Tag: Anonymous

Uuuuurgh. How do I write a strip tease? I’ve written everything leading up to it, then just a link to a youtube video. Probably doesn’t help that the POV is the person doing the tease…

Certainly challenging to be sure. Not impossible, of course. But here’s a thing. Throw out the video and stop thinking about WHAT that person is doing and focusing on WHY. And not the “I have daddy issues cliche,” but what your character is accomplishing standing on that stage at that second. Is he or she looking to anyone in particular? Why? Does he or she think the target is hot or has some extra cash to help Stripper make ends meet? Or is Stripper just in it for the attention?

Go with that. If you haven’t stripped, it’s really REALLY difficult to try and do it on the page because it’s not as easy as it looks. So, instead of focusing on the mechanics, focus on what’s in the head of your POV. It’s much more interesting, and likely more sensual, than the actual act. So roll with it. And every so often when you’re in the head, step outside and show the reader what’s going on in more brief glimpses. Drop the shirt while your POV is making a grocery list in her head. Ditch the pants while POV is thinking of how he’s going to have enough money to pay the cell phone bill.

Whatever works. If you’re not sure how EXACTLY something is done, but you NEED it to work, don’t handwave it away. Just approach it from a different angle when and shift the focus to stuff you DO know. Like what’s in the character’s head.

Hope this helps? I’ve often done scenes like this and they’ve been well-received. Of course, if you want to go the straight way, research videos, pull the acts and parts you find sexy and describe those. But it sounds like you’re already stuck after researching, so maybe a different angle is a good way to go. At least to try.

If it’s not too much to ask, do you have any advice for people who want to start practising their writing skills/improve their work? You seem very accomplished!

First of all, Nonny, thank you! Second, I don’t think my advice is going to be terribly original, but it’s still true. If you want to improve, you practice. It’s like any learned skill. You write and write and write. And write some more. Even if it sucks. Even if you never use it. It’s never a waste. Practice is what hones our skills and helps us discover our unique styles.

Improvement also necessitates research and development, too. If you can, take classes and seminars. Read books in the genre you’re most interested in and read them critically. I used to take a highlighter to books and mark phrases and descriptions that I found particularly interesting and would imitate those styles when I wrote.

But lastly, stay motivated! This is the hardest thing for most writers. And most artists, to be honest. Join contests, write short stories as gifts for your friends, participate in fic prompts (if that’s your thing), anything that will give you a goal to accomplish and a tangible outcome. The more you FINISH, the easier it’ll be to complete your novel or screenplay or whatever.

Just don’t give up. Don’t write in a vacuum. Don’t become overly critical. And most of all, don’t shut yourself away. Join writing communities or at least share your work with people you trust. Even if they’re not writers or editors, they may be able to offer insight and support. 

Last but not least, if nothing else, know that JJ is rooting for you! I adore writers and think we’re all pretty amazing for pursuing this form of art. It’s a lot of work for less payoff, but it’s worth it!

I’d be interested to hear more about your publishing and editor experiences. I want to be an editor when I grow up (ha, I’m 29 and have two mortgages and two cats, not grown up yet?). The relationship between author and editor should be really tight; the editor isn’t a dictator, they’re a facilitator, a sounding board. Sounds like firing her was the right move. PS: where can I buy your books?

On the whole, I’ve had good experiences. Some editors who work for large publishing companies are just as concerned with sales as with the writer, so they know what sells and how to make your book sell. And there are times I’ve had to bite the bullet and change things I didn’t necessarily want to for better readability. HOWEVER, a writer AND an editor need to understand that there is a give and take to the relationship. The writer needs to not be too self-important to realize that he or she DOES need to make changes sometimes. And the editor has to realize that sales aren’t the ONLY important thing. That you can’t always ask an author to completely disregard core ideas or characters that will fundamentally change the story that the author wanted to tell.

It’s a fine line sometimes, but a truly good editor knows a good book and knows how to make it work where both parties can compromise for the good of the art.

This last editor did not respect that at all. I’m not too tight-assed (as, regrettably, many writers are) to realize my work has flaws. But I’m never going to sacrifice the core ideas just to sell more copies. And an editor should never ask for that.

I’ve been on both sides of the table and therefore know the difficulty for both parties. But I’ve also had editors who I would give my firstborn to. 😀

P.S. this is to be my first book in English, so while it’s stuck in limbo there’s nowhere to buy it. 🙂 And my stuff in Japanese is technical writing, so… not too interesting. :DDD