Blogfest 2009

It all depends on the characters, doesn’t it? If it’s in-character, meaning if having sex is what that character would do, then of course it’s okay. An author is a storyteller, and our job is to tell a story that works. It is not our job to condone or condemn behavior — we trust our readers (because we know you are smart) to come to their own personal conclusions, to discuss things that the characters do, and to determine if it was the right thing or not. Sometimes sex is appropriate for the characters and sometimes it’s not. Authors ask themselves, “knowing everything I know about this character, would he have sex with that character?” If sex is there for gratuitous reasons and it doesn’t fit the character, it’s probably just a crappy book. But I’ve read a ton of YA and I can’t think of any YA book that had sex in it when there shouldn’t have been. Sex happens in real life for teens and it happens in YA lit. Teens know about sex. How can that be inappropriate, to tell a story that includes stuff that happens in real life? I don’t know.

I know there are some writers who frown about sex scenes, but if it’s appropriate, then I’m OK with it. Denying teenage sexuality is as farcical as the media’s preoccupation with teen sexuality.

I think that the reality of sex in the lives of teenagers is again real and true.  I have a problem when writers write those sex scenes irresponsibly.  Meaning, safe sex is key if you’re going to write about sex.  I personally feel you can tell a great story and it reflect the intimacy of two people without necessarily “showing” the actual “act” of sex.  A kiss or a soft touch can be just as powerful.  I personally believe that characters who aren’t afraid to abstain or are proud of their virginity is just as cool.  So when it’s appropriate is when the moment of a sexual encounter is “key” to that time or place in the story.  Otherwise, just to write a sex scene for the sake of writing sex doesn’t say a lot about creativity.