Do you have a handful of go-to words you frequently use while writing? I’m sure authors of all genres have those words we find ourselves typing more than others. I, for one, also have a few that make me cringe while reading, or occasionally when they sneak from my fingertips when I’m not paying attention.
The words I’m discussing today are those I use (or try not to) while writing sex scenes.
First, those fated to be used (perhaps too much):
Slick –Notice it’s first? Definitely at the top of my list for favorite sexy words. It can mean anything from a smooth operator to a smooth surface. Love it. My current WIP is at 13K words and I’ve got four slicks. Only one sex scene, too. I may need to trim some.
Sweet — From terms of endearment such as sweetheart and sweet thing, to sugary sweet kisses, this word pops up on numerous occasions and needs to be checked for overuse.
Thrum — This is another one I adore (perhaps too much). It’s just one of those words that best describes the vibrating sensation you feel when you have your hand wrapped around a cock when it does its thing. Of course, too many thrumming cocks can get old. Once in a while they need to do something else. 🙂
Teased — Current WIP clocks in at five teases. Nah nah na-nah nah.
And now for the hated:
Danced –Blatant overuse has made this cliche-like for me. Dancing tongues. Blah. I’d rather write they were doing the Charleston. At least it would be more original and less cheesy-seventies-romance-novel-esque. I’ve probably still had it slip in on occasion, and I hate it all the more for that. Sneaky bastard.
Moist –Moist is an adjective for the delightful pastries pimped by the Pillsbury Dough Boy. It is not for cooters.
Fleshy –I know plenty of publishers are looking for stories with plus-sized heroines these days. Fabulous–down with the Barbie dolls! But fleshy? It’s not an appealing way to say a girl has a lot of ass to grab. I vote no.
Undulating –I had one of these in my WIP. It was the perfect descriptor for what was happening. It was also perfectly irritating each time I read it. I knew when I typed it, it was only a placeholder. Today, I banished that bitch. Adios, undulating; you never stood a chance.
How about everyone else? Any words you love or simply can’t stand?
Related articles
- The awkward art of writing sex scenes (onewildword.com)
- Adjective Overuse (arayofsun.wordpress.com)
- Skipping the Sex Scenes (kinkyace.wordpress.com)
- Do you spoon your cuppa? (sistersofthepen.wordpress.com)
- http://101books.net/2011/09/16/5-disgusting-words-that-make-me-cringe/
March 4th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Haha! Slide, slide, laughed, grinned, traced. And that’s just off the top of my head. I need a new thesaurus.
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March 5th, 2013 at 11:38 am
I am so guilty of excessive grinning! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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March 8th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Well I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve used ANY of those words!
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March 9th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
What are your words, Max?
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March 9th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Oh, now you’ve opened up a can of worms. I actually just used ‘slickened’, so does that count? LOL
Pummel is one I like. Hammered, nailed, tortured, thrust I’ve used. Why go with moist? It reminds me of a Duncan Hines cake mix. LOL
I guess you’ll have to read my stuff to get a better understanding.
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March 9th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
Oh, moist is in my hated category, don’t worry. Unless we’re talking Twinkies–then, yes, I like ’em moist, baby. Pummel, hammered, and nailed. Oh My! Are your characters building an addition or getting laid, Max? 🙂 Sounds like dirty, violent sex. Me likey.
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March 9th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Well in one story they are building/renovating AND having all kinds of nasty pig sex! he he he
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March 9th, 2013 at 2:56 pm
Touche! 🙂
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March 9th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
It’s amazing what a gay man can think about what to do with a drill and a palm sander! 😉
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