Writers Tips: Writing a Kissing Scene

If your lips have ever tingled or you've gotten a shiver while reading about a kiss, you know the importance of creatively writing about more than just the kiss itself. Whether you are a seasoned writer or an up and comer, you'll find some tips in this article that will help you add passion and depth to your next kissing scene.


Before you begin writing a kissing scene, think about kissing scenes you've read and been moved by. Those scenes likely included details about where the couple was, their surroundings, where they were relative to one another, and went on to describe the situation using each of the senses. It's important to think about the sight, sound, smell, touch and taste involved in a kiss. The best scenes will be similar to your own experiences, because you will be able to better describe the details. If you like a firm kiss with a lot of body contact (ie: he pressed his body against hers to feel every curve, took her face in his hands, etc...) you should not make the mistake of writing about a different style of kissing that you are unfamiliar with.

Pay attention to the details of the scene. Was she across the room and he ran quickly to her? Had she turned to walk away and he blocked the door grabbing her passionately? These details set a different tone long before you get around to talking about his cologne, her perfume, supper burning on the stove, the sound of the train, or the party going on in the other room. Did the kiss take place during a stolen moment between diaper changes and dinner cooking on the stove? Is it a goodbye kiss at the airport and they may never see one another again? Without saying as much, you can set the tone.

Many people kiss with their eyes closed, but don't forget about the sense of sight. It doesn't have to be what the kissers are seeing during the kiss itself, it can be what they see before or after. You can also use imagery to help with the 'during' part. Before the kiss, he might describe her neatly combed hair in this manner: Her hair was creamy and brown reminding him of fresh poured chocolate. After the kiss, we may want to say that she would need to grab a comb before her 1pm meeting with the President of the company. This imagery will help show the passion and careless abandon the lovers shown one another. During the kiss, you may want to explain that though her eyes were closed she saw a field of lavender flowers and the sky stretched out as far as the eye can see. Personally, I think fireworks are over used, but some sort of imaginary situation can set the tone for what she was feeling instead of saying "she knew he was the one and that they would be together for ever"

There is no need to add every detail with each kiss. Especially if the story includes many kissing scenes. It's perfectly acceptable to leave something to the reader's imagination, but don't just say "and they kissed" which really tells us nothing about the type of kiss or what was felt by your characters. Get a second or third opinion about the scene as well. If you have a spouse or friend that doesn't necessarily have time to read your entire memoir, have them read just that small section. Make sure it leaves them with goosebumps.