I am a Buddhist by choice, Greek Orthodox by birth, and I enjoy both religions and the wisdom I learn from both. I recently shared my deep anguish and frustration over dealing with relentless ebook piracy with my mentor at my weekly Buddhist meetings. I explained my side of things. I explained how I spend an hour a day combing the Internet to remove illegal uploads of my books. "Remember something," she said. "That which you resist, persists." When my Greek priest said something similar recently and mentioned the words, "love your enemy", it got me thinking. And when I think, I write. And out came my upcoming August 1 release, Cops and Rubbers, in which an ebook author tracks down the man who's been pirating his books relentlessly. When Jason Jagger tracks down his thief...he is in for a big surprise. Being an erotic romance novel, there's plenty of love and sex. But could an author learn to love a pirate? I think so. It was kind of fun - and alarming - to present both sides of the piracy debate. Who'd have thought that I could step outside my own issues and look at this objectively? I sure didn't. But, I did. I still don't love piracy and I never will. But I love books, I love to write and I have to believe things will change. My publisher at Amber Quill Press was a little surprised when he read the blurb to Cops and Rubbers, knowing me as he does, but Trace Edward Zaber, artistic genius that he is, gave me an amazing cover and I can't wait for the book's release. Much of the story in Cops and Rubbers is true. I've worked at a theater selling tickets, just like Jason. I also moonlighted as a nail polish salesman over the phone and did all the crazy part-time jobs Jason does in the book to supplement my addiction: writing. Yep, writing is a bad habit and not one I'm likely to give up any time soon. Like Jason, I've sat back and wondered is it worth the 16-17 hour days juggling day jobs with the love-job, to have your work stolen quicker than you can get it out there? With or without piracy, there's something to be said for being able to tell your stories, for being published. I am glad people like my work and I am happy to have such awesome publishers. I hope when the book is released, you'll check it out, and just like me, maybe you'll learn to love a pirate. Ahoy matey! A.J.
I know Qwillia has already filled you all in a bit on the Literary Foreplay event held on Sat the 24th in Gibsonville NC but I thought I'd provide you with some behind the scenes info and then a bit of a rant about the lack of manners and decency some people have. It all ties in together and I'm feeling rather dramatic today. ^_^
The actual set up for the literary foreplay event started months ago. I approached the owner of a local BDSM club about doing an erotic reading event. She is so wonderful and gracious about hosting demos and other classes and things that i knew it couldn't hurt to ask. Surprisingly she was interested and I got a "yes, when can we do it?" email.
(Sidenote: If you want to do something you have to ask. The worst thing they can say is no and if you aren't willing to work and promote yourself and your books no one else is going to, besides I love to stay busy and events like this help keep me occupied and out of trouble, LOL)
Anyway once i had the place and time set I started posting notices online and contacting authors closeby that i thought might be interested. There ended up being 8 of us total, with one author having to drop out due to a family emergency.
Anyway we exchanged emails and phone numbers and other relavant info and I set up promos and gathered bios and such for the club owner and each of us to spread across the world wide web. I counted almost 30 or more people in the audience which was an amazing turnout for a small town, plus a few late stragglers.
After everyone read a short excerpt there was time for the people to approach us and mingle and ask questions as well as buy books and pick up free promotional goodies. (I had my goodie bags and basket with me and I will post pics on my website and facebook soon - www.bethwylde.com as well as the names of everyone that donated items for the goodie bags. They were stuffed full. We had a great time though one reading did upset me and that's why I have to pose this question. If you attend a reading or are an author reading and the material you have picked or are going to hear is very questionable based on content, do you feel the need to ask if it is okay or maybe warn the audience ahead of time? If you were among the listeners would you want to be warned? (I am speaking of a scene with rape used at titilation) Personally I don't know many, if any, publishers that take this kind of story and truthfully that type of scene is one of my few no-nos and turnoffs. I'm open minded, but not that open minded. RAPE IS SICK! Okay, yes I had to go there. I'm really curious about everyone's thoughts on this. It just didn't set well with me at all and personally I think some warning or a different excerpt would have been nice. Ok on to happier thoughts, After the reading and signing event several people came up and asked if we would be willing to do events like Lit. Foreplay in their towns and cities. I said sure. So if you aren't a million miles away from me in VA or NC and you'd like me to help arrange and host an erotica reading sometime in the future just give me a shout and I'll see what I can do. ^_^ It was so much fun and I need more stuff to keep me busy. LMAO Beth b.wylde@yahoo.com
I am sending out a HUGE thank you to Beth Wylde today! Yesterday was an experience I cannot wait to repeat.
For those of you who didn't know, Beth Wylde set up Literary Foreplay, a group reading from nine authors of erotic and speculative fiction, at a dungeon here in North Carolina. I was lucky enough to be one of the authors invited and, oh my, Sekr had some nice toys!
It was an interesting experience. The reading, as well as the dungeon. I was able to hear authors' works that I don't think I would normally read. The central theme for all the stories was the BDSM and Dominant/submissive elements within them. Since my own stories carry that theme, it made the experience even more intriguing. If you get an opportunity to participate or attend any other readings Beth sets up, I would encourage you to do so!!
When I arrived I was lucky enough to sneak in on a little lesson our hostess was giving Yvette Hines, one of the other authors, about floggers. And the collection Sekr had was amazing. Fur, patent leather, braided, and even one made of tinsel. Yes, I said tinsel. When I saw the room and the closet of toys, I wished I'd left earlier than I had so there would have been more time for me to explore.
Today I'm running around getting ready for RWA's National conference in Orlando, Florida. But my mind keeps going back to the things I saw and heard last night. I'm kinda thinking now that I should have stayed to watch the scene play, but edits were calling me home.
I'm off to work on the edits that kept me from playing last night. Have yourselves a great day!!
I’d like to spend this blog post talking about time. This mysterious thing were always asking for more of, has been the subject of poetry and prose for hundreds of years. So I won’t bore you with the topic of time management or how precious our time is etc.
What I’d like to talk about is how we need to use downtime to our advantage.
Frankly, I hate taking downtime. It messes with my writing habits since I’m a workaholic. The thing is, for those of you keeping track of me via social media, you no doubt know how incredibly busy a writer I am. My publicist and I are retooling the machine after evaluating results in order to help me expand my reach as a romance author.
At one point I hit writer burnout. The only time I truly took off was real estate related in June of 2008 after a perceived disaster around my birthday. Writing kept me getting out of bed when I wanted to give up on real estate. Effectively, for a week I was not a real estate investor, but simply a romance writer. I didn’t look at properties, deal with people or do comps for anyone. Did not read, did not think about it other than my ever growing self doubt, and did not care.
Towards the end of that week, I had pretty much calmed down and realized it was time for a new game plan. Then I made the plan and have been following it with measurable results.
Towards the end of 2007 I looked at my Opeth pack stories, my nights of lust series and was editing them, going through all of that mess and realizing that new material I was writing was crap. It was not material I wanted my lovely readers to see because the emotion was missing. The words were not coming to me with ease, the ideas for expansion where needed failed.
It was pointed out to me that I hadn’t taken time off all year nor had I done much recreational reading. In fact, I think I’ve read maybe 10 books 2009, a few of which were real estate oriented.
In fact this seems to be a pattern of mine. Earlier in July I was on two panels for Cybernet Expo, an adult B2B conference and after that conference I can guarantee you I didn’t have ANY desire to work. What was the lesson?
In short, I had not recharged. Writing takes a toll on all writers, be it a good one but most of us are baring our souls on paper, day in and day out. The daily grind to create an escapist heaven is a fun one, but it can be challenging sometimes. And with all things, there must be a balance involved, a perfect harmony. We as romance writers of all genres are that balance for our readers, who live in a real world that sometimes is great, sometimes sucks. We are the ones that are turned to for comfort, for laughs, for an erotically good time. We are the ones who instill hope in those who feel hopeless by letting them turn the pages of our books and fall in love with love again.
How can we give our readers (or ourselves) what they need if we are running on low or empty? Taking time off fixes this. Gives us time to recharge, to breath. The next time you feel you are overwhelmed, take a moment, take a day or a week, just take something for yourself. It’ll allow us all a breather
We were really good friends back in high school, but we kind of got out of touch after we both graduated and went off to do our own thing. Well, I was online the other day and I come across her Facebook page, so I sent her a friend request and add a little message with it, saying I don't know if you remember me, but we went to high school together and used to pass notes back and forth in biology class. She PM'd me back saying she does remember me and that it's so cool to reconnect and that she's an erotic romance author with LooseId under the name Tere Michaels! We both wanted to be writers back in high school and I think it's so cool that we're both actually doing it!
Imagine a sexy redhead just recovering from her divorce who’s got a crush on her much younger massage therapist – a woman with several tempting tattoos in just the right places. Hubby and I imagined exactly that and had a wonderful time getting “A Bucket List Tattoo” on the page for our story in the upcoming lesbian erotic romance anthology, Tattooed Ladies, scheduled for release July 21 at Torquere Press in their Toy Box series.
I have to confess it was one of our characters (Merry Delaney, in The Merry Widow) who actually inspired my first tattoo, and yes, it was on my bucket list. I blogged about it at MySpace the spring I got it (May, 2008). So tattoos are close to my heart, and what better than designing a trio of lesbian erotic stories around that theme? Beth Wylde is to be credited with the inspiration. She’s collaborated with Kissa and me on earlier projects so when she invited us to participate we were all in. Here are blurbs for our three stories:
An online baker's site provides an introduction for Tessa to Maria, a bisexual wife and mother. Their friendship builds through daily discussion, phone calls and eventually an in-person meeting. That moment in time becomes a catalyst for change in Tessa that she never thought possible.
Melissa is a tattoo artist whose girlfriend has a serious phobia about needles. Kendra finally decides to confront her fears and let Melissa tattoo her but just stepping into her lover’s shop leaves her shaking. Will Melissa be able to pull off the impossible and put her name in Kendra’s skin? It’s going to take some smooth moves and fast talking to get it done.
Just past fifty and freshly divorced, cardiac nurse Natalie Gardner decides it’s time to create her personal bucket list. On the top of her list? A tattoo – but she’s nervous about the pain. Maybe Cindy McGraw, the hot young physical therapist she often lunches with, can help her out. Next on her list? It may be too much to hope for, but she’s definitely angling for more than tattoo advice from Cindy. Would a taste be too much to ask?
Torn Between Two Loves, erotic contemporary holiday story, will publish in October from www.romancedivine.com Chance Encounter, an erotic contemporary romance will publish soon from www.romancedivine.com
What makes a good story? Is it the characters, the plot or the steamy writing? I like to think it’s a good story whether there’s erotic scenes put into different points in the book for the readers enjoyment. Some buy the books anticipating the hot scenes.
I also love to read a romance story with spice in it. But above all else, it has to be plotted well and have a happily ever after ending. I like a feel good book that stays with me long after I’ve read the last page.
I have the same reaction when I watch a movie on TV believing it is going to be entertaining only to find out the lead character is killed at the end. The same goes for books. When writing, I try not to kill anyone off unless absolutely necessary to the plot. The only thing I make sure of is the secondary character bites the dust and not the hero or heroine. Those two are vital to the story.
In ending my blog, I’d like to ask a couple of questions on your views about purchasing books. How do you choose a certain book to buy? Is it the genre, the cover, or the blurb describing the book that catches your eye?
All of us want to be successful as swingers. It doesn't matter how often, with whom, where, or in what style we swing. One of the nicest things about our lifestyle is that most of us relate to each other with understanding, thoughtfulness, and common courtesy; just as we ourselves wish to be treated. Think C.S.A.S.C. (Common Sense and Social Courtesy). If you employ the following suggestions or adapt them to your own situation, you should become a welcome participant.
1. BE COURTEOUS - Be aware that this is a lifestyle full of insecurities, uncertainties and fears. Courteously is how we all want to be treated - with kindness, thoughtfulness, understanding and sensitivity. In essence, courtesy is our treating people the way we ourselves want to be treated. Remember the Golden and Silver rules.
2. BE FRIENDLY - Whether or not you are personally interested in swinging with someone, be polite. You never know, you may share many other interests or you may meet that person again, and they may introduce you to someone with whom you ARE compatible and do wish to share time.
3. RESPOND TO ALL INVITATIONS - RSVP means please reply to the invitation. It does NOT mean reply only if you plan to attend. The most frustrating part of hosting, be it a party, a group or another couple, is people who are discourteous enough not to respond, PERIOD. Good etiquette and good social courtesy DEMAND you respond, by either calling or writing to say yes OR no. For WSC events we ask you not to poll if you can not make it.
4. NEVER ARRIVE EMPTY HANDED - When you go to someone's home for a party, ask if there is something you can bring. (it's amazing how many supplies, other than food are used up at an average party.) If you are not going as a couple, a house- gift is appropriate (and not necessarily wine.)
5. GO PREPARED - Take whatever you personally are going to need with you. Carry a small overnight bag for lingerie or robe, hairbrush, comb, toothbrush, cologne, intimate cleansing articles, condoms, etc. If you plan to stay over, sleeping bags or blankets and pillows are necessities.
6. CLEANLINESS - Nothing turns a person off faster and more effectively than an unclean body or unfresh breath. Even if you shower and perfume yourself before you leave home, it is always a good idea to freshen up again when you arrive at your destination. It is amazing what time to drive somewhere, stop for a bite, or whatever, can do or rather UNDO.
7. RESPECT OTHERS' FEELINGS - Beware, not everyone is comfortable in all situations, Keep your eyes open for signs that your partner, as well as others, is relaxed and enjoying themselves. If someone is not comfortable, try helping them over the rough spots. Remember, you were a beginner once yourself. If it is obvious that things are not working out, remain polite and courteous; but alert the host. Keep in mind that not all people feel the same about things.
8. DON'T BE PUSHY - If you are interested in swinging with someone, let them know in an inviting way; if they are interested, they will respond positively. If they are not and say "No, thank you," do not ask WHY. No amount of sweet talk or coercion on your part will change their mind and will probably work against you. Everyone has the right to say "NO" at all times, to anyone, without explanation. Do not ever forget that.
9. ONLY DO WHAT IS FUN FOR YOU - Do not allow yourself to become sexually involved with anybody that you are not interested in. There is no reason to involve yourself in a scene that you are not comfortable with. You are in the lifestyle to enjoy yourself, so only do what you want, when you want and with whom you want.
10. HOW AND WHY TO SAY NO - One of the basic etiquettes in swinging is the right of anyone to say "No". Experience has taught most people that everybody is not right for everybody else. Improper handling of a situation, however, can lead to a lot of hurt or very bad feelings. The swing world accepts the premise that everyone has the right to say "No" to anyone at anytime and it should be done with a simple "No, thank you". Never give an explanation, because that is what usually causes the problems and the pain.
11. ALCOHOL OR DRUGS - Most of us do not use drugs, although some of us drink socially. At times, a few drinks are nice to help you "relax". Over-indulging may hamper your physical abilities, as well as offend or turn other people off to you. If you have to over indulge in order to participate in swinging, you are involved in the wrong lifestyle.
12. PRACTICE SAFER SEX - It is up to us to protect ourselves as well as our partners. With the present concern over sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, aids, yeast infection, etc., the use of condoms should not offend anybody. Anyone not willing to take this precaution is acting selfishly and irresponsibly. You are not being accused of being unclean, but simply someone wishes to provide you both with protection.
13. CALL TO SAY THANKS - Most people only use the telephone if they are going to go somewhere. Lost seems to the social ambiance of a 'Thank-You Note' or phone call to someone whose hospitality you enjoyed. It means a lot to most people, and they will surely remember you when planning their next event. Don't you like to be thanked?
14. BE GOOD HOSTS - When you have people coming to your home, try to anticipate their needs: put clean sheets on the beds; keep plenty of clean washcloths and towels available. Show your guests through the house so that they will know where the bathrooms, kitchen, and other rooms are located.
15. ANSWERING ADS - All replies to an ad should be answered in two weeks even if it is a No. Remember not all people you write to are interested in you or your partners sexual heroics. A first letter should include a brief description of yourselves, where you saw the ad, your ad number and your social and sexual interests. An SASE should be included with your original reply as many couples receive a large number of replies which can be costly to reply to.
16. Do not play with anyone with out making sure it is ok with that persons date, mate or, spouse. Don't spend too long of a time with them more than say an hour or so. Please remember to be considerate of everyone's feelings involved.
17. Couples talk about your boundaries' before you arrive at a party. Set rules and follow them. Here is some very good advice. Make a "safe word" which means if they are in anyway uncomfortable all they have to do is say it and everything stops, so you can go discus what might be bothering you. If you can not settle any misgiving take it home and talk about it further.
18. ENJOY YOURSELF - Most important, have a good time, act out your fantasies, explore your own sexuality and enjoy everything this lifestyle has to offer with enthusiasm, laughter and a positive attitude.
I thought this was great information to share and live by for those who engage in this lifestyle....
I don't think it's an accident that gluttony is a Deadly Sin. So it lust, which I think is closely related to gluttony. My two favorite vices! I have a thing for unusual food, although a Double Down will never cross my lips. I mean, there's food and there's sludge. I do have my limits. Ha! Did you know that you can get a Twinkie Log at the Iowa State Fair? That sounds good. It's a frozen Twinkie on a stick, dipped in white chocolate and rolled in cashews. Yum! There's also an artery-buster called the Bacon Explosion (also known as "The Fatty") that my husband made for us once. It's sausage wrapped in bacon arranged like a basket weave, and all of it slathered in BBQ sauce. Then you smoke it. I think you can bake it but ideally it must be smoked. It tastes to me like breakfast food.
My point in describing all this food in nauseating detail is that in reading about them I realized that food plays a very important part in my fiction. Although I have never used cucumbers as dildos I do see the eroticism in food. Eating is a very erotic act and it can be very sexy to write about enjoying a savory meal in an erotic story. Here is an excerpt from my short lesbian story "Lost In Her Mouth" from my anthology "Tales Of Lust And Longing".
What would it be like to get lost in Amelia’s mouth? The cherry popsicle she sucked turned her swollen lips bright red as if they’d become flush with blood. The way she wrapped her long pink tongue around the melting ice made me cream my panties. In this sweltering July heat, I was melting for Amelia.
Wearing her long, dark brown hair in a pile on top of her head because of the heat, she slid her tongue against that cherry popsicle the way I wanted her to suck on me. With a look of desire, she gazed at my face with her deep-set hazel eyes, no doubt feeling me out to see just how far she could go with her little game. Little did she know that I intended on making sure she followed through with every unspoken lusty promise.
Dinner was at a locally-owned seafood and steak joint. Annie ordered a sensible Caesar salad and a lean rib-eye steak. Baked potato on the side. Sour cream and chives. Hold the butter. Diet cola. Predictable and steadfast Annie always ate the same thing whenever she ate out.
Charlotte and Lina, however, turned the meal into a bacchanal. Both of them gorged on hors d'oevres. Steamed mussels soaked in their juices. Raw oysters glistened, slick and swollen. The mollusks looked like bowls full of aroused women flashing their tiny pussies at Annie, whispering promises from their puckered lips.
The women asked Annie if she wanted to order some shrimp or some calimari or a slice of pie. Apparently the lemon meringue pie was, to use Charlotte's description, "lethal." She declined. However, that didn't stop them from plying her with a clam here, a mussel there, several slices of lobster, including one claw.
Charlotte picked up a sliver of lobster, and slid it slowly into Annie's mouth. She inserted her index and middle fingers with the meat, careful not to stab Annie with her long nails. Is this how Charlotte would treat her pussy? Soft and gentle, probing every inch of tender flesh. Fingers moving slowly. In and out. Annie wrapped her tongue around Charlotte's finger, and sucked the butter from her skin. Salt tickled her tongue and coated the walls of her mouth. Lina brushed a finger against Annie's cheek, catching a drop of butter before it dribbled down her chin. She lapped the prize from her finger like a kitten nuzzling its mother's milk.
My work in progress "Don't Call Me 'Baby'" has a few sexy eating scenes. I find the act of eating and enjoying food with every one of your senses a very sensuous act that affects all around me when I really get into eating. What do you think? Have you ever read fiction that turned the mere act of chowing down into a bacchanal?
What is it about books written in First Person that turns many readers off? Damned if I know. Example, in a novella of mine, written in first person has two ratings at Are, both one heart for overall enjoyment and one lip for sensuality:
·I couldn't get into this at all. i never got past the second chapter and won't even try. unimpressed!!!!
·I have to agree with the other poster. I put this book down after the first chapter. It is written in the 1st person which really threw me off and took away from the story. Very distracting.
I ask you is it fair to say a book is bad because you don’t like first person? And how can you say it isn’t sensual if you never read past the first chapter. The very hot first person excerpt that helped entice her to buy the book is certainly sensual. What do you think?
Hurriedly, I stripped and casually walked into the shower. "I hope it's all right. I changed my mind." I squished my nose as I pretended to smell my armpits. "I smell a little ripe."
He didn't say a word, scanning my body, for the longest time.
I smiled through squinting, knowing eyes. "I don't suppose I can borrow the soap?"
"You are beautiful."
"Yeah well I'm digging what I'm seeing too, Kino. The soap?"
He looked at his hand that held the bar of soap. "Ooof. Sorry." He threw the soap and I caught it.
"Thanks, this water is kind of cold. Is yours?"
"No, let me feel yours." He came over and I nearly jumped in the air as his beautiful cock brushed my thigh while running a hand under the water. "It is cold. Ahh this knob was turned down. How's that?"
"Much better, but I'm still cold. Do you think you could join me under the water and hold me?"
He stepped into the stream of water and embraced me wrapping his muscular arms around me. He kissed my ear just under my curly ringlets. I gasped as I felt his hard weapon jabbing me in the back. I turned and kissed him back passionately.
"Ooh." he sighed as I began stroking him using the soap bar as a lubricant. Through repetitive groans, I whispered in his ear, "I need to make sure this is nice and clean since I plan on taking it into my mouth."
"Ahh, yes, baby. Make it good and clean."
I handed the soap to him and turned so my back was toward him. He started with my shoulders and worked down. Washing the sway of my back, he spoke, "What a sexy ass you have."
I laughed and subtly parted my feet. The continuous spray of hot water and steam highlighted the ambiance of our liaison. I had gone from cold to warm in seconds and with Kino's help, I was getting hotter by the second. Stooping to wash my ass and legs his fingers explored my inner thighs and the area just above. I spread my feet farther and reached out to the wall to steady myself. My eyes closed to direct every ounce of concentration on the divine sensations that were emanating from below—from the erotic activities of his talented digits in my nether regions.
My heart was racing and my breathing came in short gasps with each sensuous thing he did to me. When his fingers parted the crack in my rump, I bent further over and stuck my ass in the air like a cat in heat. The invitation seemed to be too much for my Hawaiian hunk as fingers entered my pussy and anus simultaneously. I could barely stand, my legs felt like Jell-O. I spread my legs even more and locked my joints in place. Like the gymnast, I used to be, I rested the palms of my hands on the tile floor and offered my ass up as if it were a sacrifice to this man/god.
"Don't move." I watched him run to his clothes, which rested on a bench beside mine. He pulled a foil wrapped condom from his wallet, held it up for me to see and grinned.
In seconds, I quivered and gasped as he entered my ravenously hungry pussy. As the hot spray shot out from the wall directly to my ass, the mist swirled around us. The walls of my hot lubricous channel surrounded and clenched around him tight with each thrust of his godlike organ. Tremors of pleasure/lust spasmed through me with each hardy thrust of his magic wand.
Is the book a dog? I don’t think so, it sells good. Of course I wrote it, but I think the book is sexy and cute. I can’t help it if a reader doesn’t like first person and is stupid to boot.
Why did I write it in first person? Because I’m a natural first person writer and this book said “write me in first person, Dee.”
Some books do that. Here’s an example from my current WIP which I started in third person, but before I got very far rudely said to me, “What the eff are you doing, Dee. You’re writing me in third person? Can’t you tell I’m a first person story? You’re slipping, Dee. I’ll tell you used to be a lot sharper.”
What do you think?
She studied him over the rim of her glass as she sipped the overpriced vodka martini. Five eleven, dark brown hair, eye color unknown, dark gray blazer with open collar, black slacks and shiny black shoes. They have to have shiny shoes. She tittered. Unless they’re cowboys.
He stalked determinedly toward her, each step straight in front of the last, like an arrow shot from a bow. Another good sign. He carried a bottle of beer. Bad sign, unless he’s a cowboy. Ahh, but it’s imported. Heinekens, if she’s not mistaken—a good sign.
Sitting in a semi-circular booth at four o’clock in the chrome and mirror dominated Trends lounge she set her martini down and followed his progress. As he approached, she leaned forward, one hand holding the other and willed a friendly, if artificial, smile on her better than average face. Blue—his eyes were blue. He’ll do nicely.
Are you sure? It’s not too late to call this crazy gambit off.
The first time is always the hardest.
She held a welcoming hand out. “Hi, I’m Dede Wilson. Did you come to keep little ole me company.”
* * * *
I studied him over the rim of my glass as I sipped my overpriced vodka martini. Five eleven, dark brown hair, eye color unknown, dark gray blazer with open collar, black slacks and shiny black shoes. They have to have shiny shoes. I tittered. Unless they’re cowboys.
He stalked toward me determinedly, each step straight in front of the last, like an arrow shot from a bow. Another good sign. He carried a bottle of beer. Bad sign, unless he’s a cowboy.Ahh, but it’s imported.Heineken, if I’m not mistaken—a good sign.
Sitting in a semi-circular booth at four o’clock in chrome and mirror dominated Trends lounge, I set my martini down and followed his progress. As he approached, I leaned forward, one hand holding the other and willed a friendly, if artificial, smile on my better than average face. Blue—his eyes are blue. He’ll do nicely.
Are you sure? It’s not too late to call this crazy gambit off.
The first time is always the hardest.
I held a welcoming hand out. “Hi, I’m Dede Wilson. Did you come to keep little ole me company?”
Am I all wet, or does the first person scene take you right into the scene, while the third person lets you watch it?
Tell me, I want to know. Which is better?
Now getting back to my first example, the book where two people said it was crap, one of them admitting she didn’t like first person. I’ve asked for the book back from the publisher. I’ll have it back in another six weeks. My question is this, knowing there are many readers who prefer third, should I rewrite the book in third of should I leave it alone? I really would like your input on this.
I have to admit, the sight of a hot bod in a uniform certainly gets my juices flowing. Whether it is a cop, a firefighter, a paramedic or someone in the armed forces, a well-toned form tightly wrapped in the trappings of authority seems to spur our desires. Consider how many fantasies are centered around these figures (and how many you may have had yourself).
Is it the thought of losing control that turns us on? Of being handcuffed and searched up against a wall, of the hard cock (or nightstick) of the cop assisting in a very thorough cavity search? Or of the female officer taking control and forcing you to do her bidding, both in bed and out? Of either (or both) authority figures forcing you to experience the passion and desire that your inhibitions forbid, permitting you to let go? After all, you have no choice...
Perhaps it is the idea of being rescued by an alpha firefighter that tickles your fancy. Can you imagine being swept up into the arms of a hero who enters situations that most run away from? Who hasn't dreamed of being rescued, or rescuing a helpless victim where you are the only one who can help them? Daydreams go both ways, of course.
Whatever it is about men or women in uniforms, they seem to be a common focal point for our fantasies. From books to television to movies and more, these people put their lives on the line for something they believe in, protect us from danger, and give us fuel for our passionate daydreams.
So the next time you see someone in uniform, thank them for their service. It can be our little secret that we're also thanking them for sexually starring in our imaginings, too!
Last month, I posted the first part of a story I'm writing for Free Fiction Friday on my Livejournal. Here's part two of the story! As always, any and all comments are appreciated! :)
The premise: A physics professor isn't happy when he learns his sister and her twin daughters have purchased him a date. Will it turn out to be a disaster?
Do you think of yourself as an expert? Apparently Mr. Tweet thinks I’m an expert in Erotica – here’s the message he sent me a couple months ago: “Hi Adriana! You are invited to the Erotica community because members nominated you as an expert they'd love to hear from.”
Sounds enticing! I’m happy to claim being an expert on many aspects of sex and erotica – what turns me on, what fantasies I can’t resist, what I love to read – and these are the elements my husband and I take pains to put into the stories we write under our pen name Adriana Kraft. We hope you find them as entertaining and tantalizing as we do!
If you’re tempted to turn some of those fantasies into reality?? Hubby and I aren’t the experts here, and we don’t run an advice column, but we’ve found the perfect source for you: Ask Dan and Jennifer! Have you run into them? I found them on line when we were talking to friends about Swinging Games, our Extasy series on the Swing Lifestyle. I Googled some swing terms to demonstrate the range of what’s out there – and up popped a video of Dan and Jennifer explaining how one half of a married couple could start the conversation about swinging without being threatening or scaring the other partner into the next universe. Very nicely done, I might add!
So we thought it would be fun to give our readers a taste of some of the expertise Dan and Jennifer have to offer. Here’s one of my favorites: How to find your swinging comfort zone:
Here’s a little more about them, from their website: “Ask Dan & Jennifer is a very popular and respected Love & Sex web show, advice column, online magazine, and relationship support community.”
Their mission? “We will answer your questions openly, honestly, and without bias or judgment. Question Everything! Our mission is to help people create conscious relationships based on love and acceptance rather than fear, jealousy, anger, and ownership. It's time to move on from outdated ideas about love and sex.” Sounds a lot like our mission, and we heartily applaud!
