As an erotica writer, it is common to create complex characters with a range of sexual experiences and desires. However, some writers find it difficult to effectively portray sexual inhibition. Sexual inhibitions are the various emotional and physical barriers that can prevent people from fully living out their sexual freedom. As the creator of your characters, it’s your job to understand the various manifestations of sexual inhibition so that your characters can have believable arcs. In this blog post, we’ll go over the most common physical, emotional, and cognitive signs of sexual inhibition and provide examples that can inspire your writing.
Sexual inhibition manifests differently in different people. However, there are some common physical symptoms, such as an increased heart rate and trembling, a feeling of tightness, or tension in certain parts of the body. In some cases, there may even be temporary paralysis as the person struggles mentally and emotionally to overcome sexual inhibitions. For example, a person may have difficulty maintaining an erection or reaching orgasm, or they may become tense and unresponsive to touch. It’s important to be aware of and accurately describe physical symptoms to make your character’s experience authentic.
Emotional signs of sexual inhibition include feelings of shame, fear, embarrassment, guilt, and anger. These feelings often stem from negative past experiences related to sex, religious beliefs, societal pressures, or self-esteem issues. They can also be triggered by transitions such as menopause, pregnancy, puberty, and other stages of sexual development. For example, your character may be very afraid of receiving oral sex, or fear that it will lead to ridicule or laughter. By understanding how emotional cues arise, you can create more nuanced characters that better reflect the varied experiences of real people.
Cognitive inhibitions are the various mental blocks and stigmas that prevent people from fully enjoying their sexual experiences. Common cognitive inhibitions include negative self-talk, self-doubt, and thoughts of being judged, compared to others, or caught doing something shameful. They may also be related to past trauma and misconceptions. For example, your person may have difficulty expressing their thoughts or desires during sex, or they may have difficulty trying new things for fear of shame or embarrassment. By better understanding these inhibitions and their causes, you can create more realistic and complex characters in your erotic writing.
One way to overcome sexual inhibitions is to approach sex with more acceptance and curiosity. Encourage your characters to share and discover what they do and don’t enjoy without pressure or judgment. You can also create supportive environments and characters where your characters feel safe and respected, which can influence their willingness to try new things. Finally, confronting past traumas and beliefs can help characters overcome inhibitions and allow them to grow and change in order to develop their character.
As an erotica writer, it’s important to create realistic characters that reflect the variety of sexual experiences that are possible in real life. By understanding the physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms of sexual inhibition, you can better and more accurately portray your characters’ struggles. By fostering openness and curiosity and avoiding guilt and shame around sexual experiences, you can create more nuanced and complex characters that feel authentic to your readers.
