A story does not need to have smut in it to be good. It doesn't even require smut to have incredible sexual tension and amazing romantic interactions.

So, when you ask yourself if you think writing smut is a good idea for you, consider the following:

1- Do you want to write smut, are you comfortable and confident doing it?

2- Do you have any idea what you're talking about? If you don't, the people reading your story that have that nature of experience will lose the sense of authenticity with your story.

3- Is it warranted? Note, this is very subjective. But a sex scene out of nowhere isn't a turn on to anybody, it should flow seamlessly within the rest of the story.

4- A lot of sexual content automatically makes your writing a form of erotica, if not, by some, straight pornography. Are you comfortable viewing yourself as a writer of that kind of material?

5- With few exceptions, this is the kind of writing that is most likely to bite you in the ass on the professional level at some point later on down the line. I strongly suggest writing smutty work anonymously, unless you are going into a field where such creative endeavors are not damaging to one's reputation.

(a) take it from a veterinarian, this is a point you should consider. some fields can revoke licensing/credentials/etc. if you are discovered as being associated with sexy-type materials. -a