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Kay's Advice on Writing Citrus--Smut

Warning: This essay is likely to contain many squicks as I am attempting to properly explain many different varieties of sexuality, including fetishes. You have been warned. Do not proceed if you don't think you can handle it.

The absolute rule with Citrus is that you must always warn for it in the warning section, along with any special fetishes. Your readers have a right to know what they're getting into. Not everyone has the same sexual likes and dislikes. It's best not to surprise someone with something they find distasteful.

What is Citrus you ask?

Well, Citrus is the term that authors and readers alike use to describe varying levels of sexual contact between two characters. Is Harry grabbing Draco's arse? Is Hermione sucking Ron's cock? Is Harry pounding Theo into the mattress? If so, then you have read Citrus.

Kay recognizes three levels of Citrus:

1. Orange

An orange is any sexual contact that both parties do not agree to. It can also be known as rape or non-consensual relations, known as non-con for short. This is something that absolutely must be placed in the warnings!

If your summary says something like: Vernon was mean to Harry, so he ran away and was saved by Malfoy, that better as hell not mean Vernon was raping him. That would be very misleading to your readers, and will result in flames galore.

2. Lime

A lime is a sexual situation of a non-explicit nature, or it can also be used to describe sexual actions that lead up to, but don't include, penetration. We're talking rimming, blowjobs, eating out, etc. boys and girls.

If Neville is swallowing Harry's cock while Draco gives him a rim job, that's a lime.

3. Lemon

A lemon refers to explicit sexual actions and is almost always used exclusively to refer to full on intercourse between two characters. If it's anal sex or vaginal sex, it's a lemon.

Yes, that does mean that when Harry's cock is up Ron's arse and Ron is inside Hermione's vagina we're reading a lemon.

A lemon can also be referred to as 'lemonade'. An author may jokingly say in the warnings: I just felt like making lemonade, and then we'll know what to expect.

Now, did everyone understand the Citrus Scale? I hope so! If not, go back up to the top and reread.

--

Fetishes, we all have them. We all like our sex a certain way. However, not everyone will like sex the same way you do. Therefore, make sure that you warn for any and all fetishes that you include.

Common Fetishes:

BDSM: Bondage/Discipline/Sado-Masochism--If Snape is whipping or caning Harry.

Bestiality: Sexual relations between a human and an animal--If Moony or Padfoot have mounted Harry, that's bestiality.

Blood Play: Use of blood in any sexual situation--usually used to refer to women who are menstruating or vampire stories that include biting

Bondage: Generally refers to someone being tied up or having restricted movements during sex--Harry is tied to the bed with rope and blindfolded.

Chan: Sexual relations involving a minor--Bill Weasley seduces Harry during the summer of Goblet of Fire.

D/S: Dominant/Submissive--If Fred is completely submissive to George's will in the bedroom, possible calling him "Master".

Double Penetration: Two cocks going in the same hole--Draco and a dildo are inside Blaise.

Fisting: Inserting an entire fist into someone's arse or vagina.

Incest: Sexual relations of any level between two blood relatives--Harry eating Lily out would definitely count.

Moresome: Sexual relations between more than three people--Ron/Harry/Hermione/Ginny

Necrophilia: Sexual relations with a dead person--Anyone and a corpse.

Oral: Providing sexual services with one's mouth--Luna giving Harry a blowjob.

Rimming: Using one's mouth an another's anus--Snape licked Harry's arsehole.

S/M: Sadism/Masochism--Intentionally causing pain during sexual activities--Harry lightly cutting into Neville with a knife.

Scat Play: Use of feces in any sexual situation--for the uneducated, that means shit.

Solo: Masturbation: Self-pleasuring--Draco wanking off in bed.

Spanking: For those who don't know, this refers to someone who is smacked on the arse with a person's bare hand. Can also be known as paddling if a paddle is used.

Threesome: Sexual relations between three people--Draco/Blaise/Harry

Toys: Any use of sexual toys--Dildos, paddles, handcuffs, cock rings, etc.

Voyeurism/Exhibitionism: Performing sexual acts in front of other people--Harry shagging Blaise's arse in the Slytherin common room.
Water Play: Use of urine in any sexual situation--for the uneducated, that means piss.

There! That's probably more information than you ever wanted to know.

Now to the practical part: Writing Citrus!

Cleanliness:

I'm just going to be flat out blunt here: no one is going to want to lick/suck/nibble/penetrate something that is filthy and unclean. If your character has been in the hospital with nothing but sponge baths for three days, I sincerely hope he's not getting a blowjob the moment he walks through the door. Can you say 'gross'?

If you're writing in a magical fandom, like Harry Potter, you can get away with quick Cleaning Charms and such. However, if you're not, you need to consider the practicalities, especially regarding anal penetration.

Your character is almost guaranteed to have solid waste matter in his bowels, and this would cause discomfort for both parties: the top because the head of his cock is sensitive and pushing against fecal matter, and the bottom because he's already partly full.

An enema before intercourse could solve this problem.

Make sure to consider the realities of your characters' lives.

Preparation:

It doesn't matter if your pairing is male/male, male/female, or female/female, there has to be some form of preparation. Taking someone dry will only result in pain and possible tearing. Unless your character is very masochistic and get his or her rocks off on hurting like hell, you must make sure they are properly prepared.

Fingering, lubrication, etc. are all important and recommended parts of this step.

Deflowering:

If your character is a virgin, then regardless of how careful their partner is, they're likely to experience pain on some level. The pain can be lessened if the above preparation was performed properly. Also, female virgins usually still have their hymen intact, and that will cause pain regardless.

Having your character shove their cock up someone's arse or vagina in one ruthless thrust isn't going to be enjoyable for the one taking it. Slow careful movements should always be used, regardless of pairing, to start a sexual interaction.

Correct Terminology:

Hermione does not have a prostate! Harry does not have a clitoris! Unless you're writing them as someone who possesses both a vagina and a penis, then they might possibly have both parts. Likewise, please do not refer to your male character's pecs as 'breasts'. It doesn't convey the visual you think it does.

Do not invent your own creative names for body parts! The vagina is not a 'channel of love' and the arsehole is not a 'boypussy'. Using these terms will likely result in flames and verbal abuse.

Kay Approved Terms For The Vagina:

• Vagina
• Fanny (British)
• Pussy
• Sex

Although when you're writing you can get away with 'glove' and such things like that when it fits the situation.

Kay Approved Terms For The Penis:

• Penis
• Erection
• Cock
• Dick
• Prick
• Sex

Once again, when writing, 'burning length' or some such might be appropriate.

Kay Approved Terms For Ejaculate:

• Come or Cum
• Seed
• Spunk
• Jizz

Please do not ever call it the 'magical juices' or 'nectar'.

Kay Approved Terms For The Anus:

• Anus
• Pucker
• Puckered Opening
• Asshole or Arsehole
• Tight Ring
• Ring of Muscle

Please don't use 'wrinkled skin' as that creates a visual you likely aren't aiming for.

Also, make sure that your characters' body parts are realistically sized! Not everyone has a twelve-inch cock or Double D-Cup breasts. In fact, average penis and breast sizes are 6.5 inches and Full-B, Small C-Cup respectively.

Dirty Talk:

Yes, you might find it hot, but that doesn't always mean it fits the situation or the characters themselves. You have to take the characters' personalities into consideration when writing Citrus. If they're in love, they're more likely to be caring. If they're strangers and it's a quick fuck, they probably won't be as caring about their partner's needs.

If Harry is a virgin and so is his partner, and this is their first time together, it shouldn't read like this:

"Harry, baby, I want to feel you ride my cock until you bleed!" Theo called.

"God, that sounds so hot!" Harry panted back. "Will you make me cum?"

"Oh yeah, bitch! I'm gonna fuck you till you cum all over us," Theo replied. "And then I'll make you lick us off like the good little whore you are!"

If your characters are really 'in love' and not just 'in lust', then they're more likely to refer to it a 'making love'. The word 'fuck' brings more sexual and non-caring connotations with it.

--

I will now provide two examples of a lemon. One more implied than detailed, one graphically detailed. Both examples are between two males, as that's all I've written.

Implied Lemon:

As Harry lay beneath the man he'd come to love more than anything, he trembled. Emotions were running rampant through his body as Blaise worshipped his flesh. Love that had been almost a decade in the making poured from their hearts and into each other's mouths.

Gasps of pleasure and delight escaped from Harry's throat as they moved together, touching, stroking, tasting. Words of love, devotion, and acceptance spilled from their lips. Promises given in passion, but sincere and heart-felt, were made.

They joined as one, and their magic swelled, wrapping the two of them in a loving cocoon of protection. It caressed their skin, heightening their pleasure as they moved. It soothed the ache of their flesh, and banished the loneliness they felt inside.

With every tender, loving thrust, their hearts spoke for them, controlling their throats, mouths, and tongues to speak the words and express the sentiments. Sounds of delight, vows of love, soft whimpers of discomfort that were quickly assuaged. Their lovemaking was vocal—a symphony of music that had been written by their souls—it was beautiful, pure, and meant for no one but the two people who'd composed it.

When they finally reached their completion, Harry wasn't thinking about how his plans had been successful. He wasn't smirking in triumph. Of the three powers, one he controlled through greed, one he controlled through love, and the other had been destroyed. His precious ones were finally safe.

Yet, though he was aware of this, it wasn't what held his attention.

No, Harry Potter was captivated once again by honey-brown eyes, silky black hair, and luscious dark skin, just as he'd been captivated by it all those years ago in a Muggle park before his life had changed.

Blaise Zabini was just as entranced by the messy black hair and fiery green eyes he’d been as a child. He'd known that Harry Potter would be his the moment he'd realized who the boy was, and he was going to spend the rest of his life taking care of what belonged to him.

He knew exactly what Harry had done for them, and he wanted to spend the rest of his proving to Harry that they were worthy of him and the sacrifices he had made for their family.

He lowered his head, captured Harry's lips in the gentlest of kisses, and sank back into Harry's warmth. He wanted to hear the music once more—the music that was only for their ears, the music they made together.

Notice that while it's not extremely graphic, it's obvious what they're doing.

Detailed Lemon:

Once they were inside and the portrait was closed, Harry pulled Theo to his chest. He gazed into golden eyes that were as full of desire, lust, love, need, and passion as his own. He leaned down slowly, allowing Theo one chance to put the physical bonding off until another time. He growled happily when Theo didn't even try to escape his hold.

With relish, Harry leaned down and captured Theo's lips. They were as soft as he'd always thought they'd be and he groaned when they fell open for him. His tongue shot out and tangled with Theo's, claiming him with a hint of desperation. He'd wanted this for months and he was finally allowed to have it.

Harry's hands slid down and grabbed Theo's hips, pulling them together, which made them both moan in pleasure. They rubbed against each other, seeking the fierce pleasure that radiated outward from the friction they were causing. Their movements became more frantic, and Harry plunged his tongue even deeper into Theo's mouth.

Their movements became less controlled the higher their desire rose. Theo's hands were fisted in Harry's hair, tugging so hard that it hurt, though that just made Harry even more aroused. It meant that this was real, it was happening, and he wasn't going to wake up in a few minutes with an aching erection.

He finally had Theo exactly where he belonged.

Harry's fingers raked up Theo's back, causing him to cry out into Harry's mouth. His hips bucked forward and their erections brushed together. Harry could feel his blood heating up, flowing through his body more quickly than before, and he could feel his magic right alongside it. He wasn't sure which one of them did it, but they were nude a moment later, and that brought with it a whole new series of sensations.

Harry reached down and wrapped his hands around Theo's thighs, pulling his legs up until they surrounded his waist. He walked deeper into the room; lips separated for what surely must have been the first time since entering. His head was tilted to the side and Theo was licking and sucking on his neck. He jerked forward and squeezed Theo's thighs tightly when Theo's tongue traced the shell of one ear.

"Oh God," he moaned.

He could feel Theo smirk against his skin, and cried out a moment later when teeth latched onto his earlobe, nipping sharply. It was good that they were so close to the bed, because he lost control of his legs at that moment and they fell forward. Theo bounced for a moment and then Harry landed on top of him, pinning him to the bed.

They shifted until they were lying comfortably on it, and then Harry's hands dove into Theo's chestnut hair, feeling it for the first time. "So soft," he whispered almost reverently. It was just as he'd thought it would be, and it was his. His hands curled tightly in the hair and he tugged sharply, yanking Theo's lips up to meet his. The kiss was messy, all lips and teeth, and it spoke of their desperate need and desire for one another.

A moment later, Harry pulled away and grasped Theo's hips, flipping him over. He pulled Theo back toward him and cast a quick Cleaning Charm. His hands massaged the pale cheeks and then spread them. Harry grinned wickedly, gazed up at Theo, who was looking over his shoulder, and then dove in, lapping at the puckered opening.

"Harry!" Theo gasped. "Merlin, Harry!" His ability to speak was stolen from him as Harry continued to tongue-fuck him, claiming him in one of the most basic and animalistic ways possible. He moaned in disappointment when Harry stopped. Yet, seconds later he felt a tingling sensation in his arse and knew that Harry had cast a Stretching and Lubrication Charm.

The clever tongue that was licking slow stripes across his bollocks almost distracted him from the fingers that were inching closer to their destination. "No!" he protested.

Harry pulled away quickly, confusion easy to see in his eyes, as well as pain. Theo rolled over so that he was on his back and stared directly at Harry. "Only you," he ordered.

Harry's pupils flew wide as the words processed. Yet, the rational side of his mind warned him against it. "It'll hurt," he croaked out hoarsely.

"Then be careful," he panted. His eyes closed briefly before opening again. "I want to feel you, Harry. Only you, not your fingers. I want to feel you inside of me for days. I want the reason I'm sore tomorrow to be because I belong to you and—"

Harry dove down and devoured his lips. His tongue thrust inside Theo's mouth desperately. He grabbed Theo's legs and lifted them, placing them over his shoulders before sliding his hands back down. He grasped those pale cheeks and pulled them apart, settling between them. The tip of his long, thick cock pressed against Theo's entrance and he pressed forward until the tip was inside.

He waited a moment for Theo to adjust and then very gently thrust the rest of the way in, stopping frequently so as not to damage him. He moaned deeply when he felt his bollocks meet Theo's arse. His head shot up when he felt Theo's nails rake down his back, raising the skin in red lines. He stared down into watery gold eyes and grit his teeth, fighting to keep control. "I'm sor—"

"Don't you dare apologize," Theo hissed. His muscles were clamping and spasming around the thick erection, but the pain in his eyes was slowly fading. "Make me yours, damn it."

Harry's eyes began glowing with power and need, and he pulled out slightly only to thrust back in a moment later. It was so tight and hot, just as he'd always imagined it would be, but better. This was Theo, the real Theo, and Theo would belong to him.

He adjusted his angle over the next several thrusts, and then grinned ruthlessly when Theo screamed his name.

"Harry! Oh, Harry!" he moaned.

Harry buried his face in Theo's neck and kept that angle, thrusting forward repeatedly and delighting in the cries of pleasure he was receiving. He was going to make this unforgettable and claim Theo so totally that nothing would ever be able to erase his presence in Theo's body. He wanted Theo to always remember what it felt like when Harry was moving inside of him, joining them as one.

One hand that was supporting him trailed down and fisted Theo's cock, tugging lightly. The quiet whimpering sound brought a smirk to his face and he did it again, massaging the swollen cock in time with his thrusts.

"You're mine," he snarled.

Theo could only nod his head in agreement, helpless to the sensations that were overwhelming his ability to think.

"No one else will ever touch you," he ordered.

"No one," Theo agreed mindlessly.

"Good." He pulled on Theo's cock one last time and then turned his head, sinking his teeth into the skin there. He felt the skin break and blood trickled into his mouth for a moment before the bite instantly healed over. The warmth of the blood, combined with the wetness of Theo's release, and the heat from Theo's arse pushed him over the edge.

Harry thrust two last times and trembled as he emptied himself inside Theo's body, marking it in the most basic of ways, and claiming this man as his bonded mate. He collapsed to the side and carefully withdrew, pulling Theo into his arms as he hissed in discomfort. Harry leaned down and kissed his lips gently, then licked the few tears off his face.

Theo snuggled close to his chest and pressed a hand against it, right over his heart.

"It's yours," Harry mumbled sleepily, as he tightened his arms.

Theo leaned forward and pressed his lips where his hand had been a moment ago, making his own silent claim.

Notice that this was rougher, possessive, however you prefer to word it than the previous one. It was also a lot more graphic and detailed.

Finally, be aware that your characters are going to be sore the next day if they've had full intercourse. This is true regardless of gender and pairing.

Interested in examples to even more types of lemons? Check out my Yahoo Group. I have a Chan Lemon, an Incest Lemon, and many other types.

Questions? Feel free to ask!

Finally, here is some advice from a real homosexual male:

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all subsequent characters belong to J.K. Rowling. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. All lemon examples used belong to various stories written by Kamerreon--me.

Kay wishes to thank Rye for being her consultant and advisor on the topic of Citrus Writing. I appreciate that you took the time to answer personal questions and offer your opinion!