If you write romance, plan on writing a scene with a kiss in it.
Maybe two.
And, yeah, I know there are authors out there who write scenes with a whole lot more than kissin’ going on. I am not one of those authors.
You know what? It’s tough to write a good kiss. I know what a good kiss is. All the credit goes to my husband, the only man I’ve kissed since our wedding day. (And if any of my kids are reading this post, I apologize for embarrassing you beyond words.)
But experience doesn’t necessarily translate into the ability to put that, um, experience into words.
After I gave my hero and heroine’s first kiss my best effort, I got feedback from one of my mentors, best-selling author Susan May Warren. Her advice: Slow the kiss down.
Huh.
Sounds like good advice for kisses — whether you’re writing about one or, um, sharing one.
In Your Words: Readers of romance, any favorite kisses that you’ve read come to mind? A time when you finished a scene and thought, That was soooo romantic — and wanted to kiss your husband or your boyfriend?
Just for fun: Here’s a video clip from The Princess Bride that supposedly highlights the best kiss of all time!
httpv://youtu.be/AMwhAlldmOw
Comments 15
So funny, but I’ll remember that if/when my characters actually get to that point. (Hopefully they do, ’cause their marriage in the historical I’m working on produces four children.)
Yes, Dee … I’m thinking you’ll need a kiss … or two. 😉
Makes me glad I took Julie and Ruth’s kissing class. Er, writing a kiss class :D.
Slowing it down is good. Unless it’s a quick brush caught off guard thing. I think. I’m unpubbed so… take that for what it’s worth ;). But definitely heart stopping or skipping along with the characters is best done by taking time [and paper/words] to write it rather than having it over and done with too quickly. 😀
Thanks for weighing in, Carol.
It’s amazing how kisses can be worth entire classes … but we romance writers want to get ’em right! 😉
Ah, the kiss! Yes, Romance DOES imply a kiss. And while it should stop there… romance implies sexual tension IMHO too. It’s annoying to read a romance where you barely feel like the H/H like each other, there’s no chemistry, and they just magically kiss at the end after there is no “reason” for them not to be together again. Makes for a blah read.
But a real (Christian) romance has the DESIRE to be with the person but the restraint to wait. A kiss is what they get and have to “settle” for until after they say I do, so it’s gotta be good enough to hold them over! That’s what I think about when I write a kiss anyway, that desire for more but the restraint of respect for each other. If that makes any sense!!!
And yeah for blushing kids! TMI–but my hubby and I gave great giggles over kissing in the kitchen in front of our kiddos and hearing all the “eeewwwwws” and “YUCKK”s. Good times, good times!
Krista: The photo at the top of the blog is me and my husband, Rob. Taken during a recent family photo session. And, yes, the kiddos all laughed. But they also expected the “tradition” mom-and-dad-kissing picture too! LOL!
Awwwe…that’s a sweet blog. and I simply must watch The Princess Bride
Yep! You must, must watch The Princess Bride, Pat! I’m blogging about it on the WordServe Water Cooler blog later this week!
I love a good kiss…by my husband!! But I do love those kissing moments in novels. I can do without the bedroom scenes. I feel a little cheated when romance authors, particularly Christian romance authors, limit the kiss to “he kissed her.” I want to feel the emotion along with the character.
I’m with you, LJ! And like Krista said too, I want there to be a sense of desire, of tension because that’s real life.
Cary Grant with Grace Kelly on the couch with the fireworks in the background in To Catch a Thief . Gawd, he sends me.
Absolutely, Karen!!
Not only is the kiss important, but also the moments leading up to it. Ahhh. Fun post and video. Thanks, Beth!
True, true, Megan! Which is why Suz told me to slo-o-ow it down! 😉
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