Sex scenes - yes or no?

[SandyWardBell]

Do you like to read about all the dirty details or do you like subtle romance? When do you close the book and say "I don't think so"!

[Charlie Johnson]

I hate lurid sex scenes and find them boring. Subtlety is more my thing. It's important to know who is doing what with whome, but to go on about it for pages is so off-putting.

[Avid Reader]

I don't know if I would say I like "Lurid" sex scenes, but I don't mind details and scenes that stimulate me sexually. I guess I might say I like well-written and realistic erotica, but not porn, with all the silly terms like "throbbing member" and such. I think a good writer can depict sex in detail and with emotion, without being gross or juvenile.

[Pegasus796]

I agree with Avid Reader that I don't mind lurid. When I seek out erotic literature I want to read that sort of content, but I get tired of sex in so many forms of media. I really only enjoy it when it adds to the story, is skillfully done, and is necessary. I like it when the author strives to creatively describe the act and transitions smoothly from it. One of my favorite quotes is from Gregory Maguire's Wicked, "They moved together, blue diamonds on a green field."

[youkrst]

i still remember that sex scene from "the Betsy" by harold robbins

[R. LeBeaux]

Since I tend to write rather graphic sex scenes in some of my own novels, I guess I would have to say I enjoy them. However, I wouldn’t describe what I write (or enjoy reading) as “dirty” or “lurid,” and it is definitely not porn (which, like Avid Reader, I find juvenile and silly). Erotic? Sure. Offensive to some? You bet! But probably only to those who think of sex itself as dirty or offensive. I have no argument with these folks, because taste in literature is personal and many thoughtful and intelligent readers are offended by depictions of sex in any form (my loving sister included). For those whose religious leanings cause them to reject any literature that depicts sex, however, I do offer the following quote at the beginning of one of my more sexually explicit novels (and no, it’s not CUTE):

“Sex holds first place in the thought of God. Its glory pervades and suffuses all Nature. It is sex that gives the bird its song, the peacock its gorgeous plumage, the lion its mane, the buffalo its strength and the horse its tail. Aye, it is sex that causes the flowers to draw from the dull earth those delicate perfumes which delight the sense of smell. It is sex and sex alone that secures to them the dazzling galaxy of shapes and colors that reflect the Infinite.”

Elbert Hubbard
From “The Note Book of Elbert Hubbard.” Originally “Done into a Book” by The Roycrofters: www.roycrofter.com/

[Avid Reader]

“Sex holds first place in the thought of God. Its glory pervades and suffuses all Nature. It is sex that gives the bird its song, the peacock its gorgeous plumage, the lion its mane, the buffalo its strength and the horse its tail. Aye, it is sex that causes the flowers to draw from the dull earth those delicate perfumes which delight the sense of smell. It is sex and sex alone that secures to them the dazzling galaxy of shapes and colors that reflect the Infinite.”

Elbert Hubbard
From “The Note Book of Elbert Hubbard.” Originally “Done into a Book” by The Roycrofters: http://www.roycrofter.com/

Great quote! Where did you find this Hubbard fellow (I assume he's no relation to L. Ron)?

[Charlie Johnson]

Since I tend to write rather graphic sex scenes in some of my own novels, I guess I would have to say I enjoy them. However, I wouldn’t describe what I write (or enjoy reading) as “dirty” or “lurid,” and it is definitely not porn (which, like Avid Reader, I find juvenile and silly). Erotic? Sure. Offensive to some? You bet! But probably only to those who think of sex itself as dirty or offensive. I have no argument with these folks, because taste in literature is personal and many thoughtful and intelligent readers are offended by depictions of sex in any form (my loving sister included). For those whose religious leanings cause them to reject any literature that depicts sex, however, I do offer the following quote at the beginning of one of my more sexually explicit novels (and no, it’s not CUTE):

“Sex holds first place in the thought of God. Its glory pervades and suffuses all Nature. It is sex that gives the bird its song, the peacock its gorgeous plumage, the lion its mane, the buffalo its strength and the horse its tail. Aye, it is sex that causes the flowers to draw from the dull earth those delicate perfumes which delight the sense of smell. It is sex and sex alone that secures to them the dazzling galaxy of shapes and colors that reflect the Infinite.”

Elbert Hubbard
From “The Note Book of Elbert Hubbard.” Originally “Done into a Book” by The Roycrofters: http://www.roycrofter.com/

Yes, I agree with most of what you say and I like the quote. My issue with some sex scenes in novels is that they are just there for some reason, and add nothing to the story or tell the readers anything about the characters.

[R. LeBeaux]

Great quote! Where did you find this Hubbard fellow (I assume he's no relation to L. Ron)?

Way back in the '70s my mother gave me two books she had saved since her youth and wanted me to have. These were "The Notebook of Elbert Hubbard," and "Elbert Hubbard's Scrapbook." They are antique books, leather bound, using an open binding method with the covers attached by ribbons, and are quite interesting in appearance. However, it is the content that fascinates me. The scrapbook is a collection of writings, speeches, poems and quotes from famous authors, politicians, and other historical persons, such as American Indian chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and more. These are beautifully arranged and designed, and are indexed by subject and person. The notebook is the same sort of thing, however, all the writings are by Hubbard himself, who was a prolific and quite revered writer in the early 1900s. For decades I have used these two books as reference works and as sources of philosophical ideas. They were bound and published by The Roycrofters, a small community of artisans and writers in New York, founded by Hubbard around 1895. As interesting and attractive as these books are, they are not really that expensive. Modern versions and originals with various types of cover binding can still be had for as little as $20.00, with the leather bound and special additions selling for much more. Here is an image of the title page for the scrapbook:



If you'd like to read about the Roycrofters, they now maintain a website at:

http://www.roycrofter.com/

[Avid Reader]

I checked out the Roycrofters site, and it sounds like they were an interesting group, even a little like an early commune. I was also interested to learn that Hubbard died in the wreck of the Lusitania. I’m going to try to buy these two books as soon as I can find copies of the type and price I want (I would prefer the older ones, rather than the more modern reprints). Anyway, Hubbard seems like a fascinating character, and I’m looking forward to reading some of his writings. Thanks for the info.