This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Destined to Play is the debut novel from Australian-born Indigo Bloome. The heroine Alexandra bucks the ‘dewy-eyed virgin’ trend inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey. Instead, she’s a 37-year-old mother of two, has a body that’s been lived in and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to escape a life in suburbia that’s become dull and predictable. Our review for Destined to Play will follow shortly, but in the meantime, here's Indigo's top five tips for writing erotica.
First of all, I never set out to write erotic fiction, which might sound a little weird. I started with a story in mind, vaguely mapped it out, choose a few things I loved doing (some I did more than others), and then tapped into elements of fantasy to blow it out of all realistic proportion. I have to say I have never had so much fun doing anything, particularly after having such a serious and focused career in business, and I always looked forward to reading back what I had written as if I'd never seen it before. I loved it! Given this context, my tips may perhaps seem a little obscure but here goes…
Be inspired by the little things around you
I need to have a clear idea of the story in my head and then do something quiet, serene and peaceful. Obviously this doesn't happen when seven kids come over for a play date and are ransacking the house. So for me, this may happen when the kids are sound asleep in bed and I'm in a luxurious steaming bath. Then I let the ideas for the story float around my head. One cold night (it had been snowing that day – very exciting when you live in Australia!) I lit a few candles for my bath and the next day I found myself writing about skiing in Val d'Isère and hot wax on nipples – who would have thought? The whole scene appeared before my eyes as I was typing away and I'd had no intention of writing it that way. Now it's part of Destined to Feel (the second book in the Avalon trilogy).
Get in the mood – however that works for you!
However, this needs to be carefully balanced. If you are too much in the mood, you will not be able to sit down writing – it's tricky. I find the more I write these scenes, the more in the mood I become. My husband doesn't complain unless I wake him up at 3.00am and he has business meetings early the next morning!
Write in the moment; take the reader on the journey with you
I need to put myself into my character's persona – what they are thinking and feeling – so I write in the first person. I would personally find it difficult to write 'sexy' scenes while switching between characters. I like to stick to one character and follow the whole scene through their eyes, thoughts, feelings … I am writing from Jeremy's perspective at the moment and loving it. Such a freeing experience being a man, particularly a man like Jeremy, much less mind talk and far more action.
Never underestimate a good G&T
I was introduced to the perfect G&T in South Kensington when I lived in London and haven't looked back since. Now, I don't want you to think I'm an alcoholic and I wouldn't recommend large proportions by any stretch (a martini is not a good idea if you want to be able to understand what you have written the next day!) but a decent sized Bombay Sapphire & tonic in a tall glass, with a perfect slice of lemon works magic for me and can get me through many hours of writing – maybe it's the creative influence of that iconic blue glass bottle … I should also clarify that this approach is only to be used when it is dark outside. Coffee and tea have to suffice for rest of the day.
Have fun with it
If you are not enjoying writing it, don't. This is fantasy, so there is an element of pleasure in thinking about all of those abstract and perhaps less than desirable sexual moments in your life and making them blissful, incredible and edgy experiences. I have had great fun writing about weird and awkward situations and turning them into fun, more creative scenes. If you could re-write your sexual history, how would you want it to read?
Destined to Play is the first book in the Avalon trilogy and is out in eBook format now and in paperback on 16th August.