Category: Workshops

Nothing is worse than the gratuitous sex scene, right? We’ve all been there-skimming the pages to get back to the “interesting” stuff that advances the plot and transforms the characters. But that not the sex scene’s fault. It’s the writer’s! Done well, a sex scene, from mild to steamy, should move the story forward and-most importantly-drive a change in the characters.

In this course, students will learn what makes a sex scene sing-and what makes one sag. Working with the model of character transformation, the class will lead students through the concepts of sexual taboos and the mental, emotional and spiritual impacts of breaking them. Students will explore the concepts of intimacy and personal barriers and practice tools for using them to move their characters forward on every level. Writers will be able to submit short scenes to the instructor or the group for feedback.

Tab A into Slot B? What about Tab C and Slots D and E??

Sex scenes can be a maze of mechanical considerations – whose hand is where and whether two (or more!) people really fit together that way. Somewhere in all those logistics, the writer also needs to bring out the tension, intimacy and sensuality of the experience.

This class will help students find the balance between choreography and visceral enjoyment. Student will learn how much detail is needed to give the reader a clear image, without bogging her down in the blow-by-blow, and how to use those descriptions in an artful way to build sexual tension and the overall impact of the scene. Then students can submit short scenes to the instructor or the whole group for feedback. Writers will come away from the class with a strong sense of making their sex scenes both natural and powerful.

Yes, we’ve all seen the blog posts and internet riffs on unrealistic and ridiculous sex scenes. Usually they devolve into lists of peeves – hated words and tropes. How much attention should a writer pay to this kind of reader feedback? Is “moist” a dealbreaker? What about the “P” word?

This class will explore sensual language and word choice. Students will review examples from the great erotic masters and learn how they use words to heighten the sensuality of a scene instead of breaking the spell. Then students can submit short scenes to the instructor or the whole group for feedback. Ultimately, writers will come away with a sense of their own unique sexual voice and how best to use it in their stories for optimum impact.

BDSM (Bondage, Domination, Submission/Sadism, Masochism) and kidnap/captivity stories are all the rage. But why? Is it all just a kinky fad? No! These questionable consent/loss of control stories are about a deeper, darker aspect of human nature. One that taps into both psychological and story dynamite.

In this class, students will learn where the lines of consent, questionable consent and non-consent lie – and also which genres tolerate how much line-crossing. The role of the reader in giving consent will be examined and students will learn techniques for mining the tension around those lines. Finally, the concepts of redemption and what exactly can be forgiven will be explored. Writers will be able to submit short scenes to the instructor or the group for feedback.

Sex is a fundamental human experience and arguably the most powerful. The intimacy of sexual interaction can elevate the tension, emotion and visceral impact of most any story. But how do sex scenes best function in the speculative fiction genres?

This class will cover the basic of adding vivid, sensual and heart-pounding sexytimes to any story. In particular, students will explore examples of sex scenes that enhance the world-building and fantastic elements of any speculative fiction tale. Finally, writers will come away with tools for using sexytimes to enhance and build unique excitement in their worlds. Students will be able to submit short scenes to the instructor or the group for feedback.