Let's Talk About Sex Roundtable (part one)

Here's something a little different, AND you get to enter a giveaway!

Awesome!

I recently moderated a discussion between four authors - Larry Benjamin, Andrew Q. Gordon, Hans M. Hirschi and WS Long - all of whom write gay fiction. If you're not familiar with the genre, the fact that these guys are, well, guys, makes them quite rare, as much of the work published as "M/M" (male/male) fiction is written by women, and is more often than not romance.

Not that I'm suggesting this is a bad thing (I've been known to write gay romances in my time), but it does mean that, for whatever reason, on-page sex is a common feature in gay fiction.

Thus, sex in gay fiction is the topic for this roundtable discussion, posted in two parts.

The first part can be found on Larry Benjamin's blog: http://authorlarrybenjamin.blogspot.com/2014/03/lets-talk-about-sex-roundtable.html

The second part will be posted here on my blog on Thursday April 3.

In addition, we have arranged a giveaway of eBooks and a $30 gift card. Just click the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of the post on Larry's blog for details and to enter the drawing.

You have until 12:00 a.m. April 8, 2014, to enter and winners will be drawn on April 9, 2014. Winners will be notified by email.

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Here's a little teaser to get you going...

DM: Do you feel on-page sex is necessary? Why? Or why not?

WSL: On-page sex is necessary only if the story line involves adult gay men in the male-male romance. The idea is to show through the sex the emotions, the connections between the characters. Sex is a very intimate act and the use of sex scenes implies character change and development.

HH: It is necessary if it adds value to the story line, not otherwise. I add them to move the story along, e.g. bring characters closer to each other. Sex is part of our lives, so why not describe it? We have dialogue, car rides, dinners etc., sex is no different in MHO.

AQG: Can I answer with a qualified, "No?" No. Unless the scene is needed to advance a plot – for example, the MC has changed and is now more controlling or aggressive or passive or disinterested.  Or if the sex is meant to show a reconnection between two estranged characters, then some – some – on page sex is needed. But only as much as is needed to advance the plot. There is an entire genre devoted to on-page sex – Erotica.  Otherwise you run the risk of being PWP – Porn without Plot.

LB: I think it varies based on the story you are trying to tell. From my own writing, I feel it’s usually not necessary.  That’s just my preference. Nothing bores me more quickly than page after page of sex that doesn’t tell me anything about the characters or their situation, that is sex thrown in simply to titillate, to entertain.


Read More and Enter the Giveaway:
http://authorlarrybenjamin.blogspot.com/2014/03/lets-talk-about-sex-roundtable.html

Find out more about the giveaway here: http://andrewqgordon.com/ebook-giveaway