Saturday, January 2, 2010

Topaz and Sexual Tension

Called the Sun Jewel, topaz has the distinction of being the gemstone with the widest range of curative powers. It takes its name from Topazios, meaning "to seek".

And what are romance writers always seeking to create in their work? Sexual tension.

Sexual tension isn't sex scenes. In romance stories, sexual tension is an absolute must. It's what has them going, 'Oh, my God.' It's the spark that keeps drawing your hero and heroine together. It's the enchantment you create with them wanting each other, whether they're willing to admit it or not.

Topaz, an aluminum silicate, has been used frequently since the late 18th C. The most common color is yellow with a red tint. The most valuable is pink.

The topaz is known for inspiration and awakening. That's what writers are trying to do when working on sexual tension. They are awakening readers to the irresistible awareness between the hero and heroine. They want the reader to feel the deep longing and unsatisfied desire between the hero and heroine.

It's a delicate balancing act to create sexual tensionm and to achieve the goal; like topaz is credited with doing, you'll attract wealth and good fortune.

The popularity of topaz grew during the Middle Ages when people believed the gemstone to have the power to strengthen the mind. People used to rub topaz marinated in wine for three days on their eyes for better vision. Afterwards, the same wine was served to guests.

Topaz is considered a symbol of friendship and often is thought to bring better and deeper relationships together. It is also known to calm anger and guard against envy. That could explain why it is thought to increase creativity and feelings of joy.

As writers you can use your creativity to have your characters notice little things about each other. Make them aware. Use the five senses--sight, sound, scent, touch and taste. It can be the manicured fingernails of the hero, the timbre of his voice. Or, the warmth the heroine feels at his first touch, or the peppermint on her breath that reminds hero of holidays and baking cookies.

Without sexual tension your story is flat. The challenge is to bring that awareness alive with little details about your characters. Sexual tension is not about body parts.

Writing romance with sexual tension calls for you to be a juggler. You have to strive for intimacy all the while sprinkling in obstacles along the way that are sure to test the relationship. Sexual tension isn't about will they or won't they. But, when will they. You have to satisfy both your readers and your characters.

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