First, we’d like to thank everyone who saw the Tom Wolfe story and immediately thought of us. We’re not sure if we’re honored or creating the wrong impression. Probably honored but concerned as it’s clear this topic is much more up Jill’s alley than ours.
We cannot pretend to understand what goes on in another person’s mind during sex, though we suspect there’s a fair amount of “will this ever end”. That being said, we also think it is rare that the phrase “otorhinolaryngological caverns” comes to mind. Seriously, if you’re thinking words like this, somebody is doing something wrong. Say what you will about romance novels, but at least the sex makes sense*. There is a time to be writerly in your prose — sex scenes are likely not it. You will have to trust us when we say that flowery language and bizarre metaphors only induce giggles. And maybe some furrowed brows as the reader wonders, “Is that physicall possible?”
Often, it is not. As you’re actually writing about something you can try at home, hands on research might be appropriate.
The prize is awarded each year for “crude, tasteless” sexual depictions in published literature.
It is awarded by Literary Review magazine in an attempt to discourage authors from writing such accounts.
Call us naive, but we suspect this award isn’t doing what it intended, as evidenced by the fact that it’s in its 12th year.
* – Mostly.
- Author Wolfe wins ‘bad sex’ prize: Author Tom Wolfe’s latest novel is about hedonistic college life – US author Tom Wolfe has been given the Bad Sex in Fiction Award for awkward descriptions of intimate encounters in his novel I am Charlotte Simmons. (Note: article also includes helpful links to previous stories about award winners)
- Bad Sex Writing Prize Goes to Tom Wolfe
