Can't seem to write sexual tension. Help? http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563 FireBreathingKitten OK, so--let me start off by saying that in the past, almost all of what I've written has been horror or fantasy. Without any real romantic subplots. So, my experience with writing romance is pretty limited. Anyway, the novel I'm writing now is...maybe not specifically romance, but it's got a strong romance element to it. And I recently realized, I have no idea how to write sexual or romantic tension. Almost all of the interaction between my MCs has been either them arguing, or them just acting like somewhat awkward friends. And then they get together, and it seems to come out of nowhere. How do I portray them as being attracted to each other, before they actually get together? Without it seeming contrived? At the moment, I'm at a loss... Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:41:09 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1010273 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1010273 TKofG As you probably know from horror, the idea is to show just enough to spark the reader's imagination. In Romance, you want to do something like keep putting them into romance situations without letting them actually "touch" or get close enough to finish the deal. Keep them always at arms length, and by the time you do let them get together, you'll have plenty of tension. Ideas for that? Well, it can be anything, really. Interruptions work well. I had a couple once get interrupted by a plate of fresh-baked brownies. Good thing, too, 'cause neither of them was ready for a romantic situation just then. You can also interrupt with feelings of anxiety. If one of them is too fearful to take advantage at just the right moment, you can spend chapters letting them wish they had. Both of them. Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:25:35 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1011118 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1011118 Voirey-Linger in my mind, sexual tension isn't about the character interactions, it's about the reader's intimacy with the character. She wants him. When she's near him she's going to have a reaction... nerves, flushed, heart beats a bit quicker. she's going to wonder about every look, every word, every passing glance he sends her way. she's going to be pulled to him, drawn in ways that might make no sense. Pass those reactions on to the reader and the reader will feel the tension. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:29:28 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1018764 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1018764 Frore I think the best way to learn how to write sexual tension is to read it. Download a few romance novels (or go to Barnes & Noble and pick up a few paperbacks, if you're a classicist) and read, read, read. As for advice that you can actually use right now? Make sure your plot is conducive to sexual tension. Keep the stakes high. Make sure that there are external factors that make the relationship a huge no-no, and surrendering to their emotions would mean sacrificing something very important to them. If you've developed your characters well and put them in the proper plot, sexual tension will come naturally. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:36:59 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1141866 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1141866 reptongeek I did a story once where I wanted two characters to kiss and start a relationship, however there wasn't a suitable place in the narrative for it, it felt out of place and wrong of me to include it, but in their interactions with each other they shared a couple of hugs and referred to each other as either 'darling' or 'babe' When one of my friends read it, I made an interesting discovery. He pointed out that he felt my two characters 'were more than just friends', effectively what I'd done is write sexual tension by accident. Sun, 04 Mar 2012 09:32:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1189089 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1189089 kalmay [quote=Voirey-Linger] in my mind, sexual tension isn't about the character interactions, it's about the reader's intimacy with the character. She wants him. When she's near him she's going to have a reaction... nerves, flushed, heart beats a bit quicker. she's going to wonder about every look, every word, every passing glance he sends her way. she's going to be pulled to him, drawn in ways that might make no sense. Pass those reactions on to the reader and the reader will feel the tension. [/quote] Exactly, sexual tension = heightened awareness of the other person Wed, 09 May 2012 15:44:10 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1356339 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/romance/threads/48563?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1356339