I used to write mostly short stories. Now I write novels and edit anthologies. But it’s good to keep your hand in the short story market. A couple of months ago I spied a call for submissions for an anthology from Torquere Press, which publishes my longer work. Continue reading »
Jun 282010
Sing to me, O Muse, of the delights of penetration, and the orifices that might be plundered. Many are the variations to visit in search of pleasure, and many are the manners and customs thereof. Tell me, too, of the secrets of buggery, O daughter of Jove, from whatever source you may know them. Continue reading »
Jun 272010
I’m changing the theme. The initial import didn’t go as well as I’d like. You can point at me and laugh while I fumble along.
The next (and hopefully final) appointment for the tattoo is Wednesday, June 30.
Writers who are new to the craft sometimes don’t understand plot as much as one would like. That is the only way to explain the prevalence of the plot which is not: “they meet, they fuck, the end.”
Real plots have two things that the example doesn’t have: complications and a resolution.
As many of you know, I’m reading for a new anthology. A few of the manuscripts for the anth were solicited; I talked to a couple of authors I know, and they sent me some manuscripts, and I accepted them. The slush pile used to be where editors stacked all the unsolicited manuscripts. Now the slush pile is notional, even virtual, but it is still a place that combines horror and wonder in equal measures.
Jun 212010
What we like is only one of the determinants of how we fuck. There’s a tremendous structure of social approval surrounding the ‘right’ kind of sex. I’ve been fortunate enough to avoid inculcation by many mainstream sexual attitudes. It wasn’t until about a week ago that I realized how I’d been infected by an entire other set of sex memes.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m glad I’m not a Cosmo Girl. I went and skimmed the current web issue of Cosmopolitan just to find out how lucky I am that, well, I don’t read Cosmopolitan. Except for research. As far as I can tell, Cosmo Girls are obsessed with getting men, keeping men, and trying not to get bored of the men they have. And shaving. This is female desire filtered through advertising, with extra pink.
Jun 172010
I got about one hour’s worth of shading done on the new tattoo, which amounted to 1/3 of the work. I’m a little bummed I couldn’t handle the whole shading job. But I’m kind of proud, too, because the weather was bad and I had a hot flash on the way over.
Jun 152010
I just finished a project and have a case of what writers call “post-partum depression.” You’ve delivered the baby. Now what?
Actually, “what” is you pick up all the other projects that have been waiting their turn. However, one essential part of getting over the depression for me is spending a day re-reading Discworld books and eating cookies. I’m also going to spend some time catching you folks up on my new tattoo.
As I’ve mentioned (and mentioned and mentioned) I suffer from chronic daily migraines. It takes only a small change in air pressure or hormones to set one off. I’d get a lot more writing done if I didn’t have to drop what I’m doing, med up, and take a nap. There’s a point on my right upper back that feels as if someone has stitched an unbreakable thread to it, picked me up, and dangled me so that my entire weight was on that one point. I’ve thought for years that that area deserves a tattoo, something that felt protective. Something that watches my back.
As mentioned previously, my writing schedule is too tight this week to post another King-Sized Bed episode. However, I finished the project that is due tomorrow and just got back the proofreader notes, so it’s all in a good cause.
Today I’m posting a long scene from an unpublished work. It is surprising and very naughty. It’s also as unsafe for work as anything else I’ve posted here.
Kneel to Me
Mate: And More Stories from the Erotic Edge of SF/Fantasy
Up for Grabs
Wired Hard 4
Wishbone