...and why authors shred their manuscripts. Yes, admittedly, I have been obviously MIA. The new "first" chapter of Vignette is eating my soul. My eyes are going to bleed out from staring at a white screen.
Some of you may know, Vignette never started out as a manuscript; simply something to occupy my overly-active Muse. Until, at the encouragement of several dear friends--one being a published author, I finally decided to re-write it in pursuit of publication.
Work and life both push the manuscript to the backburner at times. The luxury of spare time has eluded me these past two years, still I push onward with a sentence here, paragraph there. This isn't very helpful when one is "stuck"--not writer's block, per se, simply stuck on a section of text.
When does an author simply trash reams of carefully tended words and start over? That depends. Last night was the last straw for me on this new first chapter. It's creation was intended to eliminate a chunk of backstory from the original first chapter and I was decidely not feeling it. We are all our own worst critics at times.
Poised with the delete button under my right index finger I took a breath then stopped short. This morning I'm happy I did. Sometimes the threat of abandon pulls words from uncharted depths. Or possibly the Muse simply doesn't appreciate the smite.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
What I Write, and Why I Write It
Many of my colleagues and friends know of my writing skills due to various communications I have authored. A few know about my passion for writing erotica. An even smaller number have read excerpts from my manuscripts. It is a subject on which I will always answer honestly if asked, however, may not bring up directly in conversation.
At a recent dinner party someone, upon learning I was an aspiring author, asked me what I wrote. I get this question often, and reply with one word: erotica. Most times, an awkward hush briefly pauses the conversation. It amuses me to stand quietly and wait while they struggle for what to say next. Shades of old Victorian propriety still course through contemporary society, reminding us it is impolite to speak of such topics in public. Yet modern curiosity abandons all mannerly sensibilities. Once over the initial shellshock of my answer, many will continue on with additional questions.
Surprisingly—or not—the next two answers they seek are: “What is the difference between erotica and porn,” followed by, “Why do I write it.” To address the first question, I find many people believe erotica and porn are one in the same. Although an erotic story can be just as steamy as porn, there is a huge difference between the two.
Porn is designed to do one thing: Make the reader hot. The end. Throw the plot, character development, and most likely the romance pretty much out with the bathwater.
Erotica is about the sexual journey of the character(s) and how it impacts them/their lives. Character growth, emotion, etc. are all key elements of an erotic story. But erotica is not specifically designed to show the development of a romantic relationship, although the story can, should the author choose to do so. And erotic stories do not need to have the stereotypical "Happily Ever After" (HEA) element, although they very well may.
For more information on comparisons, Sylvia Day wrote a lovely article, offering clear definitions between sexy romance, erotic romance, erotica, and porn.
That being said, what does all of this have to do with why I write erotica? Very simply, I enjoy it—and I am good at it. Yes, I enjoy dabbling in other genres and writing an occasional poem. But erotica is where my passion lies. No pun intended. Erotica lets the reader indulge their fantasies. Moving my audience and giving them the opportunity to escape the mundanity of life is something on which no one can place a price tag.
At a recent dinner party someone, upon learning I was an aspiring author, asked me what I wrote. I get this question often, and reply with one word: erotica. Most times, an awkward hush briefly pauses the conversation. It amuses me to stand quietly and wait while they struggle for what to say next. Shades of old Victorian propriety still course through contemporary society, reminding us it is impolite to speak of such topics in public. Yet modern curiosity abandons all mannerly sensibilities. Once over the initial shellshock of my answer, many will continue on with additional questions.
Surprisingly—or not—the next two answers they seek are: “What is the difference between erotica and porn,” followed by, “Why do I write it.” To address the first question, I find many people believe erotica and porn are one in the same. Although an erotic story can be just as steamy as porn, there is a huge difference between the two.
Porn is designed to do one thing: Make the reader hot. The end. Throw the plot, character development, and most likely the romance pretty much out with the bathwater.
Erotica is about the sexual journey of the character(s) and how it impacts them/their lives. Character growth, emotion, etc. are all key elements of an erotic story. But erotica is not specifically designed to show the development of a romantic relationship, although the story can, should the author choose to do so. And erotic stories do not need to have the stereotypical "Happily Ever After" (HEA) element, although they very well may.
For more information on comparisons, Sylvia Day wrote a lovely article, offering clear definitions between sexy romance, erotic romance, erotica, and porn.
That being said, what does all of this have to do with why I write erotica? Very simply, I enjoy it—and I am good at it. Yes, I enjoy dabbling in other genres and writing an occasional poem. But erotica is where my passion lies. No pun intended. Erotica lets the reader indulge their fantasies. Moving my audience and giving them the opportunity to escape the mundanity of life is something on which no one can place a price tag.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Encouraging News...
...for both writers and readers of erotica.
Recession Fuels Readers’ Escapist Urges
The article presents a well-rounded view of today's readership. And to reference the author's opening statement, nothing could be more true. At the end of the day, I do ardently believe everybody wishes for a happy ending.
Recession Fuels Readers’ Escapist Urges
The article presents a well-rounded view of today's readership. And to reference the author's opening statement, nothing could be more true. At the end of the day, I do ardently believe everybody wishes for a happy ending.
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