Hmmm...
I have 2 examples from my work (not posting excerpts, but reflecting on "why include it").
In Novel A, the first sexual scene was to show lust between the characters (they dont go all the way in this scene). Its graphic because the intent is lust... and the scene directly afterward, the MC gets called out on it. Is this love or is this lust? What does she want from him and what does he want from her? Another character (the guy's grandmother) calls her out on her friendship with him, and then the MC starts questioning everything.
The sex scene between them that hapens later on in the book, its not graphic, focuses on the emotions and vibes because, by this point, they have figured out their feelings. Its romantic, not lusty. The sex happens off the page, but the build up is butterflies and sparkles and rainbows (in her mind).
It wasnt her first time with him, but she says in this moment, that this is what she'd hoped her first time would be like.
My intent with these scenes were to show growth in their relationship.
In Novel B.... both MCs have their own issues. MMC has body issues. FMC has issues with control (no agency. Everyone makes decisions for her).
When they fall in love, its awkward. Intimacy is awkward. They are both hesitant. Him because of his fears that she wont like how he looks, and her with the feeling that she SHOULDNT be with him because it isnt allowed (which the MMC interprets as "she is dissatisfied with my looks").
They have a hesitant intimant scene but then regret it because their own internal issues.
They have another intimate scene where they address those issues but then get interrupted by an outside force, which makes those insecurities come up again.
When they finally do the deed, i describe it. BECAUSE, he had issued with his body, so i wanted to show her LOVING his body. She had issues with agency. I wanted to show him giving conteol to her... to dictate their sexual experience.
The intent is to, again, show growth. But i showed growth in these 2 novels in oposite ways (one shadowed and the other graphic), because it made sense for the story and the characters involved.
I have 2 examples from my work (not posting excerpts, but reflecting on "why include it").
In Novel A, the first sexual scene was to show lust between the characters (they dont go all the way in this scene). Its graphic because the intent is lust... and the scene directly afterward, the MC gets called out on it. Is this love or is this lust? What does she want from him and what does he want from her? Another character (the guy's grandmother) calls her out on her friendship with him, and then the MC starts questioning everything.
The sex scene between them that hapens later on in the book, its not graphic, focuses on the emotions and vibes because, by this point, they have figured out their feelings. Its romantic, not lusty. The sex happens off the page, but the build up is butterflies and sparkles and rainbows (in her mind).
It wasnt her first time with him, but she says in this moment, that this is what she'd hoped her first time would be like.
My intent with these scenes were to show growth in their relationship.
In Novel B.... both MCs have their own issues. MMC has body issues. FMC has issues with control (no agency. Everyone makes decisions for her).
When they fall in love, its awkward. Intimacy is awkward. They are both hesitant. Him because of his fears that she wont like how he looks, and her with the feeling that she SHOULDNT be with him because it isnt allowed (which the MMC interprets as "she is dissatisfied with my looks").
They have a hesitant intimant scene but then regret it because their own internal issues.
They have another intimate scene where they address those issues but then get interrupted by an outside force, which makes those insecurities come up again.
When they finally do the deed, i describe it. BECAUSE, he had issued with his body, so i wanted to show her LOVING his body. She had issues with agency. I wanted to show him giving conteol to her... to dictate their sexual experience.
The intent is to, again, show growth. But i showed growth in these 2 novels in oposite ways (one shadowed and the other graphic), because it made sense for the story and the characters involved.
