The Sex was Great. Now What?
by Melissa Francis
This article first
appeared in RWA® Online's March/April issue of
LoveBytes. May be forwarded or reprinted with proper credits.
There is a spark when they hold hands. Breathing is almost a chore,
because they are so wrapped up in each other. Your reader feels the
tension, as her lungs tighten and her heartbeat pumps faster.
Touching, kissing, and caressing quickly turns into exploring,
gasping, and groaning. Beads of sweat dot your reader's upper lip as
she reads. Her fingertips tingle and she gulps her wine as she turns
the page…
So, now what? Can tension continue after sex?
Sure it can! It does everyday. But writing about it sure can be
difficult.
Here is a short list of what I think will help your characters keep
that spark all the way up to the HEA.
1. Keep them touching. I don't mean have them pawing each other
every time they come in contact. I mean have them hold hands. Have
your hero wipe a smudge off your heroine's cheek. Your heroine can
caress the hero's neck or absentmindedly caress his arm as they are
strolling. Let the reader see they like each other with body
language.
2. Keep them watching. Not ogling, not drooling; just watching.
Your hero can be captivated by her smile or her eyes. He can notice
details like the flecks of gold in her green eyes or the small
dimple in her chin when she pouts. She can catch him watching her
instead of the movie or vice versa. Let the reader see that the
thrill isn't gone, even after a thrilling romp.
3. Keep them communicating. Communication is the key to any
relationship. Their conversations must move from basic small talk to
intimacy. Do they have to agree on everything? Nope. But if they
don't at least discuss some of what they disagree on, then the
reader won't feel a trust developing. And without trust, you have no
relationship…just a thrilling romp. And if the hero tells the
heroine she's beautiful, well that's a bonus.
4. Send flowers. Or something! And not because of the mind
blowing sex. Because it's Thursday. Because his eyes are blue.
Because she smells like buttercups. Just because. (And while you're
at it, will you share this secret with my husband? He won't take the
hint from me…) Nothing makes a reader melt more than flowers for no
reason. Oh, and it doesn't hurt the hero or heroine, either.
5. Make love not war. Fighting isn't tension, it's fighting.
Great sex isn't love, it's sex. Your characters need to share some
tender moments. Lust is fun, but love is what your book is about.
Once the couple falls head over heels, make certain their next
encounter is mental and physical.
A common complaint from readers is that if the sex happens too early
in the book, then the book loses its sparkle. Don't let good (or
great) sex be the only reason to read your book. Make it about the
romance, the love, the happily ever after. Romantic tension is
slightly different from sexual tension. One can exist without the
other, but it takes both to make a great book.
There are other ways to create sizzle between your characters
without making them argue all the time. These are just a few ideas
to boost your creative juices. And honestly, if they work in real
life, why on earth wouldn't they work in your book?
Melissa Francis is the Vice President and Newsletter Editor for RWA®
Online. She makes her home in
time- between soccer games, math homework, and her paying job.
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