Making IT Essential
Yeah, I’m back for yet another installment of this journey into all things smutty and schmexy. Before I get down to the nitty gritty of this installment, I was remiss in the last installment and didn’t define what exactly smut is, so here it is. Mind you, this in not an absolute definition, just my interpretation of what “smut” is in fanfiction.
According to Merriam-Webster (yeah, I pulled out the dictionary again):
Smut: 1: matter that soils or blackens ; specifically : a particle of soot
2: any of various destructive diseases especially of cereal grasses caused by parasitic basidiomycetous fungi (order Ustilaginales) and marked by transformation of plant parts into dark masses of spores ; also : a fungus causing a smut
So, I don’t think that those definitions apply to what I am talking about, do you? No, I didn’t think so. Though I am sure there are those that think that smut is a destructive disease on fanficdom. And to some extent they may be correct. There has been a wave of deviance throughout the fanficdom that we have yet to see the long term affect of.
Now, let’s see if we can find a real definition of what smut is. According to fanhistoy.com/wiki, it’s this:
Smut: Smut is fanfic that basically has no plot or purpose, other than sex for the characters. There's usually no storyline, other than whatever is necessary to get the characters into bed, and smut is almost always rated NC17. (the good ones anyways ) Smut is not a derogatory term in the fanfic world (at least not for most people).
Now, I have to disagree with some of the points in this definition. Not all “Smut” fanfiction has no storyline, plot or purpose. The best smut scenes are from stories that are plot heavy and the smut serves a purpose in furthering the story. In other words, the smut is essential to the story and characters, as was talked about in the last installment of this column.
Now here is my definition of smut: acts or activities of a sexual or explicit nature described or included into writing to entice and excite the reader and to express or convey connections and emotions between all parties involved. This can be sex, oral sex, and heavy petting etc… When I see the term ‘Smut’ I think of ‘Erotica’, smut is just more fun to say.
Kissing or “making out” would not be considered smut, unless hands or mouths touched private bits. There is nothing explicit about kissing, it just makes us all gooey inside when written well.
There are a few other terms batted about in fanficdom: lemon and lime. These two terms for the most part are used in anime fandoms, but they apply to us here in the TwiFicdom as well.
Again according to fanhistory.com/wiki, here are those definitions.
Lime: A lime is a story/ part of a story that contains implied sexual acts. A lime is not detailed as a lemon is. A lime usually ends with deep kissing, necking, petting or undressing.
These are very good definitions of those two terms; at least I think so. I am a big fan of Twitter, and when online I have my “twhirl” app up, reading and participating in the chatter of fellow TwiFic readers and writers. We had a debate on what exactly a “lemon” entailed -- what made a “lemon,” a lemon, and it was generally agreed upon that any description of sexual acts that ends with an orgasm was considered a lemon. Anything that doesn’t end in orgasm or is a “Fade to Black” (damn you Stephanie Meyer) would be considered a “lime”.
Now that we are all on the same page, let’s get down to business. As a little review, in the last installment, Guideline #1: “Make Sure it’s Essential” was covered. To sum up: smut or sex in fanfic should serve a greater purpose than getting us all hot and bothered. It should further the story, plot or character growth. Okay, that’s done, now onto guideline #2.
Guideline #2: " Emotions Instead of Physicalities, Less is Always More "
Not all smut has to be graphic. If done right and well, very little of the physical needs to be described. Let’s face it, smut isn’t about the sex. Wait, what? Yeah, you read that right. Smut isn’t about the sex; it’s about the emotions, feelings, connection and intimacy during the act between the participants.
Please no ‘Tab A’ into ‘Slot B’ sex. Most of us have had sex. We know what physically goes on. Yes, there are a million different ways to have sex, but the general concept is always the same. What I am referring to is only describing the physical actions of the sex, and not what is going on in the mind of the participants. It’s the extreme at one end of the smut spectrum. It’s easy to tell who, how and what, but to add in the why is the hard part. Here is an example written by moi for the purposes of this column:
As he started to move in and out of me creating a delicious friction we both craved, my hand found purchase on his back, feeling his muscles flex under my fingertips. His face was in the crook of my neck, hot breath making my skin moist as he panted out in exertion. My skin was slick with sweat as my hips lifted to meet his hard, rapid thrusts. My peak was fast approaching causing me to claw at his back and whimper out his name, urging him on.
In the above example, not a thing was said about the emotions she was feeling. Sure, we read what she was physically feeling, but not what was going through her head or what the physical action were making her feel. It’s more important to convey or tell what is going on internally, in the mind than what is going on externally, with the body. Because, no matter how rockin’ the sex is, it means nothing without the emotional side of it.
Emotions, Emotions, Emotions and Intimacy. That is what’s important for good smut. The readers want to know what is going on in the person's head as well as how the sex is setting their body aflame with lust and desire. How the sex is bringing about new or intense feelings and emotions in the character. How the intimacy of the characters' actions lead to intimacy and a connection of their souls.
But how do you so this? Well, that is the big problem. As a writer, you want to show the actions, and that is important, but you also want to tell the emotions, pleasure, connection and intimacy of the moment. It’s a delicate balance of the two that needs to be woven together almost seamlessly, and that is a hard thing to do while still making it hot and steamy.
A perfect example of how to weave these two aspects together is from isabel0329’s Campus Liasions . Isabel0329 is a master at mixing the physical with the emotional, while still leaving us panting and spent at the end.
In the following passage, Edward and Bella are about to have sex/make love for the first time after an incredible build up of tension for weeks between the two of them. Their bodies are both alight and alive with the chemistry between them and it almost sizzles in the air. But as illustrated, it’s not just about the mutual release, it’s truly a melding of their souls.
He started slowly, testing me. But soon, he began to pick up his pace. Like he was tired of the waiting too. Everything that had happened between us had led to this point. From the first time I had met him, we had been moving toward this moment.
It was a force that couldn’t be stopped.
When planets shift, there is nothing you can do but relent. You are powerless to resist the call of something stronger, more powerful.
In that moment, with our bodies writhing against each other and the air around us quickly becoming musky with our sweat, I felt it.
It was staggering.
Mind-blowing.
And terrifyingly scary at the same time.
God, I was petrified. He wasn’t the only one baring their soul in this union.
So was I.
It wasn’t that I was scared to be with him. No, it was quite the opposite actually.
It was that I wanted to be with him more than I probably should. More than was healthy. More than was sane.
Rules be damned.
“God, Bella,” Edward groaned and with one last thrust, threw his head back.
His pale neck tensed and the chords and muscles stretched. With closed eyes and the same mouth open agape, he was more beautiful than I had ever seen.
So much beauty contained in one person. How was that possible?
It was that thought that sent me over with him, plunging over the precipice into the murky depths below. My body tensed and clenched, every nerve cell firing at once. My own mouth was open in a wall-shaking scream, followed by his name rolling of my lips.
I clutched him to me, wishing with everything in me that we could be locked in this moment for all of time. Never go back to the world where there would be repercussions.
Just him and me. Forever locked in this bliss.”
In that passage, we have a clear idea of the action taking place, as well as the profound affect the sex/making love is having on Bella. This is a life-altering experience for her, and for him. While progressing the physical action we also see how it is emotionally affecting the character.
Focus on the action, without being overly graphic. Sometimes it’s not making love, sometimes it’s downright animalistic fucking. That’s not a bad thing, at all. So maybe there aren’t any tender and sweet emotions going on, maybe it’s all primal and about the release, need, lust, want and desire. About how overcome the characters are with those feelings to take it slow and gentle. What then? Well…we all love that, or at least I do. When it’s raw and frenzied and powerful and the characters are so lost in what their bodies are feeling to really even focus on what emotions the sex may be bringing about.
But there still needs to be the balance. This isn’t a porno movie, this is fanfiction. Even if it’s extreme and base and primal, emotions are in play. Even if it’s not those things, it doesn’t have to be overly graphic. Focusing the reader’s attention on other things or aspects, while still conveying the frenzied activities and emotions is a perfect way to tell this kind of smut. Divert the reader’s attention away from certain physical aspects onto other less graphic actions, aspects, or internal observations. The “hey look over here” approach to smut.
Instead of what the hips and private bits are doing, describe what hands or mouths are doing, what eyes are seeing, what the skin is feeling, what the characters are smelling or tasting even. Is there a table or wall that a character is being pressed against? Then tell us how it feels to the character, the tactile nature of the physical location. There’s no need to go into great detail, but the little details of how the wall was cool against a characters back in opposition to the heat of their skin is a good way to set the scene and show the intensity of the experience. Another way to focus on the action without being too graphic is through observations of one character by another. What the other character's facial expression is, what they might be saying, how they’re breathing and so on. It’s a clever way of showing what the other person might be feeling of experiencing without going into all the gory details.
A good example of this concept can be found in Mr. Horrible by algonquinrt . In the below passage, Rich Kid or Edward is so turned on by Baby Swan or Bella in his t-shirt that he goes all caveman on her. Bella has never experienced anything like this before. She is surprised at first and then excited that someone wants her in that way.
It's not going to take long, and I can tell he's getting close; he's moaning and keening my name and I can't do anything but pay attention to him: to the fine sheen of sweat I feel on his back, to the wrinkled intensity of his forehead, to the pressure of his fingers digging into my shoulders as he pulls me against him harder and faster. He is lost in this, and I'm so focused on watching him and experiencing him that I don't notice when he lets go of me with one hand and moves it between us.
The second he touches me, I forget what I was paying attention to. Forget my own damn name. His fingers play me as he grates out his plea, “Please, Bella... Please come for me... Please come with me.”
Fucking finally, he brings his mouth back to mine, groaning into my mouth as I'm screaming his name. Three more thrusts and he comes not with a shout, but a whisper, and I feel the tears streaming down my face.
The passage is graphic, but Bella focuses on Edward and the new experience instead of the actual sex. She focuses on the minute details, such as his forehead and that he wants her that way, diverting our attention away from the sex act itself and onto her observations of him and what he is making her feel. This passage is still hot, while conveying her utter wonder and amazement of the situation.
Glossing over is sometimes just what the Doctor ordered. I’m not talking about the dreaded fade to blacks here, but not every thrust or kiss or pant needs to be described. Just as not every emotion or feeling needs to be told. Sometimes simple and vague is better than verbose flowy sentences, metaphors and euphemisms. Simple and plain can be even more profound and intense then all the poetry and prose a writer can come up with. It gets the meaning across in a direct manner that leaves no room for interpretation or the opposite, leaving everything open to interpretation. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the event.
Sometimes this can backfire on a writer, though. To have a detailed build up of kissing and petting and then skimming over the actual act may upset readers. Glossing over has to be consistent from beginning to end. Some may say that this is taking the easy or lazy way out.
Well, I say that not everyone is comfortable writing sex and the actions surrounding it, but sometimes the story calls for it. As a writer, it is important to write what you are comfortable with. Trying to write something, especially smut that you may not be familiar or comfortable writing, will affect the story and usually negatively. So glossing over, going simple or vague might be the perfect thing for you.
Even if you are comfortable writing the down and dirty smut, vague may still be the way to go. Think about your characters and the conditions and circumstances of the smut before writing a word. You may find that going this route will have a more profound effect on the story and the characters in it.
Below is an example where the vague and simple worked in favor of the story instead of against it. In String Theory by dooley; Bella, Edward and the rest are in an alternate or parallel universe of sorts, a universe were everything is wrong and they can feel it. In their current circumstances, they are not together and don’t even like each other, but are drawn to each other inexplicably. There are no emotions between them, just the feeling of rightness. They let that feeling of rightness overtake them and this is what transpires.
There was a slight hesitation as Edward’s hand moved from her hair to the hem of her shirt. His was already across the room but it took the arch of her back to allow him to slide his hands under her shirt.
“Edward,” she panted against the skin of his neck. There was a noise rumbling in the back of his throat as he kissed her again. Something was deep within him like a cat’s purr.
No responsibility was ever to be taken there on Bella’s bed. Neither of them could ever describe what it was like, how good it felt, when Edward pushed into her for the first time, his jeans still around his hips. There wasn’t anyone to explain the long scratches down his back or the bruises on her collarbones to.
When Edward came, he strived for control, and bit down on Bella’s shoulder. Her moan was as long as his choking breath. Her pelvis hovered over her disheveled comforter, pulsing around him.
The author gives enough details to follow the narrative, but there is a detachment from the events that both the characters and the reader feel. The lack of emotions and the references to physical marks left behind give the reader an idea of what the sex was like and how it went without the author giving a blow by blow commentary. The affect is profound and the reader is left with feelings of wrongness and emptiness. This would not have been possible if a detailed account of the events with the emotions and feelings included was given.
Well, that’s it for this installment. I hope you enjoyed. See ya next time.
I was going to go into wording, verbiage and euphemisms good and bad this installment, but I received so much feedback and input while doing research on that topic that it deserves and requires its own installment. So next time we talk words, phrasing, euphemisms and smut clichés. Good times indeed.
manyafandom(link: http://www.fanfiction.net/~manyafandom)is the author who makes multiples romantic, slash delicious and brings the deviant goodness to the shack. She hopes to in the future to write an IC/Canon Pairing/Vamp story with No Smut to prove she really isn't as big of a perv/deviant as people think she is. She enjoys almost all kinds of twific as long as it's well written and has a good story. She is also the biggest geek ever and has Star Wars tattoo to prove it.
Terrific article! I am really enjoying your series. Really looking forward to the next one-how many ways can you say cock?
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff-bravo!
Hey!
ReplyDeleteGreat write up, here. In my fic right now, I am soon to be writing my very first full out "lemony" scene and I have been seriously fretting about it for weeks. I had no clue how I would ever capture all of the feelings and emotions while staying away from writing too many graphic details--all along making the readers loving every last line of it. So, this article couldn't have come at a better time and it really helped to put a few things in persepctive for me. Thanks a bunch!
This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI did want to tell you, though, that the link for Campus Liasons is bad. It's got an extra http// after the first http://
Ooh this came really timely! I'm about to get smutty with one of my stories, but have been dreading it - this covered exactly what I was worried about. Now I can take a deep breath and actually write it! Yay! Thank you.
ReplyDeletei couldn't have found this article at a better time. i was just getting psyched up to write the big lemon my readers have been waiting for, and i happened to find this a couple of days before i wrote it. i took notes (actual pen & paper notes, no joke) and thanks to your guidelines, it turned out way better than it would have had i not discovered smut 101. i thought i knew how to write good smut, but this time i made sure to add more emotion than action, and it turned out very well. it felt deeper than usual. um...no pun intended. heh. really, i can't say thanks enough for the help!
ReplyDelete