I think this is quite fitting. If you Google “gay priest erotica” (no quotes) then my blogger is the first one up. That’s so cool! Once I get About to Sin published (and it will be published), I hope to introduce more people to the beautiful genre of religious erotica. And, not that trashy crap with priests who shouldn’t be priests, but, good priests who are really torn between being men and being priests.
Recently, I’ve taken a bit of gruff for writing gay priest erotica. I don’t think what I write is sacrilegious and I think it shows a healthy respect for the faith. I know some people won’t be able to understand that. For some people religious erotica, by its nature, is blasphemy. I hope those people find stories that they like and enjoy.
For the rest of us, let’s exchange some fic recs, shall we? Gay priest erotica is a niche genre of a niche genre so there isn’t much out there. Anyone have any recs they’d like to share?
My research for this story has taken me to some very interesting places and involved some fascinating conversations. I’ve spoken to several active and inactive priests as well as Roman and non-Roman Catholic priests. Ironically, those priests have not given me any gruff for writing what I write. One told me he couldn’t read my work because he feared it would be too much like his life. Another priest read the rough draft of my story and has offered some wonderful input. I never thought that writing gay priest erotica would help me gain a deeper respect for priests, but it has. Writing religious erotica has also helped me deepen my respect for faith in general. There’s something very special about someone who truly feels their faith…and that something is rather sexy.
As a side note: if you include the quotes in the google search, my LJ is the first hit and my website is the second and last hit. This ROCKS!
Showing posts with label genre talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label genre talk. Show all posts
Friday, January 04, 2008
Thursday, January 03, 2008
File this under: AWESOME!
Tim Parks with Gay and Lesbian Times interviewed me! The interview will be published early this month. He's doing a story on female authors of gay erotica.
How cool is that?
Shh...listen...that's the sound of our genre getting a bit more attention. Hopefully the big publishing houses are listening.
How cool is that?
Shh...listen...that's the sound of our genre getting a bit more attention. Hopefully the big publishing houses are listening.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
There goes that idea. Darn it.
So, I won't be submitting the story in question to Coming Together: With Pride.
Phaze will not accept any story with a Catholic priest/nun in a sexual situation. According to their FAQ's, they won't even consider it. >.<
Phaze will not accept any story with a Catholic priest/nun in a sexual situation. According to their FAQ's, they won't even consider it. >.<
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Faith and Sexuality or Why Write Erotica?
(Some of you may find this post offensive.)
Why write erotica?
That question, in various forms, has to be the most common question asked of me. People understand why someone would want to be a writer. When you tell someone you have stories inside you that claw at you until they're told, they understand.
Everyone—everyone—has some kind of creative outlet in their lives. It might not be as recognized as writing, drawing, singing or dancing, but everyone has something that allows themselves to express their creativity. (Sewing, cooking, prayer, home decorating, gardening, etc.) Thus, everyone understands why someone writes.
What they don't understand is why someone writes erotica. I'm going to tell you why. Other erotica writers might word it differently, but when you listen to what they say, we all say the same thing.
We want to remind everyone that they are sexual beings and, for those who do remember, we want to give you a place to celebrate it.
Sure, we say things like "it's hot" and stuff like that, but the bottom line of what we're doing is celebrating beauty and life through sexuality.
Everyone expresses sexuality differently. Everyone defines beauty differently. For some, celebrating life means highlighting the eloquence of death. For some people embracing the beautiful means surviving ugliness. And for some, those very few people who are truly asexual, they express sexuality through silence and platonic love. Non-expression is a form of expression.
Every single one of us is the product of a sexual experience. Sex brings life—how can we not celebrate and enjoy that? Oh sure, biologically speaking, there are sexual acts that do not carry the potential for creating life…or is that true? Well, maybe not.
If you define creating life as producing a child, then yes. There are a lot of forms of sexual expression that don't do that. If you define creating life as fostering the spirit of living, then all forms of sexual expression do that at least on some level. Alone, partnered, or in a large group sexuality becomes a form of life and fosters the spirit of living.
When we place restrictions on expressing sexuality, we run into taboos and shame. And here's where I start offending people.
I believe religion is the biggest enemy to sexuality. Not faith, but religion. Religion—where you deal with rules and processes of prayer. Religion where you deal with condemnation and "shoulds", "oughts" and "shouldn'ts".
It doesn't have to be that way, but, sadly, all too often it is.
Faith, the mother of religion, is a glorious friend of sexuality. For those who believe in a creator deity, they know their body was fashioned for work and pleasure. They know the pleasure of witnessing a sunrise should be cherished as much as feeling their own skin or their lover's skin beneath their fingers. How better to thank your deity for life than to enjoy that life?
Additionally, sexuality is how we perpetuate the species. (All forms of sexuality including homosexual expressions are based off this instinct. Instinct drives us to do this, but does not promise results.) The creator deity you see when you pray or worship knew this when they created us. The deity planned this. Why would that deity give us such a powerful form of communication and then give us all sorts of limitations on how to express it?
Religion's rules are an attempt at preserving the sacredness of sexuality. I understand what religion is trying to do with this. It's trying to keep the virtue of sexuality from becoming the vice of sexuality.
I don't believe that humans are inherently evil. I don't believe that without religion we'd fall into a pit of destruction and become selfish hedonists. (Not to be confused with selfless hedonism.) I don't believe STD's are punishments for orgasm just as I don't believe the flu is punishment for breathing.
So, why would religion even want to limit forms of sexual expression? I think it's a misguided attempt at keeping us from becoming obsessed with all things sexual (thus a vice). When we do that, we miss out on the beauty of non-sexual things in the world. Sexuality as a vice is detrimental where as sexuality as a virtue is wholly positive. (Note: I believe the line between vice and virtue varies from person to person.)
When I sit quietly and think of the most personal and intimate thing I can possibly do, two things come to mind and I can't decide which one is more initiate—expressing myself sexually or expressing myself through prayer. Both are equally intimate, powerful and beautiful. That can't be a coincidence.
When we're intimate with someone, we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. We express desires and needs that we might not otherwise express. We allow our mouths to be manipulated through kissing and other ways. (That's trusting someone with our breath and voice.) We cannot wield a weapon while someone licks and nibbles our fingers. We close our eyes and allow someone to put their teeth upon our necks. We literally open our arms and give someone access to all of our tender bits. How is that any different from prayer? We're showing the same vulnerability. One cannot fight a god that they worship. And, when you pray and offer your concerns, worries and celebrations are you not allowing that deity a glimpse at your most tender bits?
Humans need language and physical gestures to communicate. Deities do not need these things. So, when we pray are we whispering thoughts or greeting a lover? Some of you just realized I'm saying prayer is having sex with God. And you would be right. Don't believe me? Try praying without words. Clear your mind and just feel the presence of your god(s). Take a quiet moment and bask in the base sensuality of raw faith.
Some of you may think I'm picking on the Christians with this. No, I'm not. Yes, Christians either by design or accident usually end up at the forefront of any puritanical statements. But, they're not alone. Are you familiar with some of the "family purity" practices of Orthodox Judaism? Or some of the sexual limitations of Muslims or Hindus? Yes, even some Pagans have hang-ups. There are extremists in every religion. Extremists manage to scream loud enough to get noticed by the world and some times they scream loud enough and long enough to become tradition.
With that stated, I'll close post…
The next time you wonder why someone would want to express themselves through erotic arts, take a moment to set your religion aside and examine your faith. Perhaps you'll find your own answer. If you don't find it, try praying without words.
Why write erotica?
That question, in various forms, has to be the most common question asked of me. People understand why someone would want to be a writer. When you tell someone you have stories inside you that claw at you until they're told, they understand.
Everyone—everyone—has some kind of creative outlet in their lives. It might not be as recognized as writing, drawing, singing or dancing, but everyone has something that allows themselves to express their creativity. (Sewing, cooking, prayer, home decorating, gardening, etc.) Thus, everyone understands why someone writes.
What they don't understand is why someone writes erotica. I'm going to tell you why. Other erotica writers might word it differently, but when you listen to what they say, we all say the same thing.
We want to remind everyone that they are sexual beings and, for those who do remember, we want to give you a place to celebrate it.
Sure, we say things like "it's hot" and stuff like that, but the bottom line of what we're doing is celebrating beauty and life through sexuality.
Everyone expresses sexuality differently. Everyone defines beauty differently. For some, celebrating life means highlighting the eloquence of death. For some people embracing the beautiful means surviving ugliness. And for some, those very few people who are truly asexual, they express sexuality through silence and platonic love. Non-expression is a form of expression.
Every single one of us is the product of a sexual experience. Sex brings life—how can we not celebrate and enjoy that? Oh sure, biologically speaking, there are sexual acts that do not carry the potential for creating life…or is that true? Well, maybe not.
If you define creating life as producing a child, then yes. There are a lot of forms of sexual expression that don't do that. If you define creating life as fostering the spirit of living, then all forms of sexual expression do that at least on some level. Alone, partnered, or in a large group sexuality becomes a form of life and fosters the spirit of living.
When we place restrictions on expressing sexuality, we run into taboos and shame. And here's where I start offending people.
I believe religion is the biggest enemy to sexuality. Not faith, but religion. Religion—where you deal with rules and processes of prayer. Religion where you deal with condemnation and "shoulds", "oughts" and "shouldn'ts".
It doesn't have to be that way, but, sadly, all too often it is.
Faith, the mother of religion, is a glorious friend of sexuality. For those who believe in a creator deity, they know their body was fashioned for work and pleasure. They know the pleasure of witnessing a sunrise should be cherished as much as feeling their own skin or their lover's skin beneath their fingers. How better to thank your deity for life than to enjoy that life?
Additionally, sexuality is how we perpetuate the species. (All forms of sexuality including homosexual expressions are based off this instinct. Instinct drives us to do this, but does not promise results.) The creator deity you see when you pray or worship knew this when they created us. The deity planned this. Why would that deity give us such a powerful form of communication and then give us all sorts of limitations on how to express it?
Religion's rules are an attempt at preserving the sacredness of sexuality. I understand what religion is trying to do with this. It's trying to keep the virtue of sexuality from becoming the vice of sexuality.
I don't believe that humans are inherently evil. I don't believe that without religion we'd fall into a pit of destruction and become selfish hedonists. (Not to be confused with selfless hedonism.) I don't believe STD's are punishments for orgasm just as I don't believe the flu is punishment for breathing.
So, why would religion even want to limit forms of sexual expression? I think it's a misguided attempt at keeping us from becoming obsessed with all things sexual (thus a vice). When we do that, we miss out on the beauty of non-sexual things in the world. Sexuality as a vice is detrimental where as sexuality as a virtue is wholly positive. (Note: I believe the line between vice and virtue varies from person to person.)
When I sit quietly and think of the most personal and intimate thing I can possibly do, two things come to mind and I can't decide which one is more initiate—expressing myself sexually or expressing myself through prayer. Both are equally intimate, powerful and beautiful. That can't be a coincidence.
When we're intimate with someone, we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. We express desires and needs that we might not otherwise express. We allow our mouths to be manipulated through kissing and other ways. (That's trusting someone with our breath and voice.) We cannot wield a weapon while someone licks and nibbles our fingers. We close our eyes and allow someone to put their teeth upon our necks. We literally open our arms and give someone access to all of our tender bits. How is that any different from prayer? We're showing the same vulnerability. One cannot fight a god that they worship. And, when you pray and offer your concerns, worries and celebrations are you not allowing that deity a glimpse at your most tender bits?
Humans need language and physical gestures to communicate. Deities do not need these things. So, when we pray are we whispering thoughts or greeting a lover? Some of you just realized I'm saying prayer is having sex with God. And you would be right. Don't believe me? Try praying without words. Clear your mind and just feel the presence of your god(s). Take a quiet moment and bask in the base sensuality of raw faith.
Some of you may think I'm picking on the Christians with this. No, I'm not. Yes, Christians either by design or accident usually end up at the forefront of any puritanical statements. But, they're not alone. Are you familiar with some of the "family purity" practices of Orthodox Judaism? Or some of the sexual limitations of Muslims or Hindus? Yes, even some Pagans have hang-ups. There are extremists in every religion. Extremists manage to scream loud enough to get noticed by the world and some times they scream loud enough and long enough to become tradition.
With that stated, I'll close post…
The next time you wonder why someone would want to express themselves through erotic arts, take a moment to set your religion aside and examine your faith. Perhaps you'll find your own answer. If you don't find it, try praying without words.
Monday, July 09, 2007
The Problems with having a Priest Fetish
There are several problems associated with having a priest fetish. First, it's DAMN hard to find good priest erotica. As a general rule, I won't publicly complain about someone else's writing. I feel that's unprofessional. However, I've not liked most of what I've found and what I have liked is from a writer who REFUSES to post her stuff and share it with the world (or try to get professionally published.) So, if you know of some good gay priest smut, PLEASE, tell me.
The second problem is that it's difficult to take religious matters seriously if you have the visual. My religious path is an odd mixture of this, that and the other thing. Lately, I've been considering attending mass, because it's one of the few I haven't attended in person. Do you have ANY idea how difficult that is when you find all that imagery a turn on? >.< I can't even look for churches with old and unattractive priests, because the imagery is STILL there.
Another problem is trying to keep it hot without being sacrilegious. The beauty of religious erotica is that it is not blasphemy.
Yet another problem is figuring out which storylines are played out. Is a timid torn priest tired or is an aggressive, assertive and confident priest tired? As a general rule, I do not like the erotica that has the priest going from "hello" to opening his robes in a breath. That destroys my willing suspension of disbelief and as I'm getting to know some priests (yes, I'm actually making friends with priests. No, I do not hide my priest fetish. Yes, I'm being smart and friending only gay priests. *sweatdrop* And that just might be backfiring on me. Oh it's helpful to prevent anything physical from happening, but my MIND is running so fast I can't keep up with it.) But, as I'm getting to know some priests, I'm finding out that they aren't anything like I expected. The percentage that actually keeps that promise of celibacy is…well…small enough to REALLY make you wonder about those seminaries.
This is further complicated by all of the "it's no fun if…" stuff. It's no fun if the priest is a non-celibate priest. (Yes, there are Catholic priests who have not taken a vow or promise of celibacy.) It's no fun if they aren't Catholic priests (Episcopalian priests have the right look, but none of that forbidden fruit thing going on.) It's no fun if they aren't in that SEXY collar and don't even get me started on how unbelievably sexy cassocks are. *bites knuckle* It's no fun if they're straight. Yes, there are plenty of people out there who fully appreciate the sexiness of a straight priest, but for me I want that straight priest either being pursued by another man or longing for one (even if it's just idle curiosity and exploration.)
It also makes it damn hard to write a sex scene with Father Daniel. I want him in his clerical shirt for it, but I also don't want to force that into the story. Also thinking about him tied up on a bed all wanting and full of lust is enough to…well…let's just say you DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT write good erotica one-handed. (Take care of business and then return to the writing or write it and then take care of business, but do not do both at the same time.)
As you can obviously tell, I'm really picky about my priest erotica. Can anyone else feel my pain with this?
EDIT: (updated:4/1/2011)
Judging by the stats, this is a very popular post. It seems a lot of people are seeking religious erotica and/or priest erotica. I have a short (and cheap) title out called Personal Demon .
Here's the blurb:
Temptation in an alb...
Those of the most devout faith face private struggles. When the man inside the priest fights carnal desires, the priest can only pray he has the inner fortitude to resist. Eve succumbed to the serpent. Adam succumbed to the apple. Now, Father Blake Krey stands in a private Garden of Eden tempted by his own Personal Demon.
If you read it, I hope you enjoy it. If you don't read it, I hope you find something that you do enjoy.
The second problem is that it's difficult to take religious matters seriously if you have the visual. My religious path is an odd mixture of this, that and the other thing. Lately, I've been considering attending mass, because it's one of the few I haven't attended in person. Do you have ANY idea how difficult that is when you find all that imagery a turn on? >.< I can't even look for churches with old and unattractive priests, because the imagery is STILL there.
Another problem is trying to keep it hot without being sacrilegious. The beauty of religious erotica is that it is not blasphemy.
Yet another problem is figuring out which storylines are played out. Is a timid torn priest tired or is an aggressive, assertive and confident priest tired? As a general rule, I do not like the erotica that has the priest going from "hello" to opening his robes in a breath. That destroys my willing suspension of disbelief and as I'm getting to know some priests (yes, I'm actually making friends with priests. No, I do not hide my priest fetish. Yes, I'm being smart and friending only gay priests. *sweatdrop* And that just might be backfiring on me. Oh it's helpful to prevent anything physical from happening, but my MIND is running so fast I can't keep up with it.) But, as I'm getting to know some priests, I'm finding out that they aren't anything like I expected. The percentage that actually keeps that promise of celibacy is…well…small enough to REALLY make you wonder about those seminaries.
This is further complicated by all of the "it's no fun if…" stuff. It's no fun if the priest is a non-celibate priest. (Yes, there are Catholic priests who have not taken a vow or promise of celibacy.) It's no fun if they aren't Catholic priests (Episcopalian priests have the right look, but none of that forbidden fruit thing going on.) It's no fun if they aren't in that SEXY collar and don't even get me started on how unbelievably sexy cassocks are. *bites knuckle* It's no fun if they're straight. Yes, there are plenty of people out there who fully appreciate the sexiness of a straight priest, but for me I want that straight priest either being pursued by another man or longing for one (even if it's just idle curiosity and exploration.)
It also makes it damn hard to write a sex scene with Father Daniel. I want him in his clerical shirt for it, but I also don't want to force that into the story. Also thinking about him tied up on a bed all wanting and full of lust is enough to…well…let's just say you DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT write good erotica one-handed. (Take care of business and then return to the writing or write it and then take care of business, but do not do both at the same time.)
As you can obviously tell, I'm really picky about my priest erotica. Can anyone else feel my pain with this?
EDIT: (updated:4/1/2011)
Judging by the stats, this is a very popular post. It seems a lot of people are seeking religious erotica and/or priest erotica. I have a short (and cheap) title out called Personal Demon .
Here's the blurb:
Temptation in an alb...
Those of the most devout faith face private struggles. When the man inside the priest fights carnal desires, the priest can only pray he has the inner fortitude to resist. Eve succumbed to the serpent. Adam succumbed to the apple. Now, Father Blake Krey stands in a private Garden of Eden tempted by his own Personal Demon.
If you read it, I hope you enjoy it. If you don't read it, I hope you find something that you do enjoy.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
It doesn’t have to be sacrilegious.
There’s a multitude of genres under the umbrella “Erotica.” One of the genres I particularly enjoy is “Religious Erotica.”
So what is religious erotica and what is it not? First things first, do not confuse religious erotica with inspirational romance. Those are two very different beasts. Inspirational romance is, generally, tamer than erotica and Christian themes are quite common. Religious erotica uses religious themes, of various faiths but Roman Catholicism is favored. Or it uses religious imagery. It plays up the taboo or forbidden element of sexuality blended with faith. It’s the juxtaposition of religion and sexuality.
Maybe it deals with a Roman Catholic priest struggling with temptation. Maybe it’s two members of laity who know this is wrong, but cave to carnal desires. Maybe it’s the setting or an underlying theme.
I’ve been toying in the realm of religious erotica for a while now. Obviously, About to Sin is religious erotica. That’s full on religious erotica that not only has a priest in a sexual situation, but I also use religious imagery in the setting and I make Father Daniel’s faith a major character motivation factor.
Full Circle, by all rights, could be considered religious erotica and there’s not a single member of clergy in it. If I explain fully why this is, it will ruin the moment in the story that Tami Parrington says, “…will shock the shit out of [my readers].” I can tell you this. The book starts in a destroyed sanctuary. Religious history plays a critical role in the story and Kendrick’s faith is nearly unshakeable. If that man had a choice of what to do with his last breath it would either be: stating his love for Byron or praying.
The beauty of good religious erotica, in my eyes at least, is that it respects religion. It’s not blasphemous or sacrilegious. Even after befriending some members of clergy, I’m not ashamed of what I’ve written. I don’t know if they are reading my story or not, but the thoughts of it does make me nervous. I’m not nervous that they might be offended by the story. I’m nervous that I jacked up something liturgical and they’d call me on it. (You bet your ass they’d call me on it too. They’d GLEEFULLY call me on it and they’d NEVER let me live it down.)
One piece of religious fiction that I wish had been more erotic was Tami Parrington’s Hell’s Own. It’s a story about a demon, Alexander, who escapes hell. Lucifer sends guys out to recapture his pet. God sends people out to snag the demon. I wanted Alexander and Michael the Archangel to get it on so bad I could taste it. There’s a hilarious scene where Lucifer calls (yes, calls as in on the phone a vidphone to be exact) God that had me laughing so hard I had to walk away from my computer to calm down. God was so “oh what now” with his attitude and Gabriele nearly soiled his robes. Too freaking funny! What she does with Adam (yes, THE Adam) is pure genius. I don’t know the status of that book and if it ever gets published, I will pimp it. I promise you.
Religious erotica can be light and funny like Hell’s Own. It can be flippant and irreverent. It can also be dark angst. What it shouldn’t do, in my eyes, is cheapen religion or faith.
There are things I won’t do in my religious erotica. I won’t make a predatory priest the hero. I have used it as a plot point and I have no problems making the antagonist a predatory priest, but what makes religious erotica work for me is that it’s the GOOD guy who is struggling with what he thinks is bad. I won’t make a charlatan a hero. If I’ve presented a priest/pastor/whatever as hero, you can bank on me thinking he’s a good guy even if you disagree.
Someone who isn’t into religious erotica may never see the respect in the story. Or they may find the whole concept blasphemous.
I don’t see a dang thing blasphemous about Anand and Daniel using Boy Butter (best name for lube ever) and having a blacklight reactive Pyrex dildo show up. Using confession-like language as pillow talk? Not sacrilegious in my eyes. Getting it on in a confessional booth? Yep, I totally have the balls for that. Playing a game DURING mass? Yes, I’ve gone there. Sex inside a baptismal tub? That’s in Full Circle.
Religious imagery is beautiful and powerful. Sexual imagery is beautiful and powerful. In my mind those naturally go together. The next time you find yourself in church look around and make note of all the phallic symbols. Look closer and you’ll find female equivalents. The Pagans make no bones about what dipping the athame into the chalice means. The Great Rite carried out—symbolic or otherwise. Do others see it when they dip those communion wafers into the wine? Or submerging someone fully into a basin of water? Does anyone look at those long taper candles with the brass heads and NOT see it as a phallic symbol? The shape of most sanctuaries can be likened to a huge intimidating womb add the long wide aisle that divides the pews, and you totally have symbolic representations of sex.
Even when dealing with same-sex couples there’s usually something going IN somewhere—oral sex, finger play, anal sex. Someone is the chalice and someone is the wafer/athame. It’s all the same. The difference is semantics. The union of flesh is one the most powerful things we can experience as humans and that act can produce life. Why shouldn’t we celebrate this? Why shouldn’t we write about it?
(As a side note: Sex can also be completely not worth taking off your socks. Sometimes, it’s just lame.)
Religious erotica dances a very fine line. And that’s a line that some publishers do not want to go near. Some publishers refuse submissions that have a priest or nun in a sexual situation. In my eyes priests, nuns, rabbis, etc have stories to tell and there’s nothing wrong with telling them.
So what is religious erotica and what is it not? First things first, do not confuse religious erotica with inspirational romance. Those are two very different beasts. Inspirational romance is, generally, tamer than erotica and Christian themes are quite common. Religious erotica uses religious themes, of various faiths but Roman Catholicism is favored. Or it uses religious imagery. It plays up the taboo or forbidden element of sexuality blended with faith. It’s the juxtaposition of religion and sexuality.
Maybe it deals with a Roman Catholic priest struggling with temptation. Maybe it’s two members of laity who know this is wrong, but cave to carnal desires. Maybe it’s the setting or an underlying theme.
I’ve been toying in the realm of religious erotica for a while now. Obviously, About to Sin is religious erotica. That’s full on religious erotica that not only has a priest in a sexual situation, but I also use religious imagery in the setting and I make Father Daniel’s faith a major character motivation factor.
Full Circle, by all rights, could be considered religious erotica and there’s not a single member of clergy in it. If I explain fully why this is, it will ruin the moment in the story that Tami Parrington says, “…will shock the shit out of [my readers].” I can tell you this. The book starts in a destroyed sanctuary. Religious history plays a critical role in the story and Kendrick’s faith is nearly unshakeable. If that man had a choice of what to do with his last breath it would either be: stating his love for Byron or praying.
The beauty of good religious erotica, in my eyes at least, is that it respects religion. It’s not blasphemous or sacrilegious. Even after befriending some members of clergy, I’m not ashamed of what I’ve written. I don’t know if they are reading my story or not, but the thoughts of it does make me nervous. I’m not nervous that they might be offended by the story. I’m nervous that I jacked up something liturgical and they’d call me on it. (You bet your ass they’d call me on it too. They’d GLEEFULLY call me on it and they’d NEVER let me live it down.)
One piece of religious fiction that I wish had been more erotic was Tami Parrington’s Hell’s Own. It’s a story about a demon, Alexander, who escapes hell. Lucifer sends guys out to recapture his pet. God sends people out to snag the demon. I wanted Alexander and Michael the Archangel to get it on so bad I could taste it. There’s a hilarious scene where Lucifer calls (yes, calls as in on the phone a vidphone to be exact) God that had me laughing so hard I had to walk away from my computer to calm down. God was so “oh what now” with his attitude and Gabriele nearly soiled his robes. Too freaking funny! What she does with Adam (yes, THE Adam) is pure genius. I don’t know the status of that book and if it ever gets published, I will pimp it. I promise you.
Religious erotica can be light and funny like Hell’s Own. It can be flippant and irreverent. It can also be dark angst. What it shouldn’t do, in my eyes, is cheapen religion or faith.
There are things I won’t do in my religious erotica. I won’t make a predatory priest the hero. I have used it as a plot point and I have no problems making the antagonist a predatory priest, but what makes religious erotica work for me is that it’s the GOOD guy who is struggling with what he thinks is bad. I won’t make a charlatan a hero. If I’ve presented a priest/pastor/whatever as hero, you can bank on me thinking he’s a good guy even if you disagree.
Someone who isn’t into religious erotica may never see the respect in the story. Or they may find the whole concept blasphemous.
I don’t see a dang thing blasphemous about Anand and Daniel using Boy Butter (best name for lube ever) and having a blacklight reactive Pyrex dildo show up. Using confession-like language as pillow talk? Not sacrilegious in my eyes. Getting it on in a confessional booth? Yep, I totally have the balls for that. Playing a game DURING mass? Yes, I’ve gone there. Sex inside a baptismal tub? That’s in Full Circle.
Religious imagery is beautiful and powerful. Sexual imagery is beautiful and powerful. In my mind those naturally go together. The next time you find yourself in church look around and make note of all the phallic symbols. Look closer and you’ll find female equivalents. The Pagans make no bones about what dipping the athame into the chalice means. The Great Rite carried out—symbolic or otherwise. Do others see it when they dip those communion wafers into the wine? Or submerging someone fully into a basin of water? Does anyone look at those long taper candles with the brass heads and NOT see it as a phallic symbol? The shape of most sanctuaries can be likened to a huge intimidating womb add the long wide aisle that divides the pews, and you totally have symbolic representations of sex.
Even when dealing with same-sex couples there’s usually something going IN somewhere—oral sex, finger play, anal sex. Someone is the chalice and someone is the wafer/athame. It’s all the same. The difference is semantics. The union of flesh is one the most powerful things we can experience as humans and that act can produce life. Why shouldn’t we celebrate this? Why shouldn’t we write about it?
(As a side note: Sex can also be completely not worth taking off your socks. Sometimes, it’s just lame.)
Religious erotica dances a very fine line. And that’s a line that some publishers do not want to go near. Some publishers refuse submissions that have a priest or nun in a sexual situation. In my eyes priests, nuns, rabbis, etc have stories to tell and there’s nothing wrong with telling them.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Looking for a rec.
All I’ve got to say is that googling: priest porn –child ; or googling priest erotica gay does NOT lead to any good stuff. >.<
Sometimes a gal needs a fix that doesn’t come from her own mind. Anyone know where some good priest erotica can be found? Or just religious erotica for that matter? And I don’t mean that without a care jumping into bed crap. I mean good, solid, priest erotica. Someone who is a good priest and faltering. I want to ache for this guy. I don’t want to read about a priest who just casually opens his robes and screws without conscience. That’s just porn in a priest robe.
Shit. I think I’ll just have to write some more. There’s a serious deficit of good religious erotica in this world and someone needs to fill it.
Sometimes a gal needs a fix that doesn’t come from her own mind. Anyone know where some good priest erotica can be found? Or just religious erotica for that matter? And I don’t mean that without a care jumping into bed crap. I mean good, solid, priest erotica. Someone who is a good priest and faltering. I want to ache for this guy. I don’t want to read about a priest who just casually opens his robes and screws without conscience. That’s just porn in a priest robe.
Shit. I think I’ll just have to write some more. There’s a serious deficit of good religious erotica in this world and someone needs to fill it.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Porn Versus Erotica
You could google this and find out all sorts of information, but I figured I’d give my take. By all means, google it and see how others agree or disagree with me.
I write erotica. I don’t write porn and if my editors catch me one more time calling myself a smut writer, they’re likely to inflict serious bodily injury upon me and anyone who happens to be standing near me.
And that confused me.
What’s the big deal, right? A rose by any other name is still a rose, right? Besides, no one really thinks there’s no difference between porn and erotica, right? It’s a joke. No one would read what I write and call it porn or smut, would they?
What my limited exposure to the world of publishing hadn’t yet taught me, at the time of my confusion, is that most people do not realize there’s a HUGE difference between porn and erotica. My little joke did nothing more than help perpetuate that misunderstanding.
One of the unwritten duties of an erotica writer is to help educate the public about our genre. So, here’s an attempt at touching upon that duty.
Q: The length of the story determines whether it is porn or erotica, right?
A: Nope. Erotica, just like the men I write about, come in many shapes, sizes and ethnicities. Yes, “stroke stories” and porn stories do tend to be short. However, just like porn movies, they can drone on for hours while nimbly dodging anything close to plot.
While erotica stories do TEND to be longer than written porn, it’s possible to have a short story that really is erotica and not porn. It’s also possible to have erotic poetry and that tends to be quite short. There’s also a thing called “flash fiction” which are 100-500 word pieces and those publishers want erotica NOT porn.
Q: Oh! So it’s the level of explicitness that makes it porn or erotica?
A: Nope. Erotica ranges from being very explicit to “smoke and mirrors” or fade-to-black sex scenes. When you are looking at a publisher’s catalog make sure you check the rating of the story to ensure you’re buying something that suits your tastes.
A word of caution. Many publishers still list ANY M/M story in the highest or second highest rating. This is due to the subject matter. M/M writers and readers don’t like this, but we have to live with it. You might very well have a M/M story that’s quite tame, but listed as the highest rating. This is where author branding will help readers and authors connect.
I write very explicitly. My readerbase has come to expect this and if I were to change without valid reason, I would be burned in effigy. Never piss off a yaoi fangirl. We’re rabid on a good day.
Some erotica stories are so mild there’s a special category for them. That’s called “inspirational romance.” I should note that some people do not consider these stories to be erotica at all and plant them firmly under “romance.” I am not that familiar with this genre and my limited exposure indicates that “inspirational romance” tends to carry Christian themes, HEA, not-dark, and uplifting stories and very mild sex scenes usually a fade-to-black thing.
I remember asking another writer/editor with a lot more experience than I have what “inspirational romance” was. She didn’t know and finally said, “Prudish praying.”
Personally, I think that’s casting the genre in the wrong light, but I’ve never read an “inspirational romance.”
Q: So…um…the romantic element makes the story erotica and not porn?
A: Nope. Some romance is not erotic and some erotica is romantic and some erotica isn’t romantic and some porn isn’t romantic AND some….I could go on.
I write “erotic romance” which means there’s usually a plot or subplot that involves two or more characters falling in love. (Insert sweet and sickening “aww” here). However, there’s something that needs to be in the story for it to be “official” romance and that’s an HEA.
This is a point that’s HEAVILY debated, but when the “authorities” change their stance, I’ll change mine. (Personally, I WANT this changed.)
HEA is Happy Ever After. Sometimes it’s Happy For Now, but whatever the case, the story ends with the main couple together and happy. Maybe you’ve gone as far as to get them married or just have them living together, but the reader is left with the impression that this couple remains together after “The End.”
That’s why sometimes I say I’m an “erotica” writer instead of an “erotic romance” writer. I will write stories that are called “dark erotica” and those may or may not have a happy ending, may or may not have depressing themes, may or may not have a bad guy that wins, may or may not…I could go on. (LOL!)
Nice and confused about the genre “dark erotica”? Good. Welcome to the club. It’s one of those “know it when you see it” things. I have two WIPs (Work In Progress) which have been stamped “too dark for publication” by a few publishers and editors. I’ve found a potential home for one of them. *rubs hands together*
Q: So, if it doesn’t have anything to do with length (double entendre intended), explicitness or romance, what makes a story erotica and not porn?
A: Now, you’re asking the right question. Erotica has a fully developed story and completely fleshed out character designs.
Q: But, that’s what ALL stories are supposed to have—so what makes a story “erotic mystery” as opposed to regular mystery?
A: Once again, we’re getting into the good questions. Erotic mystery will contain sex scenes and sensual elements that a regular mystery won’t have.
Q: That’s can’t be right. I’ve read “regular” books that have sex scenes and they weren’t listed as erotica!
A: And that would be correct. Here’s the key. The sex in erotica cannot be removed. Important things such as character motivation changes, character development and plot points will happen DURING the sex scenes in erotica. If you skip over the sex, you’re missing out on important parts of the story. In short, skim the sex (and WHY would you do that?) and you’ll be confused.
Some authors will avoid the erotica label due to the believed stigma that comes with it. Other writers will embrace the label erotica, because we know sex sells. Get them with the sex and keep them with the story. Some “regular” authors are starting to label some of their titles as erotica to fuel their readerbases.
So, to recap…erotica has fully developed stories with carefully crafted characters and the sex scenes help move the story.
Porn…well…with porn you don’t get any of that. To be honest, the porn that I’ve read is basically a scene where the characters meet or already know each other, scratch their itches and move on. It’s just sex. There’s a reason why they’re called “stroke stories.” Also, it seems they’re full of telling and not showing. I remember one story where the “plot” was a guy who seemed to confirm his heterosexual status every third line while sneaking a tryst with another man. It actually included the line, “I moved into a 69 position and sucked him off.”
Wow…gee…umm….ice water anyone? Need to cool off after that? Anyone? Anyone at all? Umm…ok…it will be here if you need it.
The whole story went on like that and it was approximately 2,000 words or so. Whereas in “About to Sin” during the first 2,500 words, you get some hot sensuality; but you also, learn that Anand has a strong sense of ethics and that Father Daniel is a tortured soul.
Q: So erotica has a literary element that porn lacks?
A: Oh, now we’re getting into “literary erotica” and that’s…
Q: Please, no more genre talk. You’re making my head hurt. That’s just too confusing.
A: Sorry… in short, some erotica authors do consider themselves “literary authors” and some think that’s pretentious. Your best bet is to find out what the author labels himself/herself and go with that. Since I will vary on genre, I always label my stories.
And if you think genre is confusing on the reader’s end, just imagine what it’s like as a writer. So, I have this story that deals with dark themes, but it’s HEA and there’s romance, but there’s also…and so on. It’s enough to drive ya mad.
Here’s the simplest explanation of genre I can think of and I think it works quite nicely. All genre labels are is where the book would be shelved in a bookstore.
Q: Isn’t it really a battle of gender? Males write porn while females write erotica?
A: You have NO idea and I mean you have NO idea. I’ve met more “gender confused”, “transgendered” and “gender issued” people since I’ve started writing fulltime than I had my entire life. But, the stats do seem to indicate there are more biological females behind the keyboards than males. I don’t know how valid that information is.
Some writers will not reveal their real gender, some will and some don’t self-identify as female or male. Some publications REQUIRE male pennames. Some want gender neutral pennames. My target audience is yaoi fans and those readers tend to look for stories written by women. That’s why I’m comfortable revealing my gender.
I’m not comfortable putting either gender as being focused on porn or erotica. There’s way too much gender-bending going on and some of it intentionally.
The gender of the penname tells you nothing. I come from a yaoi background which is DOMINATED by female authors, artists and readers. Others come from backgrounds where women are viewed as incapable of writing M/M. I happen to find it quite funny when people talk about one author’s work being more valid than another because of gender AND they have the incorrect understanding of the author’s gender.
It seems I’ve confused a few readers too. Some people say I give very feminine font and some say, “If I didn’t know you, I’d sworn that was written by a gay man.”
I consider both of those a compliment.
I write erotica. I don’t write porn and if my editors catch me one more time calling myself a smut writer, they’re likely to inflict serious bodily injury upon me and anyone who happens to be standing near me.
And that confused me.
What’s the big deal, right? A rose by any other name is still a rose, right? Besides, no one really thinks there’s no difference between porn and erotica, right? It’s a joke. No one would read what I write and call it porn or smut, would they?
What my limited exposure to the world of publishing hadn’t yet taught me, at the time of my confusion, is that most people do not realize there’s a HUGE difference between porn and erotica. My little joke did nothing more than help perpetuate that misunderstanding.
One of the unwritten duties of an erotica writer is to help educate the public about our genre. So, here’s an attempt at touching upon that duty.
Q: The length of the story determines whether it is porn or erotica, right?
A: Nope. Erotica, just like the men I write about, come in many shapes, sizes and ethnicities. Yes, “stroke stories” and porn stories do tend to be short. However, just like porn movies, they can drone on for hours while nimbly dodging anything close to plot.
While erotica stories do TEND to be longer than written porn, it’s possible to have a short story that really is erotica and not porn. It’s also possible to have erotic poetry and that tends to be quite short. There’s also a thing called “flash fiction” which are 100-500 word pieces and those publishers want erotica NOT porn.
Q: Oh! So it’s the level of explicitness that makes it porn or erotica?
A: Nope. Erotica ranges from being very explicit to “smoke and mirrors” or fade-to-black sex scenes. When you are looking at a publisher’s catalog make sure you check the rating of the story to ensure you’re buying something that suits your tastes.
A word of caution. Many publishers still list ANY M/M story in the highest or second highest rating. This is due to the subject matter. M/M writers and readers don’t like this, but we have to live with it. You might very well have a M/M story that’s quite tame, but listed as the highest rating. This is where author branding will help readers and authors connect.
I write very explicitly. My readerbase has come to expect this and if I were to change without valid reason, I would be burned in effigy. Never piss off a yaoi fangirl. We’re rabid on a good day.
Some erotica stories are so mild there’s a special category for them. That’s called “inspirational romance.” I should note that some people do not consider these stories to be erotica at all and plant them firmly under “romance.” I am not that familiar with this genre and my limited exposure indicates that “inspirational romance” tends to carry Christian themes, HEA, not-dark, and uplifting stories and very mild sex scenes usually a fade-to-black thing.
I remember asking another writer/editor with a lot more experience than I have what “inspirational romance” was. She didn’t know and finally said, “Prudish praying.”
Personally, I think that’s casting the genre in the wrong light, but I’ve never read an “inspirational romance.”
Q: So…um…the romantic element makes the story erotica and not porn?
A: Nope. Some romance is not erotic and some erotica is romantic and some erotica isn’t romantic and some porn isn’t romantic AND some….I could go on.
I write “erotic romance” which means there’s usually a plot or subplot that involves two or more characters falling in love. (Insert sweet and sickening “aww” here). However, there’s something that needs to be in the story for it to be “official” romance and that’s an HEA.
This is a point that’s HEAVILY debated, but when the “authorities” change their stance, I’ll change mine. (Personally, I WANT this changed.)
HEA is Happy Ever After. Sometimes it’s Happy For Now, but whatever the case, the story ends with the main couple together and happy. Maybe you’ve gone as far as to get them married or just have them living together, but the reader is left with the impression that this couple remains together after “The End.”
That’s why sometimes I say I’m an “erotica” writer instead of an “erotic romance” writer. I will write stories that are called “dark erotica” and those may or may not have a happy ending, may or may not have depressing themes, may or may not have a bad guy that wins, may or may not…I could go on. (LOL!)
Nice and confused about the genre “dark erotica”? Good. Welcome to the club. It’s one of those “know it when you see it” things. I have two WIPs (Work In Progress) which have been stamped “too dark for publication” by a few publishers and editors. I’ve found a potential home for one of them. *rubs hands together*
Q: So, if it doesn’t have anything to do with length (double entendre intended), explicitness or romance, what makes a story erotica and not porn?
A: Now, you’re asking the right question. Erotica has a fully developed story and completely fleshed out character designs.
Q: But, that’s what ALL stories are supposed to have—so what makes a story “erotic mystery” as opposed to regular mystery?
A: Once again, we’re getting into the good questions. Erotic mystery will contain sex scenes and sensual elements that a regular mystery won’t have.
Q: That’s can’t be right. I’ve read “regular” books that have sex scenes and they weren’t listed as erotica!
A: And that would be correct. Here’s the key. The sex in erotica cannot be removed. Important things such as character motivation changes, character development and plot points will happen DURING the sex scenes in erotica. If you skip over the sex, you’re missing out on important parts of the story. In short, skim the sex (and WHY would you do that?) and you’ll be confused.
Some authors will avoid the erotica label due to the believed stigma that comes with it. Other writers will embrace the label erotica, because we know sex sells. Get them with the sex and keep them with the story. Some “regular” authors are starting to label some of their titles as erotica to fuel their readerbases.
So, to recap…erotica has fully developed stories with carefully crafted characters and the sex scenes help move the story.
Porn…well…with porn you don’t get any of that. To be honest, the porn that I’ve read is basically a scene where the characters meet or already know each other, scratch their itches and move on. It’s just sex. There’s a reason why they’re called “stroke stories.” Also, it seems they’re full of telling and not showing. I remember one story where the “plot” was a guy who seemed to confirm his heterosexual status every third line while sneaking a tryst with another man. It actually included the line, “I moved into a 69 position and sucked him off.”
Wow…gee…umm….ice water anyone? Need to cool off after that? Anyone? Anyone at all? Umm…ok…it will be here if you need it.
The whole story went on like that and it was approximately 2,000 words or so. Whereas in “About to Sin” during the first 2,500 words, you get some hot sensuality; but you also, learn that Anand has a strong sense of ethics and that Father Daniel is a tortured soul.
Q: So erotica has a literary element that porn lacks?
A: Oh, now we’re getting into “literary erotica” and that’s…
Q: Please, no more genre talk. You’re making my head hurt. That’s just too confusing.
A: Sorry… in short, some erotica authors do consider themselves “literary authors” and some think that’s pretentious. Your best bet is to find out what the author labels himself/herself and go with that. Since I will vary on genre, I always label my stories.
And if you think genre is confusing on the reader’s end, just imagine what it’s like as a writer. So, I have this story that deals with dark themes, but it’s HEA and there’s romance, but there’s also…and so on. It’s enough to drive ya mad.
Here’s the simplest explanation of genre I can think of and I think it works quite nicely. All genre labels are is where the book would be shelved in a bookstore.
Q: Isn’t it really a battle of gender? Males write porn while females write erotica?
A: You have NO idea and I mean you have NO idea. I’ve met more “gender confused”, “transgendered” and “gender issued” people since I’ve started writing fulltime than I had my entire life. But, the stats do seem to indicate there are more biological females behind the keyboards than males. I don’t know how valid that information is.
Some writers will not reveal their real gender, some will and some don’t self-identify as female or male. Some publications REQUIRE male pennames. Some want gender neutral pennames. My target audience is yaoi fans and those readers tend to look for stories written by women. That’s why I’m comfortable revealing my gender.
I’m not comfortable putting either gender as being focused on porn or erotica. There’s way too much gender-bending going on and some of it intentionally.
The gender of the penname tells you nothing. I come from a yaoi background which is DOMINATED by female authors, artists and readers. Others come from backgrounds where women are viewed as incapable of writing M/M. I happen to find it quite funny when people talk about one author’s work being more valid than another because of gender AND they have the incorrect understanding of the author’s gender.
It seems I’ve confused a few readers too. Some people say I give very feminine font and some say, “If I didn’t know you, I’d sworn that was written by a gay man.”
I consider both of those a compliment.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Romantic just not for all? WTF!
Dusk Peterson brought something to my attention that ticked me off.
Hyatt Hotel Targets M/M Author
They WANT you to attend the convention. They WANT your money, but they won't stand up for you at all. Bullshit. Bullshit--plain and simple.
The Author's Own Words
Hyatt Hotel Targets M/M Author
They WANT you to attend the convention. They WANT your money, but they won't stand up for you at all. Bullshit. Bullshit--plain and simple.
The Author's Own Words
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
No longer in “those” kinds of stores
My grandmother believed that only those kinds of people used the word “pregnant.” My mother believed that only those kinds of girls wore shorts. When I came of age, only those kinds of stores carried erotica.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we’re all those kinds of things now. The word “pregnant” is no longer offensive, my mother hit menopause and discovered the joy of shorts, and even respectable print markets want to cash in on the money erotica brings—HarperCollin’s Avon Books now has Avon Red and Kinsington has Aphrodisia. You can find yaoi manga and erotica anthologies inside the doors of Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Waldenbooks. WalMart caved and pulled some of Yaoi Press’s titles, but WalMart is a punk like that.
These are the times where change is a beautiful thing! So now, to all of my friends who say, “Why don’t you write things that are more mainstream?”
I can say, “I write what I love and, oh, guess what, it is mainstream.” I’m going to keep writing those kinds of books as long as I damn well please. ^_^
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we’re all those kinds of things now. The word “pregnant” is no longer offensive, my mother hit menopause and discovered the joy of shorts, and even respectable print markets want to cash in on the money erotica brings—HarperCollin’s Avon Books now has Avon Red and Kinsington has Aphrodisia. You can find yaoi manga and erotica anthologies inside the doors of Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Waldenbooks. WalMart caved and pulled some of Yaoi Press’s titles, but WalMart is a punk like that.
These are the times where change is a beautiful thing! So now, to all of my friends who say, “Why don’t you write things that are more mainstream?”
I can say, “I write what I love and, oh, guess what, it is mainstream.” I’m going to keep writing those kinds of books as long as I damn well please. ^_^
Sunday, February 18, 2007
An interesting article about yaoi.
I came across an interesting article about yaoi.
SB Day: Girls who like boys who do like boys.
She brings up some interesting points about the history of yaoi in the states and I urge you to read this.
She also mentions a question that’s asked of me a lot.
Why Yaoi appeals more to a female readership has never been fully explained to me, nor do I think that I have the psychological background and interview pool to really understand. It would make for an excellent grad school paper. What I have heard is that boy’s love comics tap into different parts of female psyche, letting women enjoy a sexualized story with no guilt (hey, it’s two boys, not a boy and girl) while allowing them to indulge the fantasy of a threesome in their minds. I heard the same argument used to explain why the television show Queer as Folk had such a large female following. I really don’t know if I buy into this at all. It’s too simplistic and seems to be a feminization of the explanation of why men fantasize about two women together. It also completely disregards any focus on the building of an emotionally stable relationship.
Why do women love yaoi? I don’t think it has anything to do with guilt or fantasy. I think it has to do with equality. Yaoi was started in Japan. Although women’s rights and social status has come a long way in Japan, you have to remember that this is a culture that still has “office flowers”; at one time, men were expected to have a mistress; women weren’t allowed to eat at the table when men had business associates over; cradle to grave positions were only open to men; and, those are just a few examples.
Women started yaoi, I think, as a means of getting some kind of relationship in their world that carried equality. As a western girl, I can look at yaoi and point to all sorts of forms of inequality. That’s as a western girl. My understanding of equality and a Japanese woman’s understanding of equality (at the time yaoi started) are two totally different things.
As a western girl, I latch onto yaoi because of that. And, who doesn’t want sexy pretty men? As a writer, I celebrate yaoi. I can write any kind of storyline I want without someone rolling their eyes and saying, “Oh look, another subservient female.” Or “Oh look, another dominant she-bitch.” I can have a cute shy uke all I want. I can have a strong willed uke too! No one bats an eye because it’s yaoi.
I don’t have to adhere to gender roles or anything like that. Yaoi is freedom for a writer. Complete and total freedom. Yes, yes, yaoi has rules, but if you break the rules while keeping the spirit of the rule alive—you’re fine.
The article goes on and touches on one of my pet-peeves.
As Yaoi’s popularity continues to grow and become more accepted in the United States, it will be interesting to see how this affects other venues of entertainment. Will we see more boys’ love TV shows on the air to fill the void of Queer as Folk and more movies in the vein of Brokeback Mountain or will this interest be mis-shelved once again, mis-marketed and ignored by people who don’t realize they are missing their target audience?
Brokeback Mountain is not yaoi. Repeat after me. It is not yaoi. It doesn’t hold to the conventions of yaoi. It’s doesn’t have painfully beautiful men. There’s not a single bishie in that movie. They might be sexy, but damn it, they’re not bishie. (I can’t speak on Queer as Folk.)
Just because something is m/m and appeals to women does NOT make it yaoi.
Yaoi requires a specific tone and style. There are elements that must be part of any yaoi story and from what I’ve seen Brokeback Mountain does not have it—even with as good as it is.
I’m all for Brokeback Mountian’s success and I hope it has a long flourishing life in DVD, but it’s not yaoi.
For those of us who are rabid yaoi fangirls, the distinction between “m/m popular among/targeted toward women” and “yaoi” is a no brainer and we expect there to be confusion among those who don’t understand yaoi. However, I’m getting tired of people perpetuating the myth that if it’s m/m and popular with women it’s yaoi.
Yes, there are non-yaoi titles that are popular with the yaoi crowd. Cross-over is a beautiful thing, but crossing over doesn’t make it yaoi.
She goes on to this…
…it makes me wonder how many other niche markets are being ignored by mainstream stores. What are they? Are they just being mis-marketed or mis-shelved or are they just not available at all?
Yes, there is a huge problem with this with the e-book industry. Yaoi e-books are not getting the right covers or catalog listings by many publishers and that’s killing the title. Yaoi fans look for certain things to let them know a title is yaoi and not “gay erotica.” A cover is the best and sometimes only way to show a browsing yaoi reader that a particular title is for them. Some yaoi fans have turned their back on the publishing world, because their titles aren't reaching them. Thankfully, publishers are beginning to recognize this and are on the look out for yaoi artists. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough talented yaoi artists out there.
SB Day: Girls who like boys who do like boys.
She brings up some interesting points about the history of yaoi in the states and I urge you to read this.
She also mentions a question that’s asked of me a lot.
Why Yaoi appeals more to a female readership has never been fully explained to me, nor do I think that I have the psychological background and interview pool to really understand. It would make for an excellent grad school paper. What I have heard is that boy’s love comics tap into different parts of female psyche, letting women enjoy a sexualized story with no guilt (hey, it’s two boys, not a boy and girl) while allowing them to indulge the fantasy of a threesome in their minds. I heard the same argument used to explain why the television show Queer as Folk had such a large female following. I really don’t know if I buy into this at all. It’s too simplistic and seems to be a feminization of the explanation of why men fantasize about two women together. It also completely disregards any focus on the building of an emotionally stable relationship.
Why do women love yaoi? I don’t think it has anything to do with guilt or fantasy. I think it has to do with equality. Yaoi was started in Japan. Although women’s rights and social status has come a long way in Japan, you have to remember that this is a culture that still has “office flowers”; at one time, men were expected to have a mistress; women weren’t allowed to eat at the table when men had business associates over; cradle to grave positions were only open to men; and, those are just a few examples.
Women started yaoi, I think, as a means of getting some kind of relationship in their world that carried equality. As a western girl, I can look at yaoi and point to all sorts of forms of inequality. That’s as a western girl. My understanding of equality and a Japanese woman’s understanding of equality (at the time yaoi started) are two totally different things.
As a western girl, I latch onto yaoi because of that. And, who doesn’t want sexy pretty men? As a writer, I celebrate yaoi. I can write any kind of storyline I want without someone rolling their eyes and saying, “Oh look, another subservient female.” Or “Oh look, another dominant she-bitch.” I can have a cute shy uke all I want. I can have a strong willed uke too! No one bats an eye because it’s yaoi.
I don’t have to adhere to gender roles or anything like that. Yaoi is freedom for a writer. Complete and total freedom. Yes, yes, yaoi has rules, but if you break the rules while keeping the spirit of the rule alive—you’re fine.
The article goes on and touches on one of my pet-peeves.
As Yaoi’s popularity continues to grow and become more accepted in the United States, it will be interesting to see how this affects other venues of entertainment. Will we see more boys’ love TV shows on the air to fill the void of Queer as Folk and more movies in the vein of Brokeback Mountain or will this interest be mis-shelved once again, mis-marketed and ignored by people who don’t realize they are missing their target audience?
Brokeback Mountain is not yaoi. Repeat after me. It is not yaoi. It doesn’t hold to the conventions of yaoi. It’s doesn’t have painfully beautiful men. There’s not a single bishie in that movie. They might be sexy, but damn it, they’re not bishie. (I can’t speak on Queer as Folk.)
Just because something is m/m and appeals to women does NOT make it yaoi.
Yaoi requires a specific tone and style. There are elements that must be part of any yaoi story and from what I’ve seen Brokeback Mountain does not have it—even with as good as it is.
I’m all for Brokeback Mountian’s success and I hope it has a long flourishing life in DVD, but it’s not yaoi.
For those of us who are rabid yaoi fangirls, the distinction between “m/m popular among/targeted toward women” and “yaoi” is a no brainer and we expect there to be confusion among those who don’t understand yaoi. However, I’m getting tired of people perpetuating the myth that if it’s m/m and popular with women it’s yaoi.
Yes, there are non-yaoi titles that are popular with the yaoi crowd. Cross-over is a beautiful thing, but crossing over doesn’t make it yaoi.
She goes on to this…
…it makes me wonder how many other niche markets are being ignored by mainstream stores. What are they? Are they just being mis-marketed or mis-shelved or are they just not available at all?
Yes, there is a huge problem with this with the e-book industry. Yaoi e-books are not getting the right covers or catalog listings by many publishers and that’s killing the title. Yaoi fans look for certain things to let them know a title is yaoi and not “gay erotica.” A cover is the best and sometimes only way to show a browsing yaoi reader that a particular title is for them. Some yaoi fans have turned their back on the publishing world, because their titles aren't reaching them. Thankfully, publishers are beginning to recognize this and are on the look out for yaoi artists. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough talented yaoi artists out there.
Genre talk.
I call myself an erotica writer. At one time, I called myself a smut writer and a “chick with a keyboard.” One of my editors, Tami Parrington, threatened me with bodily harm over that. She told me, “You’re a writer, who happens to include erotic elements in her stories.”
Fine, but that’s a pretty big mouthful, don’t ya think?
What I do try to avoid is the “romance” label. Yes, there’s romance in my stories. Yes, there’s relationship building, soulmates, fluttering hearts and all that wonderful stuff that’s in fictional romance.
So, why do I resist that label? The word “romance” implies a happy ending (HEA= Happy Ever After). Recently, “romance” has pushed its boundaries to include “happy for now” at the end of the stories.
I can’t promise that. I want my couples to stay together. I want that HEA, but I don’t always get that. I’ve been known to kill off leads, let the world fall to shambles and keep characters in unhealthy relationships.
Yes, I know. Putting realism in my fiction is mean of me, but one reader told me that’s what she liked about my stories. She said that when she read one of my stories she needed to be prepared for anything and she liked that. I guess after you read a few romance books, you come to expect the two leads to stay together and the suspense is lost.
That’s also why I try not to let the fate of the relationship be the plot. If my publisher lists my title in the HEA category, then all my suspense work is lost. The reader knows there’s a happy ending before they open the file. I assume the reader will assume the relationship will stick.
I want to be known as a “yaoi” writer. This is a special sub-genre of m/m erotic fiction. Yaoi promises you a lot of things, but it doesn’t promise you a happy ending or a healthy relationship. Yaoi writers will break their characters and give them a mind-fuck that therapy can’t help. And, damn it, the men are painfully beautiful while they angst themselves into The Pit of Despair ™.
Yaoi also has a different style and tone than “gay erotica.” There’s nothing wrong with “gay erotica.” Some of my favorite authors consider their home genre to be “gay erotica.” And, I’m even trying my hand at with About to Sin.
I think taking the yaoi label is a wise choice for me. Yaoi is what I write. Beautiful headcases who need therapy damn quick, but will never get it. Yaoi is not without its critics though. Gay men are slowly discovering yaoi (a genre started by and targeted toward woman). Some enjoy what they’ve found and some can’t stand it.
I can understand that. Sometimes the characterizations in yaoi seem like caricatures of gay men. The men are emotional (on both ends of that spectrum) and some are very flamboyant. I can see where some men will look at it and feel like I do when I watch movies prior to the 70’s.
Some like yaoi and some don’t. I love it. I don’t look at it as means of understanding gay men. I look at it as a means of entertainment. I adore a dark brooding character who is so locked up in himself he can’t really relate to those around him. I also enjoy the open, giddy and happy character who simply wants to love someone. Sometimes, those who are in love with the idea of being in love are the biggest angst-fests you can find. Those are the ones who are so screwed up they no longer feel it.
Some yaoi is fluff. Some has teeth. It’s a wide-open genre and I feel right at home in it!
Fine, but that’s a pretty big mouthful, don’t ya think?
What I do try to avoid is the “romance” label. Yes, there’s romance in my stories. Yes, there’s relationship building, soulmates, fluttering hearts and all that wonderful stuff that’s in fictional romance.
So, why do I resist that label? The word “romance” implies a happy ending (HEA= Happy Ever After). Recently, “romance” has pushed its boundaries to include “happy for now” at the end of the stories.
I can’t promise that. I want my couples to stay together. I want that HEA, but I don’t always get that. I’ve been known to kill off leads, let the world fall to shambles and keep characters in unhealthy relationships.
Yes, I know. Putting realism in my fiction is mean of me, but one reader told me that’s what she liked about my stories. She said that when she read one of my stories she needed to be prepared for anything and she liked that. I guess after you read a few romance books, you come to expect the two leads to stay together and the suspense is lost.
That’s also why I try not to let the fate of the relationship be the plot. If my publisher lists my title in the HEA category, then all my suspense work is lost. The reader knows there’s a happy ending before they open the file. I assume the reader will assume the relationship will stick.
I want to be known as a “yaoi” writer. This is a special sub-genre of m/m erotic fiction. Yaoi promises you a lot of things, but it doesn’t promise you a happy ending or a healthy relationship. Yaoi writers will break their characters and give them a mind-fuck that therapy can’t help. And, damn it, the men are painfully beautiful while they angst themselves into The Pit of Despair ™.
Yaoi also has a different style and tone than “gay erotica.” There’s nothing wrong with “gay erotica.” Some of my favorite authors consider their home genre to be “gay erotica.” And, I’m even trying my hand at with About to Sin.
I think taking the yaoi label is a wise choice for me. Yaoi is what I write. Beautiful headcases who need therapy damn quick, but will never get it. Yaoi is not without its critics though. Gay men are slowly discovering yaoi (a genre started by and targeted toward woman). Some enjoy what they’ve found and some can’t stand it.
I can understand that. Sometimes the characterizations in yaoi seem like caricatures of gay men. The men are emotional (on both ends of that spectrum) and some are very flamboyant. I can see where some men will look at it and feel like I do when I watch movies prior to the 70’s.
Some like yaoi and some don’t. I love it. I don’t look at it as means of understanding gay men. I look at it as a means of entertainment. I adore a dark brooding character who is so locked up in himself he can’t really relate to those around him. I also enjoy the open, giddy and happy character who simply wants to love someone. Sometimes, those who are in love with the idea of being in love are the biggest angst-fests you can find. Those are the ones who are so screwed up they no longer feel it.
Some yaoi is fluff. Some has teeth. It’s a wide-open genre and I feel right at home in it!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Food for writing thought.
I experienced something the other day that I never expected to experience. Last month I met a man online who raised a few red flags in my mind. Something wasn’t right with him and I couldn’t figure it out. I don’t mean he was demented or anything like that, but something just didn’t jive.
I met him via one of the writing forums I haunt. This is a writing forum dedicated to erotica romance writers so the subject matter is adult in all ways, shapes and forms. At first he seemed overly concerned about making sure his writing was erotica and not pornography. It felt like he was trying to convince himself more than anything else.
Yes, there is a difference between erotica and pornography. If you disagree then you show me a “stroke story” that’s 30-90K words long. Until you show me that, let’s just go with this, ok?
Then he’d censor himself. I don’t mean subject matter. He was more than willing to tackle some of the larger taboos in erotica, but he wouldn’t cuss. He seemed to have a hang-up with certain words. I know, I know our characters will do things that we may never do and there are plenty of erotica writers who can get down and dirty with the best of them, but never utter a curse word in their personal lives. So, I did my best to separate the author from the fiction and went with it.
After that, he started posting excerpts. His non-erotic stuff has been accepted by a few publications, but he was trying to break into the erotic genres and came to the forum for help and guidance. (One of the better aspects of this particular forum.)
That’s when I saw the problem. His words didn’t flow. The situations seemed forced after long dawdling by the characters. This worked screamed of someone who was uncomfortable writing an erotic scene.
After talking to him off-board about a few personal things that I’m holding in confidence, I realized what this guy was trying to do. He was trying to right a wrong in his past via fiction and he had some kind of sexual hang-up to boot.
Writing is therapeutic. I’ve yet to find an author who disagrees with that, but writing is not this kind of therapy.
I’m a writer not a psychologist. I realized quickly that this situation was out of my league. Later he confessed (in a public way, so I’m not breaking confidences here) that he’d developed a religious problem with writing erotica. Bingo. There’s why his sex scenes didn’t flow nearly as well as his non-intimate scenes.
So, what’s a writer to do? I think he gave up and that might be the correct decision on his part. He didn’t give up on writing just with writing erotica.
What about all of you who might be facing similar troubles and don’t want to give up? I write very graphic erotica. Most of the writers I know write graphic erotica. We’re comfortable with this and have no qualms religious, social or otherwise doing so. But, if you are not comfortable writing sex scenes then don’t do it. It will show in your writing and your work will suffer.
So, what can you do? You don’t have to be graphic. There’s no law stating that romance novels have to be graphic. There are “inspirational romance” novels that sometimes have a Christian or otherwise religious theme. Christians do fall in love and there’s nothing wrong with writing a romance story about it. There are readers who don’t like the graphic nature of my type of erotica, but still want a good romance story. Write for them. Embrace your readership. There is nothing wrong with or less than when it comes to different genres.
What if “inspirational romance” isn’t your thing, but you still aren’t quite comfortable writing a sex scene? Publishers have different ratings or heat levels for their books. Mine tend to be at the top of the scale by default. I write m/m and that comes with certain activities that push it to the top. Publishers, writers and readers don’t think this is fair and more and more publishers are tweaking their ratings to accommodate the genre. Some romances have “light” sex scenes (for those of you who come from fanfiction these would be called limes) instead of “graphic” sex scenes (for those of you who come from fanfiction these would be called lemons). The point is to write a good story and give the story what it needs and for some stories that’s fade to black or light sex scenes.
Write what you’re comfortable writing and always strive to better yourself. Yes, you should push your boundaries for growth, but if you’re completely out of your element, it will show in your writing.
I met him via one of the writing forums I haunt. This is a writing forum dedicated to erotica romance writers so the subject matter is adult in all ways, shapes and forms. At first he seemed overly concerned about making sure his writing was erotica and not pornography. It felt like he was trying to convince himself more than anything else.
Yes, there is a difference between erotica and pornography. If you disagree then you show me a “stroke story” that’s 30-90K words long. Until you show me that, let’s just go with this, ok?
Then he’d censor himself. I don’t mean subject matter. He was more than willing to tackle some of the larger taboos in erotica, but he wouldn’t cuss. He seemed to have a hang-up with certain words. I know, I know our characters will do things that we may never do and there are plenty of erotica writers who can get down and dirty with the best of them, but never utter a curse word in their personal lives. So, I did my best to separate the author from the fiction and went with it.
After that, he started posting excerpts. His non-erotic stuff has been accepted by a few publications, but he was trying to break into the erotic genres and came to the forum for help and guidance. (One of the better aspects of this particular forum.)
That’s when I saw the problem. His words didn’t flow. The situations seemed forced after long dawdling by the characters. This worked screamed of someone who was uncomfortable writing an erotic scene.
After talking to him off-board about a few personal things that I’m holding in confidence, I realized what this guy was trying to do. He was trying to right a wrong in his past via fiction and he had some kind of sexual hang-up to boot.
Writing is therapeutic. I’ve yet to find an author who disagrees with that, but writing is not this kind of therapy.
I’m a writer not a psychologist. I realized quickly that this situation was out of my league. Later he confessed (in a public way, so I’m not breaking confidences here) that he’d developed a religious problem with writing erotica. Bingo. There’s why his sex scenes didn’t flow nearly as well as his non-intimate scenes.
So, what’s a writer to do? I think he gave up and that might be the correct decision on his part. He didn’t give up on writing just with writing erotica.
What about all of you who might be facing similar troubles and don’t want to give up? I write very graphic erotica. Most of the writers I know write graphic erotica. We’re comfortable with this and have no qualms religious, social or otherwise doing so. But, if you are not comfortable writing sex scenes then don’t do it. It will show in your writing and your work will suffer.
So, what can you do? You don’t have to be graphic. There’s no law stating that romance novels have to be graphic. There are “inspirational romance” novels that sometimes have a Christian or otherwise religious theme. Christians do fall in love and there’s nothing wrong with writing a romance story about it. There are readers who don’t like the graphic nature of my type of erotica, but still want a good romance story. Write for them. Embrace your readership. There is nothing wrong with or less than when it comes to different genres.
What if “inspirational romance” isn’t your thing, but you still aren’t quite comfortable writing a sex scene? Publishers have different ratings or heat levels for their books. Mine tend to be at the top of the scale by default. I write m/m and that comes with certain activities that push it to the top. Publishers, writers and readers don’t think this is fair and more and more publishers are tweaking their ratings to accommodate the genre. Some romances have “light” sex scenes (for those of you who come from fanfiction these would be called limes) instead of “graphic” sex scenes (for those of you who come from fanfiction these would be called lemons). The point is to write a good story and give the story what it needs and for some stories that’s fade to black or light sex scenes.
Write what you’re comfortable writing and always strive to better yourself. Yes, you should push your boundaries for growth, but if you’re completely out of your element, it will show in your writing.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
You do WHAT for a living?
Some of us cringe and some of us slyly grin in eager anticipation, but when someone asks and erotica writer what they do for a living, we know there’s going to be a reaction.
Personally, I kind of like it. I think I’m up front with people because 1) I know they’ll find out anyway. 2)I think it’s an uber-cool job. 3) Shock value.
People have preconceived ideas about what kind of people erotica writers are. They might think we’re a desperate man typing with one hand and doing something else with another and hasn’t so much as kissed in 15 years and we’re dealing with our sexual frustrations in font. Or maybe we’re oversexed whores willing to not only write about those things, but do them also. My personal favorite is that I’m an unclean heathen destined for hell.
Regardless of what you’ve experienced, you must readthis article .
About they myths associated with being an erotica writer. It’s an excellent article.
Personally, I kind of like it. I think I’m up front with people because 1) I know they’ll find out anyway. 2)I think it’s an uber-cool job. 3) Shock value.
People have preconceived ideas about what kind of people erotica writers are. They might think we’re a desperate man typing with one hand and doing something else with another and hasn’t so much as kissed in 15 years and we’re dealing with our sexual frustrations in font. Or maybe we’re oversexed whores willing to not only write about those things, but do them also. My personal favorite is that I’m an unclean heathen destined for hell.
Regardless of what you’ve experienced, you must readthis article .
About they myths associated with being an erotica writer. It’s an excellent article.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Shh…don’t wake the beast…
I think my writing mojo came back at 5:30 this morning. No one move. We might scare it away.
I got it back via yaoi. Ah, yaoi, how much do I love thee? Sure 75% of the stories are the same tired storylines we’ve all come to love and hate, but there’s something special about pretty men. Mmm….pretty men.
Note: I said “pretty” men. Not “handsome” men. Yaoi has “pretty” men. Sometimes painfully beautiful in ways that could never mimic reality. It’s pure fantasy through and through, but I gobble it up. And angst! OMG! Every single story contains angst even if the mangaka has to been over backwards to create it.
I don’t mind. Sure, the rare jewel that has an engaging story stands way above the rest, but…but…they’re so PRETTY!
Yaoi. My anti-block! XD
I got it back via yaoi. Ah, yaoi, how much do I love thee? Sure 75% of the stories are the same tired storylines we’ve all come to love and hate, but there’s something special about pretty men. Mmm….pretty men.
Note: I said “pretty” men. Not “handsome” men. Yaoi has “pretty” men. Sometimes painfully beautiful in ways that could never mimic reality. It’s pure fantasy through and through, but I gobble it up. And angst! OMG! Every single story contains angst even if the mangaka has to been over backwards to create it.
I don’t mind. Sure, the rare jewel that has an engaging story stands way above the rest, but…but…they’re so PRETTY!
Yaoi. My anti-block! XD
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Dark Fiction
How dark is too dark for fiction? How far can you go while keeping it palatable for readers and financially acceptable for publishers?
Writing is an art and a business. Some people tilt the scales toward art and some tilt it toward business. Some go as far as to intentionally make a show of "being out there" for that must make them feel more artistic. For those people, I hope they have enough money to eat.
I on the other hand must somehow make my words turn into food and or electrical payments. I've been told about this Pay Per Post thing for bloggers. I'm thinking about doing it. Some people may consider that selling out, but I call it being practical.
Off-topic, huh?
Kinda.
I've written a piece that seems to be too dark for dark fiction. On one hand I pat myself on the back for being so creative and thinking out of the box. On the other hand, I slap myself for not keeping the business side of writing in mind. I still like the story and I think it's solid. There has to be a way of pulling it in and getting it back within publishable lines.
In the meantime, does anyone know of any erotica publishers who delve into erotic darkness?
Writing is an art and a business. Some people tilt the scales toward art and some tilt it toward business. Some go as far as to intentionally make a show of "being out there" for that must make them feel more artistic. For those people, I hope they have enough money to eat.
I on the other hand must somehow make my words turn into food and or electrical payments. I've been told about this Pay Per Post thing for bloggers. I'm thinking about doing it. Some people may consider that selling out, but I call it being practical.
Off-topic, huh?
Kinda.
I've written a piece that seems to be too dark for dark fiction. On one hand I pat myself on the back for being so creative and thinking out of the box. On the other hand, I slap myself for not keeping the business side of writing in mind. I still like the story and I think it's solid. There has to be a way of pulling it in and getting it back within publishable lines.
In the meantime, does anyone know of any erotica publishers who delve into erotic darkness?
Friday, October 20, 2006
We're an odd bunch.
Unless my perspective is wrong, most of the writers and readers of m/m erotic romance are women. I think men may take up the bulk of the short-short stories, but for the e-books it seems like women dominate.
At first, I didn't think much about this. Then, I started meeting people (heterosexual women) who were not only pro m/m, but anti-het. They will actually leave a story if there is a het element. Which means, there is an aversion to reading their sexuality.
What does that say about the bedrooms and intimate relationships of these types of readers? The sociologist and anthropologist in me wants to find a problem here, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
I find m/m fiction a lot hotter than most het fiction. That's why I write m/m and not het. I have no problems in my bedroom, so maybe I'm drawing a connection that doesn't exist.
Does one's choices in fiction reflect anything about their real lives? What do you think?
At first, I didn't think much about this. Then, I started meeting people (heterosexual women) who were not only pro m/m, but anti-het. They will actually leave a story if there is a het element. Which means, there is an aversion to reading their sexuality.
What does that say about the bedrooms and intimate relationships of these types of readers? The sociologist and anthropologist in me wants to find a problem here, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
I find m/m fiction a lot hotter than most het fiction. That's why I write m/m and not het. I have no problems in my bedroom, so maybe I'm drawing a connection that doesn't exist.
Does one's choices in fiction reflect anything about their real lives? What do you think?
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Fluff or Angst?
Fluff or angst? That's the question on my mind today.
By fluff I don't mean poorly written, chick lit wannabe, decoration only stories. I mean sweet romance full of "aww moments". (I'm not saying all "chick lit" is bad.)
I have come to terms with being an angst writer. I can hear you groaning. I admit sometimes I go a little overboard and there have been times I've wanted to slit my characters' wrists for them. I like to hurt my boys. I like to make the reader cry.
Don't look at me like I'm heartless. I give them time to lick their wounds and I give the reader "aww moments", because I think those things are needed. I think the angst makes the "aww moments" more powerful.
Nearly every character I create has some kind of issue that will never be solved. There are plenty of things that will be solved in the story; however, we all have psychological damage that will haunt us for the rest of our lives and I think fictional characters should mimic that.
As an erotica writer, one particularly devilish thing I like to do is give a character a sexual hang-up. (I also give them fetishes, but that's for another post.) In "Full Circle" there is a character with heavy sexual hang-ups, but he's one of my UST (unresolved sexual tension) characters. "Full Circle" didn't lend itself to making him squirm and I'm not going to hammer something into a story simply because I want to see it there.
My favorite sexual hang-up to write is shame. I love characters whose backgrounds make them fight their natural needs. Then, I pair them with someone they can't resist. I use the sex to help work away from the shame. They'll never become full-blown exhibitionists, but they'll be damn sexy as they squirm.
Forbidden desires are particularly hot to me. Perhaps that's due to my own background. They way I see it is – as long as I write, I don't need a therapist. Snicker.
My question for those of you who write is: do you write fluff or angst and why? Does this match what you prefer to read?
For those of us who don't write, but contribute to the world of literature by being precious readers – which do you prefer to read and why?
Warning: Today's "Post of the Day" is rated M for mature. Reader discretion is advised.
The "Word of the Post" comes from the Grandiloquent Dictionary and should be of particular interest to kink writers *cough*Kay*cough*
vapulate - ( )
To beat with a whip
Oh, Mark, dear….
~~~
Mark twisted his wrists and the restraining leather creaked. The crack of the whip sliced his ears. Sting pierced his skin leaving a pulsing heat behind. The crowd gasped both in sympathy and condemnation. Already vapulated until his skin was broken and blood trickled down his sundered back, he knew his punishment wasn't over. He had a few more lashes to go.
He didn't wonder why he was tied to this post in town square. Seducing the lord's son came with a heavy price. The question foremost in Mark's mind was a personal one. Why was this turning him on?
The next lash unleashed something inside him. His mind went blank. A blinding whiteness claimed his vision. His seed spread between his body and his pants. He now had a new question: what was his punisher's name and could they do this in a more private setting?
By fluff I don't mean poorly written, chick lit wannabe, decoration only stories. I mean sweet romance full of "aww moments". (I'm not saying all "chick lit" is bad.)
I have come to terms with being an angst writer. I can hear you groaning. I admit sometimes I go a little overboard and there have been times I've wanted to slit my characters' wrists for them. I like to hurt my boys. I like to make the reader cry.
Don't look at me like I'm heartless. I give them time to lick their wounds and I give the reader "aww moments", because I think those things are needed. I think the angst makes the "aww moments" more powerful.
Nearly every character I create has some kind of issue that will never be solved. There are plenty of things that will be solved in the story; however, we all have psychological damage that will haunt us for the rest of our lives and I think fictional characters should mimic that.
As an erotica writer, one particularly devilish thing I like to do is give a character a sexual hang-up. (I also give them fetishes, but that's for another post.) In "Full Circle" there is a character with heavy sexual hang-ups, but he's one of my UST (unresolved sexual tension) characters. "Full Circle" didn't lend itself to making him squirm and I'm not going to hammer something into a story simply because I want to see it there.
My favorite sexual hang-up to write is shame. I love characters whose backgrounds make them fight their natural needs. Then, I pair them with someone they can't resist. I use the sex to help work away from the shame. They'll never become full-blown exhibitionists, but they'll be damn sexy as they squirm.
Forbidden desires are particularly hot to me. Perhaps that's due to my own background. They way I see it is – as long as I write, I don't need a therapist. Snicker.
My question for those of you who write is: do you write fluff or angst and why? Does this match what you prefer to read?
For those of us who don't write, but contribute to the world of literature by being precious readers – which do you prefer to read and why?
Warning: Today's "Post of the Day" is rated M for mature. Reader discretion is advised.
The "Word of the Post" comes from the Grandiloquent Dictionary and should be of particular interest to kink writers *cough*Kay*cough*
vapulate - ( )
To beat with a whip
Oh, Mark, dear….
~~~
Mark twisted his wrists and the restraining leather creaked. The crack of the whip sliced his ears. Sting pierced his skin leaving a pulsing heat behind. The crowd gasped both in sympathy and condemnation. Already vapulated until his skin was broken and blood trickled down his sundered back, he knew his punishment wasn't over. He had a few more lashes to go.
He didn't wonder why he was tied to this post in town square. Seducing the lord's son came with a heavy price. The question foremost in Mark's mind was a personal one. Why was this turning him on?
The next lash unleashed something inside him. His mind went blank. A blinding whiteness claimed his vision. His seed spread between his body and his pants. He now had a new question: what was his punisher's name and could they do this in a more private setting?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)