{
  "id": 5529750,
  "title": "How to Get Over the Hump of Writing Sex",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/how-to-get-over-the-hump-of-writing-sex",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T09:09:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Literary Hub",
    "slug": "literary-hub",
    "url": "https://lithub.com/how-to-get-over-the-hump-of-writing-sex/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This article, originally published in Lit Hub's Craft of Writing newsletter, provides advice on how to effectively write about sex. It begins by acknowledging that love and its complications make for compelling stories, but writing about sex can be equally challenging due to its elusive and mysterious nature. The author suggests avoiding clichés and euphemisms, instead opting for fresh and honest language that reflects the complexities of human desire and experience.\n\nThe piece begins by recounting the author's own early exposure to the word \"fuck\" at the age of six or seven. Their father explained that it meant making love, but warned the author to stop asking questions. Later, the author encountered a picture book, \"Where Did I Come From?\" by Peter Mayle, which depicted sexual acts under a quilt. The author describes feeling confused and uncomfortable by the book's content, yet realizing that sex is a natural and necessary part of human life.\n\nThe article then offers several tips for writing about sex. First, it encourages writers to exploit the messiness of sexual experiences, recognizing that orgasms are not the only reason people engage in sex. Characters might want to feel loved, manipulate their partners, defy societal norms, or even defuse tension in a relationship. Writers should strive for emotional honesty in portraying the conflicting emotions that accompany desire, whether it's revenge sex, break-up sex, make-up sex, or any other form.\n\nSecond, the author advises writers to use the appropriate language for the scene they're describing. They suggest considering how characters would describe the experience in real-time, using language that reflects the tone and mood of the moment. This might involve using edgy slang, scientific jargon, poetic imagery, or even crude terms like \"cunt,\" depending on the context and desired effect.\n\nThird, the article challenges writers to break away from stereotypes and clichés. Instead of reinforcing traditional power dynamics and objectifying women, writers should strive for fresh and surprising language that reflects the complex realities of sexual encounters. This includes showing diverse relationships, such as same-sex partnerships and self-pleasure, and avoiding the predictable perspective of only the male viewpoint.\n\nFinally, the author suggests that sometimes less is more when it comes to writing about sex. Overly explicit descriptions can feel forced and unrealistic, so writers should aim for subtlety and nuance to create a more authentic and engaging narrative. By following these tips, writers can overcome the challenges of writing about sex and craft compelling stories that capture the complexity and diversity of human desire.",
  "summary": "This first appeared in Lit Hub’s Craft of Writing newsletter—sign up here. Only trouble is interesting, and what causes more trouble for us humans than our love lives? With love, we’re leaping into the unknown, and it’s thrilling, surprising, scary, overwhelming (and",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}