Two years ago, my vocabulary for intimacy was limited. But with practice and an editor’s guidance, I’m expanding my descriptive toolbox. The current manuscript feels richer, capturing not just the physical act, but the emotional dance that unfolds between my characters. Their fingertips graze, sending a spark of heat crackling across their skin. A shiver races down her spine as his voice dips low, a husky murmur against her ear. This is more than just sex; it’s a meeting of souls, a journey of desire fueled by vulnerability and trust.
You’d be hard-pressed to open a romance novel without finding these three things – but odds are, you won’t find these words. (By the way, osculation is the scientific word for kissing. I didn’t know either.) Writers and readers of romance know there are endless euphemisms for the private bits, the sexy times, and everything leading up to them.
If you’re writing, you might find yourself struggling with talking about his or her… err… you-know-what. But fear not – I’ve got you covered. Some of these are cringe-inducing, and some blush-provoking, but I have not discriminated in collecting an assortment here. Even if you’re not writing, I’m sure you’ll find some of these amusing. (And if you’re looking for more words, try Part 2 and Part 3!)
For research, I turned to my bookshelf, grabbing a 2010 Kieran Kramer Regency romance, a 2004 Julia Quinn
Silvanna Snow 