. It's a big fail when used in place of legitimate plot and character development. From what I understand.

Actually, I googled it and got a lot of insightful blogs ranting about how it's way too common in PNRs.

I was asking about it because I'm wondering about all the permutations of sex as bad shorthand for legitimate plotting.

(I'm off to google zipless fuck now!)

Woollybear · Dec 16, 2017

When I teach "Sex, Germs, and Disease" I spend an entire lecture on the magic of the vagina.

pH, microbiota, muscle tone, glands, elasticity, pleasure - - -

I am guessing Lactobacillus is not part of the magic vagina trope?

MaeZe · Dec 16, 2017

mccardey said:
Totally not going to google this.

I didn't either. :tongue

Roxxsmom · Dec 16, 2017

I've always heard it used in the context of ridicule, but I admit that I'm a sucker for stories where a wounded guy is, if not fully healed, at least put on a better path by learning how to trust and love and connect with a woman who has her own issues she's working through.

I suppose if it's the sex alone that heals and not the relationship it feels sillier. I also tend to prefer romantic stories where each partner has an arc and one isn't simply the plot device for the other.

I think there's a common trope (magical healing penis) where a woman who has been raped or something, or who has trouble trusting men because of trauma in her life, has incredible sex with the hero, and bam, her problems are over and everything is peachy. The masculine equivalent of this would be equally silly, but I've seen people (mis?) label more complicated and plausible arcs involving healing in a sexual and romantic relationship as this trope as well.

MaeZe · Dec 16, 2017

blackcat777 said:
It's basically "sex fixes everything," or a hero that instantly becomes glued to a heroine for no other reason than that they had great sex... or her vagina is magical, basically. It's a big fail when used in place of legitimate plot and character development. From what I understand.

Actually, I googled it and got a lot of insightful blogs ranting about how it's way too common in PNRs.

I was asking about it because I'm wondering about all the permutations of sex as bad shorthand for legitimate plotting.

(I'm off to google zipless fuck now!)

Erica Jong, Fear of Flying.

Jurné Ends · Dec 16, 2017

Writing as a woman with a :e2fairy:

magical vagina, I would say sex heals all things. But seriously, I would say it depends. I don't believe sex should be the only aspect changing the character -although I could see if the character was the cranky sort, then sex would relax them and improve their mood. As a reader, I generally skim over sex scenes as they tend to steer into purple prose territory (not saying all do) so it's harder for me to suspend my disbelief if instantly the character changes based on a good orgasm

Jan74 · Dec 16, 2017

Well according to my husband who often tells me, "that's a powerful weapon you possess." I'm going to assume that us women and our vagina's are pretty darn fabulous and if that makes them magical...well heck...when the future king of england says he wants to come back as a tampon...then dang it you know it's got some power. lol....ok its 1am here so I'm off to bed asap.

Elenitsa · Dec 16, 2017

I agree with Roxxmom. When put into an appropriate context, love and good sex (the kind of sex based on love, not on lust and passion alone) can be parts of a character's psychological healing. The key word is PARTS, not only these but corroborrated with other plot aspects. (And yes, think that not in all times/ societies people had access to psychologists and psychiatrists and...)

(The fact that good sex on the physical side can be a part of healing of some actual health problems is also a thing doctors had researched and said it was possible. I had read about the benefits of sex and of the inconveniences of not having regular sex, but this is for another discussion than a romance site).

blackcat777 · Dec 17, 2017

I am guessing Lactobacillus is not part of the magic vagina trope?

Challenge accepted :evil

I suppose if it's the sex alone that heals and not the relationship it feels sillier. I also tend to prefer romantic stories where each partner has an arc and one isn't simply the plot device for the other.

Thinking about this more, it's likely the lack of greater context that disappoints some readers.

I think there's a common trope (magical healing penis) where a woman who has been raped or something, or who has trouble trusting men because of trauma in her life, has incredible sex with the hero, and bam, her problems are over and everything is peachy.

I've seen this massively criticized, too.

the benefits of sex and of the inconveniences of not having regular sex

There are also studies about how sleeping in the same bed with a partner has long term health benefits, too... which gives me all kinds of warm and squishy romantic feelings!

I'm trying to hit the nice middle ground of "intimate connection with another person is one of the most important and beautiful things in life, but you still have to live with the consequences of your actions and it doesn't bring the dead back to life." Like one beautiful moment amidst the wreckage. I wanted to make sure I wasn't swinging too hard towards hopelessness or "sex fixes everything."

Jan74 · Dec 17, 2017

So are you asking if sex is used to replace plot and that is considered lazy writing? Just want to clarify what exactly you mean.

I have no problem with a book being propelled forward by sex. I don't mind sex being the core basis of a book either. Different authors will give me different experiences. So for instance I've enjoyed Laura Leigh and yet I love Emily Griffin. Those authors are night and day.

Sex can be very beneficial to a relationship and I can see how it drives a story forward. I don't ever think of it as filler. I've read books where one sex scene is an entire chapter and when its written well I'll re-read that chapter a few times. That's when I know I really like a sex scene...when I read it over before moving on.

ElaineA · Dec 17, 2017

I think where it gets into difficulty is when a basically asshole character turns into a soft and squishy one because he found "the right woman." I think that's why it's prevalent to see the worst of the trope in PNR. The vicious, heartless vampire that suddenly wants to change ALL the diapers. IMO, it's the extreme swing between personalities that gets a story in "Magic Vagina" trouble.

OTOH, think about Sookie and Eric from Charlaine Harris's series that spawned True Blood. She was his kryptonite for many reasons, and on occasion he went very near the MV line, but Harris rescued him by having him commit casual atrocities. Sookie would get mad and not invite him over the threshold, they'd go back to their baseline personalities. Rather than MV, their sexual encounters end up being moments, not personality transplants.

I think the sweet spot you're going for, blackcat, is right where you should be. :Thumbs:

blackcat777 · Dec 17, 2017

So are you asking if sex is used to replace plot and that is considered lazy writing? Just want to clarify what exactly you mean.

I'm trying to determine if my own writing is lazy

Just because I'm dealing with meaningful sex and sacrifice that have to happen early, I want to make sure the sex doesn't feel empty, or the sacrifice isn't out-of-character/out-of-nowhere. I think it will work if I pay attention to sharpening all the little details of their connection in my edits. It was helpful to realize that "details of connection" is where I need to place my focus.

I'm trying to avoid the vicious vampire changing diapers while singing Ed Sheeran's Shape of You.

ElaineA · Dec 17, 2017

blackcat777 said:
I'm trying to avoid the vicious vampire changing diapers while singing Ed Sheeran's Shape of You.

A worthy goal.

Cobalt Jade · Dec 18, 2017

Actually, I googled it and got a lot of insightful blogs ranting about how it's way too common in PNRs.

What is a PNR?

Cyia · Dec 18, 2017

Cobalt Jade said:
What is a PNR?

Paranormal Romance

kssmith626 · Dec 19, 2017

Jurné Ends said:
Writing as a woman with a magical vagina, I would say sex heals all things. But seriously, I would say it depends. I don't believe sex should be the only aspect changing the character -although I could see if the character was the cranky sort, then sex would relax them and improve their mood. As a reader, I generally skim over sex scenes as they tend to steer into purple prose territory (not saying all do) so it's harder for me to suspend my disbelief if instantly the character changes based on a good orgasm

Just googled purple prose- nice concise term! I learn something new every day from this site.

Marian Perera · Dec 19, 2017

kssmith626 said:
Just googled purple prose- nice concise term! I learn something new every day from this site.

You might want to check out the annual Purple Prose contest that the review site All About Romance used to hold. It had some hilarious entries.

yoghurtelf · Dec 19, 2017

On the other hand, I read a YA contemp trilogy where in the third book, the couple has sex for the first time, and it basically derails their entire relationship. Interesting way to end the series

Well, it didn't end QUITE there, but the ending is not yet resolved... Yes, I'm hoping for a book #4!

Magical vagina trope

blackcat777

Marian Perera

starting over

MaeZe

mccardey

blackcat777

Woollybear

MaeZe

Roxxsmom

Beastly Fido

MaeZe

Jurné Ends

Jan74

Elenitsa

writing as Marina Costa

blackcat777

Jan74

ElaineA

All about that action, boss.

blackcat777

ElaineA

All about that action, boss.

Cobalt Jade

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

kssmith626

Marian Perera

starting over

yoghurtelf

yoghurt elf say wheeee!