In late January the wonderful bloggess Erotic Horizon wrote a terrific post about ‘her ladies’, whose ages range from 67 to 82 years and are a group with whom she has been visiting and reading a while.
Upon recently discovering (quite literally), EH’s m/m reading material the ladies promptly made her life hell.
The experience was vastly entertaining to read about – well, it was EH *g* – , although I’m sure it would have been very uncomfortable at the time.
I was fascinated by EH’s ladies’ reactions to reading m/m romance and particularly struck by one of the observations they made about a scene in Willa Okati’s And Call Me In The Morning as described in EH’s words:
When we got to this part – they promptly asked me why the wet spot would be such a big deal
This was how it was phrase – “I have slept in loads of wet spot before”.
and I wanted to die….
*gigglesnort*
A couple of things occurred to me after reading this:
1) EH’s ladies rock. 😀
2) I’m actually surprised that we don’t read about more wet spots in m/m, and
3) Maybe that’s why lately there have been so many sex scenes with cum getting licked, sipped, sucked.
What do you think?
Do you agree with EH’s ladies that the wet spot is no big deal? Perhaps you find it amusing that after what these two guys have done together they’re freaking about sleeping in a spot of cold spunk?
Do tell. 🙂
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
I hate the wet spot. Feels gross.
If they have sex face-to-face there would be no wet spot (especially if a condom is used) since the cum would be ON the guy (cue wash cloths). I have seen mention of it when one guy is on his knees and usually they put a towel over it to sleep.
I haven't paid much (any?) attention to it up until this point, but now I'm sure I'll be unable to avoid noticing how it's dealt with in every book. Um, thanks?
I think in all my reading, I've only run across it once, and now I can't even remember the book! I remember that the character brought it up in a real matter-of-fact way like it was no big deal. But mostly I think we readers don't hear about it. Maybe it's not seen as romantic enough for a romance scene.
Hmmm. Why am I the only one who reads books with wet spots? LOL
Think carefully on the answer to that, Tam. 😉
Kris
The girls and I are in lights – They will be chuffed when I tell them – or better yet – I'll keep it to myself….
Although I was embarassed like crazy at the time it is a good point that they made.
I wonder if women in general are as blasé about the same thing…as they seemed to be?
@Tam..
I have read quite a few with the wet spot as well – so don't mind Chris… She's an instigator…
I do however like an author that actually give it some thought and either toss the towel into the foray or move them from the scene of the crime so to speak….
I do also again agree with Tam – if done right there shouldn't be a wet spot…
E.H>
This is yet another aspect of sex — like queefs, douches, enemas, condom disposal, butt pimples, anal hair, etc. — that falls into the category “Let's either take these things for granted or pretend they don't exist, and give authors a break.” 😉
I hate the feel of wet spots and I've read about them in quite a few m/m romances in which they weren't a problem, just there. I couldn't believe that it didn't seem to bother the characters to sleep in them. Urghh.
Tam: “since the cum would be ON the guy (cue wash cloths)”
Or cue lick, sip, sucking. *g* I've also read a story where they put a towel over the wet spot, but it was one of the rare ones that did.
And what Chris said. 😉
Chris: “but now I'm sure I'll be unable to avoid noticing how it's dealt with in every book. Um, thanks?”
Welcome! *beams*
Val: “But mostly I think we readers don't hear about it. Maybe it's not seen as romantic enough for a romance scene.”
I think you're probably right, Val. It's that fine line between making it real and making shit up that romance writers and reads seem to hover over, don't you think. 🙂
See, for example, what act we've agreed to believe tastes like raspberries and chocolate and everything delightful…
EH, thanks for letting me borrow you and the ladies for inspiration. 🙂
“I wonder if women in general are as blasé about the same thing…as they seemed to be?”
What an interesting point, EH. Maybe the wet spot is something that became more widely talked about post WW2 sex era (for wont of a better description) and, because of this, attitudes and opinions about it became more widely known; ie, it's grossness more universally recognised. Something to ask your ladies perhaps… 😉
KZ: “”Let's either take these things for granted or pretend they don't exist, and give authors a break.””
LOL. Yeah. I'm having a vague memory about rosebuds and strawberries. *g*
Janna: “I couldn't believe that it didn't seem to bother the characters to sleep in them.”
True. Having said that, boys can be grotty beasts some times. No offense to the guys out there.
Chris: Snap! Although I'm not sure you want to bring up chocolate in this context. Just sayin'.
I also think most romance books cover those first heady weeks or months of a relationship when you are just so in love you don't care about inconveniences like dried cum and wet spots. After a couple of years it's bloody annoying. The novelty wears off.
Aww, I think it's funny/ cute when the guys argue about the wet spot in m/m books. I personally don't like the wet spot either– it's cold and, well, wet. I've been known to argue about it a time or two myself.
Tam: “After a couple of years it's bloody annoying.”
*snort* Why do I get the feeling that experience is talking here. 😉
Richelle: Best w spot scene that I've read which was both cute and funny was (I think) in 'Without Reservations' when Chay discovers that Keaton came all over his pillow. It was classic. 🙂
The wet spot is not mentioned often in m/m books but I have read about it. I can't remember in which books though.
I've got a king sized bed so if there happens to be an accidental wet spot there's always room to move away from it. If not I make hubby sleep on it. 😀
Interesting topic once again! I have not read about it much though.
Also they do not mention clean sheets often either.
Kris the spoiled pillow in Without Caution is indeed hilarious.
Lily: “I've got a king sized bed so if there happens to be an accidental wet spot there's always room to move away from it. If not I make hubby sleep on it. :D”
Meanie! LOL.
Ingrid: “Also they do not mention clean sheets often either.”
You're right, Ingrid. I've read a number of times where guys will clean up the place and put fresh sheets on the bed 'just in case', but not necessarily afterwards.
Yeah, the pillow scene is too funny. You can just picture it happening, which is why, I think, it's so appealing. 🙂
@Chris..
, it's grossness more universally recognised. Something to ask your ladies perhaps..
I have not even recovered from our last run in – do you really want me to brave the music again – so soon…
Those women are like sharks when they get their teeth into a new topic…
E.H>
*** reluctantly dragging her bag over to visit a bunch of heathens***
EH: “do you really want me to brave the music again – so soon…”
Yes! You can do it! You can do it! *cheerleader pom pom dance*
I could do without the pom pom waving if you please – this is not going to end well…
it's not…
E.H>
@Ingrid & Kris:
I'm reading Tigers and Devils and I think that the guys changed their sheets after sex and before sleeping, a couple of chapters ago…
Janna, that is one book in a hundred! Try to remember the last time you read about it before T&D.
I have read about the sheet changing a couple of times, but really, after a heavy bout of bonlessness inducing sex, are you REALLY going to get up and change the sheets? I know I'm not. Give me a damn towel to cover the wet spot and go to sleep. LOL
Ingrid, I honestly think it was the first time I read about cleaning the sheets 🙂
@Tam..
Anyone who has the energy to get up and sort sheets after all that… was clearly not satisfied…
The do'er of the deed might have to reconsider his technique…
E.H>
*shudders*
Eww… ick!
Say NO to wet spots!!!
Can't we just pretend they don't exist??
:o)
MsM
MsM I think is what most writers do.
EH, don't be so negative. It will be brilliant! *beams*
Janna & Ingrid: Now I'm starting to think about all that laundry… fuck it, just use a washcloth to cover the damn spot. 😉
Tam & EH: Good point about no one wanting to get up and do much of all after a bout of good sex. LOL.
MsM: “Can't we just pretend they don't exist??”
That seems to be the leading idea. *g*
Lol, laundry can be sexy. I thought it was in T&D when Simon had to wash Declan's clothes because 'he hadn't planned to come in his jeans' their first night together. A whole different kind of wet spot…
I'm in the cover it up with a towel and keep it moving camp. I've read a few that discuss the W spot, but I don't mind when it's ignored. Not because its not romantic, but if it doesn't advance the story (or isn't relevant) it just seems unnecessary.
Janna: “A whole different kind of wet spot…”
True, and, yep, it can be sexy… although now I have an image in my head of a lady sitting on a washing machine yelling 'work that spin cycle for me, baby'.
Mariana: I think the 'ayes, let's forget it' have it. LOL.
You know it's suddenly occurred to me that we've been talking about the wet spot in m/m but, even though this all started from a ladies' POV, we've totally ignored the same issue in m/f. D'oh!
I'm sorry that I put THAT image in your head!! Lol.
She's dressed up as a cow girl too. Very weird.
Wow! Thanks for putting THAT into my head now! Gawd! *g*
*hehehe*
*mutter* I rather go to bed with an image of some hottie with a nipple piercing in my head instead of a cow girl riding a washing machine *mutter*
But you can laugh for now… I'll get back to you… some day *wicked grin*
Well, Janna, she is pretty hot and does have a piercing of some type… mwahahahahahaha!
Oh, that makes it better! I'm just glad I didn't dream about her 😉 with or without the piercing.
“I'm just glad I didn't dream about her”
*note to self: must try harder*
*grin*
Ah, absolutely no experience with the wet spot 🙂 Read into that what you will *grin*
Am off to read what sounds like a fascinating post by EH 🙂
*ignoring Janna*
Orannia: *ponders the w spot possibilities* EH's post is awesome. There is also a follow up from a few days later which is classic too. 🙂