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Making Love with the iPod On
My favorite part of writing romance is the sex scenes. I know, I know . . . several of you are wondering what kind drugs I’m taking. I’ve been to many workshops and have had many conversations where authors dread writing them and leave little placeholders in the manuscript to get back to later – when they absolutely have to.
Not me. I love writing them. I write sexy, sizzling books where the hero and heroine connect on the organic, sexual level very quickly. They may not like each other or their occupation, or their families but they really have an impossible time keeping their hands off each other. And frequently, they convince themselves that they can fool around not fall in love. Silly characters.
And, I love how sex between the characters marks a turning point for them, even if they don’t know it. I love to write sex scenes because it gives me the best opportunity to make my characters face who they really are and what they really want. I think that is the most fun any writer can have.
So, how do I make sure I’m in the mood to push my characters psyche around? It’s very simple for me – music. I’m a singer and have performed with a band since I was five years old. I play music in my car, my kitchen, at the office. It runs in a continual loop in my subconscious all the time, so I guess it make sense.
I create a playlist for each book on my iPod as soon as the idea pops in my head. I play it in the background as I develop the characters, play it while I wrestle with plot and conflict. And, the sex scenes get their own playlist. Yep – you heard me. I have a playlist on my iPod entitled “Sexy Time”. When I get to the point where I’m getting my characters sweaty and horizontal . . .or vertical . . . I push play and it takes me the place where my head needs to be.
So, do you use music to help you write? If you are a reader, do you like it when your favorite authors post playlists for their books on their website?
Before I go, I’ll leave you with a video from one of my favorite singer/songwriters who features prominently on my “Sexy Time” playlist – Matt Nathanson. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVodogk-Qds&feature=related
Robin
Bio:
On her fortieth birthday, Robin Covington decided that having a mid-life crisis and finding a boy-toy were far too tacky, so she delved a little deeper into the “bucket list” and pulled out the long-shelved dream of becoming an author. Now, she spends her time writing sizzling romance where the hero and heroine can’t keep their hands off each other.
She doesn’t miss the boy-toy at all.
Happily exploring the theme of fooling around and falling in love, her stories burn up the sheets . . . one page at a time.
Her debut novel, A NIGHT OF SOUTHERN COMFORT, will soon be released on June 15th by the Indulgence Line at Entangled Publishing.
Robin is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Washington Romance Writers, a faculty member at Romance University, a member of the Waterworld Mermaids, and a guest contributor to the Happy Ever After blog at USA Today.
Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children, and ginormous puppy.
I do the same thing, though my playlist foe sex scenes is called “ahem”
Angela – I love that title! I almost changed mine when my 9 year old asked what “sexy time” meant – maybe I still need to do that. : )
Angela – I love the title of your playlist. I did have awkward moment when my 9 year old asked what “sexy time” was . . .
Welcome Robin. Hope you have a good time today and gets lots of comments.
Cynthia – Thank you so much for having me. I’m having a great time.
Thanks Cindy! I’m having a blast.
Hi Robin! I love to listen to music when I write! It totally inspires me. Good luck!
Lawna – Thank you! I recently had to write a Christmas novella while my kids played at the neighborhood pool and the only way I got in the spirit was with music.
Lawna – thanks so much!!
I share your passion for music and every scene in our books has a playlist in my mind. Each character has a playlist as well. It helps me define their personality.
Cecilia and I split the characters when writing. I usually write the male POV and she writes the female. We divide also the types of scenes. I write the torture, psychotic scenes, she writes the fight scenes so when I need to write something dark, I put on my darkest songs and dive in.
It’s quite an experience. Music enhances everything.
Chris – I love the idea of trading off characters and types of scenes to write. It’s fascinating to me that you can do that. I’m too possessive of my process to be that cooperative.
Chris – It is fascinating how the two of you trade off the writing. I don’t knwo if I could do that – I’m too “Type A”. : 0
My characters have songs on each playlist that are solely for them but I haven’t had a whole separate list for each one. I’ll have to try it.
Interesting idea and if it takes you where you need to be or feel comfortable in your writing, by all means, I-Pod the heck out of it! I doubt if I could write to music. For my book, “IMMORTAL RELATIONS” and the second of the series (same title w/sub-title of “LOVE & WAR”) I want the “voices in my head” to be loud and clear, to hear their inputs about the action (on the battlefields or between the sheets). In real-life, I’d much prefer to hear the sounds my lover makes as I tend to her wants and needs, over and over and over. I may hear a hint that I’ve hit a particular spot that excites her even more or she can direct me to a different position or act; whatever, she wants is all important to me!
Guy – Good point.
I do not listen to music when I am plotting the book. It completely pulls me out of what I need to do.
Oh, wow! That’s one sexy song. 🙂 To answer your question, yes I prefer to write to music. Sometimes the louder I can play it the better. (It occasionally has to drown out the sound of my kids in the background.)I also have a playlist specifically for writing sex scenes with the simple title X. Great post. I’m always on the look out for new tunes to freshen my playlists. *clicks on iTunes store to search for “Still”*
Shay – I know, right? I love Matt Nathanson. You cannot go wrong with any of this stuff.
Oh, Robin- I’m a fan of you- the person- and can’t wait for the release of your book to be a fan of you- the writer!
This glimpse inside your head was fun- thanks!
Kelly -*blush* I’m a fan of yours as well!
I hope you enjoy the book!
I don’t listen to music, although I do love music. I need absolute quiet, and to make sure my mother isn’t looking over my shoulder. I don’t write many graphic sex scenes, but I’ll probably reach further if the story calls for it. lol. Wish me luck.
Lorrie – Good Luck! Sex scenes can be really fun to write when you look at them as a way to delve deeer into your character’s head. You are your most vulnerable – even if you work doggone hard to not be – when you are intimate with someone.
And, not all scenes have to end up in your book. Try writing one just to go through the exercise and then decide if you need it in the finished ms.
Yes, music does it for me too!
Now I have to get onto the modern playlist thing. Right now, I use CDs and yes, Il Divo brings out my passionate writing, but sometimes, driving with the radio on, I’ll hear a song and thing of a particular scene in my WIP. Guess that means I’ll be stepping up to learn more new technology 🙂
K.
oops, didn’t proof read ;(
Kathryn Jane – I do the same thing! I’ll listen to a song and think about a scene from that and very often it has led to a book for me.
Great post as always! You may just inspire me to push myself into my dream yet! Lol. Anxiously waiting for Friday.
Karin – Do it! I’m behind you 100%.
(Good luck, Lorrie!)
I love the sex scenes, too. As a reader, I can always tell when the writer is typing out the story with one hand and covering his/her eyes with the other, wishing his/her characters weren’t doing what they’re doing. I love that you used the word “organic.” Sex in fiction should happen the way it does in life – as the next logical step as part of some sort of relationship.
Erin – I totally agree with you. It ruins it for me when I can feel that the author isn’t into it as well.
I’ve tried to force my characters into sex too early or in the wrong place and it just doesn’t work. They fight me every step of the way and it doesn’t flow. Organic is the only way to go!
Fun post Robin! I wish I could have a play list because I love listening to music and usually have it on in the background or in the car cranked up as high as I can! lol (reliving my youth) But for some reason when I write I need it to be quiet…I think it’s because I get sidetracked to easily and would start singing and dancing instead of writing.
Congrats on your upcoming release…only 2 days away…WOOT WOOT!!!
Christine – I’m the opposite. If I don’t have music on in the background, I get distracted too easily.
2 days!! I know!!! 😉
Totally make playlists for my manuscripts. I first get the gist of what I want to write about, who my characters are, and then I find songs that fit them as characters, tell about their arc, and a few key points in the story. And then I use that to help me flesh out my plot, and when writing, I use the lyrics to inspire the scenes that correspond to where they are in their emotional arc. love love love playlists…Great post!! Thanks for sharing <3 <3
Rachel – we are playlist soul sistahs! I do the exact same thing.
Thanks for stopping by and for your support! ; )
Love this post! Can’t wait for the book to come out!
Yes, I have playlists for my writing. Individual characters get them and I have an overall “I’m writing, don’t bother me” playlist. I’ll have to think of a sexy time playlist soon.
I love when authors post their playlists – it’s a nice addition to my usual reading and the typical website stuff. So do it! 😉
Kerri – I have a playlist called “writing love songs” that is my general writing playlist. I add to it all the time since I am a music junkie (5500 songs and counting on my iPOd!).
I am going to post my playlist on my website http://www.robincovingtonromance.com when the book goes live. I hope you check it out.
Great post Robin,
I’m like you as far as writing the sex scenes go – I love writing the sizzling scenes because it’s the time the real character emerges and the key to solving all those conflicts and motivations. I love music and it gets me in the right mood but some days I just need peace and quiet (and a glass of wine) to really get the words down. With 3 guitars and numerous other instruments in the house quiet isn’t something we get often!
I’m looking forward to the book 🙂
Susie – I know what you mean about peace and quiet. I have to wild kids (7 and 9) and a very large, very loud puppy. The Main mna and I have resorted to sign language to speak to each other over the din. My writing space is tucked away in my 19 foot long closet – the last 6 feet is my cubby with a window and limited wifi. ;0
Great post! And you know how I feel about Matt Nathanson 🙂 He’s on every one of my novel playlists (every book has one!)
I love writing sex scenes too. They’re so pared down and, well…sexy. I just love putting my h/h in that place of true connectedness. For me, it’s the crux of the romance novel. Nothing better!
Kimberly – I think we agreed to share Matt – right? he is fab!
Sex scenes are the great turning points for my characters and I love that they can’t see what’s coming.
I really can’t write with the music on–I’m too tempted to sing along or get up and move. That said, songs, or better said, certain lyrics or titles, inspire me to write.
Your title sounds intriguing. Looking forward to your release–best of luck!
Virginia – Who says I don’t get up and dance sometimes? I do but the music is like background noise for me once I’m in the groove.
Thanks – I love the title too. The book is a sexy story of a one-night stand that has the chance to be more if they’ll take the chance. I loved writing it!
I have a sexy playlist that I play in my headphones while I write. Most times I find the one song that is hitting on point with my mood and I repeat it for however long it takes me to write the scene. my playlist is called “love mix” I too LOVE to write the steamy, sexy love scenes!! Excited to read your book robin!
Natalie – So glad I’m not the only one who loves to write those scenes. ; )
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’m flat out jealous…it takes me forever to write sex scenes. In my head I’m constantly worrying if it’s too acrobatic or too normal. Good heavens, I think I’m blushing now 🙂
Congratulations on your upcoming release. I can’t wait to get my hands on A Night of Southern Comfort.
Rita – LOL! No blushing! My problem is that I want to rush to get to the sex scenes and since I write in order, I have to wait. But, it is always worth it.
I hope you like the book – warning: it is full of hot, blush-worthy scenes! ; )
Robin,
I enjoy imagining the sex scenes, even researching them, but when it comes down to writing them, I freeze up. Maybe I should update my iPod. But since it automatically syncs to my car the minute I get inside, I have to be careful. No doubt my all too obsrvant kids would recognize a song that mommy and daddy play at night when we think they’re asleep.
Looking forward to your new release.
Kristina – so funny! I have a playlist just for the kids which is full of Selena Gomez and One Direction – that is the ONLY one they are allowed to listen to! ; )
Thank you for stopping by!
Welcome to Cynthia’s blog Robin! I can’t wait for your first book to come out! You already have an awesome boy-toy of your very own: your wonderful husband Pat!! 😉
Keep those sexy scenes going!
Tom!!! Yes, I do have my own awesome boy-toy. 18 years and going strong!
Thank you for your support!
OMG so funny. I think I was like you – affair or books – I went to writing erotic books. Bring it on!
Renee – the Main Man was SO relieved!
*grin*
And ohhh, baby do you write them well! Great post, Robin…and no, I can’t listen to music when writing. Well, I suppose a sex scene I can do that, but not a scene rich with dialog. If I know the words to the song I’ll be writing lyrics in my manuscript. LOL