L. Marie Adeline's Blog, page 2
December 12, 2013
Final book in the S.E.C.R.E.T. Trilogy!!!
So far I only know it's going to come out in "Spring 2014". We'll continue Cassie's journey to her hard-earned Happily Ever After, we'll catch up with old favorite character and we'll meet a new candidate whose life intertwines with S.E.C.R.E.T. in a unique way. (*Hint, she is at the S.E.C.R.E.T. charity function at the end of book two--if you've read, you know!)
I can't wait for you to meet Solange Faraday...and to watch Cassie continue to grow, change and...explore. :)
xxxooo
October 18, 2013
S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed: It's a trilogy!
So don't worry, Cassie will get her HEA but it has to be hard won in the world of S.E.C.R.E.T.; it has to be "learned and earned". So hang tight, and stay with me on this. I promise you, it'll be worth the ride.
xx
October 16, 2013
Interview with L. Marie Adeline, author of S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared
I really love this interview by Rachel Kramer Bussel, one of the leading lights in erotica today. I thought I’d share it with you:
Rachel: How did you get the idea for the S.E.C.R.E.T. series, and did you have it fully plotted out when you started to write the first book?
It was one of those things that came to me in an instant—the concept, the idea of taking baby steps towards sexual ecstasy—though not the plot. Once I put the steps down, Cassie showed up, and as you know, writers follow their characters around, taking notes. Cassie just moved at the pace at which she was most comfortable and I chronicled it. The idea was born from the notion that most women, especially if they’d been celibate for a time, were single and over a certain age, wouldn’t even begin to know how to explore the outer reaches of their sexuality. So S.E.C.R.E.T. started as a “What if…” What if other women helped you? What if they took amazing risks, and told you you’d be okay if you did? What if they arranged everything? And I went from there.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared features both Cassie, from the first book, and Dauphine, a new recruit, with Cassie guiding Dauphine. Why is this role of guide important for Cassie’s growth?
Helping others can pull you out of a rut or a depression—certain kinds of depression, not the clinical kind. I’m taking more about that awful melancholy of the heartbroken; it can turn in on itself and isolate you. Sitting across a table listening to Dauphine’s sad story has a palliative affect on Cassie; it gives her perspective, it inflames her altruism. Also, guiding creates allegiance. I think a lot of women treat men like dwindling, precious commodities that we have to fight over. What I love about S.E.C.R.E.T. is the women cooperate and support each other. They don’t tear each other down. They treat each other like women, like adults, like comrades on this journey. They have each other’s backs. Guiding is part of their “job.”
I liked getting a look at the inner workings of S.E.C.R.E.T., which is actually very organized and methodical. How does the business of running S.E.C.R.E.T. mix with the more fun side of the group as they fulfill women’s sexual fantasies?
You can’t have one without the other; you have to be methodical to be spontaneous and book three delves deeper into the way fantasies are super organized and planned….so that they don’t seem super organized or planned. And there’s a sense of safety in the fact there is someone (usually Matilda) in charge. A sexual free-for-all sounds good on paper, but you have to pay taxes, you have to cover your overhead, you have to have charts and graphs to keep track of fantasies and schedules. And once that structure is in place, then, hell yeah, the women can have at it.
One of the themes of S.E.C.R.E.T. is female empowerment—it’s only women who have gone through tough times who are sought out for the group, and in S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, the group raises money for women’s charities, and Dauphine learns to overcome major fears, such as flying. How do you see women’s sexuality connected to other parts of their lives?
I approached S.E.C.R.E.T. and S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared as an exercise in empowerment, for sure. But sex is just one aspect of growth and change; it’s part of the physical realm. There’s also the mental and the spiritual realms. S.E.C.R.E.T. only deals with the physical. Still, healing just that aspect of your life can have a palliative affect on your mental and spiritual life. I believe if you pick the most vexing aspect of your life and try to heal and change it, it will have a cascade affect. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced aspects of that myself. When I take better care of my body, my mind and soul align. When I meditate, my body and mind calm down. I’m treating sex as part of that body, mind, soul triangle.
In the books, women are selected for S.E.C.R.E.T. who’ve been through tough times, whether in Cassie’s case, having been married to an alcoholic, or for Dauphine, having her ex-boyfriend betray her and write a novel based on her. Do you think that “regular” women (ones who don’t have such obvious problems as Cassie or Dauphine) would, if the group existed in real life, benefit from S.E.C.R.E.T.?
Probably. How could they not? But I find that to take such a dramatic leap (to join a group that’s about to grant you your sexual fantasies) you have to crave real change. But for dramatic purposes, I like my characters to start in a darker place than where they end up. Dauphine doesn’t have the crippling self-esteem from which Cassie suffered, but she is a control freak. She needs to let go. And I think her problems fall in the realm of “normal,” whatever that is. A lot of women tell me they really relate to Cassie and I suspect they will also see some of their own doubts and anxieties in Dauphine.
I’ve been impressed with both books that while power and money have played a role in the heroines’ finding a man attractive, it is not the be-all and end-all, and in fact one of the richest men around comes off as one of the most offensive. What do you see as the connection between money and sexual attraction within the world of S.E.C.R.E.T.?
I remember the “dirty” books of my youth; they weren’t all populated by rich men overpowering ingénues. Remember The Thorn Birds? Wifey? Fear of Flying? D.H. Lawrence’s entire oeuvre? Pierre is kind of a stand-in for this current obsession we have for rich men in erotica, but in my books, Pierre isn’t ideal. What is also intentional is my female characters not only work, they take their jobs seriously; they love their careers, they make their own money. It’s important to me that women find their work important, empowering, sexy, even. My women take care of themselves financially. They don’t choose men based on how well the men can take care of them. That “financial rescue” fantasy might even be as damaging as slut-shaming, in the long run. When you take away, limit or interfere with a woman’s ability to be self-sufficient you take away her power.
New Orleans plays such a big role in the books; can you tell us more about why you chose New Orleans? It comes across as both a city with a somewhat small town, intimate feel to it, versus a bigger, more impersonal city.
New Orleans is a small town. That’s its magic! You can walk from Audubon Park, across the French Quarter to the Marigny in a couple of hours, and see much of the city. It’s so walkable and temperate; there’s just this sexy vibe. Every time I go there, the first place I stop into is Mike’s on Frenchmen, to rent a bike. It’s the only way to get around New Orleans. In my books, I’ve tried to avoid the really touristy parts of the city, the French Quarter, the Jazz Fest, etc., focusing instead on neighborhoods and commercial stretches where locals really work, live and gather. Why New Orleans? I used to date a guy from Louisiana and I spent some time there back in the 90’s and fell in love. And it’s just a damn sensual place, the kind of place where you’d believe a group like S.E.C.R.E.T. would exist.
I know you’ve spent lots of time in New Orleans and once lived in Buenos Aires, the cities where S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is set. Did you do any research for the books? I’m thinking particularly of one of my favorite moments, the airplane scene, with Dauphine.
Glad to hear you have a favorite. No, I have not had airplane sex, in particular, I have not had airplane cockpit sex with a pilot that looks like Idris Elba. But oh to have cockpit sex with Idris Elba. What’s great about writing about sexual fantasies is that you don’t really have to experience then to render them. I do canvass my friends though. Mostly I really listen to my characters, to what they want and they crave. And Buenos Aires is a haunting, gorgeous city. I lived there while working on a human rights fellowship in 1998. It was so fun to write about it finally.
I loved the fact that slut-shaming comes up in S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, and it’s made clear that women shouldn’t feel ashamed of their sexuality, no matter who’s judging them. It’s such a double-edged sword, one that Cassie in particular faces explicitly. We seem to be at a point in our culture (in North America) where women are sexually free, but the specter of being called a slut remains. Was this something you specifically sought to address, and where do you see that duality of sexual freedom vs. slut-shaming going?
Yes, I did deliberately want to address this head on. To ignore it in a book where women have multiple sex partners would be odd. It’s part of why S.E.C.R.E.T. remains secret, or rather, anonymous, and why the candidates hesitate to join. And it’s why S.E.C.R.E.T. consists of women. It’s almost like they have to give each other permission to let go and have lots of sex. They aren’t going to shame each other. This isn’t going to come back and haunt them or bite them. They are safe, not just physically, but psychologically, and socially. It’s hurtful when men slut-shame women, certainly, but the scars run deeper, I think, when women tear each other down. Because that’s a betrayal. That’s just my opinion.
The S.E.C.R.E.T. books have now been published in many countries; have the reactions been different in different countries?
It’s been absolutely fascinating to watch where it’s big (Canada! Turkey! Brazil!) and where it’s growing slowly. The U.S. has been a tough market. It’s done well, but there is a real appetite for the “Happily Ever After” here, and Cassie’s is going to be hard won. Holland and France seems to really get it, and like that it isn’t “All About The Guy,” but again, I’m generalizing. It’s still early days. The first book only came out about six months ago. Two’s coming out now, and three will be in Spring of 2014. We shall see how this evolves.
Do you have a favorite scene from S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared?
I love the scene with Matilda and Cassie in Audubon Park, not just the slut shaming discussion, but the recruiting of Dominic (who is put to very good “use” in book three!). I loved writing a confident sexy woman nearing sixty who can turn heads with her strut, her décolleté, and her dress. Why is that such a shocker? A woman who takes care of herself, dresses well for her body, and is comfortable in her skin is a sexy beast, without exception, at any age.
How has your life changed since S.E.C.R.E.T. came out?
Well, it’s funny to be referred to as some kind of expert on sex or erotica. If people only knew how boring my life really was. I mean, I love my life, but it’s all about the writing right now. You know what I mean. You get a little feral. But the success of the books has given me my freedom. I can write. Just write. For a while anyway. That’s the kind of dream you never think will come true. And it did. That said, my former job, my “day job” was writing for, producing and directing television. I was very lucky. I miss it. I miss the camaraderie.
What’s next for you and for S.E.C.R.E.T.?
I have an idea for a novel I want to tackle right after I complete the S.E.C.R.E.T. trilogy, under my name, Lisa Gabriele. It’s funny and weird. I’m also developing a number of TV projects, which are at various stages of development, including S.E.C.R.E.T. and another series based on my first novel, for Canadian television. That’s getting some traction. So stuff…lots of work. I’m really, really, really blessed. I truly am someone who wakes up every day feeling indescribably grateful.
About Rachel:
Rachel Kramer Bussel is a New York-based author, editor, blogger and event organizer. She has written for numerous publications, including Alternative Press, CNN.com, The Daily Beast, The Frisky, Gothamist, The Hairpin, Huffington Post, Inked, Jezebel, Lemondrop, Mediabistro, The Nervous Breakdown, New York Post, New York Observer, New York Press, Playgirl, The Root, Salon, San Francisco Chronicle, Time Out New York, The Village Voice, xoJane and Zink.
Feature interview with Rachel Kramer Bussel
The original's here if you like.
http://literaryvixens.com/interview-w...
How did you get the idea for the S.E.C.R.E.T. series, and did you have it fully plotted out when you started to write the first book?
It was one of those things that came to me in an instant—the concept, the idea of taking baby steps towards sexual ecstasy—though not the plot. Once I put the steps down, Cassie showed up, and as you know, writers follow their characters around, taking notes. Cassie just moved at the pace at which she was most comfortable and I chronicled it. The idea was born from the notion that most women, especially if they’d been celibate for a time, were single and over a certain age, wouldn’t even begin to know how to explore the outer reaches of their sexuality. So S.E.C.R.E.T. started as a “What if…” What if other women helped you? What if they took amazing risks, and told you you’d be okay if you did? What if they arranged everything? And I went from there.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared features both Cassie, from the first book, and Dauphine, a new recruit, with Cassie guiding Dauphine. Why is this role of guide important for Cassie’s growth?
Helping others can pull you out of a rut or a depression—certain kinds of depression, not the clinical kind. I’m taking more about that awful melancholy of the heartbroken; it can turn in on itself and isolate you. Sitting across a table listening to Dauphine’s sad story has a palliative affect on Cassie; it gives her perspective, it inflames her altruism. Also, guiding creates allegiance. I think a lot of women treat men like dwindling, precious commodities that we have to fight over. What I love about S.E.C.R.E.T. is the women cooperate and support each other. They don’t tear each other down. They treat each other like women, like adults, like comrades on this journey. They have each other’s backs. Guiding is part of their “job.”
I liked getting a look at the inner workings of S.E.C.R.E.T., which is actually very organized and methodical. How does the business of running S.E.C.R.E.T. mix with the more fun side of the group as they fulfill women’s sexual fantasies?
You can’t have one without the other; you have to be methodical to be spontaneous and book three delves deeper into the way fantasies are super organized and planned….so that they don’t seem super organized or planned. And there’s a sense of safety in the fact there is someone (usually Matilda) in charge. A sexual free-for-all sounds good on paper, but you have to pay taxes, you have to cover your overhead, you have to have charts and graphs to keep track of fantasies and schedules. And once that structure is in place, then, hell yeah, the women can have at it.
One of the themes of S.E.C.R.E.T. is female empowerment—it’s only women who have gone through tough times who are sought out for the group, and in S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, the group raises money for women’s charities, and Dauphine learns to overcome major fears, such as flying. How do you see women’s sexuality connected to other parts of their lives?
I approached S.E.C.R.E.T. and S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared as an exercise in empowerment, for sure. But sex is just one aspect of growth and change; it’s part of the physical realm. There’s also the mental and the spiritual realms. S.E.C.R.E.T. only deals with the physical. Still, healing just that aspect of your life can have a palliative affect on your mental and spiritual life. I believe if you pick the most vexing aspect of your life and try to heal and change it, it will have a cascade affect. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced aspects of that myself. When I take better care of my body, my mind and soul align. When I meditate, my body and mind calm down. I’m treating sex as part of that body, mind, soul triangle.
In the books, women are selected for S.E.C.R.E.T. who’ve been through tough times, whether in Cassie’s case, having been married to an alcoholic, or for Dauphine, having her ex-boyfriend betray her and write a novel based on her. Do you think that “regular” women (ones who don’t have such obvious problems as Cassie or Dauphine) would, if the group existed in real life, benefit from S.E.C.R.E.T.?
Probably. How could they not? But I find that to take such a dramatic leap (to join a group that’s about to grant you your sexual fantasies) you have to crave real change. But for dramatic purposes, I like my characters to start in a darker place than where they end up. Dauphine doesn’t have the crippling self-esteem from which Cassie suffered, but she is a control freak. She needs to let go. And I think her problems fall in the realm of “normal,” whatever that is. A lot of women tell me they really relate to Cassie and I suspect they will also see some of their own doubts and anxieties in Dauphine.
I’ve been impressed with both books that while power and money have played a role in the heroines’ finding a man attractive, it is not the be-all and end-all, and in fact one of the richest men around comes off as one of the most offensive. What do you see as the connection between money and sexual attraction within the world of S.E.C.R.E.T.?
I remember the “dirty” books of my youth; they weren’t all populated by rich men overpowering ingénues. Remember The Thorn Birds? Wifey? Fear of Flying? D.H. Lawrence’s entire oeuvre? Pierre is kind of a stand-in for this current obsession we have for rich men in erotica, but in my books, Pierre isn’t ideal. What is also intentional is my female characters not only work, they take their jobs seriously; they love their careers, they make their own money. It’s important to me that women find their work important, empowering, sexy, even. My women take care of themselves financially. They don’t choose men based on how well the men can take care of them. That “financial rescue” fantasy might even be as damaging as slut-shaming, in the long run. When you take away, limit or interfere with a woman’s ability to be self-sufficient you take away her power.
New Orleans plays such a big role in the books; can you tell us more about why you chose New Orleans? It comes across as both a city with a somewhat small town, intimate feel to it, versus a bigger, more impersonal city.
New Orleans is a small town. That’s its magic! You can walk from Audubon Park, across the French Quarter to the Marigny in a couple of hours, and see much of the city. It’s so walkable and temperate; there’s just this sexy vibe. Every time I go there, the first place I stop into is Mike’s on Frenchmen, to rent a bike. It’s the only way to get around New Orleans. In my books, I’ve tried to avoid the really touristy parts of the city, the French Quarter, the Jazz Fest, etc., focusing instead on neighborhoods and commercial stretches where locals really work, live and gather. Why New Orleans? I used to date a guy from Louisiana and I spent some time there back in the 90’s and fell in love. And it’s just a damn sensual place, the kind of place where you’d believe a group like S.E.C.R.E.T. would exist.
I know you’ve spent lots of time in New Orleans and once lived in Buenos Aires, the cities where S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is set. Did you do any research for the books? I’m thinking particularly of one of my favorite moments, the airplane scene, with Dauphine.
Glad to hear you have a favorite. No, I have not had airplane sex, in particular, I have not had airplane cockpit sex with a pilot that looks like Idris Elba. But oh to have cockpit sex with Idris Elba. What’s great about writing about sexual fantasies is that you don’t really have to experience then to render them. I do canvass my friends though. Mostly I really listen to my characters, to what they want and they crave. And Buenos Aires is a haunting, gorgeous city. I lived there while working on a human rights fellowship in 1998. It was so fun to write about it finally.
I loved the fact that slut-shaming comes up in S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, and it’s made clear that women shouldn’t feel ashamed of their sexuality, no matter who’s judging them. It’s such a double-edged sword, one that Cassie in particular faces explicitly. We seem to be at a point in our culture (in North America) where women are sexually free, but the specter of being called a slut remains. Was this something you specifically sought to address, and where do you see that duality of sexual freedom vs. slut-shaming going?
Yes, I did deliberately want to address this head on. To ignore it in a book where women have multiple sex partners would be odd. It’s part of why S.E.C.R.E.T. remains secret, or rather, anonymous, and why the candidates hesitate to join. And it’s why S.E.C.R.E.T. consists of women. It’s almost like they have to give each other permission to let go and have lots of sex. They aren’t going to shame each other. This isn’t going to come back and haunt them or bite them. They are safe, not just physically, but psychologically, and socially. It’s hurtful when men slut-shame women, certainly, but the scars run deeper, I think, when women tear each other down. Because that’s a betrayal. That’s just my opinion.
The S.E.C.R.E.T. books have now been published in many countries; have the reactions been different in different countries?
It’s been absolutely fascinating to watch where it’s big (Canada! Turkey! Brazil!) and where it’s growing slowly. The U.S. has been a tough market. It’s done well, but there is a real appetite for the “Happily Ever After” here, and Cassie’s is going to be hard won. Holland and France seems to really get it, and like that it isn’t “All About The Guy,” but again, I’m generalizing. It’s still early days. The first book only came out about six months ago. Two’s coming out now, and three will be in Spring of 2014. We shall see how this evolves.
Do you have a favorite scene from S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared?
I love the scene with Matilda and Cassie in Audubon Park, not just the slut shaming discussion, but the recruiting of Dominic (who is put to very good “use” in book three!). I loved writing a confident sexy woman nearing sixty who can turn heads with her strut, her décolleté, and her dress. Why is that such a shocker? A woman who takes care of herself, dresses well for her body, and is comfortable in her skin is a sexy beast, without exception, at any age.
How has your life changed since S.E.C.R.E.T. came out?
Well, it’s funny to be referred to as some kind of expert on sex or erotica. If people only knew how boring my life really was. I mean, I love my life, but it’s all about the writing right now. You know what I mean. You get a little feral. But the success of the books has given me my freedom. I can write. Just write. For a while anyway. That’s the kind of dream you never think will come true. And it did. That said, my former job, my “day job” was writing for, producing and directing television. I was very lucky. I miss it. I miss the camaraderie.
What’s next for you and for S.E.C.R.E.T.?
I have an idea for a novel I want to tackle right after I complete the S.E.C.R.E.T. trilogy, under my name, Lisa Gabriele. It’s funny and weird. I’m also developing a number of TV projects, which are at various stages of development, including S.E.C.R.E.T. and another series based on my first novel, for Canadian television. That’s getting some traction. So stuff…lots of work. I’m really, really, really blessed. I truly am someone who wakes up every day feeling indescribably grateful.
S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is out now. Find out more about the series at secretnovels.com, where you can read samples from S.E.C.R.E.T. and S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared.
October 13, 2013
Launch day for S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared: Tune in Canada AM at 8:45
Be sure to tune into CTV’s Canada AM at 8:45, October 15th, launch day!
I’m so excited for you to finally get a hold of book two in my trilogy, S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared. It’s hard to believe that launch day is already here! It’ll be a busy week, so be sure to check the Events tab, and if you can come out it would be so great to meet you.
XXOO
LMA
September 11, 2013
Why the most important writing advice isn't about writing at all.
But there is one question these ‘how-to’ books rarely address: How do you sit still long enough to get any work done? Because if you can’t be still for relatively long periods of time, writing will be difficult. Your output will be truncated, or it’ll just happen in fits and starts and never get any flow or traction. Meditation, cultivating the ability to do nothing for a few minutes a day, casually observing the passing circus of life without getting drawn in, that’s the hardest thing to achieve, but it’s about the only thing worth working towards as a writer. Why? Because writing is simply the result of observation, of your own thoughts and experiences, and of those around you. You write what you absorb. If your focus is just on you, your thoughts, your opinions, your ideas, your writing will eventually turn in on itself. Especially when you run out of “you”, and you will. So cast your gaze out. If readers connect to how you see the world, they’ll buy your work. If they buy your work, you will write more and hopefully you’ll suffer less.
Speaking of suffering, I once told a boyfriend I was going to take better care of myself from now on; I said, “No more partying, no more smoking, etc.” Because I started to see a correlation between how I was living and how I was writing—both were not going very well. The boyfriend said, that’s all well and good, but you’ll lose your “edge”.
Whatever that was.
We broke up.
I started taking care of myself.
I started sitting still.
I wrote six books in five years, every one of them a bestseller. I don’t write this to brag, just to point out for me, there is a direct connection between sitting still and ‘getting shit done’. As for the romantic idea of the ‘tortured, misunderstood writer and their tortured misunderstood observations”: blah blah blah, snore. Learn to be still, listen more, get out of ‘self’, then get to work. It isn’t more complicated than that.
Music to read "S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared" by.....
Dancing On My Own—Robyn
Dauphine, a massive music lover, often finds herself in clubs, listening to the music. But she won’t admit she’s still nursing an old heartbreak, and there’s a matching defiance in this song, and a need to punch through that sadness with the line “I’m giving it my all…” It breaks me up, because I remember that feeling of pretending you’re not sad, trying to show everyone you’re alright while dancing extra buoyantly. Meanwhile, you’re fooling no one.
Mathilda—G.G. Shinn
This is the only video I could find of this so-called “blue-eyed soul singer”. This song, Mathilda, matches our Matilda’s own strut as she makes her way across Audubon Park in one scene to meet Cassie, before they 'recruit' a couple of men. Shinn still operates a blues club in Alexandria, Louisiana. Rumor has it you can’t wear sunglasses, flipflops, shorts or sleeveless shirts; it’s a fancy joint.
We’re Just Friends--Wilco
I love the lie at the center of this song; it’s almost “Me thinks you doth protest too much”. And I love this line “If love’s so easy, why’s it hard?” And of course Cassie's “just friends” with Will, right? Right? Reminds me of that line in the song, “I’ll come back to you, it’ll be brand new…” There’s much hope and sadness in this song.
Tango Esquina—Carlos Gardel
This song! This dance! These dancers! I couldn’t find a good video of a three-person tango (a little tease to the book!) but love the battle, the muscularity of this dance; it’s hard to tear your eyes off a couple in the throes of tango. And so it’s a little voyeuristic. And nobody does tango better than Carlos Gardel, a true Argentine legend.
Femmes en la Majeur
This short film by Norma Leal is hot: two women tango dancing. When you read S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, you'll know exactly how this inspired me, from the setting to the lighting…to the incredible chemistry between them. Right down to the last giggling frames.
Reconsider Me—Margaret Lewis
God I love her and I love this song. I dare you to not to sway around your living room when it’s on. Go ahead, try it. See? Can’t be done. Now imagine you’re Dauphine, a rabid music fan, and a certain someone is singing this song right at you—at Tipitina’s! Can you imagine her resisting him? Me neither.
Willie Mae—Professor Longhair
You know that moment when you know someone’s “The One”—when you bond over a shared love of a book or movie? Yeah, THAT moment happens in Chapter Sixteen as well. "Anyone seen my Willie Mae out there? I want her."
Sexy and direct.
Use Me- Bill Withers
At the end of S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared two conflicted people sit in a darkened truck. We don’t know what they’re going to do next: f__k or fight. This is the precise song that would play over the credits of the book, if books had credits.
Here's the link to the Youtube videos....cheers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcNo07...
September 8, 2013
On Christian and Ana…and Scarlett O’Hara
Casting the characters for the movie version of Fifty Shades of Grey was always going to be fraught–with such a passionate and vocal fan base. I wonder how E.L. James braced herself. I picture her taking a few belts of scotch, one of the producers is on the phone, the screenwriter’s on speaker, she presses ‘tweet’ on her computer with the same nervy determination of a president pressing a doomsday button.
“There. Okay…here we go.”
They knew there’d be dissenters, but even I was stunned by the negative reactions, most laced with the language of betrayal and heartbreak. A petition even went up on Change.org, garnering thousands of signatures overnight, calling for the casting of fan favorites Matt Bomer and Alexis Bledel, as though these actors had been waiting in the wings for fans to change the filmmakers’ minds.
Casting is a top secret, highly political dance. Having only been involved on a TV level, (and only reality TV at that), I can only imagine what strings are pulled, schedules are shuffled and favors are promised at that level in Hollywood to secure any stars in any movie, let alone a franchise as big as this. I do know this: if they weren’t perfect for the part, if they didn’t blow away the director AND Ms. James—who had full say in the selection—they wouldn’t have been chosen.
For the record, I think they’re both excellent choices, precisely because they are not what I expected. These are risky choices. But this is a ballsy franchise. After all, the book itself is popular because it took readers places they didn’t expect, made them consider things they’d never considered before and charged their imaginations in ways they couldn’t do on their own.
Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson are perfect for the parts precisely because they’re not imprinted on readers’ imaginations. Fans, instead of rejecting these choices should consider rejoicing in a chance to experience the thrill of the book all over again—with new eyes, new reactions and new experiences.
I hope the filmmakers take comfort in this: America went into paroxysms when it was announced that their beloved Scarlett O’Hara from “Gone With the Wind” would be played by an unknown British stage actress named Vivien Leigh. She’s not American! She’s too pretty! She has dark red hair! She’s too old! No!!! Fans of the book wanted Bette Davis who would become synonymous with ‘Southern Belle’ after “Jezebel” was released in 1938. But that’s precisely why she wasn’t cast; she’d already played that part. Too many people had imagined her as Scarlett. There’d be no surprise. Fine, fans said, what about Katherine Hepburn? She’d be perfect. She’s thin, imperious, head strong! That too was a no-go, mostly for a perceived lack of chemistry between her and Clark Gable. Even Lucille Ball was considered. The producers remained firm: Vivien Leigh was their perfect Scarlett. The proof would be on the big screen.
And it was.
Can you imagine anyone other than Vivien Leigh in that role? I bet fans will be saying the same thing about the actors playing Ana and Christian. Which brings me to my final point: not many actors or actress would welcome the baggage that comes with taking on these iconic roles. Yeah, maybe your favorites weren’t cast in the film, but how do you know they even wanted the parts? They might be doing their own private celebratory dance and breathing a collective sigh of relief. I say keep an open mind; this cast has just added a few more interesting shades to the story.
A Conversation with L. Marie Adeline
Q. S.E.C.R.E.T. was your first erotic novel. Was there anything that surprised you about the process, during the writing/editing stage or after publication?
A. What most surprised me about writing erotica was how much sex tells you about your characters. What they like, what they don’t like, how far they’re willing to go, it all informs their actions and propels the plot. My other novels dealt with the repercussions of sex, but not so much on the actual act. My early books weren’t prim; they just weren’t explicit. But one of the strangest parts of writing erotica is breaking down the sex scenes with my editor to make sure they make sense, uh, choreographically. The editing process has yielded some of the funniest conversations I’ve ever had, as we read parts back to each other cleaning up sentences and improving them.
Q. S.E.C.R.E.T. was an international sensation, published in more than 30 territories. Did knowing that readers around the world would be enjoying the story in different languages and countries affect how you wrote SECRET Shared?
A. I’ve said this before, but I’m forever grateful that I had NO idea how popular the book would become, or how widely it would be published when I began writing S.E.C.R.E.T. I might have choked. I had only completed a half dozen chapters when it was sold, so I completed it in a tense haze, under an incredible deadline. Book two, SECRET Shared, was written directly after that, with the knowledge that it would be widely published, But by then my characters were fully formed and they knew what they wanted to do and where they needed to go. I just had to follow behind them and guide them. So the pressure was less intense.
Q. SECRET Shared focuses on two characters, Cassie, who we know from S.E.C.R.E.T., and a new character, Dauphine. Can you tell us a bit about the experience of writing two characters throughout one novel?
A. That was not really planned until I began the writing process. It seemed to me that Cassie’s trip through the steps couldn’t continue. And S.E.C.R.E.T. has a mandate to “pass it on”. Naturally I needed to find a new candidate equally compelling and equally vexed by her sex life, but in a different way than Cassie. She couldn’t also be locked in sexually and reluctant. In fact, Dauphine’s far more experienced than Cassie; she’s just shoved sex on the back burner of her life. And so many people do it. Sex becomes a muscle we no longer flex. The trick with Dauphine is finding her Southern-ness, the parts that no longer work and the parts that served her well. The voice came from that. Switching voices between chapters took some getting used to. I would find myself putting Cassie’s words in Dauphine’s mouth. There’s also a character, Mark Drury, who both women “know.” I had to see him through two different eyes, by two women who felt differently about him. Once the characters became fully formed that was just a natural expression of who they were. But it was challenging, writing from two different perspectives. And fun!
Q. Cassie is such a strong, multi-dimensional character and you’ve captured those qualities again in Dauphine, though she has a completely different personality. Where do you draw the inspiration for your female protagonists?
A. While my characters are very much their own people, I tend to pull parts of them from parts of me. I think most writers do. That’s where writing becomes a lot like acting. Though an actor isn’t really the person they’re playing, in order to pull it off, you do have to pull from the source, your own psyche. But once that character’s fully formed, I back off and see what they want and what they need, madly following behind them. As a writer, you tend to know intuitively what your characters will and will not do. A great editor also helps. It’s like introducing a new friend to an old and trusted one, at least that’s the relationship I have with my editor. I also add elements of my friends to my characters. Sometimes it’s hair color or a particular issue, like self-consciousness, or sarcasm. When I can hear my friend’s voice resonate in that character, I know I’ve struck a chord. (And yes, I’ll tell my friend that I’ve “borrowed” something from them and given it to my character. They’re usually flattered, thrilled, even).
Q. Do you see parts of yourself in the women of S.E.C.R.E.T? Is there a character you particularly identify with?
A. I think a writer’s DNA is in a little bit of each of their characters. I think I share Cassie’s reticence, Will’s simplicity, Tracina’s survivor mentality, and some of Matilda’s hard-earned wisdom (I like to think!) My new character Dauphine is a bit of a workaholic, and that’s something I definitely share with her. I can really lose myself in my work, which I’m lucky to find so edifying. But still, work is no substitute for intimacy, as Dauphine happily discovers.
Q. If you could place a “wanted” ad seeking male candidates for S.E.C.R.E.T., what would it say?
A. Ha. Maybe something like: Do you know how to make a woman feel desired? Is giving pleasure one of your greatest turn-ons? Ever wanted to make someone’s sexual fantasy a reality? An organization dedicated to female pleasure is looking for a few good men (and perhaps a couple of women!) Open to all races and ages, but must be fit, sexy, smart, and personable. Funny, charming, talented, and daring are bonuses. Prefer those who are unattached, or in an open relationship. We provide no-strings encounters with attractive women needing a sexual boost, the only requirement being a desire to please. You’ll be paired with those whose pleasures match your own abilities and proclivities. There is no pay, but all expenses are paid for in each encounter, which may involve exotic travel and incredible adventure. Fully bonded and insured. (Just thought of this!) Must be prepared to submit to tests, both physical and psychological. Discretion is an imperative, anonymity a policy. Non-professionals only.
Q. In addition to Cassie, readers will recognize many other characters in SECRET Shared from S.E.C.R.E.T. Did you always know you wanted to bring them back? Or were there some characters you found you just couldn’t say goodbye to?
A. As the first book was completed, S.E.C.R.E.T. the novel, became S.E.C.R.E.T. the series. So yes, that meant some characters would stay, newer ones would be introduced, and some characters will go, their journeys now complete. That said, I just couldn’t resist seeing what Jesse was all about. Bringing him back for SECRET Shared allowed a peek into who these men were and what was in S.E.C.R.E.T. for them. And while recurring characters allow me to rip back the curtain even further on how S.E.C.R.E.T. operates, new ones add new elements to this mysterious group. It’s really quite exciting for me too.
Q. What made you choose Argentina as a locale for SECRET Shared?
A. I lived in Buenos Aires in the late ‘90s, working on a human rights fellowship, studying the “disaparacedos” and how that loss affects their families decades later. I have remained haunted by that city, its beauty and strange sadness, attributes it shares with New Orleans, a city I also first visited in the ‘90s. So I don’t know. I can’t really write about places I’ve never been and don’t know much about. Argentina is an incredibly evocative place, and I guess I feel that the “happenings” in S.E.C.R.E.T. are so fantastical they need these magnificent backdrops to contain them. Great sex can happen anywhere, but there’s nothing like a dark tango club in the heart of La Boca district to get you in the mood. (There. That’s your sneak peak…)
Q. In SECRET Shared, Cassie and Dauphine push their boundaries—both sexually and emotionally. Did you find yourself pushing your boundaries as an author?
A. Yes. Being a writer of erotica wasn’t in my long-term career plan and I never imagined S.E.C.R.E.T. would grow around the world, let alone evolve into an “anxiously anticipated” series. But yes, in order to do this book, and this genre, justice, I’ve had to write well out of my usual “comfort zone,” which ended up happening quite naturally as the characters became more real to me. For instance, as Cassie’s sexual appetites evolve, she becomes more confident, more adept. That meant I had to up my game, erotically speaking. So the sexual stakes get higher in SECRET Shared and I think I’m having more fun with the material. I hope that shows on the pages!
Q. Your writing has been described as having a theme of female empowerment. How do you feel about that description?
A. I didn’t set out to write erotica with a female empowerment “theme”. I just wrote what I believed about sex and women. And I believe that setting yourself free of sexual constraints can be incredibly empowering, when you do it on your terms. I started with this premise: what would happen if someone who is sexually repressed is offered the opportunity to change that? What would she do with that gift? That this became not just a plot point but a political message is fine by me. Everyone benefits when repression of any kind is thrown off. If my books carry the mantle of “empowerment”, that’s just great—because I think I’ve demonstrated that empowering people, not just women, is sexy.
Q. What would you say to a reader who has never read an erotic novel?
A. I imagine we’re talking about someone who not only hasn’t read erotica, but has resisted reading “genres.” I would say to them that whether it’s an erotic novel, fantasy, sci-fi, or whatever, a good novel is a good novel. Don’t get tripped up by the label or category. I can’t believe, for instance, that I resisted George R. R. Martin’s series for so long because I had a prejudice against “fantasy” books. I never read books with dragons and kings and had no interest, until a particularly persuasive friend suggested I give them a try. I lost months in those books. I just got swept away. For me, a good book is about the plot and character development. I no longer turn down a potentially great book because of the so-called genre into which it gets slotted.
MY TYPE
What do you find sexy in a man? Who’s your fantasy man? When you write a book about a secret society of women that recruits fantasy men, people are going to ask you this question. So here goes. There are two men who “do it for me”. This blog post concerns Fantasy Man Number One: Louis C.K. Obviously I don’t know the guy, but I’m a fan. Not just the “laughing-at-the-back-of-a-comedy-club” type fan. I’m a fan of how hard he works to be humane and funny, smart and funny, compassionate and funny, honest and funny. It’s so easy just to be funny at any and all expense. The Internet is built upon that shoddy foundation. But it’s damn hard to weave a bit of kindness into the joke, because it requires that you approach your work like a grown up and not take the easy route, ever. And that kindness shows through, becoming deeply sexy, thereby completely mitigating what he might find unattractive about himself. He calls himself out for not being traditionally handsome, (in the same vein as S.E.C.R.E.T. men) but even that’s sexy because he does it in such a funny (non-self-loathing) way. This man is sexy because he’s had to learn to be comfortable in his own skin. He wasn’t born that way. And he wears it well. Plus he seems to genuinely like women–when they’re not scaring the hell out of him.
I wish more S.E.C.R.E.T. readers were into red-headed, pasty-skinned, paunchy, freckled, morose, funny thinkers, with stained shirts, because I’ll tell you, if I opened the door of the Mansion and found Louis C.K. sitting on a firm sofa surrounded by a lot of big pillows, cable TV, take-out sushi and a bowl of microwave popcorn, I’d be a very happy candidate. Send me your thoughts on what you find sexy in a man via Twitter @secretnovels or Facebook /thesecretnovels
