I write chick lit so there has to be some amount of kissing involved (it's like an unwritten law and who wants to read chick lit without a bit of romance and smooching? Not I). But I find writing kissing scenes a bit cringey. I don't think I'm much cop at writing smoochily. I don't want to tread into Mills & Boon territory but neither do I want celibate characters or chaste pecks on the cheek.
How do you feel about smooching scenes? And what is your favourite movie kiss? (for research purposes and because I'm nosy)
I struggle with this too! I think the trick is not to go overboard, have just enough description to let the reader paint a picture in their head (especially if the kiss is going on to other things afterwards). :) But yeah, it is kind of mandatory in chick lit, but can also help break up tension in many other genres too. So I think most writers deal with it at some point.
ReplyDeleteLeading onto other things can be left up to the reader's imagination ;-)
DeleteIt is difficult to find the fine line between being over the top and describing the emotions and feelings.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely don't want to go over the top but don't want to be too flimsy either. I think I need to practice!
DeleteFair play to you writing any kissing scene. I would not be able to do it..My favourite movie kiss is between Annette Benning and Warren Beatty in the final scene of 'Love affair' <3
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, I'm not much good at it! But I will keep practicing.
DeleteI enjoy some romance when I read, and it usually winds up in my own writing, no matter what genre.
ReplyDeleteGood use of the letter K.
Thank you :-) Kissing is used a lot in chick lit but there's some sort of romance element in a lot of books, no matter what the genre.
DeleteKissing scenes and chase scenes--the bane of my existence. Some day I'll get it right, perhaps. (Probably not.) So, I feel ya.
ReplyDeleteI've never attempted a chase scene. I don't think I'd be any better at it than kissing scenes!
DeleteI don't mind writing kissing scenes, but I generally gloss over the heavier stuff. We all can enjoy a good kiss but the other details are more fun when they're kept private.
ReplyDeleteI can't say as I have a favorite movie kiss. I'm more a fan of reading that sort of thing than actually watching it. My own imagination doesn't include all the wet smacking sounds. ;)
Yes, I could do without the sound effects at times too.
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