Sex and the Planets So Mercury finally leaves Retrograde today. I'm thrilled, because, while writing anything or accomplishing anything is difficult during a Mercury retrograde, it seems writing sex scenes is basically impossible.

From Astrology on the Web:

In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves.

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry.

It is therefore not wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is very likely that these decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde, these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!


So I guess because I tend to view, rightly or wrongly, my big sex scene as one of the focal points of the book, and because this one has some pretty major consequences to the climax of the book, that might help explain why two characters who a few weeks ago were furious with me because I wouldn't let them fall into bed together right away are now being oddly coy and refusing to play. They keep bantering back and forth--all very amusing stuff, but it's like they're doing things where I can't see and only showing me the rest.

Have my characters had sex without my knowledge? Sneaky buggers.

Seriously, though. I'm of the belief that a sex scene should be wirtten, as much as possible, in one smooth hit. You plant your butt in front of that computer (or notebook, however you do your first drafts) at the first kiss, and you don't get up until everyone is satisfied. Hopefully in the case of the woman more than once.

But I'm constantly interrupted these days. I can't seem to get the scene flowing. I'm stuck in odd little tangents that do nothing for the scene but slow it down, when the last thing you want is slowdowns in a sex scene. A sex scene should, of course, build and build...not make a detour into "his apartment was decorated like..." territory. She can look around in the morning, dammit! Why am I getting stuck?

Because of those damn planets, that's why.

How about all of you? Has the retrograde affected your work? How? How do you write a sex scene--can you piece it out bit by bit, or do you need to do it in one go?

I'm also wondering if anyone here works out their characters' astrological signs and uses that to help determine character. It's not something I've ever consciously done, but I've heard it can be quite helpful.

Or do you think astrology is all a bunch of silly garbage?  ¶ posted at 5:10 AM by December/Stacia