Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Amazon plog
Alison Tyler fans (of which I am one) have a delicious treat over at Amazon.com, where Alison is using their new blogging facility, the "plog," to send us notes! Check it out.
Monday, February 27, 2006
New novella title
I've been working with Kate Seaver, my editor at Berkley, to find the right title for the novella I'm writing for the KINK anthology. This is the project I'm doing with Sasha White, that I announced a couple of weeks ago. I'm pleased to confirm that my novella will be going out as SEX, LIES AND BONDAGE TAPE. I love it! Hope it makes you smile too, and yes, all those naughty goodies are in the story!
I've added a few of those cute wordmeters at the bottom of my blog sidebar, for the projects I'm working on through March. It's going to be a very busy month. Hopefully the meters will help me keep track of where I'm at.....so long as I remember to update them. ;-)
I've added a few of those cute wordmeters at the bottom of my blog sidebar, for the projects I'm working on through March. It's going to be a very busy month. Hopefully the meters will help me keep track of where I'm at.....so long as I remember to update them. ;-)
Saturday, February 25, 2006
I've got one foot in heaven..!
This one cracked me up:
A writer died and was given the option of going to heaven or hell. She decided to check out each place first. As the writer descended into the fiery pits, she saw row upon row of writers chained to their desks in a steaming sweatshop. As they worked, they were repeatedly whipped with thorny lashes.
"Oh my," said the writer. "Let me see heaven now."
A few moments later, as she ascended into heaven, she saw rows of writers, chained to their desks in a steaming sweatshop. As they worked, they, too, were whipped with thorny lashes.
"Wait a minute," cried the writer. "This is just as bad as hell!"
"Oh no, it's not," replied an unseen voice. "Here, your work gets published."
A writer died and was given the option of going to heaven or hell. She decided to check out each place first. As the writer descended into the fiery pits, she saw row upon row of writers chained to their desks in a steaming sweatshop. As they worked, they were repeatedly whipped with thorny lashes.
"Oh my," said the writer. "Let me see heaven now."
A few moments later, as she ascended into heaven, she saw rows of writers, chained to their desks in a steaming sweatshop. As they worked, they, too, were whipped with thorny lashes.
"Wait a minute," cried the writer. "This is just as bad as hell!"
"Oh no, it's not," replied an unseen voice. "Here, your work gets published."
Friday, February 24, 2006
On blogging
I reached 50 posts on this blog last week so I thought I'd take stock of what I've done here, and -- all in all -- I’m pleasantly surprised. I’d resisted keeping a blog for a long while, until I was signed by Berkley and felt I would have solid writerly news to relate. I'd been reading other author blogs for about two years, learning and enjoying. I only comment on maybe 6 to 8 of those I read. I'm shy when I comment on someone’s blog, in fact it feels like a big deal to me, especially in the beginning. Silly I know, but it’s putting a comment on someone else's webspace, after all. Respect... :-)
It’s still early days and I’m finding my feet here, but I’m glad I seem to have posted a couple of things of interest, in particular my comments on the erotic/RT article. I truly thought I was just waffling to my closest writing buddies, Zaz and Wendy. I’ve been really pleased when other people said hi. Two editor/authors that I respect and admire suggested people read what I said on erotic fiction, (I was amazed,) and Diana Laurence herself dropped by to comment on my comments...about her comments. Almost a dialogue, in fact :-) This blogging stuff really works. Hmmm…I wonder if Johnny Depp will say hi after reading my review of The Libertine ROFL
It got me thinking, because I hadn’t ever really decided what I want to do with my blog. LOL Naughty me. I had a list of things in my head that I didn’t want it to be. For a start I believe in the “if you have nothing to say, say nothing” approach. I have a lot of permanent health problems I don’t want to yack on about here. I also don’t want do quizzes, tags or find out what colour my soul is. What I do want to do is reflect a bit of my life as a writer, and a bit of my wider lifestyle, for my fiction readers who like to hear this stuff. I thought I might share a few funnies, although I know my sense of humour is weird. I also wanted to chart my progress as my first single title goes to print, and offer any tips that might be helpful to new writers. Because I used to do a lot of music reviews and wrote for the Rough Guide to Rock, I thought I’d also do a commentary on any gigs I get to.
What’s surprised us here in the Walker household is that the blog serves a few functions we hadn’t foreseen. We go from week to week forgetting what we've done a few weeks before (old fogies that we are) but we were impressed and rather surprised to see we’d been on two city breaks and attended two gigs in the same number of months. And there was us thinking we never did anything. I like that added dimension, that we will be able to track back and see what happened when. I was never a great diary keeper, so this felt like a big hurdle, but so far I’m enjoying it. I don't promise to be saying worthwhile things about erotic fiction every week, though. You have to visit Alison Kent's blog for that. ;-)
It’s still early days and I’m finding my feet here, but I’m glad I seem to have posted a couple of things of interest, in particular my comments on the erotic/RT article. I truly thought I was just waffling to my closest writing buddies, Zaz and Wendy. I’ve been really pleased when other people said hi. Two editor/authors that I respect and admire suggested people read what I said on erotic fiction, (I was amazed,) and Diana Laurence herself dropped by to comment on my comments...about her comments. Almost a dialogue, in fact :-) This blogging stuff really works. Hmmm…I wonder if Johnny Depp will say hi after reading my review of The Libertine ROFL
It got me thinking, because I hadn’t ever really decided what I want to do with my blog. LOL Naughty me. I had a list of things in my head that I didn’t want it to be. For a start I believe in the “if you have nothing to say, say nothing” approach. I have a lot of permanent health problems I don’t want to yack on about here. I also don’t want do quizzes, tags or find out what colour my soul is. What I do want to do is reflect a bit of my life as a writer, and a bit of my wider lifestyle, for my fiction readers who like to hear this stuff. I thought I might share a few funnies, although I know my sense of humour is weird. I also wanted to chart my progress as my first single title goes to print, and offer any tips that might be helpful to new writers. Because I used to do a lot of music reviews and wrote for the Rough Guide to Rock, I thought I’d also do a commentary on any gigs I get to.
What’s surprised us here in the Walker household is that the blog serves a few functions we hadn’t foreseen. We go from week to week forgetting what we've done a few weeks before (old fogies that we are) but we were impressed and rather surprised to see we’d been on two city breaks and attended two gigs in the same number of months. And there was us thinking we never did anything. I like that added dimension, that we will be able to track back and see what happened when. I was never a great diary keeper, so this felt like a big hurdle, but so far I’m enjoying it. I don't promise to be saying worthwhile things about erotic fiction every week, though. You have to visit Alison Kent's blog for that. ;-)
If you write erotic fiction for women..
Go HERE and click on the February 23rd "steamy novels" link to watch the video segment. Great stuff!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Erotica at your fingertips
If you’ve been here before you will have seen me mention the Erotic Authors Association, an online resource for writers and readers. I’m a member and supporter. Recently, the EAA launched a signature series of ebooks, a list of top class erotic fiction in many sub genres. If you like reading erotica, check it out. Yes, there are literally dozens of epublishers to choose from nowadays, but this is something a bit different.
What the EAA is offering is published erotic authors works, many that are unavailable elsewhere or for a short time only. The books are being sold at incredibly cheap prices. There’s been talk across the net recently about the price of ebooks and fact that it’s often just as cheap to buy a print book, which undermines the whole ethos of epublishing. The EAA is offering reasonably priced downloads, with part of the income going to support the maintenance and development of the Association, keeping membership free and enabling the reinstatement of its award scheme.
Yesterday I downloaded and read the award wining novella Neptune and Surf by Marilyn Jaye Lewis. The story is an outstanding erotic romance, the tale of a Cuban Chinese prostitute and a black marine who fall in love in 1950’s America. I was totally swept into their story, and deeply moved by it. The writing had an awesome cinematic quality that I loved, and the story was at once sexy, epic and heartfelt. Neptune and Surf will stay with me for a long time. At only 2 dollars, it was the best value I’ve had in years! Tomorrow I treat myself to Cecilia Tan’s Edge Plays, BDSM sci-fi erotica. :-)
Ooh, another internet goody I have to mention, which will be of interest to Poppy Z Brite fans, Poppy just did an open interview on her live journal, answering dozens of question about her life and work. Go here to read.
Oh yeah, and I did get some writing of my own done this past couple of days. ;-) Still behind on my schedule, but getting there!
What the EAA is offering is published erotic authors works, many that are unavailable elsewhere or for a short time only. The books are being sold at incredibly cheap prices. There’s been talk across the net recently about the price of ebooks and fact that it’s often just as cheap to buy a print book, which undermines the whole ethos of epublishing. The EAA is offering reasonably priced downloads, with part of the income going to support the maintenance and development of the Association, keeping membership free and enabling the reinstatement of its award scheme.
Yesterday I downloaded and read the award wining novella Neptune and Surf by Marilyn Jaye Lewis. The story is an outstanding erotic romance, the tale of a Cuban Chinese prostitute and a black marine who fall in love in 1950’s America. I was totally swept into their story, and deeply moved by it. The writing had an awesome cinematic quality that I loved, and the story was at once sexy, epic and heartfelt. Neptune and Surf will stay with me for a long time. At only 2 dollars, it was the best value I’ve had in years! Tomorrow I treat myself to Cecilia Tan’s Edge Plays, BDSM sci-fi erotica. :-)
Ooh, another internet goody I have to mention, which will be of interest to Poppy Z Brite fans, Poppy just did an open interview on her live journal, answering dozens of question about her life and work. Go here to read.
Oh yeah, and I did get some writing of my own done this past couple of days. ;-) Still behind on my schedule, but getting there!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Contest winners!
The winners of the Valentine's Day contest are as follows:
CassieW02 receives a copy of STOLEN MOMENTS
Rosa Schemmel receives a download of ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Congratulations to you both, and many thanks to everyone who entered!
CassieW02 receives a copy of STOLEN MOMENTS
Rosa Schemmel receives a download of ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Congratulations to you both, and many thanks to everyone who entered!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Progress
Phew. Today I finished up a futuristic novella I've been working on/off over the past 3 months, in between other projects. AGAINST THE GRAIN is a speculative fiction futuristic, set in a society where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality is seen as a throwback to ancient times. My story follows four individuals who break free, because they want to be with members of the opposite gender, something that is forbidden in their society. This was originally a short story called “Delfidian” which some of my readers may remember from the SEXTOPIA anthology (a Circlet Press book edited by Cecilia Tan and including authors such as Catherine Asaro.) Both "Delfidian" and the anthology were nominated for 2002 Spectrum awards, which made me very proud.
I really enjoyed playing this story out to its full potential, expanding the world building and digging deeper into the philosophy of a strict society (as well as writing lots of hot, forbidden sex, of course :-) I love the challenge of working in different sub-genres, and although I feel contemporary erotic is where it flows best for me, I try to give every project the respect it deserves. The novella feels jam packed, the most complicated novella I've written, so we’ll see how it fares. It has gone to editing now so I'm taking stock and my to-do list is crammed.
Tomorrow I’ll be finishing up a short story called THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, and an article about Storm Constantine's influence on me as a writer, for the Visionary Tongue publication (a great place for new fantasy writers to get started, that's where I began!) I'm looking forward to working on both. Then on Tuesday, I'll be cracking on with my new novella for Berkley.
I hope you've had a great weekend!
I really enjoyed playing this story out to its full potential, expanding the world building and digging deeper into the philosophy of a strict society (as well as writing lots of hot, forbidden sex, of course :-) I love the challenge of working in different sub-genres, and although I feel contemporary erotic is where it flows best for me, I try to give every project the respect it deserves. The novella feels jam packed, the most complicated novella I've written, so we’ll see how it fares. It has gone to editing now so I'm taking stock and my to-do list is crammed. Tomorrow I’ll be finishing up a short story called THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, and an article about Storm Constantine's influence on me as a writer, for the Visionary Tongue publication (a great place for new fantasy writers to get started, that's where I began!) I'm looking forward to working on both. Then on Tuesday, I'll be cracking on with my new novella for Berkley.
I hope you've had a great weekend!
Friday, February 17, 2006
Contest update
Entries for the Valentine’s Day Contest have been coming in thick and fast! We’ve got just under 70 so far, and we’re about neck and neck on entries for either prize. Several people have asked if they can enter for both -- yes indeed, please send me two mails with different subject lines if you want to do that. We’ll be drawing the winners on 21st February, so you’ve still got time to enter if you haven’t already. Click HERE for all the details. Good luck!
Thursday, February 16, 2006
The importance of dialogue
Last night, the film INTOLERABLE CRUELTY had its UK TV premier. It went like this: an invincible alpha man is turned into a puddle of emotion by a strong woman, a plotline that is always good for a chuckle! I enjoyed it. It was incredibly silly but entertaining. What I really admired about the film, though, was the way the action moved forward almost completely through dialogue. Impressive stuff. It showed me that dialogue can be my most important tool, and it had some of the best comebacks and one-liners I’ve heard since the last time I picked up an Angela Knight book.
As a writer I’m still learning how to deliver good, credible and entertaining dialogue. When I look back at my early writing the thing that strikes me about it first and foremost is the lack of dialogue. I was scared of writing it, I admit it! It meant truly being inside my characters heads, being brave enough to speak their words. I wanted them to be witty, charming or powerful. It’s so hard! I knew I had to push myself, though, because it’s so important. There is no better way for readers to learn about characters than through their reactions and responses to others, and nothing makes a book come to life as much as great dialogue.
It's slowly changing for me. I’m braver now and I can see that I’ve improved even since last year. Unexpectedly, I made a huge leap forward when I started using speech recognition software. I have a condition in my hands that makes it difficult for me to type for long periods, so the Man of the House suggested I give it a go. I really wasn’t sure if it would work for me, and it did take a helluva lot of training. However, it was well worth it. Speaking out loud instead of typing a story appealed to the traditional storyteller in me. As I got more confident with it, I noticed this remarkable side effect: I was writing more dialogue, and sometimes it was even quite good! I recommend it to anyone who is struggling with dialogue, or can't do a lot of typing. I now use speech recognition for most of my new material. When I’m editing or doing e-mail I have to type straight in, but if it’s a blank page I am looking at I can roll with it. It’s still not easy to get a high percentage of dialogue when there is a lot of world building to do, in science fiction or fantasy, for example, but aiming for more dialogue has given my writing more life. I swear by it.
As a writer I’m learning all the time. I wish the stories would come out pure and perfect, but at the same time the actual learning is a big part of what I enjoy about writing, the fact that it involves doing research, learning about people and life, and about the skills and craft of writing. I feel I learned a little bit more last night from the Coen brothers and Intolerable Cruelty. For writers, the seeds of education are everywhere.
As a writer I’m still learning how to deliver good, credible and entertaining dialogue. When I look back at my early writing the thing that strikes me about it first and foremost is the lack of dialogue. I was scared of writing it, I admit it! It meant truly being inside my characters heads, being brave enough to speak their words. I wanted them to be witty, charming or powerful. It’s so hard! I knew I had to push myself, though, because it’s so important. There is no better way for readers to learn about characters than through their reactions and responses to others, and nothing makes a book come to life as much as great dialogue.
It's slowly changing for me. I’m braver now and I can see that I’ve improved even since last year. Unexpectedly, I made a huge leap forward when I started using speech recognition software. I have a condition in my hands that makes it difficult for me to type for long periods, so the Man of the House suggested I give it a go. I really wasn’t sure if it would work for me, and it did take a helluva lot of training. However, it was well worth it. Speaking out loud instead of typing a story appealed to the traditional storyteller in me. As I got more confident with it, I noticed this remarkable side effect: I was writing more dialogue, and sometimes it was even quite good! I recommend it to anyone who is struggling with dialogue, or can't do a lot of typing. I now use speech recognition for most of my new material. When I’m editing or doing e-mail I have to type straight in, but if it’s a blank page I am looking at I can roll with it. It’s still not easy to get a high percentage of dialogue when there is a lot of world building to do, in science fiction or fantasy, for example, but aiming for more dialogue has given my writing more life. I swear by it.
As a writer I’m learning all the time. I wish the stories would come out pure and perfect, but at the same time the actual learning is a big part of what I enjoy about writing, the fact that it involves doing research, learning about people and life, and about the skills and craft of writing. I feel I learned a little bit more last night from the Coen brothers and Intolerable Cruelty. For writers, the seeds of education are everywhere.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Article on erotic fiction
I purloined this link from Marilyn Jaye Lewis. If you write erotica/erotic romance, there's a verrry interesting article on the subject in the Toronto Star. Read it HERE! Lots of food for thought.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
"Just your average, horny little devil."
I figured that since he gets so many mentions here, and because it's Valentine’s Day, it's time I embarrassed my Real Life Hero by posting a piccie of him. Naughty lady that I am! Hehehe.
Now, before you get too excited, this isn’t his day-to-day look. Awww, I know, you’re disappointed! Mark is a Customs Officer by day and a horny little devil by night. Or, in this case, a horny little devil at our friends Rhona and JP’s fancy dress Halloween wedding. And I went as a ghostly gothicky ghoul, but of course.
Now, before you get too excited, this isn’t his day-to-day look. Awww, I know, you’re disappointed! Mark is a Customs Officer by day and a horny little devil by night. Or, in this case, a horny little devil at our friends Rhona and JP’s fancy dress Halloween wedding. And I went as a ghostly gothicky ghoul, but of course.
Cupid and Psyche Award nominations
Exciting news! The Cupid and Psyche Award nominations have been announced today over at The Romance Studio, and SECRETS VOLUME 12 has been nominated in the BEST EROTIC ANTHOLOGY category! I can't tell you how pleased and excited I am! Volume 12 contains my first ever erotic romance novella, SUMMER LIGHTNING. It was so much fun writing that story and sharing book space with fellow authors, Leigh Wyndfield, Jess Michaels and Dominique Sinclair. This news puts a huge smile on my face!
Happy Valentine’s Day – contest!
To celebrate Valentine’s Day I’m giving away some lurrrrrrve!
One winner will receive a download of my ebook, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, and another winner will get a copy of the print anthology EROTIC INTERLUDES: STOLEN MOMENTS
ALONG FOR THE RIDE is a ménage erotic romance novel. (Scorching rating, non-traditional sexuality content.) Here’s what one reviewer had to say:
Along for the Ride by Saskia Walker is a delectable exercise in sensual and romantic discovery...Their ménage is terribly hot (in that amazingly awesome way) and beautifully sweet as they each struggle along their separate paths to discovering and accepting love. Ms. Walker has done an outstanding job of creating a sizzling story, with lots of bone-meltingly scorching sex, that still grabs one by the heart and causes one to go all soft inside with romantic notions. The best part is that Ms. Walker has that rare talent of sucking the reader completely into her world and keeping her bound to the pages. 5 stars. -- Keely Skillman, EcataRomance Reviews
EROTIC INTERLUDES:STOLEN MOMENTS is a print anthology of short stories. (Explicit content, lesbian erotica)
Love on the run, in the office, in the shadows…women stealing time from ordinary life to make passion a priority, if only for a moment. Fast, furious, and almost too hot to handle.
This anthology is edited by Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman, and includes my short story “The Lunch Break.”
I will keep the contest open for one week from now! If you would like to enter send an email to saskiawalker @ gmail . com (with no gaps) and put either “Along for the ride contest” or “Stolen moments contest” in the subject line. Winners will be announced here and in my newsletter. Don’t forget, all members of my newsletter are automatically entered for ALL contests I run. Good luck and Happy Valentines Day!
One winner will receive a download of my ebook, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, and another winner will get a copy of the print anthology EROTIC INTERLUDES: STOLEN MOMENTS
ALONG FOR THE RIDE is a ménage erotic romance novel. (Scorching rating, non-traditional sexuality content.) Here’s what one reviewer had to say:
Along for the Ride by Saskia Walker is a delectable exercise in sensual and romantic discovery...Their ménage is terribly hot (in that amazingly awesome way) and beautifully sweet as they each struggle along their separate paths to discovering and accepting love. Ms. Walker has done an outstanding job of creating a sizzling story, with lots of bone-meltingly scorching sex, that still grabs one by the heart and causes one to go all soft inside with romantic notions. The best part is that Ms. Walker has that rare talent of sucking the reader completely into her world and keeping her bound to the pages. 5 stars. -- Keely Skillman, EcataRomance Reviews
EROTIC INTERLUDES:STOLEN MOMENTS is a print anthology of short stories. (Explicit content, lesbian erotica) Love on the run, in the office, in the shadows…women stealing time from ordinary life to make passion a priority, if only for a moment. Fast, furious, and almost too hot to handle.
This anthology is edited by Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman, and includes my short story “The Lunch Break.”
I will keep the contest open for one week from now! If you would like to enter send an email to saskiawalker @ gmail . com (with no gaps) and put either “Along for the ride contest” or “Stolen moments contest” in the subject line. Winners will be announced here and in my newsletter. Don’t forget, all members of my newsletter are automatically entered for ALL contests I run. Good luck and Happy Valentines Day!
Friday, February 10, 2006
The wonderful Ashley Lister!
Ashley Lister has reviewed The Merry XXXmas Book of Erotica over at The Erotica Readers and Writers Association. He had this to say about my story, Rapt. In the seasonal rush to celebrate Christmas it’s all too easy to overlook the good things of the holiday season. Some of us get so focused on making that single day a success for our loved ones that the tunnel vision doesn’t allow us to appreciate the magic that makes Christmas a time like no other.
Specifically, I’m talking about the kind of magic that is described in Saskia Walker's wonderful short story Rapt. This is a tale set outside Heathrow Airport where strangers share a cab on Christmas Eve to avoid the traumas of magical Christmas traffic congestion. As with all Saskia's fiction, the story is exciting and credible and beautifully delivered.
After yesterdays brooding about the RT aricle and quality in erotic fiction, Ashley's words about my work made me smiiiiiile. Thank you, Ashley! So, it was back to work with faith restored. Ah, the fragile author ego...
Thursday, February 09, 2006
“Erotic fiction explodes” Romantic Times magazine on erotic fiction
In an article entitled “A walk on the wild side,” the current issue of Romantic Times magazine looks at independent erotic publishers and mainstream publishers as they move to establish a share in the growing genre. As part if it, Diana Laurence gives the following reasons why erotic romance is HOT and BOTHERED
It’s hot because:
--- it's romances fastest-growing genre
--- it’s exciting, satisfying reading for fans and easier to obtain than ever
--- more publishers are working hard to offer good, solid stories
-- publishers strive to give erotic readers high quality, creative new books
It’s bothered:
--- by confusion over sensuality levels and language
--- by complacent and inconsistent quality
--- because readers want erotic romance to be more than just sex
These are just the sort of comments to put the heebie jeebies into an author of erotic fiction! My first full-length novel is in the throes of being edited and will be published as part of a new erotic imprint coming out of one of the big New York publishers. Of course I’m not worried about the reasons why the genre is “hot.” Woohoo, let’s party! :-) I’m going to talk briefly about the reasons why the "bothered" part worries me as an author – and for the purpose of this post I’m not distinguishing between erotica and erotic romance, because they both suffer these same issues, IMO.
I know what Diana means when she mentions the “confusion over sensuality levels and language,” and if you pick up any erotica or ER anthology you find a wide variety of those very things. However, if we all had exactly the same sensuality level and use the same language, writing would become homogenised and the genre(s) would quickly become stale. Authors might begin to lose their voices. On the other hand, it IS important to know exactly what you are buying as a reader, and to get an idea whether the language or contents might offend you. Difficult one that one, and I think it’s going to be an inevitable ongoing problem. Readers have different comfort zones. Shrug. It’s hard (if not impossible) to please all the people all the time. A lot has to do with author delivery, and publishers do need to put clear warnings on the book.
“Complacent and inconsistent quality.” My first reaction to that is: "well, that’s not just true of erotic fiction..." ;-) But, yes. That is nothing I can control outside of myself. I give it my best shot, and I always worry about it. In the same edition of the Romantic Times magazine some of the erotica reviews are critical because they feel characterisation and plot have been sacrificed for the sake of hot, envelope-pushing sex. Ouch. That reminded me of a conversation I had with Kerri Sharp, editor of the groundbreaking Black Lace “erotica for women by women” imprint. I was quizzing her on the phrase “envelope pushing” and genuinely asking her where is there to go for erotica? Kerri explained to me that when she used that phrase she wasn’t necessarily talking about sexual content. Shock horror! She was talking about genre, about putting believable sexual content into different types of books, books other than the tried and tested favourite erotic scenarios. She said the ideal would be to buy best-selling mainstream books and see them with lots of red-hot sex.
I learnt absolutely heaps from Kerri Sharp, but those comments above all really stayed with me. Personally, I enjoy writing scenarios that I could imagine being on a TV series, or movie. I go for the worlds of high finance, international arms scandals, land quarrels, the life of artists, the music biz and the paparazzi. I couldn't write a dungeon/master story, it's not me. I was instinctively drawn to those subjects because of my background, but Kerri saying that to me was like giving me permission to run with my dream!
Marilyn Jaye Lewis – author, editor and founder of the Erotic Authors Association -puts a huge emphasis on hot sex in the literary context – yes, let’s get the erotica genre out of the ghetto through strong writing and good stories! Her recent anthology STIRRING UP A STORM is one example that did exactly that, publishing stories by big-name mainstream writers such as Joyce Carol Oates and Margaret Atwood (and some much lesser-known, such as me ;-) writing literary stories that didn’t hide sex behind a curtain. It’s the inclusiveness that is the important part, not separating it off as something we should be ashamed of. Sex is something we all do and enjoy, (or most of us.) My god, we wouldn’t be here if someone hadn't had sex! Of course readers don't HAVE to read about it, there is always an element of choice when buying a commercial entertainment product, ;-P but if we want to read about it, why should it be seen as dodgy and marginalized? It’s natural, after all. Take a look at the Michael Perkins quote on this page and tell me it doesn’t ring true. These are important moves to help break down the taboos about sex.
I agree with Diana’s comments, but at the same time I think the wider picture and the possible answers are complicated. Her comments are all important points to me as an author, though. I instinctively want to write well-rounded plots with characters that are believable --> who then have hot sex. Yes, I’m a writer of erotic fiction but first and foremost I’m a WRITER. That means I have to do (or attempt to do,) all the things a writer does, to create likeable, enjoyable stories. Contrary to popular belief, erotic writing is not easy to write. You’re throwing another complex aspect of being human into a story that should have all the well-developed aspects of a story without sex anyway! When I plan a story, it’s the plot and characters first. The sex that happens between them is almost dictated by the scenario and the dynamics of the relationship/story. Of course if I am asked to do a bondage story, I plan a story where that will be a believable part of the plot.
I think the last point that Diana makes about readers wanting “more than just sex” is the clincher. As a reader that is what I want too. For me plot and characterisation are a must. Meshing all the excitement of a hot sexual and/or romantic relationship into that is like the total icing on the cake! Writing hot is natural to me, sexuality is part of being human and exploring a relationship develop without that just wouldn’t work for me. And yet...I look at Diana’s comments and I start sweating blood over my work. I have to reassure myself that I am doing the best I can to make my erotica a good all-round read...sigh. But I’m sure I will have many sleepless nights before DOUBLE DARE gets to the point of being reviewed....
It’s hot because:
--- it's romances fastest-growing genre
--- it’s exciting, satisfying reading for fans and easier to obtain than ever
--- more publishers are working hard to offer good, solid stories
-- publishers strive to give erotic readers high quality, creative new books
It’s bothered:
--- by confusion over sensuality levels and language
--- by complacent and inconsistent quality
--- because readers want erotic romance to be more than just sex
These are just the sort of comments to put the heebie jeebies into an author of erotic fiction! My first full-length novel is in the throes of being edited and will be published as part of a new erotic imprint coming out of one of the big New York publishers. Of course I’m not worried about the reasons why the genre is “hot.” Woohoo, let’s party! :-) I’m going to talk briefly about the reasons why the "bothered" part worries me as an author – and for the purpose of this post I’m not distinguishing between erotica and erotic romance, because they both suffer these same issues, IMO.
I know what Diana means when she mentions the “confusion over sensuality levels and language,” and if you pick up any erotica or ER anthology you find a wide variety of those very things. However, if we all had exactly the same sensuality level and use the same language, writing would become homogenised and the genre(s) would quickly become stale. Authors might begin to lose their voices. On the other hand, it IS important to know exactly what you are buying as a reader, and to get an idea whether the language or contents might offend you. Difficult one that one, and I think it’s going to be an inevitable ongoing problem. Readers have different comfort zones. Shrug. It’s hard (if not impossible) to please all the people all the time. A lot has to do with author delivery, and publishers do need to put clear warnings on the book.
“Complacent and inconsistent quality.” My first reaction to that is: "well, that’s not just true of erotic fiction..." ;-) But, yes. That is nothing I can control outside of myself. I give it my best shot, and I always worry about it. In the same edition of the Romantic Times magazine some of the erotica reviews are critical because they feel characterisation and plot have been sacrificed for the sake of hot, envelope-pushing sex. Ouch. That reminded me of a conversation I had with Kerri Sharp, editor of the groundbreaking Black Lace “erotica for women by women” imprint. I was quizzing her on the phrase “envelope pushing” and genuinely asking her where is there to go for erotica? Kerri explained to me that when she used that phrase she wasn’t necessarily talking about sexual content. Shock horror! She was talking about genre, about putting believable sexual content into different types of books, books other than the tried and tested favourite erotic scenarios. She said the ideal would be to buy best-selling mainstream books and see them with lots of red-hot sex.
I learnt absolutely heaps from Kerri Sharp, but those comments above all really stayed with me. Personally, I enjoy writing scenarios that I could imagine being on a TV series, or movie. I go for the worlds of high finance, international arms scandals, land quarrels, the life of artists, the music biz and the paparazzi. I couldn't write a dungeon/master story, it's not me. I was instinctively drawn to those subjects because of my background, but Kerri saying that to me was like giving me permission to run with my dream!
Marilyn Jaye Lewis – author, editor and founder of the Erotic Authors Association -puts a huge emphasis on hot sex in the literary context – yes, let’s get the erotica genre out of the ghetto through strong writing and good stories! Her recent anthology STIRRING UP A STORM is one example that did exactly that, publishing stories by big-name mainstream writers such as Joyce Carol Oates and Margaret Atwood (and some much lesser-known, such as me ;-) writing literary stories that didn’t hide sex behind a curtain. It’s the inclusiveness that is the important part, not separating it off as something we should be ashamed of. Sex is something we all do and enjoy, (or most of us.) My god, we wouldn’t be here if someone hadn't had sex! Of course readers don't HAVE to read about it, there is always an element of choice when buying a commercial entertainment product, ;-P but if we want to read about it, why should it be seen as dodgy and marginalized? It’s natural, after all. Take a look at the Michael Perkins quote on this page and tell me it doesn’t ring true. These are important moves to help break down the taboos about sex.
I agree with Diana’s comments, but at the same time I think the wider picture and the possible answers are complicated. Her comments are all important points to me as an author, though. I instinctively want to write well-rounded plots with characters that are believable --> who then have hot sex. Yes, I’m a writer of erotic fiction but first and foremost I’m a WRITER. That means I have to do (or attempt to do,) all the things a writer does, to create likeable, enjoyable stories. Contrary to popular belief, erotic writing is not easy to write. You’re throwing another complex aspect of being human into a story that should have all the well-developed aspects of a story without sex anyway! When I plan a story, it’s the plot and characters first. The sex that happens between them is almost dictated by the scenario and the dynamics of the relationship/story. Of course if I am asked to do a bondage story, I plan a story where that will be a believable part of the plot.
I think the last point that Diana makes about readers wanting “more than just sex” is the clincher. As a reader that is what I want too. For me plot and characterisation are a must. Meshing all the excitement of a hot sexual and/or romantic relationship into that is like the total icing on the cake! Writing hot is natural to me, sexuality is part of being human and exploring a relationship develop without that just wouldn’t work for me. And yet...I look at Diana’s comments and I start sweating blood over my work. I have to reassure myself that I am doing the best I can to make my erotica a good all-round read...sigh. But I’m sure I will have many sleepless nights before DOUBLE DARE gets to the point of being reviewed....
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Taking tea with Portia Da Costa
Had a wonderful trip out to meet with Wendy Woo today. It’s amazing; three hours can go by in a complete flash. The Café we meet in should give us discount for being there so long, entertaining the many other occupants who eavesdrop on us, and going around for food and beverage so often. We had four or five parties at the table next to us and many of them seemed fascinated by the nature of our conversation. Hey, it’s just an average days work to us erotica authors! :-) At least one of the parties was deaf, which may have been just as well. We noticed one man was riveted, pretending to read his newspaper, and yet not reading it all. Should we have charged him for the side order of fun?
It’s about a year and a half since Wendy and I first met. We were looking back at how different things are for us now, compared to back then. We were both struggling at that time and now we both have editors that we really enjoy working with. We are both involved in lots of exciting projects, and both working on an anthology with another author --- I’m working with Sasha White, and Wendy Woo is working with Madeleine Oh. Often, as a writer, it seems as if nothing moves very fast and these chats about how far we have come are really useful to remind me. I treasure them. It’s such a solitary business and whilst e-mail is great, it’s lovely to get together with a real person have a good natter about our concerns, our joys and our dreams. Wendy and I have a lot of stuff in common too, and I’m so glad I got to meet her! Roll on the next meeting!
It’s about a year and a half since Wendy and I first met. We were looking back at how different things are for us now, compared to back then. We were both struggling at that time and now we both have editors that we really enjoy working with. We are both involved in lots of exciting projects, and both working on an anthology with another author --- I’m working with Sasha White, and Wendy Woo is working with Madeleine Oh. Often, as a writer, it seems as if nothing moves very fast and these chats about how far we have come are really useful to remind me. I treasure them. It’s such a solitary business and whilst e-mail is great, it’s lovely to get together with a real person have a good natter about our concerns, our joys and our dreams. Wendy and I have a lot of stuff in common too, and I’m so glad I got to meet her! Roll on the next meeting!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
New sale to Berkley!
I am delighted to announce a new sale, a collaborative project with Canadian erotica author Sasha White. We’re doing a joint anthology, scheduled for release in 2007.
I’m thrilled to be working with Sasha on this special project, which has the theme and title of KINK. Sasha put the proposal to me and I thought it was a great idea! I’m so pleased she invited me to be part of it. Our Berkley editors loved the concept and bought it for the HEAT imprint. My novella is entitled CAUGHT RED-HANDED. It takes place in the music world in London, a naughty story about a woman who goes backstage to get an autograph for a friend and ends up getting much more than she bargained for, at the hands of the sexy roadie who catches her. Sasha’s novella is called WATCH ME and it’s a steaming story about a woman who hots up her marital bed with exhibitionist games, much to the delight of her man!
And on that note, better get on with writing it ;-)
I’m thrilled to be working with Sasha on this special project, which has the theme and title of KINK. Sasha put the proposal to me and I thought it was a great idea! I’m so pleased she invited me to be part of it. Our Berkley editors loved the concept and bought it for the HEAT imprint. My novella is entitled CAUGHT RED-HANDED. It takes place in the music world in London, a naughty story about a woman who goes backstage to get an autograph for a friend and ends up getting much more than she bargained for, at the hands of the sexy roadie who catches her. Sasha’s novella is called WATCH ME and it’s a steaming story about a woman who hots up her marital bed with exhibitionist games, much to the delight of her man!
And on that note, better get on with writing it ;-)
Monday, February 06, 2006
Saturday, February 04, 2006
The sort of thing that makes me chuckle
I’ve been chuckling away to myself like a mad woman this afternoon. That’s not so unusual in itself, I have to admit, but here’s why. The Man of the House was looking up some information. He wanted to find out the name of the shrub you can plant in your garden to deter cats. Now don’t get me wrong, we adore cats. We have our own big fluffy cuddle bundle and all the neighbouring cats are welcome to come round to play, be fussed and fed. However, we have this one visiting cat who we’ve nicknamed Fluffy Tail (no prizes for guessing why,) who visits our very small patch of lawn in the front garden. Our cat, BC, never goes out the front. She lives under a bush in the back garden in fear of car noises, and bolts if the front door so much as opens. Fluffy Tail likes to come down the street and stake out the front garden while he watches the two magpies that live in our eaves.
When little “gifts” started appearing on the lawn, The Man of the House said it had to be Fluffy Tail. I was not so easily convinced. One of our neighbours has a very small Jack Russell and when they are too lazy to walk the poor little blighter, they let him run down the Street to the nearest patch of grass, which happens to be our garden. I caught him in the act of wiggling through our gateposts while I was standing at the front door about a week back. He tore off when he saw me and his owner looked very red-faced and ashamed of herself, and so she should.
Back to the hunt for information. Apparently there is a bush/shrub that lets off an unattractive odour if cats rub against it, thus discouraging them in a safe manner. The Man of the House came upon the necessary information on a web site which also suggested another, even better tip, to deter cats from dumping in your garden. You know what that was? You’ll never guess!
Lion manure. Yes. LION manure. Hilarious! Is it just me? I could just picture it, The Man of the House arriving back from the local zoo (if we had one,) with a steaming shovel of lion manure (that he'd risked life and limb to obtain, of course, him being such a hero and all.) Fluffy Tail would appear only to be confronted by the biggest, most territorial cat dump in the world. Sure, I do believe it would work. Of course I also believe that the Jack Russell would probably ignore it. :-) I pointed out to the Man that (funnily enough,) the “gifts” have ceased this last week, since I spied the Jack Russell squirming through the gateposts. I wonder why? Guilty owner, perhaps....hmmm.
And on that note, I’m off to watch SLEEPY HOLLOW. For what has to be the tenth time. What can I say? It’s Johnny Depp, and it's a terrific fantasy. Have fun!
When little “gifts” started appearing on the lawn, The Man of the House said it had to be Fluffy Tail. I was not so easily convinced. One of our neighbours has a very small Jack Russell and when they are too lazy to walk the poor little blighter, they let him run down the Street to the nearest patch of grass, which happens to be our garden. I caught him in the act of wiggling through our gateposts while I was standing at the front door about a week back. He tore off when he saw me and his owner looked very red-faced and ashamed of herself, and so she should.
Back to the hunt for information. Apparently there is a bush/shrub that lets off an unattractive odour if cats rub against it, thus discouraging them in a safe manner. The Man of the House came upon the necessary information on a web site which also suggested another, even better tip, to deter cats from dumping in your garden. You know what that was? You’ll never guess!
Lion manure. Yes. LION manure. Hilarious! Is it just me? I could just picture it, The Man of the House arriving back from the local zoo (if we had one,) with a steaming shovel of lion manure (that he'd risked life and limb to obtain, of course, him being such a hero and all.) Fluffy Tail would appear only to be confronted by the biggest, most territorial cat dump in the world. Sure, I do believe it would work. Of course I also believe that the Jack Russell would probably ignore it. :-) I pointed out to the Man that (funnily enough,) the “gifts” have ceased this last week, since I spied the Jack Russell squirming through the gateposts. I wonder why? Guilty owner, perhaps....hmmm.
And on that note, I’m off to watch SLEEPY HOLLOW. For what has to be the tenth time. What can I say? It’s Johnny Depp, and it's a terrific fantasy. Have fun!
Friday, February 03, 2006
Replaying Bauhaus and Manchester
Oh, exciting times here! I’ve just had a sneak preview of the cover for my novel DOUBLE DARE!! It’s not quite ready for public viewing as yet, but I’ll share it as soon as I can. Meanwhile, suffice it to say I’m ecstatically happy with it!!
So, going back to our trip, yes we had a superb time. I love short city breaks, grabbing the flavours of another city in a rush of vibrant sights, tastes and sounds. We headed straight for the City Art Gallery, soaked up the beauty of the Pre-Raphaelite paintings and discovered lots of changes since my last visit, including a superb interactive gallery. Top marks! From there went for a pub lunch, bookshops and then checked into our hotel.
On the way to the Bauhaus gig we stopped by several of Mark’s old haunts. He used to have regular Manchester jaunts with a friend who was studying there, so he knows good places to hang out ;-) He reminded me about the Bauhaus gig, which got me away from the rock bar I wanted to buy and keep, and we made it to the gig.
Sigh. Nothing like a top live music performance to make this woman happy, I have to say. Playing to a packed venue, the band was on top form. I love this band live! For listening to at home, I prefer their constituent part material, Love and Rockets, David J, Tones on Tail and Pete Murphy solo material (all of which get lots of airplay when I’m writing) but for live performance, Bauhaus is hard to beat.
I last saw Bauhaus play in 1998, hard to believe 8 years have gone by. Back then it was at Brixton Academy and it was so good I rushed out to buy tix for the second night as well. I was with my ever-charming friend Michael Johnson, aka Uncle Nemesis. He shared with me his early Bauhaus and other young punk memories, and both nights were superb. Was it really that long ago?
This week’s Bauhaus show was easily comparable in terms of performance and top-fun-had-by-all, with the only real difference being in the show presentation. In 1998 they went for a theatrical show; this was more straightforward, although eminently watchable even so, with the band lovely as ever and performing with the sheer nonchalance and bravado other bands can only wish for, it's truly inspirational. Pretty boy Daniel Ash was gorgeous and talented as ever (ie sex on a stick,) Kevin Haskins the teddy bear drummer, David J who can come round and play bass to me anytime and Pete Murphy….Pete Murphy. Ah THE voice. He cavorted across stage, climbing over speakers, peering into lights and playing the goth god, while entertaining us with those sexy vocals (to die for, hehehe.) Their set was everything I wanted it to be, with their trademark mix of uber-Goth and downright stripclub sleaze guitars. Actually… they can all come round and play to me, preferably standing at the end of my bed….posing with those guitars…. That voice, those looks…
Where was I? Ah yes. The venue, Manchester academy, is known as “the barn” around here, due to its immense size and tendency to be unfriendly to performers if not full. No such problems Weds night, I have to say! They went out on Bela Lugosi's dead and could they really end it any other way? We had a LOT of fun!
Oh and the pix are from Bauhaus performing in the fabulous movie, THE HUNGER which I’ve included specially for Wendy Woo, who loves it just as much as I do!
So, going back to our trip, yes we had a superb time. I love short city breaks, grabbing the flavours of another city in a rush of vibrant sights, tastes and sounds. We headed straight for the City Art Gallery, soaked up the beauty of the Pre-Raphaelite paintings and discovered lots of changes since my last visit, including a superb interactive gallery. Top marks! From there went for a pub lunch, bookshops and then checked into our hotel.
On the way to the Bauhaus gig we stopped by several of Mark’s old haunts. He used to have regular Manchester jaunts with a friend who was studying there, so he knows good places to hang out ;-) He reminded me about the Bauhaus gig, which got me away from the rock bar I wanted to buy and keep, and we made it to the gig.
Sigh. Nothing like a top live music performance to make this woman happy, I have to say. Playing to a packed venue, the band was on top form. I love this band live! For listening to at home, I prefer their constituent part material, Love and Rockets, David J, Tones on Tail and Pete Murphy solo material (all of which get lots of airplay when I’m writing) but for live performance, Bauhaus is hard to beat.
I last saw Bauhaus play in 1998, hard to believe 8 years have gone by. Back then it was at Brixton Academy and it was so good I rushed out to buy tix for the second night as well. I was with my ever-charming friend Michael Johnson, aka Uncle Nemesis. He shared with me his early Bauhaus and other young punk memories, and both nights were superb. Was it really that long ago?
This week’s Bauhaus show was easily comparable in terms of performance and top-fun-had-by-all, with the only real difference being in the show presentation. In 1998 they went for a theatrical show; this was more straightforward, although eminently watchable even so, with the band lovely as ever and performing with the sheer nonchalance and bravado other bands can only wish for, it's truly inspirational. Pretty boy Daniel Ash was gorgeous and talented as ever (ie sex on a stick,) Kevin Haskins the teddy bear drummer, David J who can come round and play bass to me anytime and Pete Murphy….Pete Murphy. Ah THE voice. He cavorted across stage, climbing over speakers, peering into lights and playing the goth god, while entertaining us with those sexy vocals (to die for, hehehe.) Their set was everything I wanted it to be, with their trademark mix of uber-Goth and downright stripclub sleaze guitars. Actually… they can all come round and play to me, preferably standing at the end of my bed….posing with those guitars…. That voice, those looks…
Where was I? Ah yes. The venue, Manchester academy, is known as “the barn” around here, due to its immense size and tendency to be unfriendly to performers if not full. No such problems Weds night, I have to say! They went out on Bela Lugosi's dead and could they really end it any other way? We had a LOT of fun! 
Oh and the pix are from Bauhaus performing in the fabulous movie, THE HUNGER which I’ve included specially for Wendy Woo, who loves it just as much as I do!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Berkley contract
We're home, safe and sound (just about ;-) after our Manchester extravaganza. A fab time was had by all, full report coming tomorrow. Meanwhile, got back to a package from my agent with my contract for DOUBLE DARE. I can see it in writing now, there is no denying it's happening, no waking up in the middle of the night thinking I must have dreamt it. I have a contract from the Penguin group. It really happened...
Looks like there's more celebrating to be done here. It's a hard job, but someone has to do it. ;-) Hope all is well with you guys out there!
Looks like there's more celebrating to be done here. It's a hard job, but someone has to do it. ;-) Hope all is well with you guys out there!
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