Samhain Publishing

Samhain author Catherine Wade and I joined the Samhain loops at about the same time since our books were released fairly close to each other. We’ve struck up a friendship, sharing our experiences in the journey leading from ‘hopeful writer’ to ‘published author.’ Earlier this month Catherine admitted she read my story, Private Property (which definitely is on the Red-Hot side) in the privacy of her bedroom with the door closed. I thought that was ironic since I write stories that leave the bedroom doors wide open and Catherine writes stories where the bedroom door is definitely left shut. So when we discovered we’d been scheduled to post here on the same day we decided to team up and discuss the differences in writing about sex.

I think it’s natural that since I love reading stories that leave the bedroom doors wide open, I’d write stories equally as hot. It’s not as easy as it looks though. It’s tough to write explicit love scenes without getting stuck in the ‘insert tab A into slot B’ instruction manual format.

Let’s face it, there are only so many times Tab A can be put into Slot B without becoming boring if there’s no reason for it other than gratuitous sex. A good sex scene is about the emotions bouncing between the hero and heroine. A really good love scene should advance the storyline or highlight the internal conflicts the intrepid characters are facing. It should give the reader an intimate understanding of the character’s personality. It should further the relationship or highlight the problems in it. Just like in real life.

We all have personal foibles secreted away that leave us vulnerable, ones that we’re only willing to trust with the people we’re closest to. Maybe it’s a fantasy, or something we’re ashamed of. Maybe it’s real or maybe it’s all in our head. It’s the same with our characters. Perhaps the heroine has said something during their love making that will come back to haunt the hero later, or cause him to doubt her later. Or vice versa. Perhaps one of the characters is worried about how the other will react in ‘the big reveal’. Maybe they have a body image problem or a scar they’re ashamed of, and the very act of opening themselves, revealing their inner most secrets during their love making allows them to get past whatever is haunting them. That intensely private act may be the only time the masks may be dropped, or the barriers raised, or the leap of faith made. Yes, I recognize the irony in calling it an intensely private act when I “leave the bedroom doors open” but I think that’s what draws me to the scenes. I love getting that insight into the characters that no one else in that world can get since they’re standing outside the closed door. I love being that ‘fly on the wall.’

‘But do you have to do that through sex?’ I can hear some people complaining. To that I can only say that it all comes down to what the story demands. And what the reader demands.

Since I write hot stories, does that mean I immediately head to the erotica section and bypass everything else? Nope. I read everything from sweet to hot. From Catherine’s Let’s Dish to Lorelei James’ Rough Riders series and Maya Banks’ Colters’ Woman . I like sweet stories too. But those red-hots draw me in every time.

It’s like having the same dessert every day. Apple pie is nice, but sometimes you just need to spice it up with a little caramel and whipped cream. Which gives me an idea for a love scene I’m working on …

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  If you want to see just how open Leah leaves the bedroom doors, read her red-hot Private Property or watch for Personal Protection that releases on May 12th.