4 Erotic Novelists on What Exactly Makes 'Fifty Shades' Sex Scenes So Over-the-Top Steamy

ALAMY

Fifty Shades Darker opens in theaters February 10th, and Christian and Ana's explosive and boundary-breaking sex scenes will once again rile up audiences all over the world.

Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and we all have to start somewhere, MarieClaire.com asked four erotic novelists for insight into what makes those sex scenes tick—and how to turn fiction into fact. The five tools you'll need for amazing sex—according to author Tiffany Reisz? Tension, foreplay, emotion, creativity, and fearlessness. Let's break them down.

"You can create tension by simply holding back, even when you're turned on. Whether that means taking a break from manual stimulation and stringing kisses along their neck; or doing a sexy little striptease; or taking off one item of clothing before you go further—you can build up your arousal and add playfulness to your sex life. Basically, tension can be fostered by taking your time." —Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor of the Best Women's Erotica of the Year series

"The actual mechanics of sex are fairly simple: Tab A in Slot B (Or, Tab A in Slot A—I love Slot A). So if you want to add spice to your sex, do it with dialogue. I can still remember with crystal clarity something an ex-boyfriend whispered in my ear one night while misbehaving. Words have power. People say things during sex they could never get past their lips during any other type of interaction." —Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of The Original Sinners series

"Instead of simply rushing into sex, say 'I'm going to [*fill in the blank*].' You can even up the ante by saying something like, 'I'm going to lick you in your favorite spot...if you're good,' and add tension by keeping the other person on edge, hoping they're good enough to get rewarded." —Rachel Kramer Bussel

"When you're in the bedroom with someone, you're at your most vulnerable. Even if you're having wild and crazy swing-from-the-chandelier sex, you're the most exposed you'll probably ever be. Multiply and use your emotions to enhance sex. Don't hide them. If you're feeling playful, build on that with role play. Feeling aggressive? Tell your partner what you want—or what you want to do to them—in explicit detail. Then do it." —Tara Sue Me, New York Times bestselling author of The Submissive Series and Lessons from the Rack

"Vanilla simply means not kinky (i.e. no BDSM). You can get very creative with vanilla sex. Read each other erotic stories to get into the mood. Dress in costumes. Meet up separately at a bar and pretend you're total strangers. There are lots of ways to be creative—even without tying each other up. You never know if you like something until you try it, and keeping an open-mind in bed is important. But if your partner is pressuring you into pushing the limits, then things have gone too far. Establish safe and healthy limits and then play within the lines. Go outside only when you both are ready." —Tiffany Reisz

"Be confident enough to ask for what you want and let someone know what doesn't work for you. I've had readers email, telling me how they really want to try some of the things they've read in my books, but their partner doesn't even know they're reading 'that kind of stuff.' Well, one guaranteed way to experience your desires is to keep them secret from your partner. You can't know how they feel unless you bring it up. And much of the time, your mate will probably be on board. They may have even been holding back their own desires, afraid to tell you. At worst, if your fantasy is not theirs, you've had the discussion and can maybe find a compromise that flips both your switches. At the end of the day, most of us have dirty minds. Share yours with the person you're sleeping with." —Roni Loren, New York Times bestselling author of Off the Clock and Loving You Easy

Here’s How to Have a Vaginal Orgasm

You very rarely hear women say they can achieve orgasm just from penetration, but like the Loch Ness Monster, the legend sticks around just enough to make those who are more clitorally oriented wonder if it’s worth working toward. In fact, some experts say 70 percent of women rarely or never have orgasms. And yet men put a premium on it for a few obvious reasons: (1) porn and (2) they want to feel like their penis is a sexual hot rod that will make you speak in tongues and throw your vibrator into a volcano.

What’s the big difference between vaginal orgasms and clitoral orgasms? Ob-gyn Heather Bartos explains that vaginal orgasms tend to be deeper and involve more pulsating of the vaginal muscles than clitoral orgasms. “Generally [vaginal orgasms] involve rocking of the entire body and a big release when completed—about 10 to 30 seconds later,” she adds. To make it even better, she says there’s a short refractory period for these types of orgasms as well. In comparison, she says that “clitoral orgasms tend to be lighter and more tingly. The clitoris is super sensitive afterward and a longer refractory period may be necessary.”

How, if it’s even possible for mere mortals, can we have a vaginal orgasm? Ian Kerner, author of She Comes First: The Thinking Man’s Guide to Pleasuring a Woman, says that if you interpret “vaginal orgasm” as achieving orgasm from penetration alone, it’s pretty damn rare. “Vaginal orgasms don’t happen without some kind of clit stimulation. They can be enhanced with the G-spot, which provides a different sensation, and clitoral orgasm during penetration can give you the feeling of vaginal orgasm.”

So, are vaginal orgasms bullshit? In 2011, a Yale urologist speculated that the G-spot was actually just an extension of the clitoris. “I don’t want to say they’re a myth, because some women do have them. But it’s very rare to take a dildo or a vibrator and have an orgasm simply by thrusting,” Kerner adds.

Bartos agrees. “It is possible to have [a vaginal orgasm], but it’s definitely not the norm. In fact, it may be the sexual unicorn [of orgasms].” Unfortunately, it’s hard to quantify exactly what percentage of people can have vaginal orgasms since, as Bartos points out, orgasms are a complicated business. There are a huge number of factors that play into how each and every orgasm is a little different—anatomy, masturbation or sex technique, and even where you are in your cycle can affect your orgasms. Not to mention your partners, relationship, and trust level often required to really let yourself go.

Sexologist Susan Kaye, PhD, explains that there are no nerve endings in the vagina itself (think about it: childbirth is painful enough) but that the feeling of vaginal orgasm comes from the backside of the clitoris and its nerve endings being stimulated. Just like how an iceberg is, like, 90 percent underwater, so is your clit. The clitoris that you can stimulate and see is just part of it. There are many nerve endings that carry sensation throughout your vagina that you can’t see from the vulva.

Kaye also says that vaginal orgasms tend to be mostly muscle contraction, whereas clitoral orgasms are due to the 8,000 nerve endings sending through the labia and clitoral legs.

In order to best discover your odds of a vaginal orgasm, Kaye suggests using a dildo, vibrator, and/or your own fingers. “Knowing your body, only you can educate a partner on what works best for you,” she explains. “Be your body’s own best friend. ‘Know thyself’ and then inform your partner by taking them on a tour.” After all, they’ll likely appreciate the helping hand.

Emily Morse, a sex expert with a doctorate from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, says Kegels will immensely help you out by strengthening your muscles and basically giving you the vaginal equivalent of a six-pack. When the muscles down there are more defined, it’s easier to locate the G-spot. She also suggests a sex toy with a slight curve.

As for sex with a partner, Morse suggests doing it doggy-style to get an angle that best stimulates you internally. “His penis will apply pressure to her G-spot if she starts on all fours and arches her back downward—pushing her belly button toward the floor—while keeping her head up,” she explains. “If she keeps her arms straight and locks her elbows, channeling the cow of cat-cow pose in yoga, she got it right. This way, he can easily lift her hips upward while he thrusts in a downward motion.”

If that’s not doing it for you, you also have the option of getting on top, where you can more easily control the pace, depth, and angle. Morse cautions, “It might mean leaning forward or back while adjusting the speed and pressure, but when she’s on top, she can experiment until it’s just right.”

As we’ve learned, sufficient clit stimulation is tantamount to having even a vaginal orgasm. Megan Andelloux, executive director at the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health, says most women find the upper left-hand quadrant of their clit the most receptive to stimulation. She also lists the most difficult orgasmic positions for women: 69’ing, standing, and straddling her partner’s face.

So there you have it. Go forth and good luck.

5 Dildo Sex Positions to Get You Aaaall the D

You might know that dildos are great for solo play, but they are also plenty of fun with a partner. Dildos can range from abstract-looking glass sculptural pieces to big ole silicone penis replicas. And you can get ’em in the length, width, curve, and skin tone that you crave as well as balls or no balls and even gigantic ones that ejaculate. Here’s how to try out all your options:

1 The Gateway D

@LUCYMACARONI

If your partner is intimidated by a realistic-looking dildo, start slow with a nonthreatening glass or metal toy. Have your partner slide the end of the dildo up against the top wall of your vagina while they rub along the sides of your clit with two lubed fingers in a V shape. They also work for P-spot stimulation and can be warmed or cooled for temperature play. 

2 The D&D

@LUCYMACARONI

Spooning usually seems nice and romantic and all that, but spooning with two penises inside you makes it a whole new thing. Slide a large, firm silicone dildo inside you while your partner enters anally. You’ll feel tighter but mainly you will feel incredibly well-f*cked.

3 The Double Header

@LUCYMACARONI

If you’ve got a couple holes to fill, break out a double-headed dildo. You and a partner get on your hands and knees, butt to butt, with one end in each of you, and rock back onto it. You can also use the dildos for anal to anal or mix ’n’ match for one side anal and one vaginally. If you need more stimulation, a buzzy toy or hand on your clit makes it all make sense. 

4 The Bounce House

@LUCYMACARONI

Give yourself a lil something during oral with a suction-cup-equipped dildo attached to a smooth floor or a shower/tub. Get on your knees and sit on your bonus lover while you give oral to your human lover. Bounce as you go and you can translate your passion via mouth. 

5 The Dog and Bone

@LUCYMACARONI

Harness up in a strap-on to muck about with gender identities, power, and learning to be the penetrator instead of the penetrated. It’s also just kinda fun to wear a dick. Go all in and have your partner give you a blow job, then put them on all fours and service them from behind.

11 Weirdest Sex Laws in America

PA frowns upon truck drivers having sex in tollbooths, and the state of Utah is cool with bestiality (as long as no one's trying to make a buck, that is).

The bizarre and specific nature of these laws have us wondering just how — and how often — they are actually enforced. And if there are any Wyoming residents planning on have standing sex in a walk-in meat freezer tonight — make other plans.

1. Anniston, Alabama: If a woman loses a game of pool, it is illegal for her to settle her tab with sex.

2. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: It is illegal to have sex with a truck driver in a tollbooth.

3. Cottonwood, Arizona: Couples having sex in a vehicle with flat wheels will be fined. The fine will be doubled if the sex occurs in the backseat.

4. Newcastle, Wyoming: Couples are banned from having sex while standing inside a store's walk-in meat freezer.

5. Tremonton, Utah: No woman is allowed to have sex with a man while riding in an ambulance. In addition to normal charges, the woman's name will be published in the local newspaper. Um... discrimination, anyone?

6. Oblong, Illinois: It's punishable by law to have sex while hunting or fishing on your wedding day.

7. Bozeman, Montana: All sexual activity between members of the opposite sex in the front yard of a home after sundown is illegal — if they're nude.

8. Connorsville, Wisconsin: It's against the law for a man to shoot off a gun when his female partner has an orgasm.

9. Utah: Sex with an animal — unless performed for profit — is not considered sodomy and therefore is legal.

10. Oxford, Ohio: It's illegal for a woman to strip off her clothing while standing in front of a man's picture.

11. Minnesota: It is illegal for any man to have sexual intercourse with a live fish — ladies, apparently, you're in the clear.