theyread*

[SweetWitch]

But I know that it is realistic... because I'm in love with a woman that embodies everything I write about.

I think that has to be one of the greatest compliments a man has ever given a woman.

 

[Corylea]

If you like my style, you'll have to be adventuresome in your perversions...

*laugh* But think how cool the readers you DO have will be!

 

[Corylea]

But if I look back, with the benefit of hindsight I can see that every single woman I have written stands up and says, "this is who I am and if you don't like it, fuck off!"

I also write men who are strong enough and confident enough that they are not scared of such a woman, but attracted to her.

That sounds yummy! *skips off to read Belegon's stories*

This has been branded "unrealistic" and even "anti-morality" by mainstream reviewers....

WTF? All this shows is what limited lives the mainstream reviewers have.

When I was in training to be a therapist, many of my fellow students were very, very mainstream, to the point that they had trouble dealing with me. I pointed out that their clients were not going to be Ozzie and Harriet and suggested that they get comfortable with a broader array of humanity before trying to be anyone's therapist.

But I know that it is realistic... because I'm in love with a woman that embodies everything I write about.

Aww. That's sweet. I'm glad for you!

 

[Stella_Omega]

Whoah, compliments from Equinoxe and Corylea, thank you both!

 

[Equinoxe]

Whoah, compliments from Equinoxe and Corylea, thank you both!

You are quite welcome.

I can definitely empathise with your goals and ideas in writing, even if I don't share your particular interests about what exactly goes on in them. I think that female protagonists—strong female protagonists—are very much needed in literature (and real life!) and I think that it is good to write female characters in erotica who have desires, who acknowledge their desires, and who pursue their desires, women who are not sexual only in the sense of serving someone else's sexuality. So, I think that it is wonderful when authors do write such women—and that is important regardless of the orientation of the characters or sex in a story (and I must also acknowledge Belegon here for what he said earlier about only writing strong female characters, because I think it is wonderful that male authors do write strong women¹). Strong women are important in any literary genre, but I think they have a special importance in erotica.

As I said, I can definitely see how active, aggressive, sexual characters in lesbian erotica would be appealing to some straight women who never otherwise be likely to enjoy such stories. Of course, as I also said, I can see how many of the elements of lesbian stories like yours would be off-putting to some straight women, including, as I said, many who do otherwise have thoughts and fantasies about other women. (It seems to me, just out of casual observation, that many essentially straight women who have some sexual interest in other women often tend to have a very specific idea about sexuality between women which tends more toward the 'blending auras' realm and one which takes at its core its difference from more active, aggressive sexuality; furthermore, a lot of such women seem to have very limited interests with regard to what goes on physically: they often seem to be primarily interested in two things—and that both is and is not a pun).


¹ Although he is not an author, per se, this is one of the reasons I love Hayao Miyazaki.

 

[damppanties]

In fact, I did once try to write erotica as an experiment to see if I could—but I became embarrassed writing the first line.

Sorry, but this is just so adorable and I was amused.

 

[Equinoxe]

Sorry, but this is just so adorable and I was amused.

It's true!

It amuses me, too. In retrospect.

 

[Liar]

Not intentional, perhaps but definitely there.:

"Pale moonlight draped over her panties.

"He'd left her a quiet life...

and twining a short lifestory, containing sex and drugs and r&r into a description of a lazy life on all but empty winter beaches without missing a beat, (Driftwood) we're obviously not talking about the same thing.

Obviously not. What I'm saying is that none of that is meant to teach my readers anything. It's not a life lesson about the dangers of sex, drugs and rock n roll, or the values of mundane life, or whatever else you moght extract from it. It's just tools to trigger the reader's empathy for the characters, to give the story and charachters a third dimension, and make the readers engaged in the story. So that I can entertain them.

Entertainment doesn't have to be light entertainment.

Then I'll ask a question back. Why is it that, by and large, a 'faithful' film is rarely as 'good' as the book?

Because it was written as a book. So the plot, pace, style and structure is in tune with that media, and is rtherefore difficult to adapt to another one. A good movie based on a novel is just that, adaptation, not adoption.

Some of the best movies with lioterary origin does indeed not come from novels, but from novelettes and short stories. Because they are in general more similar to the movie media in terms of plot, ace, style et al.

 

[gauchecritic]

What I'm saying is that none of that is meant to teach my readers anything. It's not a life lesson about the dangers of sex, drugs and rock n roll, or the values of mundane life, or whatever else you moght extract from it. It's just tools to trigger the reader's empathy for the characters, to give the story and charachters a third dimension, and make the readers engaged in the story. So that I can entertain them.

And you're very good at it, but it does teach your readers and I'd guess that you'd find it very difficult if not unsatisfying to write any differently. Perhaps the single lesson that they learn is that Liar, as an author, can turn a magnificent phrase turning prose into poetry and that's still a lesson that you never intended.

I don't think anyone is claiming (certainly not me, except the humorous pieces when I can't resist) that they actually insert or weave lessons to be learnt in their stories. I think they're saying that when they look back at what they've written and previously written they see 'tendencies' and that possibly these tendencies are strengthened when they write their next piece simply by knowing that it somehow 'appears' as they write, possibly even to such an extent that it shapes their work. (or wok as I mistyped)

I may use that as a sig> "My political and social affiliations shape my wok"

 

[Recidiva]

I'm not sure there's anything I can provide that other authors can't provide. Probably better.

I write what I like to read, what I want to work through, what feelings I want to create.

So although I know there are better authors, better artistry and construction, it's my version of home cooking. I've tried to write things I haven't read before. If I come up with an idea and I know it's been done much better because I've seen it, I don't try.

If I come up with an idea and I think I could put a spin on it that would make it readable and I'd enjoy it, I'll do that.

I'm not really trying to break new ground, but much more break ground that's mine in flavor and tone and intent.

When presented with challenges, I prefer to see my characters overcome them ultimately. I am a romantic. I try to present hope and romance as things that do not droppeth from the heavens, but as choices ordinary people make in order to be creative beings.

I don't like to manipulate audiences or preach to them or teach them. I like to tell a story and hope someone has some fun with it the way I have fun writing it.

 

[impressive]

Hardly, but I loved the compliment. Thank you.

Well, consider it echoed from his other half. I agree with him.


Lover,

 

[impressive]

I think that has to be one of the greatest compliments a man has ever given a woman.

It certainly ranks right up there, dunnit?

 

[damppanties]

I'm not sure there's anything I can provide that other authors can't provide. Probably better.

I write what I like to read, what I want to work through, what feelings I want to create.

So although I know there are better authors, better artistry and construction, it's my version of home cooking. I've tried to write things I haven't read before. If I come up with an idea and I know it's been done much better because I've seen it, I don't try.

If I come up with an idea and I think I could put a spin on it that would make it readable and I'd enjoy it, I'll do that.

I'm not really trying to break new ground, but much more break ground that's mine in flavor and tone and intent.

When presented with challenges, I prefer to see my characters overcome them ultimately. I am a romantic. I try to present hope and romance as things that do not droppeth from the heavens, but as choices ordinary people make in order to be creative beings.

I don't like to manipulate audiences or preach to them or teach them. I like to tell a story and hope someone has some fun with it the way I have fun writing it.

I like the way you put it!

Well, consider it echoed from his other half. I agree with him.