The thematic importance of... smut... in a comic

[Nebulous]

Oh my gosh, this is a little embarrassing, but I had to ask because it comes up often in my comic.

Okayyyy, so I have this main character who is technically pansexual but leans more towards femme and nonb presenting people, right? They end up falling in love with this character who was the one that in a way "helped" them experience their sexual awakening. However this person ends up betraying the main character and causing them a lot of trauma and pain, especially in relation to their sexual encounters and romance. Later in the story the main character gets a chance at revenge and basically clears some of the pain left behind—and this is where my question comes in.

Can I use sex, more importantly mastur//bation, as a way to show the importance behind this character letting go of the love they still had left for this other person? If so, how?

And on the same note, how can I use sex to demonstrate character development? Not in the first time or getting over abuse way, but just in a "I want to show the readers that this person has changed by the way the have/do not have sex" way.

Hopefully this makes sense, but oh my this should be on a more nsfw category.

[Jenny-Toons]

I can sorta see what you're trying to do, and I'll summarize just for clarification (and please lemme know if I've gotten things confused ).

This MC has been in a relationship that sorta ruined their interaction with sex and romance. And while they might have grown from it, it still lingers. But they're going to masturbate for themselves first before letting someone else touch them sexually.

I think I understand what you're doing. After all, masturbation in and of itself can be very self-liberating, and it can increase someone's sexual confidence and general confidence in themselves. It's like a "I need to know how to love myself before someone can" type of mentality, as in knowing what you want sexually and trying to find a partner who respects that.

In this case, the MC is doing that as a sign of "I can't let the experiences I've had ruin me nor my love for myself. If I can love myself and show pleasure to myself, then I can definitely find that in someone else again. But I just need to learn to see that in myself a bit"

I can definitely see that as character development, especially if ttheir past relationship worsen their confidence and made them feel inferior without the other. It might have more meaning if it's private as well, meaning they're not doing this in front of someone.

Now, how you do that can go in a lot of ways. But it does have to sorta be akin to the site's rules (especially if this is really explicit). You can use flashbacks to contrast between how the MC felt with their partner and how they feel now. You can also use their ex's words and actions to emphasize how this must be a big step for the MC. It's also good to give a bit of emotions behind the action and how the MC begins to feel good for themselves.

It doesn't have to be straight up smut (keeping the rules in place). It can still be sexy but also amazingly liberating, showing the audience someone who got their groove back and sorta learned how to love themselves. Even if it's sexual base, masturbation out of willingness and pleasure for one's self is a very good way to show that character is beginning to see themselves worthy of pleasure (whether that's love, sexual relief, friendship, success, etc).

I sorta rambled a bit, but I hope this helps!!

[Im_moron]

first line)
heh, I honestly don't mind, I find it completely understandable... we all have.... kinks

Can I use sex, more importantly mastur//bation, as a way to show the importance of this character letting go of the love they still had left for this other person? If so, how?

yes, sex can be creatively used or metaphorically used to paint an image.
the alien movies were all about rape, portraying the rapist as alien freaks that look like pee pees who put things you don't want inside you.

otherwise, I really can't say much. Self tingle wingle I can't say would align up with "letting go", I see such a concept as something more attune with loneliness, and having a lack of (sexual) connections with real people. having a subject matter and knowing what this subject matter means to people kinda helps.

what does sex mean to people? what does touchy wochy mean to them?

And on the same note, how can I use sex to demonstrate character development? Not in the first time or getting over abuse way, but just in a "I want to show the readers that this person has changed by the way the have/do not have sex" way.

well, if you've seen scum's wish, the protag gets over her weird obsession with her brother by not wanting to bang him. to me, wanting to bang something is like growing an attachment to something while getting over the kink of this person is like learning to let go of something.

it could be a character who is reciprocated and obsessed with banging another character eventually learns that the other character wants more in the relationship than sex.

that's my beans in the pot so ye.

[dawgofdawgness]

You can adjust the subtilty of the "smut". After all, the point of this scene isn't for erotic reasons, it's to set up a conflict. As long your readers can tell what's going on, you don't have to put much detail into it.
You can even slip it into a conversation or something.

[lunaartemisasama]

Mmmm maybe you can write some thoughts while the character masturbates?
Or metaphores? I love them

This is a page from Blue is the Warmest Color
There's nothing explicit but it explains that the girl is awakening sexually and having wet dreams while thinking in the other girl of blue hair.

I hope it helps.

PD: In the page it says something like this

But at night...

.... I can't stop from having some dreams...

... And I don't want to refuse them, not anymore...

[Nebulous]

Yes, you got a lot of what my basic idea for this concept was!

I really like the idea suggested about using flashbacks to show the development (because I don't wanna redraw the scenes lol) and the contrasting emotions part. I just wanna make people feel good in away they can relate to the characters feelings, as normally due to their characterization the audience wouldn't relate to them.

Anyways, I will definitely keep your advice in mind—it's really helpful

[Nebulous]

I CAN'T WITH YOU tingle wingle?? touchy wochyy?????? I CANN NOT lmao

Anyway, metaphors: yes, I like 'em. But! I believe that sex and masturbation can have different meanings to different people and maybe even connotate with letting go (depending on the character or how you as a reader look at it).

The character's ex's reasons for leaving have nothing really to do with relationship things, but more so with the fact that they're a fucking bad person, so...

Nice beans tho, thank fer that

[arushiangelica]

I think that sounds interesting. After all sex is a part of our life, even thought we have to jump through loops to depict it and in most of the cultures, experience it.That being said, I think you should do what you feel is natural for your art.

[LordVincent]

You can definitely use it to showcase mental development and changes in the character since sexuality is something very emotional and psychological.

If you find it embarrassing or uncomfortable to work with you can always work with implications of the actions going on rather than showcase it clearly and bluntly.

[jpnakashima]

I feel like that's super doable and, if you manage to pull it off, super interesting as well.

I feel that any act can be used as a symbol for character improvement. Masturbation and any kind of sexual activities are, if you boil it down, just actions. With the right setup, eating a corndog can be the culmination of an amazing character arc. That masturbation is flashy might make things easier or harder, I guess.
I feel that, like with any beat, is not about the action, but what the action means. An unforgettable action scene is never just about how cool it looks, but about what it means to a story, the feeling that the characters lead us to this. I feel sex can be seen in the same way.

How to use sex to demonstrate change? Build up. Detail the scene. This person behaved in a way in bed, now they behave another because they changed. Like, the person never took charge in an older scene, now she does. I feel this is an easy answer, but I feel that out of the top of my head, it's what comes out.

(This is just an impression/suggestion, I don't know if it sucks, but I also kept thinking of intercutting the masturbation scene with flashbacks of this bad bad person, like hinting at it as the climax [sorry] of the relationship, connecting meaning to the act. I see the memory of the bad person fading, oh that's just corny I know nothing!!)

(Super rambly and confuse aargh!)

[Vanesalisa]

does making out counts

[nadis]

my suggestion if you want to use sex as a form of character developement, start with them masturbating and feeling all over themselves as they start to get comofrtable again. then i say move on to a steamy makeout sesh at another point in time, but not too soon if that makes sense. you want your character to make progress, and show the illusion of passing time.

that’s my assessment c:

[LittleMissDevil]

You should check out the webcomic "Alfie" for a good example of how sex and character development can work super duper well (it's on buttsmithy.com). While masturbation isn't explored as much yet, the comic uses sex to develop the characters as well as the dynamic/conflict between them. However it is straight up porn, so be prepared.

I would recommend to write some thoughts of the character down as well, like lunaartemisasama suggested. Working with really good expressions is also important. Maybe showing hesitance while memories of the past partner flash and let those disappear while the character is getting more "into it". And take your time. Scenes like that have to be set up and go at the right pace.

[Nebulous]

nope! It's gotta be steamy, make-you-feel-a-little-warm, sweaty smut

[Nebulous]

Oh yeah! I actually did read Alfie a while back—I'm not up to date but I see what you're saying about it. The sex is very well drawn, but the plot is also pretty interesting.

Thanks for the suggestion, though! I really like the idea of the character easing into the action while they get into it. It seems like a good way to showcase how their thoughts about sex has changed.

[Vanesalisa]

ooooooh that well it's a good thing I might download some pics