@@coachqip Then you probably shouldn't write a sex scene; because is sex makes you uncomfortable, then the way you write about it will make everyone uncomfortable with you. And that's _No good_
@@tierneytellsstories just remember that it's natural, sex is in almost EVERY relationship and it should be taken as something serious, especially if you're an adult lol.
Honestly, thanks so much for normalizing people writing sex scenes who may not have had sex or that specific kind of sex. As a demisexual, it's much appreciated. Plus, the advice was good too!
Agreed. Still a virgin, which is unusual for someone my age (33 as of April 2021), so sometimes it feels funny giving my characters more action than I myself have had. XD Glad that Jenna brought up how not all authors have personal experiences to draw from as inspiration for sex scenes. Makes me feel less alone and weird.
@@kappadarwin9476 yeah and when you actually do it and realise the mondanity and awkwardness of it the illusion dies. Sex is amazing but once you know what it's like it loses it mystique.
Alex térieur In some movie a female character acknowledged "sex is better before you've had it". 😂 Don't know if she was referring to "first time specifically" or just the general way anticipation and dopamine work. Either way, I've expanded that to "people tend to be nicer before you know them". As a fellow introvert, I'm pretty sure Jenna can relate to that 😁...
I remember reading a book where the writer was super detailed about the noises and the smells but always described the physical act like "the knight charged through the castle gates with his mighty lance" it was funny but also completely different from the rest of the scene
I think that would confuse me more than anything. Kind of like, "Wait, if he was about to have sex with her, why is he storming into the castle? And why a lance instead of a sword?" I tend to take things very literally. Which often leads to some hilarious misunderstandings, on my end.
i once just completely put down a book i was otherwise completely enjoying because the author used the word "bollocks" during a sex scene and i was just like. aight i'm gonna head out
"Think about how you would describe sexual pleasure." Me, a sex-averse asexual: I'm not an expert but I feel as if I shouldn't take this advice when writing sex scenes.
Me, another sex-averse asexual (and also aromantic) who's written sex scenes and shown them to friends who've had sex, and they love them because I'm more focused on the quality of the writing and the emotional weight than the banging. XP We can use our powers of not getting distracted by the sexy for good (sex, apparently. XD)!
9:28 That time on Riverdale where one of the main characters Dad was SHOT IN FRONT OF HIM and after taking his dad to the hospital and going home to SHOWER THEIR FATHER'S BLOOD OFF OF THEIR BODY, his girlfriend decides to hop in with him and-- WHAT?!?!?
That scene took me out of the show so bad. Like that scene was dramatic and traumatizing he’s not going to feel horny while washing his fathers blood off of him.
Also, make sure you include things that realistically would happen. For example, include a simple sentence about lube being included. Especially with any sort of butt stuff. Most people don’t like to be in pain, and even some people who enjoy rough sex still don’t like pain to the point of making them cry and feel like they have to puke. Lube is perfectly okay to mention, and actually probably better if it is mentioned. Especially if there’s little to no foreplay before the major action starts. You would not believe how many sex scenes I’ve read where lube was not mentioned at all, but this person is reacting like it’s the most pleasurable experience ever, even though the body doesn’t naturally produce any sorting of lubricating fluid in that part of the body. Just mention it so that people can stay immersed in the scene.
As a transwoman I can confirm, the word "lube" has to be there somewhere if a scene includes buttsex of any kind whatsoever. Otherwise I'm just over here thinking "ow, ow, ow, oooouch"
Also applies to condoms! If condoms don’t at least get a passing mention, I’ll be worried about STDs and unplanned pregnancy the whole time! Protection is cool and sexy lmao
Am I asexual with no interest in writing anything sexual literally ever? Yes. Will this video make me very uncomfortable? Yep. Am I going to watch this video anyway to support Jenna? Also yes. Edit: due to the incredible amount of puns, this is more hilarious than uncomfortable lol
Focusing on feelings is one of the most important aspects when writing a story I think. I see too many who forget to show the feels. They say things, they do things, stuff happens to them, they even think... but we never get close enough to them to know their true feelings. Not just in love and sex scenes, but in general. Emotions are important!
Really?? People forget about emotions?? That's like forgetting the meat in a burger or not putting any cheese in the Mac and cheese dish, tf are you writing if there's nothing emotional????😂😭
@@lunaredelvour2972 I knooow! But some people, I think, are so convinced others know the feelings just because they as the author knows them, and forget to mention them. At least, that's what I believe happens. That's very strange to me though. Like you say, it's so important!
@@ari3719 Like, in a fight scene, the hero/heroine fights and gets hurt, but there's never a mention of the MC being out of breath, being afraid, getting a scare as something nearly hits them, pounding hearts and sweating, there's no panic, no anger. Just plain, "They did this, and the enemy did that, and then this happened." Another scene in a book I read had the MC see her father, who's been possessed. And there's a small show of worry about him since he's dying, but it's like, mentioned some time after she spots him and talks to him (knowing he's possessed all the time). During the actual interaction there's just cold talking, and then "She was worried he would die". That's pretty much it. No visual clues to how she knew he was dying, no thoughts or described feelings at what she saw/sensed, just a statement in the end of the interaction. So flat and cold.
When I was a manager at a very slow spa I would put jennas videos on the computer, volume all the way up and just paused it guiltily when people walked by. My coworkers at that point could recognize “hellooooo everybody!”
I read a romance novel not long ago. Thankfully, there was only one sex scene because it was so confusing, I did have to read it two more times. I never did figure out what the author was going for. There were so many knees and elbows and I just kept thinking, 'Do I really need to know where every joint is placed?'
I think sex senses after intense battles are pretty great, honestly. Especially between allies. Here you are after battle or some long trek, you're annoyed, agitated, and happy you're alive but all that pent up tension is waiting to just let loose. They fuck, they bond, suddenly they realize "maybe you're just more than an ally."
The las point is key. Don't rush, instead build up to the sex. Have a moment of intimacy turn into sex, describe flirting beforehand, foreplay during etc. Even having a quickie sex scene can be ok if you have other good longer scenes. Mix it up and avoid using the same playbook for every scene.
Depending on how you're handling your narrative, character POV can define your word choices. What words would your *character* use to describe the anatomy and actions you are depicting in your sex scene? A character from a rather parochial or sheltered background might have a limited or even backwards vocabulary to use describing what they experienced (even if they aren't the active narrator, it *is* their experience you're describing). This can even allow you to develop the character's growth as a sexual being, as they learn not only what sex is, but also the vocabulary to describe it. More broadly, this is a useful notion to keep in mind when writing dialog or narrative, where your character's particular experience and attitudes should be reflected in how they experience the story. =^[.]^=
good point! it's the kind of thing i dont always notice when it's done right, but when it's done wrong-well, im left wondering where miss innocence got such a dirty mouth.
This is actually really good advice. If you're going to include a steamy sex scene in your book, then write it bravely. Don't worry about your mom reading it. She begat you doing something very similar. You're not going to shock her. Nothing you're writing is new or novel. For me, writing sex scenes is similar to writing any other action sequences. There's not much in the way of introspection during the action. The differences are that in a fight, you're dealing with the character's shock, muscle memory if they have training, and physical sensation--with sex you're dealing with muscle memory, desire, and physical sensation. If there's much in the way of thought going on during actual sex, it's over. Depth of emotions are explored before and after the actual act. During, allow the characters to get lost in the physical sensations of the moment. If you're wanting it to be good, they will listen to one anther's physical cues. The emotions you infuse in the scene can be combined with the physicality of the moment, desire, wanting, love, power, vulnerability, anticipation, freedom, etc.
love how this video brought all the ace commenters out of the woodwork! i also love the idea of people doing some research before they write sex scenes, whether they've had several partners or never plan on having intimate encounters of their own. if you haven't had the type of sex you're writing, or sex that involved someone of the demographic(s) you're writing about (ace spectrum, trans, from a different culture, etc.), then it's easy to accidentally take readers out of the moment.
Do I have a sex scene in my books? NO! Am I planning to write/produce or create anything with a sex scene? NO! So why am I here? Because i love watching Jenna and supporting her videos - also she is funny overlord woman ogaboooga.
Wattpad is the place for bad books written by kids who're still working it out. We go there, we write as best we can, we get feedback from eachother (as the only ones willing to read it), and we improve. We practice, we learn, and we help others do that too. When we get better, we graduate to other sites - often ao3, for those who still want to write fanfic, or other sites for those who prefer writing original stories. If you're looking for 'more good books to read', the wattpad probabaly isn't the place for you. But if you're ever feeling charitable, try going to the fanfic stories, find a less popular one, and drop a few words of encouragement - and maybe a little constructive criticism, as well. Fanfic is how many of us start out - inspired by our favourite media, but not yet sure how to make our stories work with original characters and such. If every time someone wrote something cringy we told them they shouldn't be writing, noone would ever go on to become a decent writer. The stories are bad, yes, but the first time a famous boxer threw a punch did it always go well? Was every great painter always that good? Give them time - but for now, maybe track down some better sites:))
George R.R. Martin once described a woman's nether regions as "swampy." I probably read that line ten years ago, but I still think about it sometimes and shudder (not in a good way).
Thank you for this, you're amazing, and I don't think I have ever clicked on a video so fast in my life. As a person that is incapable of writing a story without several to many graphic sex scenes with multiple couples, all I can say is Preach! It is shocking to me how much effort people put into researching every other aspect of a story, but can't be bothered to look up how genitals work.
Warms my cold shriveled heart to see so many of my fellow cake dragons announcing their presence and enjoying educational content for the sake of education/puns :)
Best advice I got was: write like your parents are dead. That goes for not just sex scenes, but any scenes/concepts/ideas that you might self-censor if you're worried about mummy clutching her pearls.
This may be the first video that made think my writing isn't actually awful because I could totally relate to all these pieces of advice. Guess I can be proud of my smut if nothing else.
Hi Jenna, many thanks for this. I'm currently writing a wedding night scene in a fan fiction - and it's my first for a couple that I have shipped for four years now. This actually gave me more confidence! I will definitely be utilizing these tips and tricks 💜💜
Another suggestion from the gallery here, I've written a few of these and a good rule of thumb on the nouns and adjectives is to keep them contemporary or at least appropriate for your genre and period. If you are writing a fantasy about the trojan war, no one was calling breasts Fun Bags or Hooters at the time... and language that temporally clashes with your setting is also jarring and damaging to the feeling of the moment. Also, if you intend to use more flowery euphemisms for body parts, try setting up the idea of those terms being in the vernacular in advance... if the main character calls him cock a 'Bull stick' in chapter 3, then calling that again when he is using it on Lady Hotstuff is just fine. In fact, establishing your slang terms is a good idea in general. Robert Jordan turned the word 'Light' into a meaningful exasperated oath and not just the stuff that pours out of the sun...
Can you please make a video about foreshadowing. I’m in a predicament with my book and I’m wondering if I should include and if so how to make it very subtle
I love the puns 😂 glad my partner is playing games so he doesn’t question what I was watching and listening to 😂 I also love how Jenna explains everything
Ugh! Allergies.😫 mine go right to my eyes, pinkeye city. Omnaris nose spray has worked wonders for me. Feel better soon 🤗 I LOVE your videos, funny and informative.
With my first book I was too detailed, my editor suggested some parts to be removed as I did want it to be romantic. My editor did do a good job that makes it very steamy but also emotional. I had people who really loved it, some not so much. One guy even said I had never touched a woman in my life and called me even names. My wife (especially my wife) and even my parents had a good laugh at that. Yeah, I didn't shy away. However, with my latest books, I was a bit tamer but still graphic.
Thank you so much for this, Jenna! One of my main characters has a traumatic backstory revolving around this sort of scene (like really, he gets mentally fucked over after the experience), so this is definitely going to help me out!
I love her sarcasm. I've watched all her videos. I've been knowing about this channel for a year but I've watched all of them just to hear her sarcasm..don't get me wrong I am a writer and I do come here for advice but also the sarcasm. I look at her bad tropes and be like, "Ok, I'm so lucky I'm not one of those." My favorite video is the worst best friend tropes😂😅
And...Best way to practice sex scenes is....write fanfiction. I say this as I watch this as someone that is prudeish and gets too embarassed by sex scenes. XD
Here's a question for you Jenna: do you think a virgin could write a convincing sex scene or do you think it requires the writer to have actual experience irl?
3:14 i rewinded this part five times cause i KNEW you didn't say what i thought you said! 🤣🤣 Love knowing that you must be a fellow Bay Area native! Edit: and you confirm it 5 seconds later! 💪🏾
It's ironic because I don't like the p and d words. My thing has always been descriptive writing, so it was new to me to make my characters use such vulgar words for their anatomy. Thank God you made this cause I was really questioning myself. Turns out, i did everything right! Thank You again
I'm torn on this theme in general. On one hand - looking away from moral and religious aspects, etc - it's awkward to read [about]; on the other, one might start asking why it's so weird, because it's one of the most natural things to do, so why hide it.
Whats also weird and somewhat jarring is if a story is focusing on a female character, and when it came to doing the deed with her male love interest, suddenly the scene focuses on his pleasure? Like sure its established that shes moaning, but that's really it on her part, meanwhile the way his body reacts is written in more detail. Like what happened to mutual pleasure? Or is the author still of the belief that female pleasure is a myth and that its all performative?
how do you write a prelude to a hot sex scene? You know, how to write the pick up scene or create that tension to get there so that it is not cheesy. I suppose I could write, "ROAR" roared the monster as it menacingly approached it's next two meals. Jane turned to Jack and said, "The monster is here!" Jack suavely replied, "let's go behind this tree and epically shag for dear life. We have time" "So... a quicky then?!" "Yes, A quicky" "But but it can see us do it," complained Jane. "It is just kinky risky fun." said Jack. The monster paused in its tracks, scratched his mangy head and thought to himself, "Is brunch supposed to do that?" Not a very realistic pickup scenario or buildup. We gotta write the good stuff before we get to the good stuff. A video on something like this would be helpful
My friend and I are both writing a story right now, so every time we meet we read the new chapters out aloud to each other. She has to read all of my steamy scenes because I can’t stop laughing out of embarrassment if I do😂English isn’t my first language and I’m not sure what sounds crude or disgusting, so no explicit words in my story
9:28 I’ve literally read a book where the mc was about to have sex with their love interest 10 minutes after their best friend got sexually assaulted AND IN THE SAME ROOM. Idk if it actually happened I didn’t finish it.
My copy of TSS should be coming in the mail any day now. I'm so freaking excited, I've waited so long. Delphi is definitely in my list of Fictional Girlfriends for Lonely Lesbians.
I was trying to decide if I should put a scene in my book, but then decided to make it more of a slow burn and just have a kiss. The second book can advance in the relationship
I know I have difficulty writing anatomical parts. My writing tends to fall either on the clinical (due of how I personally speak and my clinical fields of study) or the euphemismic sides because, despite writing smutty scenes, I have an overall "clean" writing style. (Smut "dirty" is generally different from language "dirty" writing.) I don't curse or swear myself, so swear words aren't included in my writing unless part of the dialogue of a character who does. Most of the accepted terms for genitalia (and related parts) in writing tend to be swear words themselves, and I feel like that compromises my writing style preference. It would push it towards crude and vulgar which I tend to avoid crossing over into even in smutty scenes. (Sex can be crude, but it is not crude in and of itself.) And crude and vulgar is alright. It's just not me. It seems a waste that people are expected to write a certain way to legitimize their (detailed, anatomically conscious) sex scenes. It erases diversity in writing styles and the language around sex and what constitutes as steamy or hot. Not a personal complaint against you. Just a dissatisfaction with the accepted language constraints.
Best advice I ever got was, "If you feel awkward writing it, it'll be awkward reading it."
But what if sex just makes me uncomfortable in general 😳
@@coachqip Then you probably shouldn't write a sex scene; because is sex makes you uncomfortable, then the way you write about it will make everyone uncomfortable with you. And that's _No good_
But I feel awkward all the time :D
Right? I need to learn how to be more comfortable with sex
@@tierneytellsstories just remember that it's natural, sex is in almost EVERY relationship and it should be taken as something serious, especially if you're an adult lol.
Me: *Writing a cute contenporary story where the characters kiss and kiss only*
Also me: I'm watching Jenna's new video! Why not?
Bruh meee, I just like watching jenna's vids
Same
Literally and exactly me
Same here. I fade to black
The movie as soon as your parents walk in:
fr tho!!! they always come in at thw wrong time
Video games, anime, don't matter, without fail parents walk in at the worst time.
This is why I only watch children’s shows.
Imagine having your parents walking into a fight scene from attack on titan without context. That was not a great day.
Anything that has anything remotely kinky/ecchi, parents will always walk in EXACTLY right then.
"Tell your mom to read the Bible instead" that sent me
HAHAHA 😂
Freaking channel members.
😂😂
How is this from 3 days ago?
@@MaeAlessa people who pay to support her channel get to see videos early
Honestly, thanks so much for normalizing people writing sex scenes who may not have had sex or that specific kind of sex. As a demisexual, it's much appreciated. Plus, the advice was good too!
Agreed. Still a virgin, which is unusual for someone my age (33 as of April 2021), so sometimes it feels funny giving my characters more action than I myself have had. XD Glad that Jenna brought up how not all authors have personal experiences to draw from as inspiration for sex scenes. Makes me feel less alone and weird.
Virgins often write very sexy scenes because they still idealize the moment. The nervousness, the rapid beating of the heart and gleeful anticipation.
@@kappadarwin9476 yeah and when you actually do it and realise the mondanity and awkwardness of it the illusion dies. Sex is amazing but once you know what it's like it loses it mystique.
Alex térieur In some movie a female character acknowledged "sex is better before you've had it". 😂 Don't know if she was referring to "first time specifically" or just the general way anticipation and dopamine work. Either way, I've expanded that to "people tend to be nicer before you know them". As a fellow introvert, I'm pretty sure Jenna can relate to that 😁...
I’m literally aroace but love writing romance and want to write sex, even though if I think too hard it’s gross but I actually do WANT to write it lol
I like how she holds nothing back, no filter love this woman.
We need more people like that.
I remember reading a book where the writer was super detailed about the noises and the smells but always described the physical act like "the knight charged through the castle gates with his mighty lance" it was funny but also completely different from the rest of the scene
lmao
That's so quaky I almost want to read that book.
Lol, ouch.
I think that would confuse me more than anything. Kind of like, "Wait, if he was about to have sex with her, why is he storming into the castle? And why a lance instead of a sword?"
I tend to take things very literally. Which often leads to some hilarious misunderstandings, on my end.
Omg I'm deceased lmao
i once just completely put down a book i was otherwise completely enjoying because the author used the word "bollocks" during a sex scene and i was just like. aight i'm gonna head out
"bollocks"?! wtf😭😂😂😂
Mostly used in Britain
Somebody cracked out the thesaurus without checking urban dictionary lmao
Was the writer British by any chance?
Because we use that word A LOT over here lmao
@@Cheetahgirl_Studios i am but the writer is not, which was... puzzling
I have no idea how you knew I was in the middle of writing a sex scene but uh... I shall take notes.
"Think about how you would describe sexual pleasure."
Me, a sex-averse asexual: I'm not an expert but I feel as if I shouldn't take this advice when writing sex scenes.
I suppose that would be a tad harder to do, yeah. Fun hurdle to tackle, tho.
@@healingwithbrittany I'd use all her unsexy adjectives, and then some, in a single scene. Don't try and stop me. You won't be able to.
😂 Perfect for writing a sex-averse asexual prior to or while figuring out their sexuality, maybe?
Betareaders can help you!
Me, another sex-averse asexual (and also aromantic) who's written sex scenes and shown them to friends who've had sex, and they love them because I'm more focused on the quality of the writing and the emotional weight than the banging. XP
We can use our powers of not getting distracted by the sexy for good (sex, apparently. XD)!
9:28 That time on Riverdale where one of the main characters Dad was SHOT IN FRONT OF HIM and after taking his dad to the hospital and going home to SHOWER THEIR FATHER'S BLOOD OFF OF THEIR BODY, his girlfriend decides to hop in with him and-- WHAT?!?!?
I know exactly what you're talking about and I think I stopped watching the show after that point. I was like "Yeah... imma head out now."
I hate this shows cheesy writing, but it's so wild I have to keep watching
@@whatteamwildcats4033 That's a valid statement, if you enjoy it you enjoy it and you should keep watching it
That scene took me out of the show so bad. Like that scene was dramatic and traumatizing he’s not going to feel horny while washing his fathers blood off of him.
@@Kiki-sj2mu Totally!!
Also, make sure you include things that realistically would happen.
For example, include a simple sentence about lube being included. Especially with any sort of butt stuff.
Most people don’t like to be in pain, and even some people who enjoy rough sex still don’t like pain to the point of making them cry and feel like they have to puke.
Lube is perfectly okay to mention, and actually probably better if it is mentioned. Especially if there’s little to no foreplay before the major action starts.
You would not believe how many sex scenes I’ve read where lube was not mentioned at all, but this person is reacting like it’s the most pleasurable experience ever, even though the body doesn’t naturally produce any sorting of lubricating fluid in that part of the body.
Just mention it so that people can stay immersed in the scene.
NOW YOU TELL ME?!?! 🤣🤦🏽♀️ WHERE WERE YOU TWENTY PAGES AGO!?🙆🏽♀️
As a transwoman I can confirm, the word "lube" has to be there somewhere if a scene includes buttsex of any kind whatsoever.
Otherwise I'm just over here thinking "ow, ow, ow, oooouch"
i dont need any examples im good! this video was just in my recomendations anyways...
I think its because a lot of porn doesn't show lube being used before hand so people think its ok to go in raw.
Also applies to condoms! If condoms don’t at least get a passing mention, I’ll be worried about STDs and unplanned pregnancy the whole time! Protection is cool and sexy lmao
Am I asexual with no interest in writing anything sexual literally ever? Yes. Will this video make me very uncomfortable? Yep. Am I going to watch this video anyway to support Jenna? Also yes.
Edit: due to the incredible amount of puns, this is more hilarious than uncomfortable lol
Same here lol. Asexual gang
Join the club
Same here xD
Same here
Choke the chicken that is this video! 🐔
Focusing on feelings is one of the most important aspects when writing a story I think. I see too many who forget to show the feels. They say things, they do things, stuff happens to them, they even think... but we never get close enough to them to know their true feelings. Not just in love and sex scenes, but in general. Emotions are important!
Really?? People forget about emotions?? That's like forgetting the meat in a burger or not putting any cheese in the Mac and cheese dish, tf are you writing if there's nothing emotional????😂😭
@@lunaredelvour2972 I knooow! But some people, I think, are so convinced others know the feelings just because they as the author knows them, and forget to mention them. At least, that's what I believe happens. That's very strange to me though. Like you say, it's so important!
@@SysterYster Can you give an example?
@@ari3719 Like, in a fight scene, the hero/heroine fights and gets hurt, but there's never a mention of the MC being out of breath, being afraid, getting a scare as something nearly hits them, pounding hearts and sweating, there's no panic, no anger. Just plain, "They did this, and the enemy did that, and then this happened." Another scene in a book I read had the MC see her father, who's been possessed. And there's a small show of worry about him since he's dying, but it's like, mentioned some time after she spots him and talks to him (knowing he's possessed all the time). During the actual interaction there's just cold talking, and then "She was worried he would die". That's pretty much it. No visual clues to how she knew he was dying, no thoughts or described feelings at what she saw/sensed, just a statement in the end of the interaction. So flat and cold.
@@SysterYster I see, that really gave me a lot of insight on what NOT to do lol.
Jenna: *posts video about writing steamy scenes*
Me, trying to write one: did she just read my mind??
I think “don’t be a chicken sh*t” was the advice I needed my entire life.
I think the old golden rule of "show, don't tell" serves sex scenes very well. Especially for a romantic sex scene.
Me, an asexual writer who never writes sex scenes and always leaves them as heavily implied: yes, gonna watch this whole video
Implied sex is underrated. Frustrating yet effective
I pulled a power move and listened to this with earbuds while manning the front desk at my cosmetology school
When I was a manager at a very slow spa I would put jennas videos on the computer, volume all the way up and just paused it guiltily when people walked by. My coworkers at that point could recognize “hellooooo everybody!”
Me, an Asexual: Ah yes, I understand this subject entirely.
Please make a “Don’t Be a Chicken Shit” shirt.
I'm using that phrase, I think she just made up that phrase, it's an awesome phrase, I love that phrase it's amazing.
@@superraegun2649 l heard it in primary school... almost forty years ago.
um why does this remind me of a mc youtuber that ive been watching for 3 years...?
I feel guilty for clicking so fast lol
I waited 3 years to respond to this comment.
Jenna: "read a book."
me: has only read sex scenes by Stephen King(and those are weird)
Same
Are we gonna mention IT? We're not gonna mention IT. IT never happened.
Isn't Stephen King that guy who writes horror novels or am I thinking of someone else?
This video is rated R
For real advice
"My mum will read this!"
Yes and you are proving she did it too, by your existence. And you prove to her you know basic stuff.
I read a romance novel not long ago. Thankfully, there was only one sex scene because it was so confusing, I did have to read it two more times. I never did figure out what the author was going for. There were so many knees and elbows and I just kept thinking, 'Do I really need to know where every joint is placed?'
I think sex senses after intense battles are pretty great, honestly. Especially between allies. Here you are after battle or some long trek, you're annoyed, agitated, and happy you're alive but all that pent up tension is waiting to just let loose.
They fuck, they bond, suddenly they realize "maybe you're just more than an ally."
The las point is key. Don't rush, instead build up to the sex. Have a moment of intimacy turn into sex, describe flirting beforehand, foreplay during etc. Even having a quickie sex scene can be ok if you have other good longer scenes. Mix it up and avoid using the same playbook for every scene.
Depending on how you're handling your narrative, character POV can define your word choices. What words would your *character* use to describe the anatomy and actions you are depicting in your sex scene? A character from a rather parochial or sheltered background might have a limited or even backwards vocabulary to use describing what they experienced (even if they aren't the active narrator, it *is* their experience you're describing). This can even allow you to develop the character's growth as a sexual being, as they learn not only what sex is, but also the vocabulary to describe it. More broadly, this is a useful notion to keep in mind when writing dialog or narrative, where your character's particular experience and attitudes should be reflected in how they experience the story. =^[.]^=
good point! it's the kind of thing i dont always notice when it's done right, but when it's done wrong-well, im left wondering where miss innocence got such a dirty mouth.
This is completely off topic but I want Jenna's shirt lmao
Me too.
Just as i was about to write a smutty oneshots
Ah yes 😂 been there, done that
This is actually really good advice. If you're going to include a steamy sex scene in your book, then write it bravely. Don't worry about your mom reading it. She begat you doing something very similar. You're not going to shock her. Nothing you're writing is new or novel.
For me, writing sex scenes is similar to writing any other action sequences. There's not much in the way of introspection during the action. The differences are that in a fight, you're dealing with the character's shock, muscle memory if they have training, and physical sensation--with sex you're dealing with muscle memory, desire, and physical sensation. If there's much in the way of thought going on during actual sex, it's over. Depth of emotions are explored before and after the actual act. During, allow the characters to get lost in the physical sensations of the moment. If you're wanting it to be good, they will listen to one anther's physical cues. The emotions you infuse in the scene can be combined with the physicality of the moment, desire, wanting, love, power, vulnerability, anticipation, freedom, etc.
Me: asexual. Only writes fade to black sex scenes by choice.
Also me: watching this with no intention of writing an in-depth sex scene.
Makes sense.
love how this video brought all the ace commenters out of the woodwork! i also love the idea of people doing some research before they write sex scenes, whether they've had several partners or never plan on having intimate encounters of their own. if you haven't had the type of sex you're writing, or sex that involved someone of the demographic(s) you're writing about (ace spectrum, trans, from a different culture, etc.), then it's easy to accidentally take readers out of the moment.
jenna’s shirt is **chef’s kiss**
*Me:* Is asexual, not interested in sex, the main character of my current project is also asexual.
*Also me:* Watches this video with great interest.
Do I have a sex scene in my books? NO!
Am I planning to write/produce or create anything with a sex scene? NO!
So why am I here? Because i love watching Jenna and supporting her videos - also she is funny overlord woman ogaboooga.
@@benjaminramsey498 OMG Lmao. Can't worry about how to use 'em if you might lose 'em
I wish all Wattpad writers watched your videos, there would be so many more good books to read 😂
I’m here
inkspewingdragon there is Ao3 tho, fanfiction also has some hidden gems
oh no...not the fanfics.....
Wattpad is the place for bad books written by kids who're still working it out. We go there, we write as best we can, we get feedback from eachother (as the only ones willing to read it), and we improve. We practice, we learn, and we help others do that too. When we get better, we graduate to other sites - often ao3, for those who still want to write fanfic, or other sites for those who prefer writing original stories.
If you're looking for 'more good books to read', the wattpad probabaly isn't the place for you. But if you're ever feeling charitable, try going to the fanfic stories, find a less popular one, and drop a few words of encouragement - and maybe a little constructive criticism, as well.
Fanfic is how many of us start out - inspired by our favourite media, but not yet sure how to make our stories work with original characters and such.
If every time someone wrote something cringy we told them they shouldn't be writing, noone would ever go on to become a decent writer. The stories are bad, yes, but the first time a famous boxer threw a punch did it always go well? Was every great painter always that good?
Give them time - but for now, maybe track down some better sites:))
Oh my god, Steve spent 5 hours a day on wattpad.
Dirty talk is one of the hardest things to write for me, the line between sexy and corny has never been so thin.
I learned sex scene dialogue from Daft Punk
HARDER, BETTER
FASTER, STRONGER
OUR WORK IS NEVER OVER
...im done with life where is the bleach...?
@@nobodyhere6328 Is... there something wrong with you?
@@ThrottleKitty um its reddit
George R.R. Martin once described a woman's nether regions as "swampy." I probably read that line ten years ago, but I still think about it sometimes and shudder (not in a good way).
I'm not writing a sex scene. I just wanted to hear your description of how to write one. It definitely wasn't arts & crafts. 😂😂
Thank you for this, you're amazing, and I don't think I have ever clicked on a video so fast in my life.
As a person that is incapable of writing a story without several to many graphic sex scenes with multiple couples, all I can say is Preach! It is shocking to me how much effort people put into researching every other aspect of a story, but can't be bothered to look up how genitals work.
fanfiction writers: WRITE THAT DOWN, RIGHT THAT DOWN!!
SHHHHHHH DON'T BLOW OUR COVER!!!!!
@@cassy1747 lmfaooo
And disregard it completely. 😂
basicly MHA fanfic wrighters... eh ima just make my own storys i dont need to ahve an au to start off as if im stupid
Warms my cold shriveled heart to see so many of my fellow cake dragons announcing their presence and enjoying educational content for the sake of education/puns :)
Thank you for introducing me to the term "cake dragon".
Best advice I got was: write like your parents are dead.
That goes for not just sex scenes, but any scenes/concepts/ideas that you might self-censor if you're worried about mummy clutching her pearls.
Note to self: Do NOT watch Jenna's how to write sex scenes videos while eating
I read that as 'eating ass'. I'll see myself out.
@@amyleigh7624 LMAO. I can see why you read it that way. LOL
Idk what the person said, and it has been 2 years, yet I'm certain they said the exact same thing i thought when i read this comment.
This may be the first video that made think my writing isn't actually awful because I could totally relate to all these pieces of advice. Guess I can be proud of my smut if nothing else.
I'm fucking dying laughing over here 😂😂😂. All facts...but hilarious presented.
hey Jordan. you working on any kind of story or novel??
rip
Hi Jenna, many thanks for this. I'm currently writing a wedding night scene in a fan fiction - and it's my first for a couple that I have shipped for four years now. This actually gave me more confidence! I will definitely be utilizing these tips and tricks 💜💜
I'm obsessed with the happy go lucky music playing while you spout graphic concepts haha.
Another suggestion from the gallery here, I've written a few of these and a good rule of thumb on the nouns and adjectives is to keep them contemporary or at least appropriate for your genre and period. If you are writing a fantasy about the trojan war, no one was calling breasts Fun Bags or Hooters at the time... and language that temporally clashes with your setting is also jarring and damaging to the feeling of the moment. Also, if you intend to use more flowery euphemisms for body parts, try setting up the idea of those terms being in the vernacular in advance... if the main character calls him cock a 'Bull stick' in chapter 3, then calling that again when he is using it on Lady Hotstuff is just fine. In fact, establishing your slang terms is a good idea in general. Robert Jordan turned the word 'Light' into a meaningful exasperated oath and not just the stuff that pours out of the sun...
"Ding-dongs and coin purses" Phfffft, I'm so gonna steal that phrase for the next time I'm talking about smut fanfic. XD
Oh god. I absolutely can not watch this, but I’m here in the comments anyway to support the channel.
It's down to earth and not especially explicit, I wouldn't worry too much.
*As I am forever on the fence about writing sex into my novel but have no problems writing it in my fanfics*
There's also that sex scene in a tent while they can hear the screams of the dying in the battlefield right beside them... lol
xd
I lost it at "coin purse" 😂
Your commentary is the best I swear 😂😂
I may or may not have been writing on a smutty fanfiction before watching this, so I'll see if I did everything right.
I keep hearing 'sax' not 'sex' and getting confused because I'm not actually watching the video, just listening lol
Yeah we're just talking about sticking flutes into tubas and things hope this clarifies
Hahahahaha did she just say coin purse? Never heard that one before.
I always end up giggling like a twelve year old.
There are so many asexuals in the comments and I feel validated. ❤😍😂
Me, an asexual: frantically taking increasingly confused notes
Ficfiction writers unite!!!
Can you please make a video about foreshadowing. I’m in a predicament with my book and I’m wondering if I should include and if so how to make it very subtle
I love the puns 😂 glad my partner is playing games so he doesn’t question what I was watching and listening to 😂 I also love how Jenna explains everything
Ugh! Allergies.😫 mine go right to my eyes, pinkeye city. Omnaris nose spray has worked wonders for me. Feel better soon 🤗
I LOVE your videos, funny and informative.
With my first book I was too detailed, my editor suggested some parts to be removed as I did want it to be romantic. My editor did do a good job that makes it very steamy but also emotional.
I had people who really loved it, some not so much. One guy even said I had never touched a woman in my life and called me even names. My wife (especially my wife) and even my parents had a good laugh at that.
Yeah, I didn't shy away. However, with my latest books, I was a bit tamer but still graphic.
Thank you so much for this, Jenna! One of my main characters has a traumatic backstory revolving around this sort of scene (like really, he gets mentally fucked over after the experience), so this is definitely going to help me out!
I love her sarcasm. I've watched all her videos. I've been knowing about this channel for a year but I've watched all of them just to hear her sarcasm..don't get me wrong I am a writer and I do come here for advice but also the sarcasm. I look at her bad tropes and be like, "Ok, I'm so lucky I'm not one of those." My favorite video is the worst best friend tropes😂😅
Omg I’m finally early to one of your videos! You always give the best advice & writing tips. Thank you Jenna!❤️
Omg this is hands down the funnest , informative, entertaining video I have ever ever seen on UA-cam !!!
And...Best way to practice sex scenes is....write fanfiction.
I say this as I watch this as someone that is prudeish and gets too embarassed by sex scenes. XD
I have literally no interest in writing sex scenes, but will I watch this video? Sure, why not
Your shirt! I love it! That font works so well lol
I can already hear the giggling fan girls.
* giggly teen fangirl banging fingers onkeyboard writing new chapter of 18+ slash fanfiction *
oh no...
Here's a question for you Jenna: do you think a virgin could write a convincing sex scene or do you think it requires the writer to have actual experience irl?
3:14 i rewinded this part five times cause i KNEW you didn't say what i thought you said! 🤣🤣 Love knowing that you must be a fellow Bay Area native!
Edit: and you confirm it 5 seconds later! 💪🏾
I love this channel had to subscribe . This channel helps me so much with me publishing my own book .
2:51 right, because the Bible doesn't have anything to say about sex? RIGHT?
Wrong. It does.
oh no.........
Song of Solomon...
It's ironic because I don't like the p and d words. My thing has always been descriptive writing, so it was new to me to make my characters use such vulgar words for their anatomy. Thank God you made this cause I was really questioning myself. Turns out, i did everything right! Thank You again
I'm torn on this theme in general. On one hand - looking away from moral and religious aspects, etc - it's awkward to read [about]; on the other, one might start asking why it's so weird, because it's one of the most natural things to do, so why hide it.
I've been avoiding writing 2 chapters because i suck at these things but they are story relevant.. so thanks for the advice
Jenna! I was JUST asking some of my Letterhead friends about how to write something between Harlequin and porn. Thanks!
Whats also weird and somewhat jarring is if a story is focusing on a female character, and when it came to doing the deed with her male love interest, suddenly the scene focuses on his pleasure? Like sure its established that shes moaning, but that's really it on her part, meanwhile the way his body reacts is written in more detail. Like what happened to mutual pleasure? Or is the author still of the belief that female pleasure is a myth and that its all performative?
I know this video's going to be a banger and I haven't even watched it yet
how do you write a prelude to a hot sex scene? You know, how to write the pick up scene or create that tension to get there so that it is not cheesy. I suppose I could write, "ROAR" roared the monster as it menacingly approached it's next two meals. Jane turned to Jack and said, "The monster is here!" Jack suavely replied, "let's go behind this tree and epically shag for dear life. We have time" "So... a quicky then?!" "Yes, A quicky" "But but it can see us do it," complained Jane. "It is just kinky risky fun." said Jack. The monster paused in its tracks, scratched his mangy head and thought to himself, "Is brunch supposed to do that?" Not a very realistic pickup scenario or buildup. We gotta write the good stuff before we get to the good stuff. A video on something like this would be helpful
My friend and I are both writing a story right now, so every time we meet we read the new chapters out aloud to each other. She has to read all of my steamy scenes because I can’t stop laughing out of embarrassment if I do😂English isn’t my first language and I’m not sure what sounds crude or disgusting, so no explicit words in my story
9:28 I’ve literally read a book where the mc was about to have sex with their love interest 10 minutes after their best friend got sexually assaulted AND IN THE SAME ROOM. Idk if it actually happened I didn’t finish it.
You read my mind 😂 Love your videos Jenna 💕
My copy of TSS should be coming in the mail any day now. I'm so freaking excited, I've waited so long. Delphi is definitely in my list of Fictional Girlfriends for Lonely Lesbians.
I love the use of "coin purse" as a euphemism.
I was trying to decide if I should put a scene in my book, but then decided to make it more of a slow burn and just have a kiss. The second book can advance in the relationship
Perfect timing 😂 Thanks, Jennaaaaaaa!
I think i'm going to stick with the Fade to Black.
“Tell your mom to read the Bible instead” took me out 😂
This is informative AND hilarious. LOL
I know I have difficulty writing anatomical parts. My writing tends to fall either on the clinical (due of how I personally speak and my clinical fields of study) or the euphemismic sides because, despite writing smutty scenes, I have an overall "clean" writing style. (Smut "dirty" is generally different from language "dirty" writing.)
I don't curse or swear myself, so swear words aren't included in my writing unless part of the dialogue of a character who does.
Most of the accepted terms for genitalia (and related parts) in writing tend to be swear words themselves, and I feel like that compromises my writing style preference. It would push it towards crude and vulgar which I tend to avoid crossing over into even in smutty scenes. (Sex can be crude, but it is not crude in and of itself.) And crude and vulgar is alright. It's just not me.
It seems a waste that people are expected to write a certain way to legitimize their (detailed, anatomically conscious) sex scenes. It erases diversity in writing styles and the language around sex and what constitutes as steamy or hot.
Not a personal complaint against you. Just a dissatisfaction with the accepted language constraints.
Love the Bay Area slang included 😂