Dear Author’s Poll - Do you skim/skip sex scenes?
This is an excellent question!
34% of her respondents claimed they do indeed skim or skip sex scenes. If you extrapolate the percentage to the general romance reading public, this is a significant number of readers. You can check out the post for yourself:
http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/
Reasons given were: too gross, too long, too boring, too acrobatic, too gratuitous, too unbelievable.
I have to admit I’m occasionally guilty of skimming or skipping. I recently purchased several books - print books via Amazon - written by some of my go-to authors and I skipped the sex scenes. Why? Well, as I commented on Jane’s post, if I’m skimming or skipping the sex scenes, chances are I’m skimming or skipping most of the book, primarily out of boredom. There is nothing more disappointing - reading-wise - than anticipating a new story or a new take on an old story, but instead discovering the same old same old has simply been repackaged, and that includes the same formulaic sex scenes.
Writing a sex scene is hard work. Writing a good sex scene is even more hard work. It’s a complex process and the way I see it, you have to be very involved in what you’re writing because context is everything. There must be a realistic reason for the characters to do what they do, behave as they do. And I believe that once the character commits to a man or a woman, the author must commit as well. My goal is to write a scene or scenes that do justice to my characters and will involve, enthrall, and entertain my readers. I think if an author just tosses in a gratuitous sex scene because they feel it’s required of them, the reader will recognize it and probably start to skip and skim. I’m a fan of fade-to-black or behind closed door sex scenes if an author isn’t comfortable doing the down and dirty. Really…it’s okay, just give me a good story.
So check out Jane’s post and leave me your comments. I would love to hear your answers - do you skim? If so, I really want to know why.
Related posts:
- Discussion at Dear Author There is a fascinating discussion going on now over at...
- Welcome my friend, author Fran Lee! Thanks for inviting me over to your place, Julia! I...
- Menage. First thing, I’m going to admit that I’m not a...
- What’s In An Editor? I’ve been fortunate. My editors have been amazing women. As...
- The Twinkie Defense, i.e. condoms in erotic romance A fellow blogger recently posed the question to herself -...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
May 16th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
It depends.
If the book is composed of sex scenes strung together by the barest hint of plot, then probably. If the sex scenes are repetitive or filled with purple prose, then probably. If the sex scenes are hot and important to the book’s plot, no way. 
May 16th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
“If the sex scenes are hot and important to the book’s plot, no way.” Yup Chris. You nailed it. Very succinct.
May 17th, 2010 at 3:10 am
If I’m skipping or skimming, I’m bored. Never a good sign.
May 17th, 2010 at 7:27 am
I find that I skim the ones with no conversation except groans and moans and stupid stuff like that. There has to be something beside description to capture my attention.
May 17th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I never skip a sex scene, That’s my favorite part.
May 17th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Christine - love your reply! I wish I could say I never skip because there is nothing I enjoy more than a well-written sex scene! Unfortunately, lately it seems as if I’m running into a lot of authors who seem really uncomfortable writing the bedroom scene and it shows.
May 17th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I used to skim the sex scenes because I wasn’t getting any and didn’t want to read about anyone else getting any. Now, I’m still not getting any, but I do read the sex scenes, especially when they are good. (I’m taking mental notes.) It also depends on the book. This is my secret shame, I am reading erotica books now and if the sex scenes aren’t good, I’m a little disappointed. I still want a good story, but it can have some good sex thrown in.
May 17th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Hey Dana, there is nothing shameful about enjoying the sex scenes! I think nothing compares to a solid (pun intended), rousing/arousing sex scene between consenting adults - especially when there’s at least a bit of a story to back it up! Good erotica is dang good entertainment!