Historical Sex Scenes
Now, don’t start hyperventilating. This isn’t about how to write historical sex scenes (though I might show you a sort-of one, in a bit*). It’s a solicitation. {g}
I was going to start out by saying that I have no idea how this happened, except that I do. I just don’t remember who to blame for it. What did happen was that six(ish) years ago, the Historical Novel Society (of which I am a member) held its biannual conference in Albany. It was the first conference of the HNS that I’d attended, and in my usual amiable way, I’d told the organizers that I’d be happy to do whatever they liked, in the way of panels, etc.
So they put me on three or four panels, and one of those was a panel on writing sex scenes. There were six people assigned to the panel—which is kind of a lot, really; you get a great variety of input, but with such a large number, it’s hard to have a good discussion.
Anyway, the six of us conferred via email as to the best way of managing the panel, traffic-wise, and someone (actually I think it may have been me, maybe I am to blame for this, what a horrifying thought…) said that it’s really hard to talk about the techniques involved in sex scenes without having examples to refer to.
So someone (and it may have been Chris Humphreys…then again, it might have been me…) suggested that since there was no conceivable way in which six people could read sex scenes in an hour, and then have any time in which to talk about them, that we see if the conference would allow us a separate session, outside the regular programming, during which any panelists who liked to could read one or two samples. That way, attendees who really didn’t want to hear sex scenes could avoid them and just hear about techniques, whereas those who wanted the…er…full experience (so to speak), could listen to the samples, which we would then talk about the next day.
Well, the organizers were willing (and it was Chris Humphreys who suggested it to them, I know that much), and they scheduled the Saturday Night Late-Night Sex-Scene Reading, after the official banquet.
I think five of the six panelists agreed to read sex-scenes—a couple of us came in nightwear (I almost always change into a yukata covered with cranes—I have three, in different colors—after the official part of a conference day, because while I’m happy to go on socializing into the wee hours, I’m not doing it in an underwired bra and high heeled boots, after wearing such clothes all day); Chris wore a suit, I seem to recall—or it may have been the pirate shirt open to the waist.
Anyway, two-thirds of the conference attendees came, and a Very Good Time was had by all, let’s put it that way. {cough} (The hotel kindly kept the bar in the dining-room open for this event, and when I staggered up afterward for a glass of much-needed wine, the bar-staff applauded and insisted on giving me the drink for free, which was nice of them.)
Anyway, the long-term effect of this public spectacle was that I’ve been urged (and/or dragooned) into doing it twice more—once as another team effort for the last HNS conference in Illinois, and a solo appearance for The Poisoned Pen bookstore—and now find myself not only booked for a reprise at this year’s HNS conference in San Diego, but charged with running the event.
Chris (that’s C.C. Humphreys, btw, whose Jack Absolute series is on my Methadone List, and I recommend it highly for fans of the 18th century, the British army, adventure, and/or Mohawks) tells me that he and Gillian Bagwell (MY DARLING STRUMPET—which I also really enjoyed (life of Nell Gwyn), and gave a cover quote to) want to do a team-reading of a scene from her book, which he described as “one of the best blow-jobs in fiction.” (Bear in mind that as well as being an excellent author, Chris is also a professional actor. I’m looking forward to this. He did just say “reading,” mind…)
To get to the point here, though—
In order to insure variety and the increased pleasure of the audience {cough, cough}, we’ll need a few participants besides Chris, Gillian, and me. SO—
If you are
1) A published author of historical fiction (traditional publication, please, not self-published)
2) Who will be attending this year’s HNS conference, and
3) Has a good sex-scene (the scene can be from an unpublished manuscript, if you like), and
4) Relatively few inhibitions about reading it aloud in public (costuming (including mask) optional)…
Let me know. {g} Email me at dgabaldon@aol.com, or find me on the Compuserve Books and Writers Community board.
I don’t think we will have to hold auditions {g}, but we’ll see how many volunteers we get.
*You’re sure you want to see one? Well, OK. I’m going to put it here, because not everyone likes to read excerpts. This is—I think—the beginning of SCOTTISH PRISONER, even though my husband, who read it, wrote in the margin, “Are you sure you can print this?!?”
Wow…what a thrill it must be to be in a profession where you get to participate in an event that literally blows people away! I go to work and am asked to see the 97 year old that keeps falling out of bed…”Can you work on positioning?” Does_not_even_compare with what you get asked to do!
Gorgeous book cover!
Your husband sounds like such a sweet and gentle man…much like my own husband…but in answer to his question about printing this scene as the opening of the book? YES…I have always appreciated the fact that you write Jamie with such tenderness, vulnerability…its what makes him such a wonderful character, and why most women who read your books fall hopelessly in love with Jamie.
I agree : Diana—You must have a honey of a husband !!!
You took the words right out of my mouth, Lauren! I do hope that they print the story this way, because I think that the beginning Diana has written is absolutely fantastic.
Hello Diana:
God, yes!
The question is, can I concentrate on my work this morning after reading this? That’s debatable.
Thanks Diana!
Elaine
LOL, I was thinking the same thing too.
In short. YES!
Wow…awfully glad I’m not at work this morning, as that’s when I typically read blogs!
That’s QUITE the excerpt…
Love it! Love Jamie! Love Claire! when is book 8 coming out?????
Help, I need it quick!
Ditto that! When is book 8 coming out??
Well, in terms of beginning a novel, it beats (no pun intended) the heck out of “it was a dark and stormy night.”
Pam
It definitely is the attention-grabber all authors look for don’t you think?!
Don’t you know; it’s a play on that very opening line: “It was a dark and horny night.”
How can I be so in love with a fictional character?! Thank you, Diana, for the excerpt and YES, it is perfect for the beginning of the novel! Who could put it down after that opening!
Dear Diana ,
I don’t think there is a wrong Way for you to begin a Book. And sure not if it begins with Jamie!
When is it going to Be published in German ?
Best wishes
Myrna
Yes you can! Are we ready & willing to read it? Oh, YES WE ARE!!!!
Please don’t change the beginning, I think that little excerpt will stay with me all day, and I don’t mind in the least.
When will you be in San Diego?
oh Jamie you truly are missed!
Not a published author, but would love to be a fly on the wall when you guys all meet. Sounds fun and interesting. Please give us an insight to the best blow job after you read it.
Great excerpt…… so very heart wrenching the way he misses Claire. People don’t always understand the importance of touch till it’s gone. The other day while talking to my Husband (who is in Afghanistan and will be there for a long while) he said to me “I miss you so much” and I told him I know what he really misses it was a bit steamy. Then he said “Well yeah I miss that and need it bad but what I really miss is just the simple touching.
God I love that man something fierce!!!!!
Also great cover!!!!!
Thanks Diana
BrandyC
Gee. Why can’t my work be so much fun? I am regretting my BS in accounting. Alas – creative in business, not writing. Must live vicariously through you, Diana! thanks for sharing the blog and the excerpt!
Beautiful excerpt. Yes, a great way to start the book.
I must really be out of touch…what’s a “Methadone List”?
As far as beginning a book THAT way…if it’s about Jamie and/or Claire, I don’t care how you start it. I just want you to finish it…sooner rather than later!
Hi Valerie,
The “Methadone List” is Diana’s list of books she recommends to any of her fans. In her own words:
“The Methadone List is my response to people who write to me asking plaintively, ‘So what am I supposed to read while I wait for your next book?’ ”
If you go to the top of the page, you can use the search engine window to find past entries on “methadone list”.
Hope this helps!
Excellent…thank you Anne-Marie! I appreciate the explanation and handy tip. I will definately look at the past entires on that list, as I am in need of a good book to read.
I love Diana’s books, of course. While waiting, though, try an older author I stumbled across: Diane Norman, who has more recently written as Arianna Franklin. They are all good, but the earlier plots and character development, coupled with historically revealing details, are keepers. I had to go to Alibris to find these.
Thanks Jackie! I’ll check her out.
Any word on when LJ&SP will be published?
Dear Angela–
Well, assuming that I finish _writing_ the dang thing by the end of May(ish), it’ll be out this fall. Don’t have a solid pub date as yet, but I know the UK is planning on sometime in November. (I have different publishers in the US and the UK, so the dates _may_ be different.)
–Diana
Diana, you never fail to take my breath away! Perfection.
@ @ HOLY MAMA!! Wow, that’s definitely one way to start a book. Even if I hadn’t read them already, that book would make me want to go back and get the other three. And then, read the series. Wow! Cold shower time!
Will you be doing the book tour with ‘Scottish Prisoner?’ And will Lexington KY be on the list? I’ve got a couple of friends that are recent devotees of the Outlander series and one is a dyed in the kilt Lord John fan.
Hi Diana,
Very nice excerpt;) The sex scenes you write always get me hot and bothered, because they are so real and you know exactly how to put feelings, sensations, etc. into words. I also love how your sex scenes are not “gag-me” corny or something that would never happen. That is just one of the many reasons your readers love your work so much! Also, I take it there is a lot of Jamie in “Scottish Prisoner”? I am definitely a devoted fan, but I hate to admit that I have not read the LJG series. I am too obsessed with J&C, that I keep re-reading the books and re-listening to the the audio books. Thanks for sharing…
-Heather B.