Sexual tension is the intense but unfulfilled feeling of attraction between your characters. They want to have sex with each other, but they can’t for whatever reason. In non-erotic stories, the characters often put themselves through a series of sadistic and masochistic maneuvers to either avoid giving into their feelings or overcoming the challenges keeping them apart.
Part of the tension the reader experiences when reading a non-erotic story comes from the uncertainty surrounding whether the characters will satiate their passion for each other. It’s a question that drives them to keep reading to find out the answer.
In erotic stories, though, the answer is obvious. The characters will have sex or, at the very least, have a satisfying orgasm. Despite this, you can still make your story an exciting read by creating sexual tension that slowly builds up to the big finale.
The Essence of Sexual Tension
Have you ever wanted something so badly, but were blocked from getting it? I bet the fact that you couldn’t get what you wanted only added to your desire for it. And the more you were kept away from your heart’s desire, the more you wanted it. Well, that’s sexual tension in a nutshell. It is the desire for something, or someone, which cannot be obtained immediately.
The obstacles that prevent your characters from enjoying sex come from two sources: internal and external obstacles. External blocks would be something like having your mother show up at an inopportune time or being stuck in traffic while the girlfriend is sexting nude pictures.
However, the most delicious sexual tension is created by internal obstacles. The characters may be willing and able to get it on, but one or both of them is experiencing an internal crisis that prevents them from throwing their clothes and inhibitions to the wind. An example of this would be a male character that lusts after his boss, but won’t make a move because he doesn’t want her to think he’s trying to sleep his way to a promotion.
How to Create Sexual Tension in Your Stories
Well-placed sexual tension in your stories will have your readers figuratively, and maybe even literally, salivating for the moment when your characters “cum” together (admit it, you love my puns). Here are a few ideas for creating sexual tension in your erotic stories.
Put off the sex scene – This may seem counterintuitive considering that you are writing an erotic story. But many erotica writers, and I include myself in this group, often rush to the sex scene - most likely because we are so excited to write it. But slowing down the pace of your storytelling can actually turn the tension up a notch.
Add a little hyperawareness – When you are attracted to someone, you become aware of everything about them. You notice how the person smells, the exact color of his or her eyes, the endearing lisp when the person says certain words. Consider that god-awful book Twilight. Bella is aware of everything about Edward right down to how his breath smells. Your stories don’t have to be that bad, but a little hyperawareness will increase the heat.
Conflict makes your readers horny – Remember when I said that the essence of sexual tension is denial of what is wanted. Judicious use of conflict in your story will make the sex that much hotter. Think about it. The best sex you ever had was probably after you had a fight with your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/lover. Your emotions were running high and you couldn’t get your clothes off fast enough. Incorporate internal and external roadblocks that force your characters to “earn” their orgasms.
Taste the sexy rainbow – Here is another counterintuitive tip. Relieving sexual tension makes it worse. Having your characters get a taste of what they want will increase their desire for it. A perfect example of this occurs in the book The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel.
Jondalar wants to have sex with Ayla, but doesn’t make a move because he isn’t sure she is interested in having sex with him. His desire for her is so strong that he attempts to relieve it by masturbating, which is frowned upon in his culture. Unfortunately, masturbating only makes him lust for Ayla more.
Make your characters dance around the edges of their desire. Let them kiss, have them sext each other, let one walk in while the other is nekkid, and let it all be poor substitutes for what the character really wants – a hot romp in the bedroom.
Creating sexual tension before sex is an excellent way to draw your readers into the bedroom. Try these tips to increase the heat in your erotic fiction stories.
About the Article Writer
Daria Black is a fiction writer, gamer, and avid coffee drinker. Visit her website Daria Black - Words By Daria to read fiction stories, talk sex, society, games, and writing, or giggle with her at life's quirkiness
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