Reviews: Introduction

My aim has been a new blog every Tuesday which makes for four a month, simple right? What happens on that rare fifth Tuesday in a month? Well, since every author wishes for reviews…both happily and stressfully…I thought why not review our genre.

I admit this is a little scary for me. I’m used to reviewing every other genre, but never touched our genre. There is the sex element. What makes me comfortable and uncomfortable, keeping any and all judgement out of the review. Learning the different levels of our genre, the different appetites.

I don’t read our genre as much as I read other ones. I do; however, know what makes a strong story. What works and what doesn’t in the telling of a tale. Believable characters and what makes them cardboard.

More importantly, I respect the genre and the authors who write it.

Hope you take a chance on me.

The Erotic Genre: Be Kind To Yourself

Generally, a writer needs to be kind and forgiving to themselves. Nothing is perfect in the rough draft. Nothing is perfect in the first edit. Our words are never typed fast enough to keep up with our brains. What sounds good in our mind translates into some wildly abnormal-tongue that would require the character to be hanging by their feet from the ceiling in order to reach where we say they are licking.

Or they need seven hands instead of the four reality dictates they have. And try that position, your knees just do not bend that way – without breaking that is.

There are only so many names for sounds and body parts. Do-hickey and down there with his ding-a-ling won’t cut it in our genre. Unless you are going for the slap-slick comedy.

Sorry, no man looks good in a speedo…ever.

Maybe our genre is one where we need to be extra kind and patient with our writing. We’re dealing with scenes that are to stimulate and feel good, but it’s a fine line to tightrope walk when you’re mixing comedy, horror, paranormal, with grunts, groans, and moans.

We have heightened emotions filled with lust, anger, fear, love, and sometimes even hate and at the same moment we have to prove our characters are saying “YES” and not being forced or controlled into a sex act/situation.

Stepping outside of ourselves into a fictional character is an adventure in any genre; however, our genre is one where we’ll be asked – did you really do that? Have you… Really, are these stories about you? So that’s your fantasy. Hey, you know…

I’ve never been asked “are you a serial killer” when I’ve written something dark, but boy have I been kidded about writing erotic. 

We write erotic because we like writing sex, sexy, sensual, we’re tired of the wham bam boinking blandness that’s shoved at us. We write what we want to read. And in doing so we’ve set ourselves up for some pretty strange looks and questions.

The general public is more comfortable with blood and guts and less with their own nakedness. We’re just the lucky ones who allow them to peek at our naked imagination.

Character Take Over: Boris

Coming Winter 2016

Who are you?

Boris Carmichael Schitz…I know already it sounds like Shits. Yes, my buddies never let me forget it. Can we move on now? Yes, not our real last name, but trust me the real one is just as awkward for a guy growing up. Told Bonnie we should have used her maiden name.

My business is a mix of architectural design and personal security. Safe rooms and home vaults as well as business and business travel. My company will provide drivers, travel aids and security right down to family childcare help.

My family’s safety is everything.

What do you do in your spare time?

Look, I live in a household with four women of various ages, I do what they tell me to do. Seriously, between going over risk assessments, meetings with clients (and, yes, some think security means not sharing everything I need to know to do my job for them which is a whole other headache), staying on top of training and ahead of potential vulnerabilities, and more, cleaning the garage, trips to dance class, and playing chauffeur to a gaggle of girls is relaxation. Sports? Golf is a business drudgery as far as I’m concerned, but you’ll be surprised at how much can be covered over beers and darts. Let alone when training with the guys at the gym.

What?

Look, I leave that spare time talk to Bonnie. Any discussions I may have on that activity I keep private.

Where?

Business takes me throughout the area and sometimes the country. There have been world travels, too. Plus connections and working relationships with other trusted security companies.

That, again?  Wherever my gal is works for me.

When?

All right, I give in…

Hey, I’m a guy. Basically, whenever.

Why?

You’re kidding me right?

How?

How what? You just…crap, Bonnie answered this already, right?

Conclusion…ahhh…oh, about the book…it was fun at the time, fun remembering (maybe a little more fun), and fun reading, trying to read   LOL

General: How did Nano go?

Well, I typed more than I have ever done this year than previous years. I managed just over 30,000 and finished the first seasonal bundle of stories for December - March and started into April - August. Just needing to finish July and August for that bundle.

I’m happy with the volume I was able to produce, but must admit I didn’t turn off my internal editor. I found myself editing the lines during the typing process and making sure the storylines were making sense. Whether it was because I was working with my publisher to get these stories done or because I was writing under a different persona...maybe it was due to actually having a story idea or that they were short stories I was writing...I didn’t find my self-editing too distracting or argumentative.

I must admit writing one erotic story after another was starting to wear on me. I was getting a little tired of the genre and setting the flow of scene and story to match. I need to get back and finish, but life tossed in a surprise which tossed me out of the writing for a couple of days. I could have forced myself back in, but mentally I skipped out. The lack of reaching 50,000 was more mental-done-in than critical editor.

Will I attempt again next year? I don’t know. I enjoy the people in our region. I like the idea of the challenge, but I don’t think Nano is for me no matter the persona.

I have ideas for a set of short stories under my real name and because I’ve written as Theadora, I believe she’s shown me the method I need to use to get those written. In other words, by wearing a different persona, I’ve had my eyes open to lessons I thought I knew.

Who knows, depending on how the next eleven months go maybe I’ll attempt Nano under both my writing names. This year I’ve finally learned that I can prepare for Nano...semi-plotter now. I can reach the daily writing goals. Writing short stories eases the mental pressure. And my internal editor isn’t such an enemy after all.

Visiting Bonnie and Boris: Introducing Bonnie

The character Bonnie is an escape. She speaks what I hold back. Is confident where I’m not and daring where I wish I was…well, not in some areas. Her sexual freedom is complete fiction written for those who enjoy reading erotic/erotica.

I wanted my female lead to be someone in control, but not controlling as in overpowering. There’s little that will phase her or cause her to doubt herself or Boris. The insecurity and uncertainty which lives in us all was something I didn’t want in my erotic characters. They’re based on the general feel I’ve taken from watching documentaries on people who swing, share their wives/husbands. These stories are strong…I hope…in Bonnie’s sexual life which is separate from her day-to-day lives.

My plan for Bonnie is one where she will “play” with those she considers close and trustworthy friends. Beyond that she is not one to randomly have sex with someone simply because it will feel good. I’ve taken the stand with Bonnie and Boris that they’re sexually open, but have more personal rules than some who play a wider field. No, judgement is not being passed.

When creating characters a writer needs to know and set the boundaries, rules, beliefs for that character. It’s how we learn who we are writing and how they will interact with others in the story. How the story will make them behave, react. Even then they’ll take us in directions we don’t anticipate.

Bonnie’s a mother because I’m a mother. I know her feelings for her children because of my own. I wanted to share this aspect to my possible readers, let alone the fun of balancing being a sexual partner, being, with children and their surprises. I didn’t know how many children, daughters or sons, ages, this all came about as the stories were being written. So did the pets…both children and animals had no names, no descriptions for the first book and not much until writing the second.

For some strange reason Bonnie’s parents are deceased. I don’t know why, maybe I didn’t want to deal with writing about parents whose daughter is having wild sex?

I tried to find a name which didn’t match anyone I knew. One that didn’t belong to anyone I had an impression about. Well, it wasn’t until well after book one was written and near published that I realized I did know a person called, Bonnie. If you ever guess…or know who I am…my fictional Bonnie is completely that – fictional.

This is about it for introducing Bonnie. I’m sure there will be more to share as the stories develop and I get to know Bonnie. That’s the best part of creating a character, they grow and really do take on a life of their own.

The Erotic Genre: Learning It

What I’m learning is it’s nothing like below…

“Everyone” talks about how erotic sells. How erotic is what people are reading. How it’s so popular on eReaders because people can read it in public without fear.

How it’s just writing sex scenes.

Wrong.

Yes…erotic sells.

Yes…people are reading it and on eReaders where no one can see.

Yes…erotic is popular.

No…it’s not just sex scenes.

Erotic or erotica…I’m still learning those subtle meanings…is sexy reading. There’s hot sex. There’s characters who have sex with…well…with most anyone in any situation and there’s little rules as to anything.

…What it is, is writing strong characters, a storyline that fits whatever sub-genre you’re writing/attempting to write, with sex scenes your reader can visualize that happen “on screen” as opposed to the female/male being carried “off screen” for the action to happen.

Think the movie “Psycho,” we never saw the murder in the shower. Nope, go watch again. We were given glimpses of what’s happening and our mind filled in the details. Take the “Nightmare on Elm Street” movies, those we saw everything, nothing was left to our imagination.

Think romantic sensual writing versus romantic or anything sex writing. You still need a story. You still need characters your readers want to read having sex.

Writing sex is easy.

Incorporating it into a story, now that’s the challenge. Writing erotic/erotica is the same as writing any other genre. It takes the same consideration. The same planning. The same story ARC. The same editing. The same everything. That means if erotic writing requires steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. You write all those steps. If paranormal writing requires steps 1-4, plus 8-11, then you write those steps plus the steps which belong to erotic if you want paranormal erotic.

No, writing erotic isn’t easy. We’re not writing sex letters to some magazine. Telling locker room tales to our friends. Nor are we writing a scene of two people saying ‘hi’ and then banging away on each other. That’s not to say those scenes don’t happen. That some authors aren’t writing like that. Hey, I can go for a good “Psycho” movie or a good “Elm Street” movie any time, depends on my mood.

Same goes for this genre of mine.

So what’s my point? We’re not cookie-cutter writers. We’re just as diverse as any genre writer you may pick up and read. What I love most is the fact television entertainment shows referred to Jackie Collins as an erotic author. For years I’ve heard her referred to in many ways, from praised to smut. The fact she was acknowledged as erotic, well, yeah, that made me proud.

I’m no Jackie Collins, but I am a writer. I write erotic and I’m proud of my work.

Oh, and before you take a side trip on the author name thing…I’m proud enough of my erotic writing to give it its own identity so you won’t judge based on who you think I am and what I should be 

Character Take Over: Bonnie

Coming Winter 2016

Who are you?

I’m Bonnie Marie Schitz, nee Southfenn, mother to three girls, married to Boris since our early twenties, hitting the 20^th anniversary soon. I work from home as an online PR expert specializing in social media, something I’ve finally been able to do fulltime which allowed me to leave the office job.

What do you do in your spare time?

It depends. Most times those moments are spent with the family, when we all have the same spare moments. Otherwise I like to read and just sit back at home, no I don’t bake cookies. I lean more toward cupcakes and muffins.

Oh you mean, what do I do as in that do? Most times it’s all the spur of the moment. Nothing really is ever planned. Well, a few times require planning. Being spontaneous is great; however, there are situations one must be prepared for.

Where?

Where do I live or where do we…play? To protect my family I won’t say where we live, but we do have seasonal changes if that’s enough for you.

Our activities? Our bedroom, where only Cassie has been over to join. It’s our trusted sanctuary. But, we’ve ventured other places. Our friends, Peter and Patrice, have a private club that offers interesting shows. They’ve had us to their home. Everyone we bring close to us understands our home is a No zone. Even then we don’t bring many over who we’ve met at different places.

When?

As I mentioned, some activities require planning, others were either unexpected or possibilities that we were open to. But those times were always with people we trusted and knew beyond doubt.

Let’s face it, being sexually adventuresome requires an emotional and intelligential element beyond practise and training and know how. Health is foremost in our minds.

Why?

If feels good? Curiosity?

Look, I know some will look at me and Boris and think I’m slutty or he’s scum. That we’re nothing but perverted. I’m not going to change their minds, won’t even try. Others, I hope, are interested in knowing who we are and are simply curious…which is fine. Human nature is diverse and each of us is here to explore and discover. Boris and I didn’t start out sharing, we, well he and Cassie opened a door they both knew I was curious about, one they both were wondering about as well. We’re well-adjusted adults. We know our boundaries and what we value most.

How?

Really?

Oh, while I just explained how it started. The technical aspect, well I think we all know that.

But the other how involves openness to those who you plan to be intimate with. Health checks and tests. Verifying others are as well. And precautions and protection.

No, we don’t share all the coverings and usings. Who really wants to read those timeouts when you want to read the active parts?

Unless, of course, the timeouts are more timeins and active bits of the whole. Using safety doesn’t’ need to be boring.

Thank you for letting me say Hi, and I do hope you’ll give My Love and my stories a chance.

Never Forget

General: Nanowrimo 2015

I guess I’m an erotic author at heart. I’ve managed more words this Nano than in any of the last five years.

Before anyone gets upset with me, of course, I’m an erotic author. It’s what I’m writing and I think it’s pretty good, too.

What I should have said, and will fumble my way through, is writing erotic, I’m writing more seriously. Taking myself as a writer more serious.

I don’t feel like a pretender even though I’m writing under a different name. I want to respect – hope I am – this genre, its authors and readers.

Nano is the kick in the pants for me to get Bonnie and Boris down on paper – in the computer – and out to you. I think you’ll enjoy them. I find them funny – maybe more who I wish I was, in the sense of confidence. To be and do whatever without stressing over what it is I’m doing. And, no, not their sexual lives. The core of the characters that’s what I wish I had more of.

Ah, I think I’ll stop that line of conversation, no matter how much I try to say it’ll still be read – I want to be Bonnie and her sex life. Which I don’t, I just like writing it.

Nano’s a strange beast. Writing 1,667 words every day. Sure, authors should, can, do write more each day in their normal work life. But there’s something nutty about feeling the force of “must write 1,667 words today.” The need to reach 50,000 by November 30^th.

Or is it about knowing at that very second there are numerous authors all writing as you are. The proof you are not alone in your creative insanity.

For whatever reason, this year everything is falling into place. Who knows maybe in December my other writer name will get 50,000 words written. Then in November 2016 I can write beside myself and dual with myself.

Talk about multiple personalities, hearing voices in the head.

Yes, I’m a writer and yes, I’m just a tad nutty.

COMING 2016!!!!!

Visiting Bonnie and Boris: Re-introducing Theadora Mitchell

With everything, as we learn more, become comfortable with decisions, we do more and we do it better.

I started writing about Bonnie and Boris as a dare to myself and a quiet challenge to those who know me. The me behind Theadora Mitchell. I know who know who I am and I can only guess at those who think they know, but I picked a pseudonym simply for the freedom it offers. A freedom away from the definition I and everyone around me have placed on my being.

Theadora Mitchell is a combination of names; names I’m confident no one expects who these non-immediate people are to me. Thea’s a protective barrier between the audience she’ll find and the audience I hope my other writings will find. The audiences may be one and the same; however, their needs differ as much as my writing does. And when those readers, who do not fit Theadora, look for my other work, well, they won’t have to worry about what they’ll find in the books. A freedom for me; a safety net for my readers.

No, I do not write smut or porn. No, Bonnie and Boris are not about me and mine or any fantasy of either. They are a fictional couple who fit together. Who are written as a loving, caring, trusting couple who are free to explore and play in my imagination. I’m not naïve in that I’ve never seen an adult magazine or movie…please is sex supposed to be that boring? I’ve watched documentaries on human nature and self-discovery and exploration. The psyche behind the individual is fascinating whether it’s a mass murder or a dominatrix and her submissive.

Am I writing literary erotic…ahhh, yeah, nope. I hope I’m writing steamy heat with humour…let’s face it sex can be pretty funny. We’ve all got some type of jiggly part, make some strange noise that only makes an appearance when ____ and _____ or _____ happens. And I’m sure when it comes to the other people who live with us at times, no one wants to be caught in any position making any noises that would cause blushing should we be seen/heard or have to explain when asked if we heard/seen anything strange the night before.

Hmm, this was supposed to be me re-introducing my characters to you, but as with free writing it took a turn on its own (hence having to change the title). I’ll close today with letting you know that while Bonnie and Boris’ Bedtime Stories: Gift Giving Done Right is still available, it is going through a revamping. My publisher and I have decided to go with a few bundles of B&B’s short stories instead of individual shorts. So, I’m tweaking and writing new playtimes for these two characters, a year’s tale of fun. They’ve actually turned me into a plotter writer, a new experience.

I hope you’ll tune in again each Tuesday as I try my best to bring something interesting, something new about my writing, share my journey as I learn more about writing erotic/erotica. Till then…toodles.

WHOOOOO-HOOOOO - things are looking new

Hey, all.

There's exciting news happening for Bonnie and Boris. They're getting a revamp!

I love their first Bedtime Story...how could I not, I wrote it. But, as with all newbies, I'm more comfortable with this genre and with writing it...calling myself an erotic author. So, with my publisher's help and blessing, we're reworking these shorts into Bundles.

Look for a year's worth of playtime with Bonnie and Boris coming soon.

Finding Readers, Twitter and Facebook Friends?

How does one find new twitter and facebook friends? 

I'm finding that as difficult as reaching out to readers.

Since I am starting new and am an alter-ego I need to reach people who are on the same page as me when it comes to writing sexy. With limited contacts it feels too weird to retweet the same items I know they already have. To share the same items I've found on mutual pages.

I'm joining groups and they are a learning curve.

It's not easy being the "other" identity. Maybe even a teeny harder than a new author. I'm searching for readers and follower-friends which are a new audience to who "I" am versus the normal everyday me.

Wearing too many sunglasses?

Not really. 

Again...only cause I've probably said this before...not one of us is a flat one dimension. I'm just another layer looking for your matching layer.

I'm open to suggestions?

Writing that second book

Here I am

I'm visiting Bonnie and Boris again. This time around they're taking us out to dinner and a show. And that's all I can tell ya.

What I can tell you, is how much harder it was to write this second story. Writing should be getting easier, shouldn't it? At least I thought it should, well, at least with erotica. I mean, I'm over the shyness and awkwardness of those first heated scenes. Using words I don't even say out loud in my real life.

I'm a grown adult. There's nothing dirty about what I write. My book cover is quite pretty. Tame if you really look at some covers for the genre.

I've written Bonnie and Boris as a loving couple who are secure in their relationship. Far more adventurous than anyone I know. Way more adventurous than me.

I think I've found Bonnie's voice and humour.

So why was this second book so hard...no pun intended...to write? I started this back in November 2014...it's a short story. Hit a complete mental block on how to continue. How to write those hot scenes. How not to sound repetitive and thrown in without story planning.

That's what I've learned is the difference between erotica writing and just writing sex scenes and making a book out of them.

Bonnie and Boris deserve my full attention. They need to be treated as full characters. It wouldn't be fair to just dump them into a bed of bodies and have them go at it. Have them not care about each other, look after each other. Hey, it took me over an hour to figure out Bonnie's name, why then would I just throw her to be devoured...sexually, not literally...well, sorta literally, but not at this writing. 

Is she part of me? Her humour, perhaps. Her opinions, probably closer to me than anything else about her. Her curiosity and daring...we're on different sides of the table there. She may participate more, but I'm sooooo the sideliner. Just cause I can imagine it doesn't mean I want it to happen.

Getting back to how writing this second book was more time consuming. Maybe it's because I had to think of the situation more...where was I going to put Bonnie and Boris...where were they going to take me? 

I can tell you this, they've introduced me to two new friends...Lillian and I just realized that the name I used isn't his name. Nope, he doesn't fit that name now that I think about it.

Oh, and I found Bonnie and Boris' last name...that too will remain quiet for now.

It's true. Writers' characters do talk to us. They do take us on their story more often then we take them on one. It's a matter of listening.

Plus, I think I was simply scared. Could I write another erotic? I think I have, but am waiting on feedback.

In the meantime, story two is done. It's alive.

So, why don't I feel any calmer?

Toodles

To Boob or Not To Boob

MuseitHOT Author

Cleavage - front, top, side, under, dang near whole kit-and-kaboddle.

Heaven only knows how they stay up...in...covered? Okay, I've heard about tape usage, but seriously do you really want to tape your girls to your clothes? OUCHIE-wowwow!

Besides I don't even trust double-face tape to keep my rug secure, let alone keep me from flashing.

So why this conversation? Well, scanning the entertainment news and the fashion and you can't help but see there's boobs, boobs, boobs everywhere. And I ain't talking boob-brains...not to be confused with the boobs-on-the-brains set.

Plus the upcoming new Blogger restrictions on adult content.

Plus...I'm so looking forward to summer, but while battling the bra this morning remembering how much I hate bras and summer heat.

Would I have a boob-job, boob-lift just so I wouldn't have to wear a bra in the summer?

Then the mind curved to how not to flash...now wondering how not to poke.

Bra or tape?

What about bounce? Not a lot to bounce, but there is bounce. Can you bounce-flash even if taped?

Does bouncing and tape even work together? Seriously, would sweating dislodge the tape? Would stronger tape be needed...hurt more coming off?

Think I'll leave all the boob coverage...degrees of coverage...to others and stick with the girls I have.

And the bra dance continues.