Sex in Fiction

Is there a point of having a (implied) sex scene if it does not further the plot (i.e. create a relationship problem or have the couple have a child) and the purpose of the work is not to titillate?

In my opinion, I can find it adorable (shush) sometimes but if it was simply needed for the plot (like the child thing) I'd skip the sex scene and just have the child be born, because it can get quite awkward depending what you're reading. And it's not exactly easy to write, either.

Basically as a reader it's probably okay if it's written well but as a writer unless I manage to pull it off really well I'm probably not doing it. Because I end up feeling like I'm writing smut sometimes.

Also, non-explicit sex or explicit sex (providing rating mumbo-jumbo is irrelevant)?

I also use to much brackets.

Anyway, thoughts?

Sex works the exact same way everything else does in fiction: you put it in because you want to, and if it fits, all the better. You have to remember to use protection, though.

Aw, what's wrong with a little smut in everyone's life? ;)

Lots of people in the world have sex, and it's a big thing for lots of them too! So of course it should be written about just as much as everything else. Of course it's not always relevant, but I think there are plenty of situations where it is and I think it's nice to -- hehe -- flesh it out!

If the writer's comfortable with that, of course. It's not for everyone. :o) But I like it.

Every scene you write should further something. It doesn't necessarily have to further plot, but if you're writing characters have sex, make sure it's clearly these characters, not just ... random porn stars or something. Does it need to introduce conflict? NOT REALLY. But try to make sure it introduces something that wasn't there before. ... 'Random porn I wanted to include' counts in that regard.

And don't write sex scenes just because you feel you have to.

The graphic details of sex rarely contribute anything to a story, but that it happens is often vital, and at least part of how it happens can say something interesting about the characters even if it isn't relevant to the plot per se, and that's a perfectly valid purpose for a scene. But not everyone cares for writing and reading it anyway, and that's fine - if you feel awkward writing sex, there's no reason you should force yourself to do it anyway.

And of course, there's nothing wrong with writing smut either if that's your thing. Just keep in mind that if you're trying to write non-smut, getting too smutty with the details will make it harder to take you seriously.