"Um," was my first reaction.
The guy waggled his brows at me, and then said, "I've got this one young gal who's making millions. We jump started her career by having her pose for Playboy."
My face went hot. "Oh." All I really wanted to do was act and entertain people, not pose naked for a wack mag. Not to mention, thoughts of my dad or step dad catching wind of this or accidentally picking one up ... well... that would have been humiliating.
That day my acting and modeling career went into the toilet. I just couldn't sell myself out. Morals and ethics mean something to me. And quite frankly, when I see someone on television like the Kardashion girls flash around their nonsense or Miley Cyrus twerking Alan Thicke ... I cringe. What are they thinking? Does money and being noticed mean that much?
I pretty much feel the same about the stories and novels I write. Which brings me to the topic of writing in sex scenes. I struggle.
In White Trash and Pill Heads, I've got two characters. They're a couple with some major issues and sex seems to be one of their outlets besides drugs and booze. Currently, there are some sex scenes written in. But I'm considering taking them out. You know, write it with an implication of sex.
Why? It's that moral and ethics thing I go through. I know my dad will be reading it. So will his friends. So will my daughters. And so will the Big Guy in the Sky. And He sees everything.
How about any of you? Would you do anything to be famous or sell your books?
I like reading stories with out explicit sex. It seems like fiction is moving toward that. I would not describe it explicitly.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to be famous.
Yeah. I'm not going to be famous either.
DeleteI've written explicit sex. As long as it's founded in strong storytelling and characterization.
ReplyDeleteIf it's making you uncomfortable to write it, then it's something to be left aside.
Yeah. It's my own thing. However, eluding to it is more my thing.
DeleteI would not do anything to be famous or sell my books (if I had any to sell, anyway).
ReplyDeleteBut I have written explicit sex scenes and some very dark things. Like what William said, as long as it fits the story.
I prefer eluding to it. And dark things don't bother me. I've got some really dark characters in some of my stories.
ReplyDeleteThere is right and there is wrong. We each know our rules. Fame? At the price of my soul? No thanks.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely.
DeleteThere are ways to elude to it. You end the scene at some point before, or open one right after... easy peasy! And so glad to hear someone else was uneasy about doing anything for getting ahead, and refused. I was offered a real bedroom scene at one point. And he was married. And I was staying in their house!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe acting and modeling industry is notorious for this.
DeleteI know that I would have a very difficult time writing a serious sex scene. I also had a hard time taking some of the scenes seriously in Fifty Shades, though I never got passed the first few chapters. The bottom line is that you have to write what makes you comfortable.
ReplyDeleteJulie
There is no way I could read Fifty Shades...EVER. From what I've heard the main chick is way pathetic.
DeleteTotally agree, Shelly! So glad you wrote this. And good for you for sticking to your guns. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'd rather keep things clean.
DeleteTotally agree, Shelly! So glad you wrote this. And good for you for sticking to your guns. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Shelly! I don't like to read explicit "love" scenes, and I don't want an anatomy lesson. In my writing, I leave things to the imagination. My mom reads my books, and my kids might read them some day too.
ReplyDeleteBtw, thanks for sharing your story!
You're welcome. I would never want to embarrass my family, you know.
ReplyDeleteI did, a long time ago. I still regret it.
ReplyDeleteRegrets are the worst.
Delete