SATURDAYS, Feb. 1st & 8th | Does writing sex scenes make you nervous? Sex in books can be awkward - in fact, it's the awkward, the unusual, the failed sex that is often the most powerful writing. But writing sex shouldn't be awkward. Some writers like the "fade to black" approach to sex, while others like writing about it in the broad daylight.
What makes good sex writing, and how can we learn to do it? Good sex writing, like good sex, starts with learning the basics (in this case, by reading others), experimenting (playing and getting messy), and making it your own - making it your unique style.
In the first class, we will read sex scenes and talk about them as literary devices. How do they move forward the plot, the story, the character development? In the second class, we will share our first experimental try at writing a sex scene and get feedback on moving from nervous beginner to pro.
Even if writing about sex makes you nervous, you will leave this class with a better understanding of how you want to write about sex and how sex, like every other aspect of a book, is an extension of character and narrative.
Please note that this class covers adult topics and is only open to students 18 or older.