Love scenes

So, finished up going through the corrections that my editor marked in my manuscript. Took out some, restructured subplots, and added a number of scenes. My big dilemma was deciding where the line was for the love scenes. While this isn't Paranormal Romance, there is a strong romantic element, especially since much of the character development happens through the relationship between Duke and Eyulf. But even in Paranormal Romance there is a line you don't cross, in terms of the level of graphic content, unless you intend to move into erotic genres.

Where is that line? For genre fiction that ISN'T a variation on the Romance genre, that line is blurry. I wrote the love scenes as honestly as I could. I tried to infuse it with as much chemistry and sensuality that I could. I purposely did not want to give a tutorial on this or that sex practice. Further, my love scenes aren't just any love scenes, they're gay. I want as many readers as possible to identify with my characters, without the hangups of having no experience with which to relate, or any other kinds of inhibitions or hangups.

I used, 'If you have to ask if you went too far, you probably did,' as a general principle. So, how far is not too far? That depends on the writer, on the characters, on the situation, and on the genre. I'm happy with how the scenes turned out. Ultimately, the reader needs to connect with the character, needs to identify with them and what is on the page in a real-time imagineered experience. They don't necessarily need an anatomy lesson or a description of the Kama Sutra. But the writer needs to be honest. Needs to deliver the material with the glossy lens of a realized ideal. I guess.

I guess I'll see how I did when the book gets reviewed.