Writing sizzling sex scenes with Beth Miller

Creative writing and publishing

Ref: S1D32460

Location: West Dean
£141
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About this course

There's more to sex in books than Fifty Shades. Most contemporary novels have at least one sex scene; readers and publishers may even expect them. This course will walk you through how to write a good sex scene to be proud of, not embarrassed by.

Course Description

There's more to sex in books than Fifty Shades. Most contemporary novels have at least one sex scene; readers and publishers may even expect them. This course will walk you through how to write a good sex scene to be proud of, not embarrassed by.

This course would suit writers who:

- want to include a sex scene in their novel but aren’t sure how to start.

- have tried to write a sex scene but ended up cringing at the result.

- write a decent enough sex scene but want to, er, perk it up a bit.

Reviewers have said of the sex scenes in Beth Miller's novels that they are 'delightfully filthy', and ‘seemed to be written by a horny teen.’ Drawing on the experience of writing those, as well as her previous experience as a sexual health trainer, she will walk you through writing your own. If you've already written one that you'd like to revise, please bring it along. Giggling, blushing, and terrible double-entendres are likely to be part of this workshop. You will not be required to share your writing.

By the end of this course, you will have had the opportunity to explore the following topics in relation to your own written work:

- Why it’s important to feel able to write about sex

- The different types of sex scene

- What should and shouldn’t be in a sex scene

- What a bad sex scene looks like

- The language of sex scenes

- Strategies for writing a scene you can be proud of

By the end of the course it is expected that you will feel more confident and comfortable when writing your own sex scenes.

Timetable

Timetable for one day courses

Students should arrive by 9am for registration.

Classes are from 9.15 - 5pm

Lunch is included.

Course Materials

Included

  • On this course the tutor will supply most of the materials including handouts.

What students need to bring

  • Notebook and pen (or laptop if they prefer).

Additional information

There is no obligation to share writing in this workshop. We will be discussing information about our writing practice and experience of working on the various exercises in the workshop; however, there is no obligation to contribute. Later on, if it seems appropriate for the group, people will be invited to share small parts of their writing, but this is completely optional and opting out is totally acceptable. All information discussed on the day will remain confidential within the group. Please note: the only sex scenes that we will be working on during this course are those which depict consensual sex between adults.

Tutors

Beth Miller

Beth Miller is the author of six novels, including the bestselling The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright (2020). Her most recent novel, The Woman Who Came Back to Life (2022), will be published in seven languages. She has also published two non-fiction books. She has a PhD in Psychology and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Brighton University. She teaches regularly for Arvon, and is a book coach for writers at all stages. 

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