I’ve written blogs previously on sex – for example see here.  These articles have covered the topic of how to construct a sex scene.  What is enough sex?  What is not enough sex?  Generally the focus is how to construct a sex scene.

However, that begs the question of should you have sex, in your writing, at all?

Many would say that basically anytime you want would be a good time to have sex – again speaking of having it in your writing.  Others, most certainly, would say there is no need to include sex in your writing at all.

So what is a writer to do? Sex or abstinence?  Which is the road to literary fulfillment? Or perhaps, which is the path to literary enlightenment? 

As with any question of a literary nature, the answer is somewhat less that clear.

Likely it would be safe to say in the opinion of many there is no formulaic approach as to when to or when not to have sex.  There is many a literary masterpiece out there with not a single scene of intimacy.  The same is true on the other side of the equation.  Many a literary masterpiece has an overload of intimate scenes.

Different strokes for different, well, writers and readers.

Perhaps the easiest way to answer this question of whether or not to have sex in your book is to understand that a sex scene alone will not automatically make bad literature good, but it may make good literature bad.

In short it is not simply breaking up the work for a sex scene.  It is more about weaving a sex scene into the tapestry of the literature.

What? How do we do that?  Well, write about it to start with.

First and foremost, don’t make the sex awkward. Simply put, you don’t want to end up with sex scenes, even well written ones, that are gratuitous.  These will add nothing to the work, will seem contrived and will likely hurt your characters and the work as a whole.

Perhaps the most important tidbit of guidance a writer can have is that a sex scene is not and should not be an isolated scene in a book (generally speaking). 

For the most part, an effective sex scene builds, sometimes perhaps for a goodly amount of time, over several chapters.  While there will be occasions where the sex scene comes out of left field, if there are two characters in a sex scene, there needs to be some prep-work.  Readers want to identify with the character and their efforts. 

For example consider two characters, perhaps a male and a female detective.  Say they’re working a case and suddenly end up in bed.  That’s certainly not out of the question, but imagine how much more effective the scene would be if one of the two, or perhaps both, had been harboring thoughts of their encounter.  Perhaps they had dreamt fantasized about having sex with their partner.  Perhaps one thought about it and one didn’t. Perhaps one of them is married. 

This give you a vehicle to build tension prior to the sex scene, but also allows you to lay the groundwork for what happens afterwards. 

Also keep in mind that just because the sex is over it doesn’t necessarily mean that the tension between the characters has or should end.  A sex scene between two characters can give you tension fodder for the rest of your book (and into the sequels if you play your cards right.)

Take the example of our detectives.  Sure the actual sex scene is tremendously important; however, the options for sexual tension leading up to the actual sex scene provide for a sub-plot all their own.  Then there are the consequences of the sex for the characters. 

Perhaps the detectives discover that they’re great as cops, but lousy as lovers.  Perhaps they discover their soul mate in each other that causes problems with their professional relationship because now instead of a partner in harms way it is a loved one.  Perhaps one loved it and the other not so much and the feelings end up in contrast.  Loads of possibilities. 

The lesson is that sex allows for the opportunity for a great individual scene, but also for build up and aftermath.  Sure, a talented writer can evoke some incredible thoughts and emotions on the part of the reader with a well-crafted sex scene, but the real measure of the writer is how they are able to weave in the changes in the relationship between the characters as a result of the actual sex.

Experiment and be creative, build some tension, release it and let the characters guide you through the changes in their relationship post-sex.  You may just see that the book you started got a little better along the way.   

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.

Writing can be a minefield. 

A minefield that can hit you square in the checkbook in more than one way.

I’m not talking about editing mistakes, character flaws or even plot inconsistencies.  I’m talking legal problems that can arise from your writing – and it may not always be from the words on the page.

This blog will highlight a few legal issues that could cause problems but the real goal is to get people thinking about the legal pitfalls that can be lurking on the next page.

However before we begin, my lawyers make me say that nothing in this blog is intended to give any legal counsel.  And, hey, everyone’s situation is different so please don’t look at this as anything other than something to get you thinking about issues.  If you do have questions about these issues, your situation or anything else related to legal matters, consult with an attorney who is licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction.

Copyright

If you’re a writer the term copyright shouldn’t be a new one for you.  Simply put, copyright addresses who owns a particular piece of writing.  While you as a writer own the copyright to your work, at some point writers should consider registering a copyright with the US Copyright and Patent Office.

One area where I worry about copyright is on Twitter.  There’s a Twitter event know as Sample Sunday or (W)ork (I)n (P)rogress where writers share a portion of their writing for all to see, read, review and perhaps to be stolen in whole or part without the writer’s permission.  Proper copyright would be of great use in this situation.

Libel

Generally libel is the publishing of some falsehood about another person.  Social media is yet again an arena where I have concerns.  Also, it is not unusual to see passages, even in fiction that could give rise to this.  Be careful about your status updates, tweets, comments, etc.  Once the words are out there they are tough to take back and if they do come back they may bite.

Taxes

Many writers, particularly new writers, don’t understand that taxes are an area of which they need to be keenly aware.   However, in being aware of this issue, taxes can be a good thing or a bad thing.    As a writer, you still have to pay taxes on money you earn, but there can be a lot of expenses a writer can deduct.  Having a good accountant can really help.

Business Organizations

It is not unusual for writers to organize a business for purposes of their writing.  There are a variety of business organizations you can use such as sole proprietorships, LLC’s, corporations and others.  However it is not always one size fits all.  Check with an accountant or an attorney and you can select the appropriate one for your needs and also understand the differences between the entities as well as the numerous advantages each may offer.

Other Issues

There are countless of other legal issues that can take a writer by surprise. 

How do limited rights work?  What happens if someone steals your writing or even just an idea?  What happens if a publisher or an agent violates your contract?  What if a publisher or agent alleges you have violated an agreement? Bankruptcy?  What if….?

When problems occur, you have to be prepared to address them and sometimes quickly or you could be stuck with some unpleasant results. 

This doesn’t mean you need to run out and retain an attorney, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to look around and be prepared.  Look into some seminars or conference presentation related to legal issues for writers.  Check out writer’s associations who may give recommendations. Even if you just ask other writers what they are doing, this will be a step in the correct direction.

Hopefully no one ever has any problem legal issues other than how to best invest millions of dollars in royalties, but there are a lot of attorneys out there who bank on the fact that you will ultimately need their help and will spend your money with them. 

Be aware and think ahead. 

As long as you’re here, why don’t you read a bit of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own. 

As I look around my office the argument could be made I’ve robbed a bookstore or at least was about to open one.  There are all descriptions of books literally cascading from the shelves. The Nook has started storing the overflow.

These books range from novella to epic novel and all lengths in between.

Sometimes for motivation I stare at these books and think of the time put into each one.  The countless hours required crafting the stories and tales in my office is immeasurable.

However each and every book in my possession, down to and including my own, started with a single letter on a blank page.  Even before that each book likely began with an “Ah Ha” moment when it all came together for the writer.

Unfortunately I’ve had several “Ah Ha” moments since I finished my last book. 

Fortunately one idea is a bona fide work in progress, but I’ve quickly realized that grandiose plans can sometimes be too much. 

Put simply, grand plans a finished book do not make. 

I’ve talked to a number of would be writers about their great ideas, but alas, it doesn’t appear these ideas will ever be anything more than just that – good ideas.

There has been much written on how to motivate ones self to write.  There are scores of programs, how to books, seminars, websites and even iPhone apps which are designed to motivate.  I’ve found a great many of these tools useful, but at the end of the day, they will not make characters magically appear on the page.

Let’s talk about weight loss for a moment. 

I equate starting writing to beginning weight loss.  If you drop a great deal of weight in a short time, you feel great, but statistically that weight is going to come back.  If you pump up your normal word output the product likely won’t be there. 

The net result in each situation?  Initially you feel great, but end up where you started only to feel worse than before with no progress. 

If you want to keep the pounds off, slow and steady beats the quick each and every time.  From what I understand 1-2 pounds a week has the best chance of achieving lasting weight loss.  The same is true with your writing.

I’ve started to apply the same principal to my writing in an approach I call the bite size novel.  It only requires two things.

Write 5 days out of 7; and, write 1 to 2 pages per day. 

Watch the math.

My first novel came in at 100,000 words.  Let’s say I’d written 1.5 pages, with a page being 700 words, per day.  That is 1050 words per day. 

To reach 100,000 words, I would need 95 days.  Let’s also say that I write 4 days a week or 18 days out of an average 30-day month.  Based on this schedule I would go from the first character to completion in just over 5 months – yes, two books a year.  If you write more frequently just adjust the formula to see how quickly you can have your novel done.  Spoiler – Write seven days and week and you have a novel in just over 3 months. 

This approach also builds in the idea of self-motivation in that if you start seeing progress, the progress will manifest into increased motivation. 

I am certainly not the first to realize this  - really it’s basically common sense.   

But I am happy to point it out.

So I say this.  If you are struggling to get going on the book you have long thought on, try this approach for a month and if it doesn’t produce results, contact me and I’ll help you brainstorm some ideas to kick start your novel.

As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and as long as you are here, why not read an excerpt from my book or even buy a copy for yourself.