"Everything Is About Sex; Except Sex, Which Is About Power": A Cheat Code for Writers
Ah, the immortal line that makes you sound deep at parties (provided nobody presses you for details): "Everything is about sex; except sex, which is about power." It’s pithy, provocative, and just ambiguous enough to feel profound. For fiction writers, this phrase isn’t just a conversation starter—it’s a master key to unlocking complex plots and characters. Let’s dissect it and weaponize its cynicism for literary brilliance.
"Everything Is About Sex": So Is Your Plot
First off, let’s admit it: a lot of fiction is about sex, whether it’s explicit or lurking in subtext. Think about it: love triangles, forbidden affairs, longing glances across post-apocalyptic wastelands—humans are wired to crave connection, and stories thrive on those cravings.
But here’s the trick for writers: don’t just stop at "will they or won’t they?" (They probably will.) Use this line to ask what your characters really want. Is the sulking antihero pursuing the love interest because they’re "the one," or because they’re the one who doesn’t fawn over him? Is your charming rogue trying to bed half the galaxy because of lust—or because they need to feel in control of something?
Sex is rarely just sex, even in your story. It’s ambition, insecurity, ego, rebellion—all the messy, delicious stuff that fuels character arcs.
Except Sex, Which Is About Power Dynamics
Now comes the zinger: the act itself isn’t the endgame. In fiction, sex scenes (when tastefully employed or gleefully not) are like sparring matches for your characters’ psyches. Who’s in control? Who’s vulnerable? And how does that shift the balance in their relationship?
Take a cue from power-hungry sociopaths in prestige TV (cough Frank Underwood cough): seduction isn’t just about attraction; it’s about leverage. Fictional sex should reveal something deeper: desperation, betrayal, manipulation, or even unexpected tenderness.
Even if you’re writing sweet, fade-to-black romances, the power dynamics remain. Who makes the first move? Who hesitates? Who feels out of their depth? These choices tell readers volumes about your characters without a wordy monologue about their tortured souls.
Why This Phrase Is a Goldmine for Villains
Villains, by nature, love power more than anything else. That’s why they make perfect avatars for this phrase. Whether they’re seducing someone to gain an advantage or using their magnetic charisma to manipulate entire kingdoms, villains understand that sex and power are two sides of the same coin.
Think about it: a suave, Machiavellian antagonist doesn’t just twirl their metaphorical mustache—they use their charm to lure allies, bait enemies, and destabilize heroes. Even if their endgame isn’t romantic, the implication of sex can wield just as much influence.
Fiction thrives on tension, and what’s more tense than a hero realizing they’re ensnared in a villain’s web of seduction and control? Even if your villain isn’t outwardly sexy, they can use their understanding of human desires to devastating effect.
Flipping the Script: Power Plays in Unexpected Places
Of course, this phrase doesn’t just belong to brooding antiheroes and femme fatales. It works just as well for subverting expectations. Why not have your meekest, most unassuming character wield sex as a weapon—or use their lack of interest in it as a shield against manipulation?
Power dynamics aren’t limited to relationships, either. A ruthless corporate climber might leverage their coworker’s romantic interest to land a promotion. A grieving widow might flirt with her late husband’s best friend to gain a sense of control over her loss. The possibilities are endless, and they don’t have to involve anyone taking their clothes off (but hey, it helps).
The Moral of the Story: Messy Is Interesting
At its core, this phrase is a call to embrace complexity. People are rarely what they seem, and their motivations are even murkier. Use this to your advantage in fiction. Let your characters make choices that surprise even themselves. Push beyond the obvious and into the murky depths where sex and power mingle, intertwine, and explode into conflict.
So, the next time you’re struggling to deepen your plot or characters, remember: everything is about sex—except when it’s not. And if someone tries to argue with you about this at a party, smile knowingly and tell them you’re too busy writing to explain.
The Snark
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