Writing the Sex Scene

October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4 and 11

Writing a sex scene can be delirious fun. A harrowing challenge. A literary milestone. Whether your characters’ erotic moment is tender, raunchy, embarrassing, uplifting, upsetting, life-changing, hilarious, explicit, or mostly accomplished in innuendo—it will be as complex as your novel and your characters … because it’s all about the characters’ emotions, not just what goes where.

In our early sessions, we’ll try out different styles and moods: comic, tender, soul-stirring. We’ll read some scenes excerpted from novels and stories, then experiment with a few one-off sentences and paragraphs that get at mechanics, tone, and emotional center. In the course’s second half, we’ll really get down to business, working on a fully fleshed-out moment. Through quick workshops of exercises and deeper discussions of the big scenes, we’ll give each other plenty of notes, applause, and constructive suggestions. In six weeks, you will have a polished sex scene just right for the novel or story you’ve been working on—or something that can stand on its own.

For six weeks of your year, two hours a night … The best (or worst, or silliest) sex scene of your life is just around the corner.

A word about trauma and sensitivity: Not every sexual act is great fun, alas, and writing or reading about trauma can be painful. This workshop will be a safe, supportive, and attentive space for all writers and readers. That means that if a writer is working on a traumatic scene, she’s welcome. And if a reader needs to absent herself from such a discussion, we understand. On the first night, we’ll figure out whether it makes sense to have a separate, supplemental session on trauma scenes.

About Susann:

Susann Cokal’s novels include Mirabilis, Mermaid Moon, and Breath and Bones. Her Kingdom of Little Wounds won several national awards, including a Michael L. Printz Honor from the American Library Association and a place on several best-of lists for the year. Her sometimes prizewinning shorter work has appeared in dozens of literary magazines, and she has published about sex (and emotions) there and in pop culture encyclopedias, men’s magazines, and academic scholarship. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @susanncokal.