S: Seduction is not always what it seems!

Seducing scenes in novels can be sensual or snoring material. Getting it right is an art. For me writing a seduction scene has not been easy. I become embarrassed for my characters, as I try to find the right words without creating erotica or heavy sexual descriptive passages. My ladies are Victorian, but women just the same. I do not have them showing an ankle, nor butt naked with pronounce nipples or other delightful descriptions. I try to add a hint of what is happening. My characters soon cotton on and I hope they send the right messages to the reader. I envy those who can write a seductive scene without turning it into porn. I rarely read erotica as it has to be written into a storyline that interests me. Only one author, Eden Baylee, has written a novel I finished.

Seduction doesn't have to be about heavy panting. In the nineteenth century, making love, means to woo, not a full blown romp under the covers. It means to gently seduce and win over in preparation for marriage.

Some authors take seduction one step further.

Tess of the D'urbervilles has a heavily laden scene of seduction (chapter 11). It leads to a planned seduction, not a romantic one. There is discussion as to whether it leads to an innocent falling for the man in time of need, or whether it is rape of a minor. I err to the side of the latter. Thomas Hardy slips in little red-herrings to keep the reader thinking, 'ah, but she', 'oh, he did, ' oh, she wasn't.' He manages to make you wonder whether seduction had taken place right to the tip end of the chapter. Cleverly done.

***

Seduction

(Taken from the poetry book: From My Heart Inside My Head)

 by Glynis Smy

Your tempting ways are cruel,

I regard you as my friend-

my only source of fuel.

Give me your fruits of labour,

allow my weak body delight,

In the darkened room I’ll take you,

you’ll be mine tonight.

You have nothing to hide from me,

I know your every line.

Peeling off your lower half

You truly are divine.

My hands are all a tremble,

my cheeks are all aglow,

you are ready for the taking

the whole of you on show.

I’m drowning in your beauty

I’m gradually giving in,

But wait! What holds me back?

That woman helping me slim!

She reminds me that you are nothing-

not worth the tears to come,

I’ll put you back dear chocolate bar

‘cos I want a smaller tum!