Music To Screw By

I've been thinking about music lately, especially since reading about the most relaxing song ever recorded. The article includes a list of ten songs deemed to be most relaxing. It wasn't a scientific study since it was conducted by a bubble bath and shower gel company, but it was interesting nonetheless. Enya made the list. I'm not surprised in the least.

So that made me wonder about songs appropriate to listen to when writing certain types of scenes. These songs could inspire me in my writing. My list of songs and the scenes they'd influence are below. How about you? Do you listen to music as you write? If you do, what do you listen to?

"You've Lost That Loving Feeling" - The Righteous Brothers

Yup, they broke up. I has a sad.

 "Fuck You" - Cee Lo Green

She left him for a wealthy man. Bitch.

 "I'm An Asshole" - Dennis Leary

Her jerk ex shows up on the scene to make trouble for her and her new love.

 "Hey Pretty" - Poe

My characters are flirting like mad and eager to get out of the pub and hit the bedroom. The passion in the air is so palpable you can ignite it.

"The Principles Of Lust" - Enigma

My characters are hot and bothered and getting it on! They're so full of lust they make little squeaky kitten noises as they knock boots.

"Sledgehammer" - Peter Gabriel

It's two hours later and my characters are still going at it. :)

"Truly Madly Deeply" - Savage Garden

My characters are so much in love they break out in dance for no reason, accompanied by an invisible orchestra.

"At Last" - Etta James

Walking down the aisle, she's in her glowing white dress, and he's trembling in his boots - with joy!

What Way Forward?

Hi everyone and welcome to my first post of 2014. I hope that you are all starting the year rested and with renewed ambition to succeed in your chosen craft. 2013 was a year of change for many of us with hard to understand guideline changes from big guns Amazon et al making the business of earning a living from writing a book even more difficult than it already was. So what changed?

For me the biggest loss I incurred was the disappearance of most of my titles from 'public' view. Amazon changed the game, as it so often does, brought on by panic and indecision that left many authors (especially in the erotica genre) scratching their heads as sales were halted. Amazon's policy was:

"What we deem offensive is probably about what you would expect."

Really? What I would expect? Ok, so that would be incest, rape, bestiality and underage sex. But I don't write any of that so my books are fine aren't they? Apparently not. It turned out that what I considered to be my best work, thought provoking, deeper stories were cast aside thought to be unsuitable for a site that sells sex toys including whips and chains, Debbie does Dallas video's and original, famous works such as 'Lolita' and 'The Story of 'O' '.
Was it the covers that were upsetting? I changed a couple of them but to be fair they were hardly shocking. This didn't make a difference and neither did my carefully thought out tags and descriptions that warned content was 'Adult' (surely a legal requirement?) but focused on the elements of the story.

I now sell so little on Amazon that it's hardly worth the bother. Ironically the books that sell week in and week out are my rawest, graphic works that are much stronger in content than the ones that don't show up in an average search. These are books that I would like to rewrite but I dare not take them down for even a day in case they too disappear into the Abyss of suited bluenoses shaking their heads in misguided disgust.

The problem I have with this, apart from the affect on my purse, is the contradiction. Are Amazon cracking down? Well yes, but only in some areas. They seem to be hitting small publishing firms and independent writers but not well established, well known erotica that has been on the site for years. As with everywhere else in life, there needs to be consistency. We need clear ground rules to abide by, why would we upload our book to their site if it is virtually impossible to trace?

I realise that all of this is 'so last year' but we do that in January don't we? We look back and see what we can improve on in the year ahead. For me it will be a series of uploading to 'Google Play' (where most of my sales come from anyway) and a continuing confusion of how to increase my sales on the monster we call Amazon.

Wishing you all a Happy and peaceful New Year,

Gemma 

YKINMK ATO

I do enjoy shows that late night TV decide to throw onto the schedule designed to shock and provoke reaction. Channel Four in the UK love to do this sort of thing, and it was with a resigned sense of curiosity that I found myself watching 'Secrets of the Living Dolls'. In brief, the 'documentary' was based on a practice called 'Female Masking' where the male participant dons a 'doll like' full latex mask and dress up their bodies with breasts and vagina, hip, thigh and bottom padding to give a female shape. As usual, there was an 'attempt' at trying to show a balanced view, but I couldn't help but get the feeling that the editors were trying to make the participants appear vaguely pathetic.

Perhaps I am open-minded or something, but YKINMK ATO. Sprung to mind.

 'Your Kink is not my Kink and that's ok'.

I will, point out however, that what they do, is not a kink to them, but a comfort. My choice of phrase, simply reflects my view on the matter. Do I want to 'male mask' or whatever the female equivalent is? Not really, but does what they do affect me in the slightest? No. It's just a preference. One I don't share, but it matters not in the grand scheme of things. What I did find offensive was the predictable slanging match on Twitter as the usual suspects decided to ridicule the protagonists of the show in some sort of twisted way that perhaps they thought might make them seem cool, or more manly. It's a sorry state of affairs really and all that kept cycling through my mind was YKINMK ATO.

Tolerance. It's not as difficult as it sounds. People in the BDSM, kink and fetish world often go on about this a lot, but it's easy to forget and judge, and I see supposed tolerant participants ridiculing others on a regular basis. I often wonder if some realise how easily they are manipulated by the media - and just how naive to take such things at face value.

Be aware. Know yourself - be aware that if something feels strange in what information you're being fed, either by someone you know, the media, or even someone you meet online on social media sites, 'news' sites or anything - trust yourself. Not everything you hear is always true.

Be strong. Stand by your convictions. Peer pressure is a huge thing, and I have been laughed at on more than one occasion when discussing my writing, yet such ridicule is simply insecurity for them. Why bring others down? Just a desperate attempt to make themselves feel better when faced with something they don't understand.

So YKINMK ATO. Tolerance. Awareness. Strength. Whether kink or BDSM or vanilla, as long as it's application doesn't harm another, life looks a lot different when viewed in this way...

New Year - Naomi Shaw

Well there is no turning back now. 2013 has well and truly disappeared into the night and I for one am quite happy For me 2013 was not a good year for many reasons one of which being my Muse went AWOL. :( So how was the year for you?

Well there is no turning back now.  It’s 2014, a third through the first month already. Can you belive that?! And what get’s said at the beginning of the year thousands upon thousands of times? That’s right, “Happy New Year!”

But what are we really saying. Do the words hold  hidden messages to different people? Like“I hope this year isn’t as shit as last year.” Or, “I hope you manage to finish that book you’re writing.”   There could be a thousand or more hidden meanings.
Think about it. What are our personal aspirations for the year?
 Who among us has a crystal ball to look into and find out.what will happen.




 No? A successful businesswoman some years ago who had been described as lucky once said, “No, not lucky. Luck is spelled W O R K” Think about it. She’s right. So if you have broken all your resolutions already,  just set out some new  plans . Oh and by the way  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**********************************************

2013 Year in Review Sharita Lira

A voice blog to wrap up 2013!

Writer's Block Is A Bitch

I am going through my first serious case of writer's block, and it's harshing my cool. I haven't been able to write so much as a grocery list for going on a month now. The Christmas season is no help, since I already don't feel like doing anything other than watching Christmas movies ("Die Hard", anyone?), baking Christmas cookies, listening to Christmas carols, and staring at the tree.

I've been told lots of writers have seen their sales bottom out over the past few months, and I'm one of them. Knowing I'm not alone doesn't help. I feel pretty hopeless right now, and I hope that passes soon. So, in the meantime, I can't write. At all. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. And I have pressure to finish some stories I have absolutely no interest in writing.

What do you do to help you deal with writer's block? I really want to know because I'm suffering like hell right now. The only thing I can do at the moment is anything else. I won't even try to write. No point in it, since nothing is inspiring me.

Time to bake more Christmas cookies. I've made Russian tea cakes, sugar cookies, pfeffernusse, and next on the list are Italian pizzelles. That's what I do when I'm frustrated now - bake cookies and clean house. *Sigh* At least I'm able to enjoy the Christmas season, despite very aggravating ice and snow on the ground. Getting out of my parking spot and making through the parking lot in one piece take some monumental effort.

Enjoy Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year. Maybe things will turn around for me and everyone else in 2014. I sure hope so.

3 2 1 Happy Christmas!

I really struggled this time with knowing what to post. I wanted to do something fun, so in the end came up with this little quiz. I hope you will read it and maybe try one yourself. It's challenging but fun.

Take Three Christmas songs
Two paragraphs
and make One story

Spot my songs.

 Everyone in our town always seems to be in a rush around Christmastime. Hustle bustle in the shops and money everywhere seems to jangle jingle. Bells ring in churches and people smile a lot. There is usually lots of snow and children playing having snowball fights.

However the weather can get very cold and frosty. The snowman on the lawn even looks cold. Many people however look forward to later when darkness falls and things are silent. Night is a blessed peaceful time during the hurly burly of Christmas.

Happy Christmas. Naomi xx

Christmas Delights

With Christmas edging ever nearer I thought it might be a good time to mention my Christmas anthology 'Christmas Delights'.

Christmas can be quite stressful if we don't take the time to switch off for a while and relax. Grab those new chocolates, pour yourself a drink of something warming and disappear into a world of erotic fantasy!

So what would you like Santa to leave you under the tree this year? I am always happy with something to read, something to eat and a little something extra special to wear (silk normally suffices!) I love lingerie and have way too much of it crammed into drawers, the silkier, lacier or racier the better!

Not everyone is happy to receive such personal gifts from their lover. In my anthology story ‘Christmas Lingerie’ Danielle is embarrassed to wear her present from Michael. But something is different about this underwear. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wear lingerie that really made you feel beautiful? Here is a short excerpt from this story which can be found in my anthology ‘Christmas Delights’:

“Take the box out Danielle, take a look at it,” said Michael.

“Oh Michael, why?” Danielle turned her head to look for a moment into his warm brown eyes.

“Because this underwear is special,” he told her.

Danielle sighed and reached for the box. Another buxom blonde with double D breasts smiled out, her nipples peeping seductively and unnervingly long from the triangular slits in the bra.

“Michael,” Danielle sighed, “You shouldn’t have spent so much money, I’m sorry.”

Michael chuckled and took the box from her.

“Look where l bought it from,” he grinned pointing to a logo in the bottom right hand corner. His finger was far too close to the blonde’s curvaceous hip for Danielle’s liking.

She tried hard to ignore the picture as she took the box from Michael and read aloud.

“Magical Lingerie. So?”

“Have you ever heard of them?” Michael asked.

“No, of course not Michael, l don’t know any lingerie brands, it isn’t my thing you know that.” she was beginning to sound whiney.

“No-ones heard of them!” Michael beamed, “They’re a secret designer outlet.”

Danielle sighed, why was Michael looking so pleased with himself, she hoped again that he hadn’t spent too much money on this ridiculous clothing. Then something occurred to her and she groaned.

“Oh no Michael, they haven’t got pads in them have they?” she felt ashamed and pulled the jumper even further away from her body to hide her modest chest, thinking of false boobs and fake bum pads.

Michael laughed, “Danielle, you know l think you’re gorgeous just the way you are, why would l do that? I love your figure.”

“I look like a boy.” Danielle sighed unconvinced of his sincerity. Who wouldn’t prefer the girl on the box? She had so much more flesh to get hold of.

“Ok that’s enough negativity.” said Michael. “This lingerie is really special. I bought it for you because it has special powers.”

“What?” Danielle smiled for the first time, just how gullible was her boyfriend? “Special powers? Don’t be silly Michael!”

“Trust me,” he said mysteriously, “I’ve seen the video proof, try them on.”

Danielle quickly pushed from her mind the idea of Michael watching hot girls parading around in their underwear in a promotional video and studied his face.

“Fine.” she sighed eventually and flounced off to the bathroom with the box under her arm.

She took the peephole bra and held it up before her, wrinkling her nose at the decadent materiel. There was a label attached to it:

‘Please be aware we accept no responsibility for the effects our magic materiel may have. This item is to be worn with extreme caution’.

“Well that is some pretentious marketing technique.” Danielle scoffed as she pulled off her oversize jumper.

To Danielle’s surprise the bra was a perfect fit. Her small nipples peeked through the little slits just as expected and her small swell of flesh rose temptingly above the lace.

It felt warm.

Feeling a little more optimistic, Danielle tried on the thong.

The intricate lacing was very flattering as it caressed her pussy before rising to a small butterfly V at the back.

Danielle looked over her shoulder, the tightness of the materiel between her bum cheeks made them swell provocatively like two small, round globes.

Well, this lingerie was certainly flattering; her small assets looked quite voluptuous thanks to clever cutting and soft elastic in all the right places.

Danielle stared almost disbelievingly at her reflection for quite a long time. Her body felt unusually warm and she began to feel a subtle tingling between her legs.

Michael knocked on the bathroom door.

Danielle continued to stare at her reflection.

          ***********

  

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                 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fetish within Dominance and submission

After my recent radio show with the vivacious Cassandre Dayne (Click here to listen) about Domination and submission and everything else to do with it, it occurred to me that fetish is rarely discussed. 

Domination and submission is all to do with power play, power exchange, control, or loss of it as the case may be. I think it is when fetish comes to the fore, where most can be shocked beyond their comfort limits, and perhaps it is the focus on fetish which gives the lifestyle such bad connotations within the media.

So what is a fetish? The OED describes it as follows:-

'2 a form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, item of clothing, part of the body, etc an excessive and irrational devotion or commitment to a particular thing.

We all recognise shoe fetishes, rubber fetishes, leather fetishes - but there are also fetishes for hair(excess or absence of it for instance), eyes, breasts, bottoms and so on. All seem pretty harmless yes? Then there is the darker stuff. Asphyxiaphilia - breath play, electrotorture, golden showers, whipping, needle play, cutting, the list is endless, and it is this that the media highlights. With good reason (I know - you won't hear me saying *that* very often).

I have mentioned before the danger of embracing the 'playing' aspects of the lifestyle. Domination and submission is based on implicit trust, and yes fetish can be included in a session, but the danger of the particular fetish must be acknowledged. It is perhaps the danger and fear of the particular fetish which drives the sexual gratification. So how does the community ensure that such practices are safer?

Professionally run establishments have Dungeon Masters and those trained in watching out for danger signs, but how many others in the lisfestyle have professional monitoring during sessions? What is the answer? What can be done. I believe that awareness, open discussions, putting information out there that is easy to find so that everyone who desires to partake in activities can research fully before they embark on the experience.

Since I have started exploring and researching my writing, I have encountered so many who have asked me for such information, needing a few drinks for dutch courage before taking me to one side and starting the "erm, do you mind if I ask you..." conversation, nervously looking around in case someone heard their questions. Not just women either, men ask the same questions. There is a need for experiences to be shared for enjoyment and safety's sake, I wonder whether this is why I write my stories from a gentler aspect? I know that I do not enjoy severe pain, and it stands to reason I'm not the only person who thinks that way. This doesn't, however, and shouldn't, preclude me or anyone else from enjoying the world of Domination, submission and fetish.

The experience of a friend of mine highlighted the need for awareness. She explained to me how she had entered into a Domination and submission scene with a man whom she thought she trusted. She thought that it would be an enjoyable experience as they had spoken about how they wanted it to be, he was much more experienced and it was her first time. It became incredibly obvious to her straight away that things weren't as they should be but she didn't know how to say stop. He had convinced her he knew best, and, the whole experience scarred her considerably. She knew what to expect from the power exchange, but his fetishes were beyond what she was comfortable with, and she had no idea how to handle them other than to just go along with it. Education, support and confidence in being able to say no is what needs to be instilled. So many inexperienced submissives think they have to take what is dished out without a whimper, and it destroys what 'could' be an amazing experience. Further to this, Doms need to do their research too. They need to get to know their partners *before* partaking in any scene, however experienced they may actually be.

Safe, sane, consensual, is the most important thing that must be remembered, and it may be prudent to avoid any alcohol and most definitely drugs during play, and more than anything, always always double check that everything that happens is ok with all parties involved. Just because someone is willing to partake in a Dominant submissive relationship, does not necessarily mean that either party will automatically be happy to satisfy any fetish desired.

A Bizarre Thanksgiving

I've never written a Thanksgiving story but some day I might because Thanksgiving has always been a bizarre holiday for me. One of my ex-husband's best friends worked in a lab, so he decided to get very creative one Thanksgiving. He borrowed a complete i.v. set and brought it home to cook the turkey. He made a nice mixture of butter, oil, a bit of wine, and herbs ground to a powder, and he put it in the i. v. bag. Then, he attached the i.v. to the turkey, and let the drip keep the breast meat from drying out. I don't see how this could have worked but apparently it did. Just imagine seeing the i.v. bag, the pole it hangs from, and the tube running into the oven with the i.v. itself attached to the turkey. I bet dinner discussions in his house were fun that year.

He also swiped an injector, inserted the same fluid mixture as in the i.v. , and injected it in multiple places in the turkey. This was decades before you could buy a meat injector in places like Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

From what he said, it was the moistest, most delicious turkey he had ever tasted. I'll take his word for it.

All I can think of is who knows what kind of medical fluids were in those devices before he used them in his turkey. The guy was half nuts anyway. If you've ever seen the Swedish/Danish TV series "The Kingdom", you know how nuts medical personnel can be. The Stephen King remake doesn't hold a candle to the original.

So, let this be a reminder to you - to keep your turkey moist this Thanksgiving, inject it with fluids and hook it up to an i.v. Your doctor would be proud.

And now a little about my book "Don't Call Me Baby", which is coming out in print in 2014.

BUY LINKS

Naughty Nights Press

http://tinyurl.com/dont-call-me-baby-nnp

AllRomanceeBooks

http://tinyurl.com/dont-call-me-baby-are

Amazon Kindle - US

http://tinyurl.com/dont-call-me-baby-kindle

Amazon Kindle - UK

http://tinyurl.com/dont-call-me-baby-kindle-uk

Smashwords

http://tinyurl.com/dont-call-me-baby-smashwords

REVIEWS:

TOP PICK - NIGHT OWL REVIEWS

Hitherandthee at Night Owl Reviews:

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Hitherandthee-reviews-Don-t-Call-Me-Baby-by-Elizabeth-Black

Don’t Call Me Baby is a fast paced, very adventurous romantic novel that will take readers on a roller coaster ride of scorching romantic fun. The main character, Catherine, is a woman after my own heart. She is young and fiercely independent, and beyond gorgeous. She is not wealthy, but she wants to live the good life and is not afraid to go get it. She is also very sexually liberated, and in the 1980’s this was sometimes a good thing, and sometimes a not so good thing. The story is so blisteringly hot and steamy; it’s difficult to put down. It took me back to a better time, and a time I enjoyed much more. It is a novel I truly enjoyed reading, and will definitely be reading time and time again. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s also not to be missed.

So many men, so little time. Catherine has a long list of men that she sees on a regular basis, and at the top of the list (for the moment, anyway) is Brian. He’s one of her professors at Quincy, and a married man, but that’s never been a problem. But he’s sodemanding! So maybe some time apart will be just the trick. A summer theater camp at another local college for local teens should make him realize that Catherine is not his possession, right? That is, until she gets to the camp and meets the other counselors. Ryan is gorgeous, and the rest? Well, what’s a girl on her own to do? Why, enjoy as many as she can! In the meantime, Catherine will come to grips with her mind and her heart, and will figure out what she really wants in life.