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?!?”
Oh, yes, a beautiful way to begin. But I can’t but be heartbroken for poor Jamie, even if he does get his Claire back in the end.
Love it and can’t wait. Thanks for the excerpt – what a great way to start a book. I love that you are so willing to share with your fans. Any possibiilty of another excerpt from book 8? And, do you have a favorite – of your books? Just curious.
Oh, Oh, OHHHH that was an incredibly excerpt!
I think you have us ALL as your prisoners, Diana!
(On our knees, waiting for the next… excerpt)..
Most definitely you can start a book that way!!!! What a wonderful read whilst sitting with my evening tea!
BTW I love the cover art for Lord John & the Scottish Prisoner! Can’t wait to read the whole thing!
Great scene, but somehow it makes me so sad for Jamie. It know how much he must have missed Claire.
But that is why I love reading your books, the way you write makes a person feel as if they were there in the story.
I think it’s a wonderful opening scene.
Also done very nicely.
That is supposed to be “to know”. Where’s the edit button? HAHA.
I agree! I always feel so sad for him when I read about his years apart from Claire. Makes me love him all the more.
Diana, as others have said “don’t change a thing”. It’s great and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
My husband read it and asked if there was a “lot” of those sex scenes in your books, I had to reply “a (cough,cough) moderate few and since you won’t read HYSTERICAL ROMANCES ( that’s his name for any book of that genre, I guess you’ll just have to pick up a book and start getting “hysterical” cause like it or not I sure wish sometimes that I was Claire” I’m not quite sure how he took that…lol
Claire is one lucky lady, but then I guess men like James just don’t grow on trees as they say. And as BrandyC said I would love to be a fly on the wall at that conference.
Can’t wait to see you in person in August in Fergus.
Really this just highlights how Jaime and Lord John are in the same boat. Lots of love and no one to give it to. I enjoy the Lord John books in their own right, having him interact with Jaime is just a bonus!
What a way to start my morning!!
Wow I hope your editors leave it just that way. I think it sets so many things up in just a few lines. Jamie’s love & desire for Clair. His own passionate nature. His vulnerability. Wow
Tell the editors YES. It’s certainly not shocking — at least not to anyone who’s followed the story up to this point — and is actually a quite lovely glimpse of Jamie’s undiminished yearning for his lost-forever (as he believes) love. A splendid illustration of “show, don’t tell”.
Just a couple of questions, most diffidently … If there’s bedding in the stall, would he maybe go down on his knees in the all-concealing straw _first_, so as to avoid possible … er … mess, or even evidence … on his shirt, which appears to be, naturally, all he’s got on? He’s already shown that even now he’s not totally lost to the danger of … uhm … exposure. There are other solutions, of course, but this is a family blog … kind of … Also, ask the horse people, but isn’t there a difference between straw used for bedding and hay used for feed? Hence the delectable Italian dish “straw and hay” using yellow and green pasta? I know, picky, picky, picky. Sorry. Probably why my own stuff doesn’t get published.
Thanks for this luscious tidbit!
How am I supposed to clean off my cluttered desk after reading that! What a way to start the day. Now trying to get back to the real world and the disaster of my desk !
So the story climaxes at the beginning…
Nice one, @Lynda! I miss Jamie so much; I’d much rather discuss the politics of the day with him over a bowl of nice soup (and finger nibbling) at the World’s End in Edinburgh than…well…just about anything!!
Dear Lynda–
That’s one way of looking at it. {g} It doesn’t go downhill from here, though, I can assure you of that!
–Diana
Well, i guess that’s a very good way on getting one’s attention from page 1.
Who would put the book down after such an opening ? Not me, that’s for sure !
Well, this is for sure a very good way to get one’s attraction from the very first page.
Who would put it down after such an introduction ? Not me, for sure ! Seriously Diana, i’ve read all your books and even your most “hot” scenes haven’t the slightest “porno” . They’re very well written, with respect to heroes feelings and humanity.
I love it! I think it is *ahem* a gripping opening!!! Can’t wait to pick up a hard copy!!! Thanks for sharing.
Love the double entendre!
Aaahhh…
Can never get enough of Jamie (regardless of what he’s, ahem, doing at any given time), Claire, Lord John, et al.
Fabulous opening. You’re really out to break all the rules…and we all love it!
Remind me again, when is the HNS held ? Like Brandy, wish I could be a fly on “that” panel’s wall.
Dear Anne-Marie–
HNS is June 17-19th, in San Diego. http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org has details.
Nice cover. Hope we’ll see it on the bookshelves soon.
Dear Jerry–
Actually, this is the UK cover (Orion Books). The US publisher (Random House) has just barely begun thinking about it, as _their_ next release is the 20th-anniversary (Very Deluxe) edition of OUTLANDER, due out July 5th.
NO idea what the US SCOTTISH PRISONER will look like!
–Diana
Do you think they’d let you do the same reading you’re doing for HNS at RWA in June? It would be awesome.
Dear Ruth–
Well, I’m not scheduled to do a solo talk/reading at RWA; I’ll be on a panel with Tess Gerritsen and Steve Berry, and doing the mass autographing, but that’s all. (Will be doing a thing for ThrillerFest a week later, but don’t know if I’ll read at that one, either, or if it’s an interview sort of thing. Will let you know, though!)
–Diana
This is a “not around the bushes” beginning of a book. It takes you right into the story. I enjoy your style very much and thank you for sharing this “story in the making” details with us.
Dear Yari–
Yeah, my husband is always urging me to “start with a sword fight.” {g} Though possibly this is not _quite_ what he had in mind…{cough}
–Diana
Men! LOL
{laugh,laugh and more laugh}… you are hilarious !!!. Thanks, I needed that
Dear Diana,
LOL! Doug continues to be my hero (he knows why
).
I just thought I’d mention that the excerpt is now also available in the German blog.
Bärbel
Dear Baerbel–
Great! Danke! {g}
–Diana