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R. H. Snow's avatar

An excellent write up regarding the proper use of sex and violence in an action story. It's true that so many sex scenes are written to 'spice up' a dull part of the story, and many scenes of violence are simply gratitious, covering for lazy writing.

But when a science fiction story is specifically driven by sex and violence, then it must be more than explored - it must be written plausibly into the story as part of the Action Arc. The nature of sexuality and violence as human traits, motivating humanity towards Freedom is implicit in the Declaration of Independence's Pursuit of Happiness, and both traits are extensively explored in a PG-13 standard in my own series, Watcher of the Damned. I wanted to explore the taboo subject of 'Viva la Difference' from a dystopian standpoint, a battle of the Sexes couched in Cultures - and along with it, the nature of Violence as the guardian of Life and Liberty.

Romance and Violence can walk hand in hand and in a well written story, Action is the Child of that union.

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SDN's avatar

Declan, there's a reason "Oh, John Ringo, NO!" is a catchphrase... 8-)

However, the funniest scene I've ever read is when the bad guys decide to kidnap his harem manager (the most over the top sub ever described) and "torture" her for information.....

Pro tip: When your "victim" is giving you instructions on how between climaxes, you probably won't get the results you're looking for. Just sayin'.....

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