Even Writers Take Vacations

I just spent a great week with a host of other writers at the Caerleon campus of the University of Newport, South Wales.  The statue above is at the entrance to the little town.

I attended lectures on writing romances - most of my books have a romantic element, even In the Japanese Knot Garden is ultimately about the fulfilment of love.  And I gave a talk on writing erotica - well, I would, wouldn't I?  With the astonishing success of that book  there's more interest in the subject than usual.

Here's the main building, flying the Welsh dragon flag.  Although we'd had two months of almost continual rain, it's always sunny at Caerleon.

They have an annual arts festival and there are sculptures throughout the town, including the biggest Welsh love-spoon in the world.  There's even one depicting fellatio, but here's my favourite:

"You carry on with that lad, while I comb my hair."

Photographs by Mike White © 2012



Hand in Glove: Now Published!

I'm delighted to say my Sexy Short, the 10,000 word Hand in Glove, is now available from Torrid Books
The idea came to me while struggling up a mountain in sleet and wind.  I'm glad to say it warmed me up considerably.  I hope it does the same to my readers!

Inspiration

The gleam of sunlight on the muscles of a young woman's arm, and I knew what my two heroines were going to do once they were nicely tucked up in bed.  Someone's going to get a surprise, and both will find themselves somewhere they've never been before.  There are so many ways for people to please each other.  Mmm.

Cover for Hand in Glove

Here's the definitive cover for my sexy short, Hand in Glove, to be published in August by Torrid Books.  I think the artist, Gemini Judson, has made it sexy without it being too explicit for the advertising postcards I distribute.  I can almost feel the touch of that glove on bare skin.  Brrrr!
My life is bound up with another writing project that comes to fruition at the end of June and I've been neglecting my next book.  It's a BDSM novel called Garden of Thorns.  The title is doubly appropriate: my BDSM novels all have Garden titles, and one of the characters is Carol, whom we met first in Rose Without Thorns.  While I'm not writing it I've been tormented with ideas, so I promise I'll get right down to it in July!

Virginia Released!

Yippee!  My latest book, Virginia, is now available from Torrid Books.  Here's the blurb:

Virginia lives on a small farm with her horse Diamond.  She likes the company of men, but doesn't want a permanent, exclusive relationship. She has resolved to take no husband to her bed—without his wife’s permission.  She is mistress to successful businessman Peter, and model and mistress to artist Mick.  Then Diamond falls ill, and her men both want to marry her. How can she pay the vet's bills and retain her precious independence?

 
See my website for more details: http://yvonnesarahlewis.com/

Why BDSM?

Many of us have fantasies about being dominated by someone who forces on us things that secretly excite us. It’s up to me as a writer to give the reader what she'd never admit to wanting. The more secret a desire, the more arousing it can be to have it expressed. Yet what excites the reader is not necessarily something she'd actually like to do, or have done to her. She may simply like to read about it.

I write both BDSM and vanilla erotica because I enjoy reading both.  I don't believe in a clear distinction; the labels merely indicate directions on a continuum of sexual expression.  Heathcliff is violent and frightening and so is Dracula.  Darcy is not frightening, though he's stern and forbidding.  These three protagonists lie at different points on the line, but all are romantically and sexually attractive. Their dark aspects are a large part of their attraction.  Morticia (The Addams Family) says, "You frightened me...  Do it again."

My characters have different positions on the sexual spectrum. Despite her sexual enthusiasm, Rhoda stands towards the vanilla end. Helen is more adventurous, ranging along the line, enjoying severe BDSM and vanilla by turns.

The sadist and the masochist, despite the joke cliche, are not good bedfellows. The ideal partner for the masochist is probably another masochist, who'll understand what the 'victim' desires, and deliver it in the most satisfying way. Most satisfying for the 'victim', that is. It's a heavy burden, to be responsible for another's punishment - and delight.

Jennie: 7 from 7 from 7 from 7

In response to a challenge forwarded by Simon Whaley, here are seven lines from the seventh page of Jennie, starting at the seventh line:
“I’m sorry, there’s no milk.  Matthew—” and his whore “Must have finished it.”
“That’s all right, Miss Hughes—Jennie—I may call you Jennie?”
“If you like, Mr Williams.  Will you sit down?”
“No, thanks, Jennie.  I’ve called about, well, it’s the rent, you see.”
“Oh.”
“It’s not been paid.”
“But I gave Matthew the money to give you…”

Twenty-seven pages on, Jennie's in jeopardy again (still?). Everyone wants something from her; generally the same thing. And they're all so big, too. Well, taller, anyway. She's now travelling with a borrowed champion bodybuilder and has managed to rescue her copy of Ali Smith's Hotel World, which is one of her favourite books, so she'll have something to read, if she ever gets the opportunity. Maybe her next chapter'll be quieter...

My Process

Some writers plan their novels in detail while others claim to simply wind up their characters and let them go.  I'm in the middle.  I need to have the security of a planned destination, so I know the thing isn't just going to fizzle out.  Over a period of time, possibly months, I'll document a list of possible scenes. This is Plan B.  Plan A is what the characters decide to do, and is usually better.
I sketch characters but allow them to develop as I write.  My writing is in part a matter of learning about them, finding out what they'll do in the situations I put them in or create for themselves.  Sometimes they surprise me, and do what I don't expect.  I don't mind this.  It makes my life difficult, but I'm sure the story's better(and more credible) for it.
Day to day, I'll take the idea for a scene and allow my subconscious loose on it, then, usually when I wake up but before I get up, I think about it and about the reactions of my characters.  When I'm ready I get up and write.  I'm a morning person.  When I've written the scene, maybe I'll be inspired to continue to the next, or maybe I'll go and get breakfast.
My heroine was chained to a slave's cot for a few days while I worked out the scene.  It's now complete, and she's been released.  Some might say she's free, but wearing a chain has taught her (and me) a few things about freedom we didn't know before.  I love writing!

Megabook Published!

I've now got nine books published with Torrid Books*.  This latest is an anthology of my three BDSM** novels, In a French Country Vineyard, In an English Country Dungeon and In the Japanese Knot Garden.  It's an opportunity for readers to buy the lot at a saving over buying them separately.  They run in sequence: in Vineyard, Carol and Brian have fun in France, meeting more experienced practitioners Glenn and Deanna.  In Dungeon, young Helen experiences the delights of Carol and Brian's dungeon and meets cruel Deanna and Glenn.  In Knot Garden, Carol learns from a Japanese Rope Bondage expert and Helen demonstrates her skills and knowledge.

I write in both BDSM and Vanilla*** styles.

*Torrid Books is the new name for Whiskey Creek Press Torrid.
** BDSM is Bondage and Domination, SadoMasochism.
*** Vanilla is erotica without BDSM.

Jennie in Chains

Poor Jennie's now in chains, just when she thought she'd worked out what to do next.  Hope she's enjoying it because she'll have to stay chained up till at least tomorrow...
Here's a relevant quotation from Mary Renault's The Friendly Young Ladies:
"Do you ever worry," said Leo sleepily, "About the situation you leave your characters in when you stop writing? I mean, they've got to stay put like that till one starts again."

Inspiration & Perspiration

On Saturday I felt inspired and wrote 2,500 words.  Peace and quiet helped.  It was the most I'd written for weeks.
On Sunday I was very reluctant, finding all sorts of things to do, including relax.  However, I decided to 'show willing' and sat down to type, expecting to get up again almost immediately.  I managed 1,500 words, finishing at 1:30 p.m.
Monday morning I woke about 4 a.m.and couldn't get back to sleep.  I was thinking about what I'd written on Sunday, and how it could be developed and improved; also the start of the next chapter.  I got up and between 4 and 7 added 400 words to Sunday's and 1,300 words of the next chapter.

And the moral of this tale?  Write, whether or not you're inspired.  Hammering words out on the machine and into the brain may result in inspiration after all.

Make em laugh; make em cry; make em wait.

The parallel story within Jennie  has grown.  I've called it Carol, and have written its first chapter, set it in Chester, where Carol & Brian are having a pleasant weekend, seeing the sights, dining out, and having fun in a converted stable...  They don't even mention Rhoda yet; I'm leaving that for chapter 2 or 3, which should tie well with Rhoda announcing to Jennie that Carol's invited her to stay, in chapter 4 or 5 of Jennie.  I don't propose to alternate the two strands exactly (yet!) but it allows me to leave cliff-hangers dangling while we catch up with what's happening to the other characters (see the title to this post).

I've started a chronology; necessary for any novel with a story, but vital where two stories are to weave together.  I used one extensively for Rhoda, so that I could know which Friday would precede the August Bank Holiday and work towards it.  Virginia used one as well; set on a farm, the seasons are important!

Jennie is only a working title: I have to call it something.  Perhaps I need an overall title, so I can refer to the strands within it as Jennie and Carol.  My latest two books are Rhoda and Virginia, but since Jennie contains BDSM perhaps a Garden title would be appropriate.  Suggestions invited...

The picture is of the Jubilee Clock on the Eastgate, Chester.  I wonder if  Elizabeth II's jubilee will merit a similar monument?  The title quotation is from Charles Reade (1814-1884).

A Gift of Time

I was going walking today but since it's decided to rain I'm treating this as a gift of time and will get on with my writing.
I've got a scene planned where Rhoda tells Jennie about her adventures at the weekend, and since she's spending it with a couple of my favourite characters I decided to write the scene from their point of view then I know what Rhoda can tell Jennie from her point of view.  The 'back story' scene won't be wasted, because I'll be able to use it somewhere else, perhaps in a 10,000 word Sexy Short.
I did this with A Rose Without Thorns, where references are made to a meeting between Jennie and Rhoda, but to find out exactly what happened you need to read Everyone Gets Frisky at Weddings (Torrid Tales #56).  BTW, Whiskey Creek Press Torrid has changed its name to Torrid Books.
I'm setting a scene in a hotel we stayed in last year where we had a room in the converted stable block,  but with the en suite bathroom from somewhere we stayed last month.  There had once been a rather short bath but they'd replaced it with a lovely big walk-in shower, plenty big enough for two.  Well, you know I can't resist something like that...

Virginia Cover

Here's the cover for Virginia, to be published mid-June by Torrid Books.  The original version of this cover was more explicit, but since I distribute my publicity material widely, I asked the artist to change it for me, which I'm grateful she has.  She still looks pretty  & sexy, though.
I've just had the release information for Hand in Glove, which comes out in August 2012, so a lot's happening on the publishing side.  I just wish the writing was going a bit better...

Contract Signed!

Just signed the contract for Hand in Glove, a Sexy Short (10,000 words), with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid.
Progress on Jennie slow.  I've been gadding about having a good time, taking photographs.  Here's a clue to where I've been:

Now that's what I call a shoe!  In Jenners, Princes St.
Making some progress with Jennie: mapping out scenes and getting them into order before writing them.  I know when we first meet Rhoda, and how, having lost everything of value, Jennie loses everything else.
I might just be ready for Nanowrimo!

Just received the galley for Virgina.  This is the final stage in the editing process.  I've compared it with the checked version and have reported no errata.  Next (and final) version I receive will be the published PDF.

A Way Forward

I planned to write Jennie as two narratives, inleaved: (1) Jennie; (2) Carol, and bring them together for a finale.  The problem being to write Carol without letting the cat out of the bag.  Today on a walk, I realised I don't have to write from Carol's POV; I merely need to keep the Carol narrative going vicariously, having relevant scenes retailed to Jennie by Rhoda.
If this sounds mysterious, then I'm afraid that's the idea.
Currently, I'm struggling to get Jennie out of the shower with her honour intact.

Virginia Out in June

Just received the ISBN and release month for Virginia.  I intend to press on with Jennie now.  Here's the last paragraph of Chapter 3:

Hanging from the ends of the T-frame were chains, terminating in metal bands.  Manacles.  Behind the car the door was silently closing.

Hand In Glove Submitted

Here's the blurb for the Sexy Short (10,000 words) I sent off today:

Eileen is content with her painting and hiking until her indiscretion, on a cold Welsh hilltop, provokes another from fellow walker Hugh. His revelation stirs feelings she thought were buried forever. Will she conquer her misgivings? Will happy thoughts turn into happiness? And is Hugh really gay after all?

Hand in Glove

Poor Jennie, last seen in jeopardy--and still in it--has waited patiently while I wrote a 10,000-word short: Hand in Glove, which is just about ready for submission.  I'm sorry, Jennie, I've not forgotten you.  This weekend I promise to at least get you out of the frying-pan.  When I've submitted HiG.

Virginia Errata

I edited my book before submission, my editor edited it, I edited it again, not only dealing with his suggestions but making changes of my own.  He incorporated those changes and I've just spent hours plodding through the result and came up with three pages of errata.  It this rate there will still be errors after publication.  I won't be so contemptuous in future of the quality of other folk's proof-reading.
But I still like the book.

Virginia: First Edits

I spent this morning dealing with edits of my book Virginia.  The editor's suggestions are so good it's tempting to simply accept them all.  I say to myself, "Of course.  Why didn't I write it like that in the first place?"
I submitted my manuscript on 29th December and was surprised to receive an answer - and a contract to sign - on 16th January.  Whiskey Creek Press says this step can take months, so I flatter myself they know me and gave me priority.  I signed (of course), and was notified the manuscript had been allocated to an editor on 27th January.  He's an Australian and I've worked with him on several of my books.  We swap brief chit-chat about the weather, etc.  He sent me a request for author and title information: blurb, my bio, book genre, contact details, on 12th February and the first edits were ready for me on 15th February.  We'll go through another cycle of edits, where I'll be restricted to correction of typos, etc.  The next step is notification of ISBN and publication date.  Whiskey Creek publishes twice a month.  Nearer publication I get the galley, which is the final editing stage.  Spellings will be Americanised a bit more, and any corrections I supply should be typos only.  About that time I'll get a request for cover illustration information.  Whiskey Creek have a number of artists.
More later: the boy's home. 

Interlude: Hand in Glove

I've had a short story in mind for a long time, about a walker who complains of the cold.  It finally bubbled to the surface, so I'm taking time out from Jennie to write it.  I thought it would struggle to 5,000 words but with 6,500 written already it looks like a Sexy Short for Whiskey Creek.  Spend another few days on it then see about extricating my heroine from the fine mess I've gotten her into.

Jennie in Jeopardy

Fun last Saturday in Birmingham with Dr Sketchy's Anti-art School.  Burlesque artists perform, then pose for the artists.  Willow Blue had this beautiful red snake and Liberty Pink sang - she's sooo talented.  Must write a story with burlesque dancers.

I have chapter two written.  Poor Jennie's now in trouble: disasters and disappointments, one after the other.  She thought she'd lost everything, but at the end of this chapter there's one more thing she could lose.
It hurts to feel her fear and despair, but I take heart that she'll survive, and be a stronger woman for the experience.

Fear of the Blank Page

Okay, one chapter down, another twenty or thirty to go, but what's chapter two?  Things are obviously going to get worse for my heroine, else there's no story, but how do I start?  The blank page glows, menacingly, defying me to sully it with my imperfect thoughts.  I remember a professional artist talking about this fear.  His response was to scribble over the pure sheet, to mark it, defile it, because once it was no longer blank, he couldn't spoil it; it was spoiled already; he could begin.

I've made a start on Chapter two, with an apology to my heroine, partly from one of the characters who will make her life more difficult, partly from me, because I'm doing the same thing.

Real Men Wear Tights

Nothing and no one is safe from a writer.  Saw the BalletBoyz last night.  Exciting and stimulating evening, watching beautiful, fit young men dancing.  Wow.  Think I'll have to include a little boy on boy action in a novel soon.

First Chapter!

Delighted to have got my first 1800 words down: wrote continuously from the time I did my first post.  Chapter called Bound, which marks a return to my earlier Garden novels.  Was worried because he is going to turn out different from what she currently thinks, but didn't want to to let her know this yet.
At first I map out roughly what might happen.  I'd done this, but my qualms were holding me back.  Now I'm free to move forward.

Starting Jennie

This blog begins with an image that inspired me while writing Virginia, a full-length novel I expect to be published late in 2012.  I've flopped about since writing this, trying to inspire myself with a fresh novel idea.
Jennie, a character from A Rose Without Thorns and Everyone Gets Frisky at Weddings, appeals to me.  In those books, she discovers she loves her boss, Carol, and runs away to Manchester to hide.  I wanted to know what happened to her there, but was also timid: bad things happen, and I'm sentimental about my characters, and hate harm coming to them.
I've decided to bite the bullet and write Jennie's story.