Mixing
What is a subtle way of mentioning a man became physically aroused?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
In my novel, I'm currently writing from a male's perspective and I need a bit of help. It's not an erotic book, but I'm writing a flashback from his teenage years which involves a bosom hug and I think it's realistic and fitting to mention something subtle about him getting an erection but I have absolutely no idea how to phrase it.
My character is a very reserved individual, who would never use your typical terminology. In a previous chapter, he referred to masturbation cryptically as a "catharsis" (which was fitting in the context).
creative-writing erotica sex
edited 27 mins ago
Monica Cellio♦
12.8k22874
asked 19 hours ago
Margaret Belt
8613
New contributor
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
In my novel, I'm currently writing from a male's perspective and I need a bit of help. It's not an erotic book, but I'm writing a flashback from his teenage years which involves a bosom hug and I think it's realistic and fitting to mention something subtle about him getting an erection but I have absolutely no idea how to phrase it.
My character is a very reserved individual, who would never use your typical terminology. In a previous chapter, he referred to masturbation cryptically as a "catharsis" (which was fitting in the context).
creative-writing erotica sex
edited 27 mins ago
Monica Cellio♦
12.8k22874
asked 19 hours ago
Margaret Belt
8613
New contributor
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
7
Why are people voting to close? The question is clearly about writing, and asking for a character PoV she cannot know personally. We have MANY similar questions….
– wetcircuit
10 hours ago
2
Unrelated, but an old book I was reading on my teenage years had literally a full-page, cartoon-style drawing of a wooden log, a pitched up tent or other similar imagery every time the main character got near his "crush" or had other type of male-arousal inducing situation. Nothing was addressed in the text at all. It was a "romantic comedy" of sorts about a near sci-fi future, but I unfortunately don't remember its title.
– T. Sar
9 hours ago
I don't understand the close votes too. Maybe the voters care to explain?
– Liquid
8 hours ago
So who is the intended audience of this story? Adult crowd? Young Adult? Children (please be no, please be no)? Mixed (Adutls will likely watch it but there are kids in the room too? And again, who is watching it with Whom? For example, a funny adult joke in what is a kids cartoon is quite normal... just watch a kids show from the 90s. Or is it an adult show but okay if say... a 10 year old walks in and sees the scene.) Also, how much do you want the audience to be drawn to this fact... Is it just his immediate behavior is off putting?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
Oh, and clearly this is going to be a humorous scene, but is the book have a comedy tone, or is it more a serious story but with comedic breaks to ease the tension?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
In my novel, I'm currently writing from a male's perspective and I need a bit of help. It's not an erotic book, but I'm writing a flashback from his teenage years which involves a bosom hug and I think it's realistic and fitting to mention something subtle about him getting an erection but I have absolutely no idea how to phrase it.
My character is a very reserved individual, who would never use your typical terminology. In a previous chapter, he referred to masturbation cryptically as a "catharsis" (which was fitting in the context).
creative-writing erotica sex
edited 27 mins ago
Monica Cellio♦
12.8k22874
asked 19 hours ago
Margaret Belt
8613
New contributor
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
In my novel, I'm currently writing from a male's perspective and I need a bit of help. It's not an erotic book, but I'm writing a flashback from his teenage years which involves a bosom hug and I think it's realistic and fitting to mention something subtle about him getting an erection but I have absolutely no idea how to phrase it.
My character is a very reserved individual, who would never use your typical terminology. In a previous chapter, he referred to masturbation cryptically as a "catharsis" (which was fitting in the context).
creative-writing erotica sex
creative-writing erotica sex
edited 27 mins ago
Monica Cellio♦
12.8k22874
asked 19 hours ago
Margaret Belt
8613
New contributor
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 27 mins ago
Monica Cellio♦
12.8k22874
asked 19 hours ago
Margaret Belt
8613
New contributor
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 27 mins ago
Monica Cellio♦
12.8k22874
edited 27 mins ago
Monica Cellio♦
12.8k22874
edited 27 mins ago
Monica Cellio♦
12.8k22874
12.8k22874
asked 19 hours ago
Margaret Belt
8613
New contributor
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 19 hours ago
Margaret Belt
8613
asked 19 hours ago
Margaret Belt
8613
8613
New contributor
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Margaret Belt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
7
Why are people voting to close? The question is clearly about writing, and asking for a character PoV she cannot know personally. We have MANY similar questions….
– wetcircuit
10 hours ago
2
Unrelated, but an old book I was reading on my teenage years had literally a full-page, cartoon-style drawing of a wooden log, a pitched up tent or other similar imagery every time the main character got near his "crush" or had other type of male-arousal inducing situation. Nothing was addressed in the text at all. It was a "romantic comedy" of sorts about a near sci-fi future, but I unfortunately don't remember its title.
– T. Sar
9 hours ago
I don't understand the close votes too. Maybe the voters care to explain?
– Liquid
8 hours ago
So who is the intended audience of this story? Adult crowd? Young Adult? Children (please be no, please be no)? Mixed (Adutls will likely watch it but there are kids in the room too? And again, who is watching it with Whom? For example, a funny adult joke in what is a kids cartoon is quite normal... just watch a kids show from the 90s. Or is it an adult show but okay if say... a 10 year old walks in and sees the scene.) Also, how much do you want the audience to be drawn to this fact... Is it just his immediate behavior is off putting?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
Oh, and clearly this is going to be a humorous scene, but is the book have a comedy tone, or is it more a serious story but with comedic breaks to ease the tension?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
7
Why are people voting to close? The question is clearly about writing, and asking for a character PoV she cannot know personally. We have MANY similar questions….
– wetcircuit
10 hours ago
2
Unrelated, but an old book I was reading on my teenage years had literally a full-page, cartoon-style drawing of a wooden log, a pitched up tent or other similar imagery every time the main character got near his "crush" or had other type of male-arousal inducing situation. Nothing was addressed in the text at all. It was a "romantic comedy" of sorts about a near sci-fi future, but I unfortunately don't remember its title.
– T. Sar
9 hours ago
I don't understand the close votes too. Maybe the voters care to explain?
– Liquid
8 hours ago
So who is the intended audience of this story? Adult crowd? Young Adult? Children (please be no, please be no)? Mixed (Adutls will likely watch it but there are kids in the room too? And again, who is watching it with Whom? For example, a funny adult joke in what is a kids cartoon is quite normal... just watch a kids show from the 90s. Or is it an adult show but okay if say... a 10 year old walks in and sees the scene.) Also, how much do you want the audience to be drawn to this fact... Is it just his immediate behavior is off putting?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
Oh, and clearly this is going to be a humorous scene, but is the book have a comedy tone, or is it more a serious story but with comedic breaks to ease the tension?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
7
7
Why are people voting to close? The question is clearly about writing, and asking for a character PoV she cannot know personally. We have MANY similar questions….
– wetcircuit
10 hours ago
Why are people voting to close? The question is clearly about writing, and asking for a character PoV she cannot know personally. We have MANY similar questions….
– wetcircuit
10 hours ago
2
2
Unrelated, but an old book I was reading on my teenage years had literally a full-page, cartoon-style drawing of a wooden log, a pitched up tent or other similar imagery every time the main character got near his "crush" or had other type of male-arousal inducing situation. Nothing was addressed in the text at all. It was a "romantic comedy" of sorts about a near sci-fi future, but I unfortunately don't remember its title.
– T. Sar
9 hours ago
Unrelated, but an old book I was reading on my teenage years had literally a full-page, cartoon-style drawing of a wooden log, a pitched up tent or other similar imagery every time the main character got near his "crush" or had other type of male-arousal inducing situation. Nothing was addressed in the text at all. It was a "romantic comedy" of sorts about a near sci-fi future, but I unfortunately don't remember its title.
– T. Sar
9 hours ago
I don't understand the close votes too. Maybe the voters care to explain?
– Liquid
8 hours ago
I don't understand the close votes too. Maybe the voters care to explain?
– Liquid
8 hours ago
So who is the intended audience of this story? Adult crowd? Young Adult? Children (please be no, please be no)? Mixed (Adutls will likely watch it but there are kids in the room too? And again, who is watching it with Whom? For example, a funny adult joke in what is a kids cartoon is quite normal... just watch a kids show from the 90s. Or is it an adult show but okay if say... a 10 year old walks in and sees the scene.) Also, how much do you want the audience to be drawn to this fact... Is it just his immediate behavior is off putting?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
So who is the intended audience of this story? Adult crowd? Young Adult? Children (please be no, please be no)? Mixed (Adutls will likely watch it but there are kids in the room too? And again, who is watching it with Whom? For example, a funny adult joke in what is a kids cartoon is quite normal... just watch a kids show from the 90s. Or is it an adult show but okay if say... a 10 year old walks in and sees the scene.) Also, how much do you want the audience to be drawn to this fact... Is it just his immediate behavior is off putting?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
Oh, and clearly this is going to be a humorous scene, but is the book have a comedy tone, or is it more a serious story but with comedic breaks to ease the tension?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
Oh, and clearly this is going to be a humorous scene, but is the book have a comedy tone, or is it more a serious story but with comedic breaks to ease the tension?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
up vote
16
down vote
You could be vague and mention him feeling his trousers or pants "getting tighter", or something of the like. It's pretty much the standard imagery used to represent an erection without actually mentioning anything, and it's also a quite accurate physical description that your male readers will have no problems identifying.
For pretty much the same reasons, you can mention him having troubles walking due to his trousers becoming slightly uncomfortable.
This is pretty much everything you can say (that's coming to my mind) about the physical feelings without going into details.
Psychologically, you can mention him being embarassed in his excitement: he could be afraid of the other character becoming aware of his erection during the hug. Again, this would be realistic and you can easily say something along the lines of "[he] feared [the other character] noticing his arousal" and you'd be ok.
Since he's in his teenager years, he may be unexperienced with the whole erection thing - he may feel a bit confused, his toughts will lose a bit of focus, and he may shift his attention on his bodily sensations (the softness of the hug against his body, the scent of the other character).
Arousal may make him want more of that pleasurable contact, like reciprocating the hug, or again he may stare at the other character with a different gaze.
So, there's quite a lot you could say depending on how the character feels about the erection (excitement vs lust vs embarassment).
Let me know if it helped.
answered 17 hours ago
Liquid
3,850937
9
+1, However, most teen boys (even 13 year olds) are very familiar with erections, they likely have them every morning and a few times a day.
– Amadeus
16 hours ago
3
@Amadeus Sure enough. I wanted to convey the idea that the character may not be used to deal with erection during that particular situation, but maybe I should rephrase the answer.
– Liquid
16 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Liquid's answer is good, but I would like to specifically focus on one way of doing it; chiefly, mention the awkward feelings one gets in such situations. Men, especially young men, aren't exactly comfortable with inappropriately-timed erections, so given this is from the male's perspective, you have a lot of fun ways to play this off. For example:
Myrtle squeezed her soft chest against me. I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel good. Then and there, the only thing on my mind was how to make this last forever. Of course, that very thought made my body sabotage the entire effort. It was touching her leg, there was no way she wouldn't notice. Within moments, Myrtle let me go with a polite smile; she said nothing, but we both knew the reason.
answered 15 hours ago
Matthew Dave
4,866734
Very nice, it puts you right into his head (not to mention the part of his body that's doing the thinking).
– Barmar
7 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
This question borders on "what to write" instead of "how to write", so I will concentrate on the latter.
If your character has masturbated, he has had erections. Probably every day, since teen age boys do. If he is "reserved" and doesn't like to think in crude terms, then he will have invented his own words for this phenomenon.
Changing "masturbation" to "catharsis" is focusing on the emotional result instead of the activity. I would focus on a similar language transition for an erection: Focus more on the emotional result.
I think "tight trousers" is a cliché, and doesn't really convey what the character is feeling. It is also not entirely accurate, men and boys can wear brief and keep their penis angled down, in that case they can have an erection that doesn't show. Most boys figure that out early, and don't "pitch a tent", as the slang goes.
Also, erections are not all or nothing; they can vary from "chub" to full staff, depending on the level of arousal. For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection; I'd guess the boy had the beginning of one, a partial erection.
Were I writing, I'd focus on the emotions this causes. Between males and females, I'd guess the frequency of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal is higher in males, and the sensations may differ somewhat (although engorgement and increased sensitivity are common to both genders), but I'd also guess the emotions of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal would be similar, and by focusing on those we can cross the gender-gap.
I also wouldn't try to summarize this in a word or two; if this is an infrequent occurrence in the story, you don't need a shorthand. Allow yourself a sentence or two, to convey the feeling accurately. Remember, readers don't mind reading.
answered 14 hours ago
Amadeus
42.6k253137
"For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection" Seriously? I can have a firm one just for looking at an attractive girl. However, people are different, who knows.
– rus9384
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Don't mention the erection at all. As he is about to be smothered in breasts, switch to descriptions of everything he is using to mentally distract himself from having a sexual reaction.
Perhaps, make it more of a "battle", attacking one of his senses at a time. First the image of her breasts up close which he fights back with other visual imagery that is very un-breastlike. Then as he seems to have that won, his next battle is her smell which is layers of feminine things like soap and powders. He battles this back with memories of foul smells. Last it is the feeling of contact, skin to skin, and he has to knock it away with very un-sexual human contact. (Bonus points if the replacement objects resonate thematically or have character-arc significance.)
After this epic battle of his senses – which of course was just a few seconds but in his mind lasted an eternity, the reader can get a hint of how well it worked the same way he will know. He "adjusts" how he is sitting.
answered 10 hours ago
wetcircuit
5,580932
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
The possibilities are endless:
"Chubby Checker is doing his stand up routine"
"From little acorns, mighty oaks do grow."
"You know The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams? Well, the lark has ascended."
Pretty much anything in that situation that a young man says, which refers to anything rising or growing, is going to be construed as being a reference to an erection.
answered 11 hours ago
Matt Hollands
211
New contributor
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If a teenage boy feels sexually excited, that's all you need to say and male readers will understand.
A roundabout way to describe is having to rearrange his equipment or having to hide his excitement by holding a book over his lap.
Teenage boys use words like "erection" and "hard on" all the time.
answered 8 hours ago
idiotprogrammer
1,09347
Teenage boys use the word "jerk" too. This one is not of that kind and I guess he is not a teenage boy actually, but an adult who describes what happened to him in the past using his current (adult) vocabulary.
– rus9384
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
16
down vote
You could be vague and mention him feeling his trousers or pants "getting tighter", or something of the like. It's pretty much the standard imagery used to represent an erection without actually mentioning anything, and it's also a quite accurate physical description that your male readers will have no problems identifying.
For pretty much the same reasons, you can mention him having troubles walking due to his trousers becoming slightly uncomfortable.
This is pretty much everything you can say (that's coming to my mind) about the physical feelings without going into details.
Psychologically, you can mention him being embarassed in his excitement: he could be afraid of the other character becoming aware of his erection during the hug. Again, this would be realistic and you can easily say something along the lines of "[he] feared [the other character] noticing his arousal" and you'd be ok.
Since he's in his teenager years, he may be unexperienced with the whole erection thing - he may feel a bit confused, his toughts will lose a bit of focus, and he may shift his attention on his bodily sensations (the softness of the hug against his body, the scent of the other character).
Arousal may make him want more of that pleasurable contact, like reciprocating the hug, or again he may stare at the other character with a different gaze.
So, there's quite a lot you could say depending on how the character feels about the erection (excitement vs lust vs embarassment).
Let me know if it helped.
answered 17 hours ago
Liquid
3,850937
9
+1, However, most teen boys (even 13 year olds) are very familiar with erections, they likely have them every morning and a few times a day.
– Amadeus
16 hours ago
3
@Amadeus Sure enough. I wanted to convey the idea that the character may not be used to deal with erection during that particular situation, but maybe I should rephrase the answer.
– Liquid
16 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
You could be vague and mention him feeling his trousers or pants "getting tighter", or something of the like. It's pretty much the standard imagery used to represent an erection without actually mentioning anything, and it's also a quite accurate physical description that your male readers will have no problems identifying.
For pretty much the same reasons, you can mention him having troubles walking due to his trousers becoming slightly uncomfortable.
This is pretty much everything you can say (that's coming to my mind) about the physical feelings without going into details.
Psychologically, you can mention him being embarassed in his excitement: he could be afraid of the other character becoming aware of his erection during the hug. Again, this would be realistic and you can easily say something along the lines of "[he] feared [the other character] noticing his arousal" and you'd be ok.
Since he's in his teenager years, he may be unexperienced with the whole erection thing - he may feel a bit confused, his toughts will lose a bit of focus, and he may shift his attention on his bodily sensations (the softness of the hug against his body, the scent of the other character).
Arousal may make him want more of that pleasurable contact, like reciprocating the hug, or again he may stare at the other character with a different gaze.
So, there's quite a lot you could say depending on how the character feels about the erection (excitement vs lust vs embarassment).
Let me know if it helped.
answered 17 hours ago
Liquid
3,850937
9
+1, However, most teen boys (even 13 year olds) are very familiar with erections, they likely have them every morning and a few times a day.
– Amadeus
16 hours ago
3
@Amadeus Sure enough. I wanted to convey the idea that the character may not be used to deal with erection during that particular situation, but maybe I should rephrase the answer.
– Liquid
16 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
up vote
16
down vote
You could be vague and mention him feeling his trousers or pants "getting tighter", or something of the like. It's pretty much the standard imagery used to represent an erection without actually mentioning anything, and it's also a quite accurate physical description that your male readers will have no problems identifying.
For pretty much the same reasons, you can mention him having troubles walking due to his trousers becoming slightly uncomfortable.
This is pretty much everything you can say (that's coming to my mind) about the physical feelings without going into details.
Psychologically, you can mention him being embarassed in his excitement: he could be afraid of the other character becoming aware of his erection during the hug. Again, this would be realistic and you can easily say something along the lines of "[he] feared [the other character] noticing his arousal" and you'd be ok.
Since he's in his teenager years, he may be unexperienced with the whole erection thing - he may feel a bit confused, his toughts will lose a bit of focus, and he may shift his attention on his bodily sensations (the softness of the hug against his body, the scent of the other character).
Arousal may make him want more of that pleasurable contact, like reciprocating the hug, or again he may stare at the other character with a different gaze.
So, there's quite a lot you could say depending on how the character feels about the erection (excitement vs lust vs embarassment).
Let me know if it helped.
answered 17 hours ago
Liquid
3,850937
You could be vague and mention him feeling his trousers or pants "getting tighter", or something of the like. It's pretty much the standard imagery used to represent an erection without actually mentioning anything, and it's also a quite accurate physical description that your male readers will have no problems identifying.
For pretty much the same reasons, you can mention him having troubles walking due to his trousers becoming slightly uncomfortable.
This is pretty much everything you can say (that's coming to my mind) about the physical feelings without going into details.
Psychologically, you can mention him being embarassed in his excitement: he could be afraid of the other character becoming aware of his erection during the hug. Again, this would be realistic and you can easily say something along the lines of "[he] feared [the other character] noticing his arousal" and you'd be ok.
Since he's in his teenager years, he may be unexperienced with the whole erection thing - he may feel a bit confused, his toughts will lose a bit of focus, and he may shift his attention on his bodily sensations (the softness of the hug against his body, the scent of the other character).
Arousal may make him want more of that pleasurable contact, like reciprocating the hug, or again he may stare at the other character with a different gaze.
So, there's quite a lot you could say depending on how the character feels about the erection (excitement vs lust vs embarassment).
Let me know if it helped.
answered 17 hours ago
Liquid
3,850937
answered 17 hours ago
Liquid
3,850937
answered 17 hours ago
Liquid
3,850937
answered 17 hours ago
Liquid
3,850937
3,850937
9
+1, However, most teen boys (even 13 year olds) are very familiar with erections, they likely have them every morning and a few times a day.
– Amadeus
16 hours ago
3
@Amadeus Sure enough. I wanted to convey the idea that the character may not be used to deal with erection during that particular situation, but maybe I should rephrase the answer.
– Liquid
16 hours ago
add a comment |Â
9
+1, However, most teen boys (even 13 year olds) are very familiar with erections, they likely have them every morning and a few times a day.
– Amadeus
16 hours ago
3
@Amadeus Sure enough. I wanted to convey the idea that the character may not be used to deal with erection during that particular situation, but maybe I should rephrase the answer.
– Liquid
16 hours ago
9
9
+1, However, most teen boys (even 13 year olds) are very familiar with erections, they likely have them every morning and a few times a day.
– Amadeus
16 hours ago
+1, However, most teen boys (even 13 year olds) are very familiar with erections, they likely have them every morning and a few times a day.
– Amadeus
16 hours ago
3
3
@Amadeus Sure enough. I wanted to convey the idea that the character may not be used to deal with erection during that particular situation, but maybe I should rephrase the answer.
– Liquid
16 hours ago
@Amadeus Sure enough. I wanted to convey the idea that the character may not be used to deal with erection during that particular situation, but maybe I should rephrase the answer.
– Liquid
16 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Liquid's answer is good, but I would like to specifically focus on one way of doing it; chiefly, mention the awkward feelings one gets in such situations. Men, especially young men, aren't exactly comfortable with inappropriately-timed erections, so given this is from the male's perspective, you have a lot of fun ways to play this off. For example:
Myrtle squeezed her soft chest against me. I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel good. Then and there, the only thing on my mind was how to make this last forever. Of course, that very thought made my body sabotage the entire effort. It was touching her leg, there was no way she wouldn't notice. Within moments, Myrtle let me go with a polite smile; she said nothing, but we both knew the reason.
answered 15 hours ago
Matthew Dave
4,866734
Very nice, it puts you right into his head (not to mention the part of his body that's doing the thinking).
– Barmar
7 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Liquid's answer is good, but I would like to specifically focus on one way of doing it; chiefly, mention the awkward feelings one gets in such situations. Men, especially young men, aren't exactly comfortable with inappropriately-timed erections, so given this is from the male's perspective, you have a lot of fun ways to play this off. For example:
Myrtle squeezed her soft chest against me. I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel good. Then and there, the only thing on my mind was how to make this last forever. Of course, that very thought made my body sabotage the entire effort. It was touching her leg, there was no way she wouldn't notice. Within moments, Myrtle let me go with a polite smile; she said nothing, but we both knew the reason.
answered 15 hours ago
Matthew Dave
4,866734
Very nice, it puts you right into his head (not to mention the part of his body that's doing the thinking).
– Barmar
7 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
up vote
13
down vote
Liquid's answer is good, but I would like to specifically focus on one way of doing it; chiefly, mention the awkward feelings one gets in such situations. Men, especially young men, aren't exactly comfortable with inappropriately-timed erections, so given this is from the male's perspective, you have a lot of fun ways to play this off. For example:
Myrtle squeezed her soft chest against me. I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel good. Then and there, the only thing on my mind was how to make this last forever. Of course, that very thought made my body sabotage the entire effort. It was touching her leg, there was no way she wouldn't notice. Within moments, Myrtle let me go with a polite smile; she said nothing, but we both knew the reason.
answered 15 hours ago
Matthew Dave
4,866734
Liquid's answer is good, but I would like to specifically focus on one way of doing it; chiefly, mention the awkward feelings one gets in such situations. Men, especially young men, aren't exactly comfortable with inappropriately-timed erections, so given this is from the male's perspective, you have a lot of fun ways to play this off. For example:
Myrtle squeezed her soft chest against me. I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel good. Then and there, the only thing on my mind was how to make this last forever. Of course, that very thought made my body sabotage the entire effort. It was touching her leg, there was no way she wouldn't notice. Within moments, Myrtle let me go with a polite smile; she said nothing, but we both knew the reason.
answered 15 hours ago
Matthew Dave
4,866734
answered 15 hours ago
Matthew Dave
4,866734
answered 15 hours ago
Matthew Dave
4,866734
answered 15 hours ago
Matthew Dave
4,866734
4,866734
Very nice, it puts you right into his head (not to mention the part of his body that's doing the thinking).
– Barmar
7 hours ago
add a comment |Â
Very nice, it puts you right into his head (not to mention the part of his body that's doing the thinking).
– Barmar
7 hours ago
Very nice, it puts you right into his head (not to mention the part of his body that's doing the thinking).
– Barmar
7 hours ago
Very nice, it puts you right into his head (not to mention the part of his body that's doing the thinking).
– Barmar
7 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
This question borders on "what to write" instead of "how to write", so I will concentrate on the latter.
If your character has masturbated, he has had erections. Probably every day, since teen age boys do. If he is "reserved" and doesn't like to think in crude terms, then he will have invented his own words for this phenomenon.
Changing "masturbation" to "catharsis" is focusing on the emotional result instead of the activity. I would focus on a similar language transition for an erection: Focus more on the emotional result.
I think "tight trousers" is a cliché, and doesn't really convey what the character is feeling. It is also not entirely accurate, men and boys can wear brief and keep their penis angled down, in that case they can have an erection that doesn't show. Most boys figure that out early, and don't "pitch a tent", as the slang goes.
Also, erections are not all or nothing; they can vary from "chub" to full staff, depending on the level of arousal. For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection; I'd guess the boy had the beginning of one, a partial erection.
Were I writing, I'd focus on the emotions this causes. Between males and females, I'd guess the frequency of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal is higher in males, and the sensations may differ somewhat (although engorgement and increased sensitivity are common to both genders), but I'd also guess the emotions of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal would be similar, and by focusing on those we can cross the gender-gap.
I also wouldn't try to summarize this in a word or two; if this is an infrequent occurrence in the story, you don't need a shorthand. Allow yourself a sentence or two, to convey the feeling accurately. Remember, readers don't mind reading.
answered 14 hours ago
Amadeus
42.6k253137
"For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection" Seriously? I can have a firm one just for looking at an attractive girl. However, people are different, who knows.
– rus9384
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
This question borders on "what to write" instead of "how to write", so I will concentrate on the latter.
If your character has masturbated, he has had erections. Probably every day, since teen age boys do. If he is "reserved" and doesn't like to think in crude terms, then he will have invented his own words for this phenomenon.
Changing "masturbation" to "catharsis" is focusing on the emotional result instead of the activity. I would focus on a similar language transition for an erection: Focus more on the emotional result.
I think "tight trousers" is a cliché, and doesn't really convey what the character is feeling. It is also not entirely accurate, men and boys can wear brief and keep their penis angled down, in that case they can have an erection that doesn't show. Most boys figure that out early, and don't "pitch a tent", as the slang goes.
Also, erections are not all or nothing; they can vary from "chub" to full staff, depending on the level of arousal. For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection; I'd guess the boy had the beginning of one, a partial erection.
Were I writing, I'd focus on the emotions this causes. Between males and females, I'd guess the frequency of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal is higher in males, and the sensations may differ somewhat (although engorgement and increased sensitivity are common to both genders), but I'd also guess the emotions of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal would be similar, and by focusing on those we can cross the gender-gap.
I also wouldn't try to summarize this in a word or two; if this is an infrequent occurrence in the story, you don't need a shorthand. Allow yourself a sentence or two, to convey the feeling accurately. Remember, readers don't mind reading.
answered 14 hours ago
Amadeus
42.6k253137
"For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection" Seriously? I can have a firm one just for looking at an attractive girl. However, people are different, who knows.
– rus9384
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
This question borders on "what to write" instead of "how to write", so I will concentrate on the latter.
If your character has masturbated, he has had erections. Probably every day, since teen age boys do. If he is "reserved" and doesn't like to think in crude terms, then he will have invented his own words for this phenomenon.
Changing "masturbation" to "catharsis" is focusing on the emotional result instead of the activity. I would focus on a similar language transition for an erection: Focus more on the emotional result.
I think "tight trousers" is a cliché, and doesn't really convey what the character is feeling. It is also not entirely accurate, men and boys can wear brief and keep their penis angled down, in that case they can have an erection that doesn't show. Most boys figure that out early, and don't "pitch a tent", as the slang goes.
Also, erections are not all or nothing; they can vary from "chub" to full staff, depending on the level of arousal. For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection; I'd guess the boy had the beginning of one, a partial erection.
Were I writing, I'd focus on the emotions this causes. Between males and females, I'd guess the frequency of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal is higher in males, and the sensations may differ somewhat (although engorgement and increased sensitivity are common to both genders), but I'd also guess the emotions of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal would be similar, and by focusing on those we can cross the gender-gap.
I also wouldn't try to summarize this in a word or two; if this is an infrequent occurrence in the story, you don't need a shorthand. Allow yourself a sentence or two, to convey the feeling accurately. Remember, readers don't mind reading.
answered 14 hours ago
Amadeus
42.6k253137
This question borders on "what to write" instead of "how to write", so I will concentrate on the latter.
If your character has masturbated, he has had erections. Probably every day, since teen age boys do. If he is "reserved" and doesn't like to think in crude terms, then he will have invented his own words for this phenomenon.
Changing "masturbation" to "catharsis" is focusing on the emotional result instead of the activity. I would focus on a similar language transition for an erection: Focus more on the emotional result.
I think "tight trousers" is a cliché, and doesn't really convey what the character is feeling. It is also not entirely accurate, men and boys can wear brief and keep their penis angled down, in that case they can have an erection that doesn't show. Most boys figure that out early, and don't "pitch a tent", as the slang goes.
Also, erections are not all or nothing; they can vary from "chub" to full staff, depending on the level of arousal. For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection; I'd guess the boy had the beginning of one, a partial erection.
Were I writing, I'd focus on the emotions this causes. Between males and females, I'd guess the frequency of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal is higher in males, and the sensations may differ somewhat (although engorgement and increased sensitivity are common to both genders), but I'd also guess the emotions of unwanted or inappropriate sexual arousal would be similar, and by focusing on those we can cross the gender-gap.
I also wouldn't try to summarize this in a word or two; if this is an infrequent occurrence in the story, you don't need a shorthand. Allow yourself a sentence or two, to convey the feeling accurately. Remember, readers don't mind reading.
answered 14 hours ago
Amadeus
42.6k253137
answered 14 hours ago
Amadeus
42.6k253137
answered 14 hours ago
Amadeus
42.6k253137
answered 14 hours ago
Amadeus
42.6k253137
42.6k253137
"For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection" Seriously? I can have a firm one just for looking at an attractive girl. However, people are different, who knows.
– rus9384
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
"For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection" Seriously? I can have a firm one just for looking at an attractive girl. However, people are different, who knows.
– rus9384
6 hours ago
"For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection" Seriously? I can have a firm one just for looking at an attractive girl. However, people are different, who knows.
– rus9384
6 hours ago
"For somebody in a bosom hug, I wouldn't assume a full and raging erection" Seriously? I can have a firm one just for looking at an attractive girl. However, people are different, who knows.
– rus9384
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Don't mention the erection at all. As he is about to be smothered in breasts, switch to descriptions of everything he is using to mentally distract himself from having a sexual reaction.
Perhaps, make it more of a "battle", attacking one of his senses at a time. First the image of her breasts up close which he fights back with other visual imagery that is very un-breastlike. Then as he seems to have that won, his next battle is her smell which is layers of feminine things like soap and powders. He battles this back with memories of foul smells. Last it is the feeling of contact, skin to skin, and he has to knock it away with very un-sexual human contact. (Bonus points if the replacement objects resonate thematically or have character-arc significance.)
After this epic battle of his senses – which of course was just a few seconds but in his mind lasted an eternity, the reader can get a hint of how well it worked the same way he will know. He "adjusts" how he is sitting.
answered 10 hours ago
wetcircuit
5,580932
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Don't mention the erection at all. As he is about to be smothered in breasts, switch to descriptions of everything he is using to mentally distract himself from having a sexual reaction.
Perhaps, make it more of a "battle", attacking one of his senses at a time. First the image of her breasts up close which he fights back with other visual imagery that is very un-breastlike. Then as he seems to have that won, his next battle is her smell which is layers of feminine things like soap and powders. He battles this back with memories of foul smells. Last it is the feeling of contact, skin to skin, and he has to knock it away with very un-sexual human contact. (Bonus points if the replacement objects resonate thematically or have character-arc significance.)
After this epic battle of his senses – which of course was just a few seconds but in his mind lasted an eternity, the reader can get a hint of how well it worked the same way he will know. He "adjusts" how he is sitting.
answered 10 hours ago
wetcircuit
5,580932
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Don't mention the erection at all. As he is about to be smothered in breasts, switch to descriptions of everything he is using to mentally distract himself from having a sexual reaction.
Perhaps, make it more of a "battle", attacking one of his senses at a time. First the image of her breasts up close which he fights back with other visual imagery that is very un-breastlike. Then as he seems to have that won, his next battle is her smell which is layers of feminine things like soap and powders. He battles this back with memories of foul smells. Last it is the feeling of contact, skin to skin, and he has to knock it away with very un-sexual human contact. (Bonus points if the replacement objects resonate thematically or have character-arc significance.)
After this epic battle of his senses – which of course was just a few seconds but in his mind lasted an eternity, the reader can get a hint of how well it worked the same way he will know. He "adjusts" how he is sitting.
answered 10 hours ago
wetcircuit
5,580932
Don't mention the erection at all. As he is about to be smothered in breasts, switch to descriptions of everything he is using to mentally distract himself from having a sexual reaction.
Perhaps, make it more of a "battle", attacking one of his senses at a time. First the image of her breasts up close which he fights back with other visual imagery that is very un-breastlike. Then as he seems to have that won, his next battle is her smell which is layers of feminine things like soap and powders. He battles this back with memories of foul smells. Last it is the feeling of contact, skin to skin, and he has to knock it away with very un-sexual human contact. (Bonus points if the replacement objects resonate thematically or have character-arc significance.)
After this epic battle of his senses – which of course was just a few seconds but in his mind lasted an eternity, the reader can get a hint of how well it worked the same way he will know. He "adjusts" how he is sitting.
answered 10 hours ago
wetcircuit
5,580932
edited 10 hours ago
answered 10 hours ago
wetcircuit
5,580932
answered 10 hours ago
wetcircuit
5,580932
answered 10 hours ago
wetcircuit
5,580932
5,580932
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
The possibilities are endless:
"Chubby Checker is doing his stand up routine"
"From little acorns, mighty oaks do grow."
"You know The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams? Well, the lark has ascended."
Pretty much anything in that situation that a young man says, which refers to anything rising or growing, is going to be construed as being a reference to an erection.
answered 11 hours ago
Matt Hollands
211
New contributor
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
The possibilities are endless:
"Chubby Checker is doing his stand up routine"
"From little acorns, mighty oaks do grow."
"You know The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams? Well, the lark has ascended."
Pretty much anything in that situation that a young man says, which refers to anything rising or growing, is going to be construed as being a reference to an erection.
answered 11 hours ago
Matt Hollands
211
New contributor
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
The possibilities are endless:
"Chubby Checker is doing his stand up routine"
"From little acorns, mighty oaks do grow."
"You know The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams? Well, the lark has ascended."
Pretty much anything in that situation that a young man says, which refers to anything rising or growing, is going to be construed as being a reference to an erection.
answered 11 hours ago
Matt Hollands
211
New contributor
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The possibilities are endless:
"Chubby Checker is doing his stand up routine"
"From little acorns, mighty oaks do grow."
"You know The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams? Well, the lark has ascended."
Pretty much anything in that situation that a young man says, which refers to anything rising or growing, is going to be construed as being a reference to an erection.
answered 11 hours ago
Matt Hollands
211
New contributor
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 11 hours ago
Matt Hollands
211
New contributor
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 11 hours ago
Matt Hollands
211
answered 11 hours ago
Matt Hollands
211
211
New contributor
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Matt Hollands is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If a teenage boy feels sexually excited, that's all you need to say and male readers will understand.
A roundabout way to describe is having to rearrange his equipment or having to hide his excitement by holding a book over his lap.
Teenage boys use words like "erection" and "hard on" all the time.
answered 8 hours ago
idiotprogrammer
1,09347
Teenage boys use the word "jerk" too. This one is not of that kind and I guess he is not a teenage boy actually, but an adult who describes what happened to him in the past using his current (adult) vocabulary.
– rus9384
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If a teenage boy feels sexually excited, that's all you need to say and male readers will understand.
A roundabout way to describe is having to rearrange his equipment or having to hide his excitement by holding a book over his lap.
Teenage boys use words like "erection" and "hard on" all the time.
answered 8 hours ago
idiotprogrammer
1,09347
Teenage boys use the word "jerk" too. This one is not of that kind and I guess he is not a teenage boy actually, but an adult who describes what happened to him in the past using his current (adult) vocabulary.
– rus9384
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If a teenage boy feels sexually excited, that's all you need to say and male readers will understand.
A roundabout way to describe is having to rearrange his equipment or having to hide his excitement by holding a book over his lap.
Teenage boys use words like "erection" and "hard on" all the time.
answered 8 hours ago
idiotprogrammer
1,09347
If a teenage boy feels sexually excited, that's all you need to say and male readers will understand.
A roundabout way to describe is having to rearrange his equipment or having to hide his excitement by holding a book over his lap.
Teenage boys use words like "erection" and "hard on" all the time.
answered 8 hours ago
idiotprogrammer
1,09347
answered 8 hours ago
idiotprogrammer
1,09347
answered 8 hours ago
idiotprogrammer
1,09347
answered 8 hours ago
idiotprogrammer
1,09347
1,09347
Teenage boys use the word "jerk" too. This one is not of that kind and I guess he is not a teenage boy actually, but an adult who describes what happened to him in the past using his current (adult) vocabulary.
– rus9384
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
Teenage boys use the word "jerk" too. This one is not of that kind and I guess he is not a teenage boy actually, but an adult who describes what happened to him in the past using his current (adult) vocabulary.
– rus9384
5 hours ago
Teenage boys use the word "jerk" too. This one is not of that kind and I guess he is not a teenage boy actually, but an adult who describes what happened to him in the past using his current (adult) vocabulary.
– rus9384
5 hours ago
Teenage boys use the word "jerk" too. This one is not of that kind and I guess he is not a teenage boy actually, but an adult who describes what happened to him in the past using his current (adult) vocabulary.
– rus9384
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
Margaret Belt is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Margaret Belt is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Margaret Belt is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Margaret Belt is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fwriting.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f39983%2fwhat-is-a-subtle-way-of-mentioning-a-man-became-physically-aroused%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
7
Why are people voting to close? The question is clearly about writing, and asking for a character PoV she cannot know personally. We have MANY similar questions….
– wetcircuit
10 hours ago
2
Unrelated, but an old book I was reading on my teenage years had literally a full-page, cartoon-style drawing of a wooden log, a pitched up tent or other similar imagery every time the main character got near his "crush" or had other type of male-arousal inducing situation. Nothing was addressed in the text at all. It was a "romantic comedy" of sorts about a near sci-fi future, but I unfortunately don't remember its title.
– T. Sar
9 hours ago
I don't understand the close votes too. Maybe the voters care to explain?
– Liquid
8 hours ago
So who is the intended audience of this story? Adult crowd? Young Adult? Children (please be no, please be no)? Mixed (Adutls will likely watch it but there are kids in the room too? And again, who is watching it with Whom? For example, a funny adult joke in what is a kids cartoon is quite normal... just watch a kids show from the 90s. Or is it an adult show but okay if say... a 10 year old walks in and sees the scene.) Also, how much do you want the audience to be drawn to this fact... Is it just his immediate behavior is off putting?
– hszmv
7 hours ago
Oh, and clearly this is going to be a humorous scene, but is the book have a comedy tone, or is it more a serious story but with comedic breaks to ease the tension?
– hszmv
7 hours ago