Coming Soon!

I'm glad to announce that I will soon begin to post author interviews, their book links, and articles on this blog.

the first interview will be posted this Fourth of July weekend and feature Laura Watts. Or, as she is known on her book:  Secret Confessions of a Backpacker: My Adventure Down Under, L.K. Watts.

"Real" People in Stories

I know what you are thinking. No, this post is not about memoirs or true life stories or nonfiction - it's about putting characters into a story that are realistic.

I've currently working on a project involving a main character who is slightly overweight. I want to express that this is a normal body style, and something to be cherished and honored. She has some unique qualities, namely werewolf qualities. I plan to have her meet a hunk of a man that looks kind of like a black "Mister Clean" and become his partner in a bounty hunting and investigative business.

I have this character all sketched out in my head. I know her body type, bra size, how often she shaves her legs, family background, hair color(s), eye and skin tone. But this is all in my head. I recently made a search through stock photos for inspiration. I often develop a cover concept early on and use it for inspiration as I'm completing a story. It works most of the time. But, there have been a few times when the character in my story developed a will of their own and the story went in another direction.

Anyway, the observance I've made is that it is difficult to find pictures of "normal" women or men to use for stock images. Depending on the search word used one might find women desires by those following a certain fetish, namely BBW or chubby chasers. I was just amazed at the vast quantity of stock available for stick-thin models and hugely obese women, but not so much for the woman with just a few extra pounds.

In this particular story, weight, or body type is an important factor in the plot and direction of the story. Her past is affected by her weight. Not so much her, because she's comfortable in her own body, but those around her. Men in the past thought they could take advantage of her because of her body type and she refused the man (werewolf) her parents chose for her mate. She runs off and begins a life of her own. This is were she meets the other main character in the story.

I have plans for more stories using this character so it is important that I develop her to some greater depth over time. The point to this post, or rant if you prefer, is to express the lack of photo material available showing a normal person in a romantic or sexy pose.

Any suggestions?

Inspiring Erotica

I previously posted this elsewhere but thought it deemed worthy of reposting on my blog.

I know that many reading this aspire to write or read the best stories, or erotic stories, as they possibly can. Otherwise, why goe through the trouble?

The question is then, just what erotica is worthy of aspiring to?

I believe this discussion must begin with a definition of erotica.

Erotica as defined by Merriam Webster Online Dictionary:

1: literary or artistic works having an erotic theme or quality

2: depictions of things erotic

Not such a great definition of Erotica. So I went a step further and looked up the word erotic.

Erotic

Definition of EROTIC

1: of, devoted to, or tending to arouse sexual love or desire

2: strongly marked or affected by sexual desire

Okay, now it is starting to make some sense, but I also am constantly hounded by those who tell me I write porn. Well then, let’s look up the definition of porn.

Pornography

1: the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement

2: material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement

I don’t know. I’m not the smartest person in the world, having only achieved the menial master degree in human resource management and an MBA, but don’t the two definitions seem eerily familiar?

I personally believe the difference between sexual desire and sexual excitement to be nearly non-existent. I mean, does sexual desire not come from sexual excitement? I think the point here is that one person’s erotica is another person’s porn. I’ve read other definitions that state erotica is the exploration of sexual desires and situations often considered taboo by society. I like most of this definition but do not believe a work must cover a taboo subject to be considered erotica because, again, what is considered taboo is not only societal, but personal as well. I guess what I’m trying to say is that what one considers erotic is very personal. I think the most important thing is that inspiring erotica should create an undeniable effect on the person reading it.

Back in the late sixties, people flocked to the stores, or wherever they could, to buy a novel (not considered erotica or taboo at the time) originally published in 1955 about an adult man lusting for a twelve year old girl, only to finally have them fulfilled on her request.  The real depiction of anything even remotely resembling a sexual act between the two characters was limited to one sentence on one of 336 pages. I won’t argue the theme of the story was most certainly taboo. But taboo (and considered downright sick by some) or not, this book is listed by Time magazine as one of the 100 best English language novels from 1923-2005. Of course Vladimir Nabokov died long before his work became famous. Of course, the story is question is “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov.

While I think it is completely possible for anyone to stumble upon greatness, and write a truly inspiring erotic story (I believe that may be the only way I will find such greatness) there are those that, in my opinion, seem to have their finger firmly pressed on the erotic tale. For me, the first author that comes to mind is our own Selena Kitt. By way of example, I will briefly discuss two of her stories (both available free, by the way) that clearly make her an inspiration in both range and ability.

The first story is one of her more popular stories, “Babysitting for the Baumgartners.” In this story, the character get downright nasty. Nothing is held back. The language used and the actions taken depict characters that are free and open, maybe even a little manipulative, in their sexuality. I like this story because it is completely within the characters personalities to use bold language and terminology when discussing body parts and actions. In other words, I find very little purple prose in this story.

Selena also has another wonderful story (of her many wonderful stories) titled, “A Twisted Bard’s Tale.” This story reads like a regency romance without the purple hue, and explores, in grand fashion, the concept of bi-sexuality, secret lovers, lesbianism – whatever you choose to call it, in a way that had me cooing and goo-ing by the third paragraph. This story is a complete contradiction to the style of the first story discussed. This, in my opinion, is why I consider these stories, and Selena Kitt to be inspiring in the erotica genre.

 I must also mention Jax Cassidy. Her stories are so laden with romance and emotion, the erotic parts sneak up and completely take over your mind and body before you conspire to resist. To me, this is the sign of a truly inspiring writer. Someone who weaves stories so fine that one cannot perceive where the romance ended and where pure lust and eroticism took over.

Another writer I believe will soon become a force to be reckoned with is Summer Ellis. She is new, inexperienced, and unsure, but already wields a powerful pen. I do not believe she has even offered any of her work for sale yet, but I already consider her inspiring. Her second story, “Boudoir Books” tackles the subject of sex in public. No, not just in public but in the middle of a bookstore! Now, how sexy is that? Especially to us writer types. The story is very short, and maybe lacking a good sense of ending, but her raw natural talent in undeniable. She is worthy of following as, when she decides to go pro, she’ll likely be, highly sought after.

Of course there are countless more writers out there that very well could be inspiring in the erotica genre.  I did not mention these three in some scheme to get more people to read their works. Each of us must find our own inspirations. I merely listed them by way of example of what might be considered inspiring to others, as they are personally inspiring to me.

So, who do you consider inspirational in the erotica genre?

Help Me With a Name?

I recently pulled an old project out of my files and became re-energized by the story. The only thing is that I had originally wanted to title this story "Atlantis Awakening" but found that title was already taken. Now I'm looking for help in coming up with a title.

Story titles are very important to me, and my story  often follows (more or less) along the path eluded to by the title I choose. So, let me explain a little bit of what this story will be about, a concept, if you will, to help you help me with a wonderful title.

The story is told (third person) mainly through the point of view of Chloe. She is a pasty-pink-skinned woman of Irish descent. She has always struggle with her weight but is comfortable in her own body. She is also recently divorced from a man who could not understand her career desires and personal needs. Chloe is an oceanographic geologist, and has worked hard to be accepted to take part in a study of the waters off the coast of Greece.

The story opens with Chloe suiting up and diving into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. While searching the unusual rock formations between the Islands of Crete and Santorini, she is attracted to a luminescent veil at the entrance to an underwater cave. upon approaching the cave, she is swept into it and the veil closes behind her as she is drawn by a strong current, deeper into the cave. She is knocked unconscious and, when she awakens, she is on the shore of a strange Island, and is rescued from a band of natives by a tall bronze-skinned man on a large white horse. Of course, she soon realizes she has landed in another time on the continent of Atlantis. The man, Evenor, tends to her as her wounds heal and then guides her on long journey to meet his mother, the queen and ruler as he desires to take Chloe as his mate.  Cloe is only interested in finding her way back to her own time and place  but begins to develop feelings for Evenor as they journey, and survive numerous obstacles. Their travels are hampered by strange weather events, and Evenorblames the God, Poseidon for their troubles.

Upon arriving in the capitol city, Chloe and Evenor not only find the queen, but Poseidon himself. Although the others are in fear and awe of Poseidon, Chloe sees his chariot in the clouds as a simple hovercraft powered by steam. After much debate and argument, the truth is revealed that Poseidon is, himself a victim of the strange veil. He merely came from a time further in the future than Chloe. His name is actually pronounced something more like: Pos i (first name) Don i (last name) but the natives simply called him what they can pronounce.

Now, in true romance fashion, Poseidon takes a liking to Chloe and decides he wants for himself. This sets up a nasty love triangle between Chloe, Evenor, and Poseidon. I won't give away the end but, if you have read anything about Atlantis according to Plato, then you might be able to guess what happens. Just a hint: Chloe becomes Cleito.

The only alternate name for this story I've come up with so far is, "Chloe's Odyssey." Kind of a play on the Lliad or Homer's Odyssey since she must make a journey. Keep in mind that this novel, in true Ellison James writing style, will have at least some erotic elements, along with explorations of Goddess worship, Female empowerment, Lesbian or bi-sexual acts, interracial, and BBW. It also crosses genre lines between Romance, Erotica, Fantasy, and Science Fiction.

So, what do you think? Have any great title ideas?

My Latest Story - FREE!

I just finished my latest story, "The Fifth Beauty" and am offering it for free at Smashwords. Should be available soon for free at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and everywhere else.

Click the link to check it out, and don't be afraid to contact me or leave a review.
The Fifth Beauty at Smashwords

Check Out The Book Trailer

Just a reminder going out to all of you who might not have had the opportunity to view my video book trailer for my novel, Lovestruck Succubus. Here it is!