So hey, I have a confession to make. I do not like writing about a kiss, be it their first kiss, last kiss or in between kiss. Sex? No problem, my couples can go at it hammer and tongs, for all I care. But kissing? That wonderful first kiss where finally my couple actually give in to their attraction to each other...darn hard to do.
Perhaps it's because there's a huge weight of anticipation (both on the pages and off) for that first kiss. Maybe there are hundreds of ways to adequately describe a kiss. But I haven't found them. I try, heck knows I try.
Just to highlight my point, I've copied three kisses in here for you to look at, one from each of my books, working chronologically.
This is the first kissing scene I ever wrote, from Romancing the Seas:
“Well … ” he reached out a hand and pulled on a
curl, watched it bounce back into place. She looked at him and watched
his lips, entrancing him. “I think … ” he shifted closer, then sat
up fluidly. Her eyes grew heavy and she looked hypnotised. “It’s all
about pure … ” he took her face in his hands, “physical,” his lips
descended on hers in a feather like kiss and he breathed the final word
on the corner of her mouth, “attraction.”
His heart beat uncontrollably. The
tantalising kiss he had dropped on her warm lips had only served to
bring him teetering on the knife-edge of wanting to drag her into his
arms and he trembled in the effort of pulling back a fraction to see her
reaction.
In other words, you could say I copped out :).
This is from my second book, The Tango Champion's Secret Love Child:
His eyes scavenged her face as desire lifted
her chin, an offer to him. Muttering a curse, he brought both
hands up to her face and, lowering his head, dropped his mouth to hers. Fire
exploded from the nerves in her lips as his mounted pressure and drew a deep
tugging from within her, rendering her a mass of molten ore, desperate to melt
into him. His tongue plundered hers, drawing a moan from her and she had to place her hands on his
broad shoulders to steady herself.
This one is from my third book, Sefton Manor:
Now you may notice something here -- the intensity of the kiss increases throughout my writing. Romancing the Seas is 'behind closed doors', The Tango Champion sure as hell ain't and as for Sefton Manor, it packs a lot into it's 15k words.
So do they do as they're supposed to do? And for the sheer hell of it, which one do you prefer?
For more scenes, stories and thoughts on kissing -- check out the Indelible's Indie Kissing Blog Fest ...have a whole heap of fun this Valentine's Day!
What do you mean you have no problem writing a kissing scene? These are awesome! I especially like the first one. You have a wonderful build up. I can feel the anticipation. Great job!
ReplyDelete:) Ah thanks Cerian and interesting that you think the first one is the nicest, I think I do too. But that's the 'sweet' book and the others, well, aren't lol. Thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteI think they're ALL good! <3
ReplyDeleteLove your Heart, Lydia! Love your comment too, actually :) Thanks.
DeleteI don't know what the problem is, Cait. These are three kisses worht revealing and sharing and Ooh-la-la! Hot. My favorite? By far the first one! Very sensual and steamy. That first kiss feel oozes, yet the passion is clear. You can write my kiss scenes ANY day. :)
ReplyDeleteFed the piranhas. ;)
Another vote for the first -- very interesting! But can you have a sensual and steamy kiss and not follow it up with the goods (if you catch my drift)? I'd feel like I'm cheating. The other two are more primal, IMO, but I preferred writing the first. Thanks for upgrading the fishies ;)
DeleteAbsolutely! Sometimes it's that withholding that makes it so good for readers. It gives the couple something to keep them interested and wanting more...and that's what you want--to leave them wanting more, a reason to pursue. :) Cheat them. It's the same with sex scenes, when they get so close and then the cousin waltzes in and breaks it up, the bff calls crying with an emergency wardrobe fail... Make them wait and make them want.
DeleteI like your style, Calisa! Nice, make them wait and want even more -- in fact that advice could be carried over into every day life ;). Seriously though, big thanks for your help!
DeleteLOL Carry away!
DeleteWhile the second two are more passionate/intense, the first has that tension and anticipation that makes it, you know, hot! So I like that one too!
ReplyDeleteAll these lovely comments for my first ever kiss scene -- jeepers, I'm one happy author today! Thanks Rachel.
DeleteI can't pick just one. Each are good in their own way. You don't want each scene between your characters to be the same. You want to make sure that the first kiss suits their characters. All of them are very sexy, unique and fun. Nicely done :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christine. Each kiss tells us something about these two people and their unique relationship.
ReplyDeleteVery good point, alright, raised by Christine and Laurel. Thanks for the sweet comments too, sexy, unique and fun -- I'll take that thanks :).
DeleteEnjoyed em both. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks RaShelle! :)
DeleteThat's awesome about liking to write sex scenes better than kiss scenes. I like arguing scenes better than romance, I don't know what that says about me!
ReplyDeleteLOL...I prefer arguments too, how funny! I've only realised that, but you can really get stuck in with arguments :))) Thanks Magan!
DeleteAwesome, Cait! I feel the same way - I dread writing kissing scenes. Sex, no problem. Now with YA I have to challenge myself repeatedly.
ReplyDeleteIt's mad, isn't it! Ooooh YA, I'd be dreading it :) Good luck with it!
DeleteI love writing kissing scenes! The hard ones for me are the almost kiss scenes-because I just want them to go ahead and kiss, dammit.
ReplyDeleteI liked all three, particularly the first one. Makes me wonder when he kisses her, REALLY kisses her, if her head will explode from the heat of it.
Something similar to that happens alright, Amanda :) Thanks for your input, this is proving to be an interesting day!!
DeleteI like all three too! And I've read Romancing the Seas, and loved it, so I have a special soft spot for Pippa and Jonathon, in kiss number one. When they do finally give in - whew! Worth the wait and definitely not a cop-out! Can't wait to read the other two books. :-)
ReplyDeleteAw you're a honey, Serena, thanks so very much for coming by and wading in :)
DeleteI hear you on writing The Kiss. There's so much anticipation built up I'm always afraid I'll blow it. I'm the same way with the sex scenes too. Half the time I write [INSERT SEX SCENE HERE] and move on. LOL. Now that's romantic, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Sharon -- I love it with the insert sex scene here, I'm going to do that with the kissing scenes from now on. :) Great advice. You do have to be in the mood for writing sex too, no point forcing the issue! Thanks for coming by :)
DeleteI think they're all great and you write kissing scenes well! I love writing kissing scenes, but I have problems with sex scenes. That's probably why I write YA! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Shana. YA hey, I'd be really stuck with those then :). Thanks for your visit :)
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