books
February 28, 2026
How to Put Sex in a Novel
In a new book, intimate fantasies become a crucial vehicle for character development.
TL;DR
- Contemporary realist novels are criticized for 'evading sex' between heterosexual partners, while queer novelists often explore intimacy more openly.
- Jan Saenz's upcoming novel, *200 Monas*, features a premise involving a drug that induces uncontrollable orgasms, forcing characters into direct sexual scenarios.
- These explicit scenes in *200 Monas* are used not just for titillation or plot advancement, but as a means of character development, revealing vulnerability and facilitating communication.
- Writing about intimacy is crucial for characterization, as sex exposes individuals and requires communication beyond words.
- The novel suggests that genuine human connection, rather than chemical highs, is essential for true intimacy, highlighting the importance of communication in sex.
Continue reading the original article