This theme comes up in all sorts of genres and sub genres. eg. Romance, both contemporary and historical, maybe also in some science fiction.
Sexual
tension is a social phenomenon that occurs when two individuals interact and
both or one feels desire, but consummation is postponed or never happens.
Other thoughts: It’s
about the separation between a man and a woman as if there is a rope taut between
them. And like the surface of the water where every move sends out a ripple.
When this emotion is
one-sided it makes for a fascinating plot. How will he change her mind? Will
she eventually return his feelings? Is she unaware of his feelings and gives
him a hard time? Is she attracted to him, but he has eyes for somebody else?
In Christian novels we
show it begins with a strong attraction for that special person. From there it
may move to a physical wanting. This conflicts with the Christian’s code of
morals. Now that creates a whole lot of tension. Yet Christians do have that
inner guidance from God to enable them to resist such strong temptation. But
sometimes they make mistakes which leads them to seek forgiveness.
How on earth does the
writer bring them together? That’s where one scene after another unfolds. Without explicit sex, but with each
building on some frightening situation or disaster throwing them together in a
way that would not normally happen. Or sending them into another's arms that is
so wrong for them. Now how does a writer solve a mistake like that? Oh, so
many possibilities.
* Right now I have a teaser
of an idea for my next novel in which I am bound to make use of the
aforementioned. And I’d love some opinions dear friends ... writers or readers.
My
problem: My leading lady does not talk. Now I can’t make up my mind if it is because of:
1. 1.
a physical
accident
2. 2.
a
traumatic experience
3. 3.
a
dangerous situation where being able to talk puts her in jeopardy.
4. 4. she can
speak but chooses not to in order to get her own way about something
5. 5. any other
reasonable reason?
It’s vague, I know,
and yet I have to know why she won’t talk to get on with a plot. And of course,
she won’t tell me….I am only the writer. ( By the way, she lives in the late
1800s.)
Have you ever been
faced with a roadblock like this before you got into, or during your story?
If you have a
great idea, please email me at
ritagal (at) optusnet (dot) com (dot) au and I shall be extra happy to mention your input.
Like all romance writers, Indie publisher, Rita Galieh loves to feature sexual tension in her historical romances. She is now preparing another trilogy. Women With Spirit. Book I is finished, Book II is still undergoing its final editing. But Book III is not cooperating. That is, a heroine who refuses to talk!
Besides in print, each book of her Victoriana trilogy will be available online about mid-late February. For details see: www.ritastellapress.com .
That makes me think of an L M Montgomery story, Kilmeny of the Orchard. The heroine was unable to speak since childhood. The reason was complicated, but mainly tied into her mother never speaking because of a vow, and the heroine being kept a secret because she was born out of wedlock.
ReplyDeleteI hope your story challenge works out. Often those challenging stories produce our best writing.
That's an original twist, Autumn! Hmm, gotta give that some thought. Thanks for your input.
DeleteGreat post! I vote for "a traumatic experience" - my grandma didn't speak a word for two years after her father died.
ReplyDeleteIt would have to be a traumatic experience of some kind, I guess. Now I'm going to mull over all those possibilities. Thanks Patricia.
DeleteWhat a fun puzzle to work on. Yes, trauma seems most likely, but choosing not to could make for a lot of good internal dialogue. Your covers are lovely.
ReplyDeleteWow, Donna, just when I'm thinking trauma, my gal making a choice not to for some reason also resonates with me. But I'm thinking the internal dialogue would be the tricky part of this.
ReplyDeleteOh well who said writing a book is easy?
Depending on where she lived, women in the 1880's had very little power. I like the idea of not talking in order to get her own way over something -- perhaps the choice of a husband. Of course, if she lives on the frontier, that won't work. You've given us your time frame but not the setting. I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alice. Glad you're intrigued. The choice of a husband? Interesting. I hadn't thought of that. When I work on her character a little more, maybe it will become clear. The setting will be England to begin with.
ReplyDeleteThanks for engaging our assistance, Rita. I read something the other day about a group of African women who were relocated to America and on arrival were all 'blind". However, none of then had any anatomical reason for their blindness. It was discovered they had witnessed the murder of their children in some sort of genocide. As a result, the women were so traumatised by it became blind.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was an amazing story.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Well Ian, it just proves truth IS stranger than fiction! How awful for them.
DeleteThanks for sharing. My premise doesn't seem quite so farfetched now.
I have no idea, but it's an intriguing premise and I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThe same to you dear Iola. I think your book will be finished before mine!
DeleteInterestingly, the book I'm reading right now has a little boy in it who has not spoken since his home burned down with his mother inside. So I vote for a traumatic event.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, the book I'm reading right now has a little boy in it who has not spoken since his home burned down with his mother inside. So I vote for a traumatic event.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley. A traumatic incident seems the most likely. You helpful ICFWers have given me a lot to chew over.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I receive your devotionals in my inbox each week. A real blessing.
Really Rita? I'm so glad you receive a blessing from them. Thanks for the feedback.
DeleteWonderful article, Rita, I shared it on Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks Christine. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteRita, I hope your plot reveals itself to you soon :) An arranged/forced marriage by a domineering parent/guardian and the heroine refuses to talk to her future husband? Lots of possibilities for you to ponder... good luck!
ReplyDelete