Love Scenes: What to Call It?

[Jessica]

Even writers who have no trouble whatsoever finding words to tell the rest of their story often stumble over what's appropriate in love scenes.

What do you think is acceptable terminology when describing body parts and the actions of making love? Where does the "ick" factor kick in for you?

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[PhilJane]

I think graphic terms, are a turn off. Also being too naive can be a turnoff too. One has to strive to describe body parts in a delicate way in which won't offend any reader, nor make them laugh at the term.
I like to use terms like, "the core of her being", things that mean the hero has touched a place that only lovers may go.
You certainly don't want a medical terminology, nor do you want erotica in romance terms. I also like to use the word "kiss" instead of the more graphic terms of touching certain parts.
Just my take on it.

[Hollyabbie]

I agree that the graphic terminology is a turn off. I was just readin a very good story and one of the love scenes was way too blunt about parts and it almost ruined the whole book.

H

[dixielandgrl]

I really hate the word shaft...I mean how many bad images does that evoke? I am surprisingly comfortable with erotica's terms now. I like th honesty. I like not having to guess. Scrotum may be going too far, but I prefer to call a penis a penis, if I must call it anything at all. so often you really don't have to use names and location, a general area suffices for me. It's ninety percent brain anyway. IMO.

Boy, am I behind in my studies? I've been nuts over here. I'll try to do better. At least, I got back for the ...I was going to say hard stuff, but let's go with difficult part, shall we?

[Hollyabbie]

Don't consider penis too graphic.

[ChristineM]

Technical terms always make me feel like I'm in a doctor's office. Mushy non-terms like core of her being always annoy me. I know there's a happy medium somewhere, but I haven't found it. I usually end up on the mushy side when I write.

Dixie, hard stuff? My neighbors were probably not please with my out loud laughing at midnight.

[lavenderlass]

I'm a bit different, I like using the usual medical-ish words because to me they're quite understated, I sort of swop that term for my interpretation of it. I reckon they can't offend anyone so I keep using them. I'm less sure about the woolly ways of describing them though. Maybe I'm a bit daft but I'm not always sure I interpret them right, I can't always figure out exactly what they're doing now, and that pulls me out of the story a little. It depends how well it's done though and probably what mood I'm in.

Lynne.

[ChristineM]

Lynne,

You're right, they are understated. You probably know more of the actual terms than I do. My problem is, when I start using the technical terms my minds goes into "put your feet in the stirrups and scoot to the edge of the table. This might be a little uncomfortable." I'm sure attitude's got to show through in my writing.

[dixielandgrl]

Christine, you crack me up.

[ChristineM]

Happy to be of service.