Ellison James's Blog, page 13

How Graphic Should Sex Scenes Be?

I personally have a very fine line of tolerance between what I consider erotica and smut. But, of course, I recently found that there exists, at least as many views on what determines a piece of writing to be sexy or simply smutty, as there are readers. Some might find my recent novel crossing the line between erotism and smut, but, in my defense, every scene was written with the overall plot in mind. I felt the level of graphic detail necessary to show exactly what my main character was feeling, and how she so easily lost self control in intimate situations. Of course, my main character, Azra is a demon succubus. How could I make readers sympathize with her?

I've found that the level of graphic detail - the scale of purple - varies greatly from story to story, or author to author. I recently read a story sold by Cobblestone press as erotica to be very scarce on actually physical activity in the sex department. Oh, there was plenty of foreshadowing and internal thought about the act that I hoped would happen soon, but in the end, the act itself turned out to be a simple glossing-over without the emotional expression I would've hoped for. I don't want the big build up with little or no payoff. I Consider the act of sex to be a great time to express or expand upon character. I want to know how a character reacts to stimulation-what they like and don't like, and there is no other way to express that then to have it happen in the story.

On the other side of the spectrum, I've read (in the distant past) a story by Piers Anthony titled "Pornucopia" that was just overflowing with explicit explanations down to the last smutty detail. I read the whole story only because it was written by Piers Anthony, and, no matter how graphic, he still has the inate ability to carry a plot, no matter how thin.

So, let me ask the readers (and writers) out there, What is a comfortable level of graphic depiction for you? Do you like to know every detail of sex in a story, or are happy with the assumption that sex happened? Does it depend entirely on the story? For instance, do you ever read some really smutty story for simple tittilation or are you a stickler for plot and character development in every story?

What say you?

Offering Giveaway for "Lovestruck Succubus."

Follow this link to have a chance at a free paperback copy of my novel "Lovestruck Succubus." I'm giving away three copies of the story with the request that the winners might consider leaving a review on goodreads, amazon, Barnes & Noble, and/or Smashords.




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Goodreads Book Giveaway







Lovestruck Succubus

by Ellison James


Giveaway ends March 10, 2011.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.



Enter to win

Author Blogs and Social Networking

It's amazing how everything is becoming so interconnected on the Internet these days. From nearly any site that I visit, I can simply click a button to follow that sight through a plethora of social networking platforms.

I would like to give readers the same opportunity on my sites. I'm still working on adding buttons and gadgets to allow readers to follow me or friend me anywhere.

Meantime, be sure to check out my author site at: http://ellison-james.blogspot.com/ or friend me on facebook under my name "Ellison James."

Also remember that I love feedback (good or bad) I desire nothing more than to keep the readers of my stories entertained. I am also a reader, and expect the same from stories I read.

Here's hoping everyone has a great week, and northern snows melt slowly. Look for updates on character profiles at my author blog this week.

Novel Trailer Surpassess 200 Views!

Ya-hoo, my video trailer for Lovestruck succubus just went over 200 views on YouTube.

View it here: Lovestruck Succubus Book Trailer

Do you think it will get to three hundred?

Giveaway Offer

I just listed my novel "Lovestruck Succubus" in the giveaway section.

It starts now and will run until March 10th. I'll be giving away three paperback copies of my book to winning entrants in the United States, Canada, and the U.K..

Yay, my first action on Goodreads!

Character Profiles Updated

I've added some information on Tatianna and Leonidas in the Character Profiles Section. Will follow up with updates on Joe and Lexi, and other characters soon.

Plotting a New Short

I'm in the plotting and pre-writing stages of a new short that will feature Azra as the main character, and help explain her affinity for strong black tea. In this story, Azra will actually have a hand (so to speak) in the develpment of black tea in sixteenth century China.

Some may have heard of the Four Great Beauties of China. Each of these women were known for their beauty and had some influence upon the history of china, the rise, or downfall of a great dynasty.

The tentative name for my story will be: THE FIFTH BEAUTY
I will offer it free through Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel, and other outlets.
What do you think of this tentative title? Comments and suggestions welcome.

Pleasure Doing Business: an Excerpt

I'm doing some heavy editing and rewrites for a story I'm publishing soon titled "Pleasure Doing Business." It's the story of three friends getting back together after a long absence. Two of the friends had left the town they grew up in, found careers in the corporate world - as corporate spies. The third friend started sewing lingerie and selling it locally, but is now poised to take on the big guys.

The story is told through the POV of Reshonda, one of the friends that became a corporate spy. But, the story really turns out to be about Michelle, and her secret plan for the friends.

The excerpt below is for the opening scene. One of the issues I'm struggling with now is that it may be too much narrative. I don't know, you be the judge and let me know how it reads to you. Is it too long for an opening? Does Reshonda not catch your attention? anything else? Should I start in a dream or remembrance sequence? Comments/critiques welcome.

Reshonda stuffed her carry-on into the small overhead compartment, wedged herself into the undersized leather seat, and watched the people outside on the tarmac loading baggage into the undercarriage of the small commuter jet. Hot moist air and the smell of kerosene hung in the cabin, along with the high-pitched whine of turbine engines and the swoosh of air from the single vent overhead, all threatening to reverse the magic of her hair relaxer and turn her head into a mess of tight curls. Reshonda would not have made the trip south on her own if it weren't for her best friend from high school, Michelle, desperately pleading for her help in her growing lingerie manufacturing business. A flight attendant closed the cabin door as the plane bumped, and started moving backward.
No going back now, Reshonda thought. A one-way trip back to Hell.The plane bumped and vibrated as it built up speed on the runway. Reshonda closed her eyes and tried to force thoughts of a disintegrating airplane out of her mind. She felt foolish for being scared on airplanes. She had spent most of the last few years on airplanes, darting from one side of the country to the other for the many companies she worked for, but she never got used to it. She never really trusted airplanes. Reshonda forced her thoughts to her friend, Michelle, and the plan she had proposed. Michelle had surprised her with the bold plan to launch a campaign that would put her little lingerie business up there with the likes of Victoria's Secret stores.
The violent bumping and shuttering of the aircraft disappeared as it broke free of the ground and ascended into deep blue skies. Only the hum and whine of the engines remained to haunt her thoughts. The air in the little overhead vent turned cold. Reshonda turned the knob until the air became a hiss, and finally, let out a little chirp before shutting off. The little chirp sounded almost like a short chuckle. Reshonda put her seat back and closed her eyes again, her thoughts moving back to Michelle and why she might need the assistance of a corporate spy for her plan. Michelle knew what Reshonda really did for a living. She just was not aware of exactly how she did it. The sound of the air shutting off reminded Reshonda of the way Michelle would chuckle or giggle when she was nervous.
Reshonda let her mind drift back to her high school days. She remembered how awkard she was, all skin and bones--too tall for her age, and no shape to her body whatsoever. At least, she had supportive friends back then. Of course, they had to support each other, both of her best friends shared her awkwardness in some way or another. David was just as skinny as her, with pointy bones protruding from weird angles on his body. David's hair was a beautiful light brown but set in a permanent frizz, and his glasses only fueled the belief from others that he was a geek through and through. Michelle was the girl who always went unnoticed. Of course most of the guys noticed her only for her oversized breasts. Others saw her only as the overweight mexican girl, always supportive to all the clicks, but never really allowed in. But Michelle never seemed that way to her. Maybe she felt Michelle's curvy body made up for her own lack of shape or curves.Reshonda remembered so clearly how Michelle looked to her. She had always liked Michelle's body. She especially liked the feel of her curves. Vivid memories flowed through her mind of wrapping her long arms around Michelle, caressing the ample flesh of her backside while kissing those full lips. Questions flashed through Reshonda's mind about her own sexuality. She wasn't a lesbian, she liked men. In fact, the only woman she'd been with was Michelle. It had been experimental, and it didn't ruin their friendship. They remained the best of friends, calling each other often, even when she travelled on business. Their conversations always led, one way or another, back to their senior year--that year of sexual growth, and coming of age.
The bump and whir of the landing gear extending snapped Reshonda out of her daydream. She looked out the window to a seemingly endless landscape of farmland and fields below. Reshonda took a deep breath and tried to clear her ears as the jet began its descent into the small Alabama airport. But, thoughts of Michelle extended beyond the dream, and her mind was still warm with memories, even as the plane touched down.

Updates

The character profiles section is now updated with some biographical and inside information about Azra. I will follow up soon with additions for the rest of the main characters in "Lovestruck Succubus" and other stories as they are developed and published.

Want to know something about a particular character? Looking for secret information that nobody else knows? Do you want hints and teasers about the follow up "Demon Among Wolves?"

Just shoot me an email at: author.ellison.james@gmail.com and I'll be happy to give you special "secret" information only you will know.

New Short Developing

I recently pulled a half-written piece out of my files and decided to finish it, and offer it up for free. The tentative title for this work will be: PLEASURE DOING BUSINESSIt is a contemporary erotic short about three friends from high school joined again to promote one of the friends' business as she attempts to topple industry giants.Trouble is, two of these friends are corporate spies with their own hidden agendas. The story promises to be full of sexual manipulation, multiple partner, lesbian, and interracial sex.
I just hope this doesn't start to get away from me and start turning into a novel. I tend to overdue things and try to turn everything into a novel. Sometimes it works. Most times the story can't support it and it falls flat by 30K or so. We'll see.