Thanks, everyone

[Whispersecret]

A year or so ago, I vowed to stay away from the General Board. While I was disgusted with the inane and pointless posturing, flirting, lying, and thread hijacking that regularly occurs there, I was still addicted.

With one exception about a month ago, I've been able to stay true to that.

Since then, the Author's Hangout has come to be a haven for me. I really enjoy coming here and interacting with fellow writers. The discussions we have on the various challenges of creating erotic fiction are what keep me coming back here. It's nice to have a place where I can both get my questions answered, and help others with theirs.

I hope that others share my feelings about this special area and will help to keep it a place where writers can polish their craft.

In that vein, I thought I'd thank Weird Harold for a piece of advice that felt like an epiphany for me. Recently he suggested choosing an earth, air, fire, or water theme for describing sex. What a novel, and completely brilliant idea. I have since incorporated the water theme in my Talisman chapter, and although it was challenging, I think the story's imagery is much enhanced.

So, my gratitude to WH. He is a large part of why the Author's Hangout is so terrific.

Please share any particular pearls of wisdom that you've collected from this board. Don't be shy. Acknowledge those who have helped you. Although it's not as physically satisfying as an orgasm, it still feels pretty good.

 

[Ulyssa]

Excuse me, sweets...

Is your chapter to be posted soon? I don't see it yet.

As for WH, he's always been one of the unsung heroes of those of us cursed with keyboard-mania. Thank you, Harold.

 

[Whispersecret]

No, Ulyssa. My chapter isn't due to Laurel for another week. Quint, KM, and Gaucho are looking it over for me first. Alex de Kok has already helped enormously with his comments.

By the way, it tickles me pink that you went looking for it.

 

[SexyChele]

I have to agree with you WhisperSecret regarding the GB. I do have to admit that I do peek in and do make an occasional post there, but for all the reasons you mentioned, it can be a tough place to hang. I do like the majority of people who are there, though, just not all the "back and forth" that goes on.

I have found that I like it here, even though I don't post here that often. I like the exchange of ideas and discussions that happen here. It is a good place to be, and I wish more would find it.

Now, exactly how does WH's little pearl of wisdom work? I'm intrigued by the concept.

 

[Whispersecret]

Here is WH's pearl:

Not everyone experiences orgasms the same. Try an Earth, Air, Fire, Water rotation in your stories.

Describe your orgasm in "earthy terms" -- tremors, quakes, landlisdes, etc in one story.

Use "Airy Terms" in the next story -- Breezes, tornadoes, hurricanes, Gusts, and calms, etc.

Follow with a story that uses "Fiery terms" -- burning pasions, conflagrations consuming the senses, Rising flames of desire, etc.

Wrap up the cycle with "Watery terms" -- waves, tsunamis, currents, floods, etc.

Repeat the cycle or move on to other "themes" for your descriptive phrases as they occur to you.

I love it! I was so tired of referring to explosions, waves, etc. with no rhyme or reason. Sticking to a theme forces me out of the box and to be more creative.

 

[Weird Harold]

Here is WH's pearl:

...

I love it! I was so tired of referring to explosions, waves, etc. with no rhyme or reason. Sticking to a theme forces me out of the box and to be more creative.

It's really just a logical extension of not mixing metaphors -- If mixing them is bad, then concentrating them in a "theme" should be good, Right?

I'm glad it helped you write even better than before.