The Nightlife Series by Travis Luedke on Amazon.com

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

A Spanking Good Time with Erotica Authors, PART II: Liv Honeywell

This is the second of a BDSM interview series for Erotica Authors. Our first adventure with Bad Penny was so popular, I decided to revisit this theme.

Be warned, there is very explicit content herein:

TL: “Hello fans of the Nightlife novels, we have returned for the second installment of my BDSM interview series with Erotica Authors. Here today with me in sunny, 90 degree San Antonio, is Liv Honeywell, a British author of BDSM erotica. She found me on Twitter, when I tweeted about male erotica authors experiencing discrimination.

Since then we did the mutual Facebook-Twitter timeline stalking, and snooped around each of our blogs – the social media equivalent of dogs sniffing crotch.

LH: “Most elegantly put there, Travis! Well, as you mentioned, we had quite a fascinating discussion before about the possibility that male authors are discriminated against, so when you offered to interview me, I thought it might be interesting. I hopped on a plane, came all the way here and now look at me!”



(Liv shakes her hiney to test her restraints)

“I walked in the door and, without so much as a by your leave – never mind a ‘hello’ or a ‘would you care for a cup of tea’ - two burly men grabbed me, removed most of my clothing and tied me to this… what is this? I know we’re all erotica writers together and so on, but dammit, I’m British!”

TL: “Yeah, perhaps you should have familiarized yourself with my own peculiar style of interview before you came?”

LH: “It appears that I should have. Well, I’m here now and I don’t appear to be going anywhere.”

TL: “Count yourself lucky I only had the guys grab you. The last one I drugged with ketamine, and she woke up like this.”

LH: “Oh. Dear me. Well, I’d much rather you did it this way, if you insist, rather than drugging me with ketamine or goodness knows what else.”

TL: (Sighs in resignation) “Disappointing, but we’ll have our fun nonetheless.”

LH: “I’m sure we will. Oh, what’s that?” 



(TL pulls a small black briefcase from a drawer)
TL: “This is what’s known as electrostim or electrosex. It’s supposed to be pretty fun. For one of us anyway.” (TL squeezes open the little jaws of the electrode clamps, chomping them in her face) “I’m going to hook these little clamp electrodes here and here on each nipple.”

LH: “Ouch! Those have teeth!” (Liv squirms and grits her teeth in pain)



TL: “That they do. Need a good solid bite for the current.” (TL twists a little with each clamp)

LH: “Ow! Don’t!” (TL twists some more and then licks each nipple softly) “Well … Okay I guess you can do that. You did say I am getting paid for this interview.”

TL: “You like a little pain? The last clamp goes down here …”

LH: “No! Not there! You are not putting that on my … oooooooh!”


TL: “Okay then, all set.” (TL hits the switch)
  
LH: “Bloody hell! That stings.” (LH wriggles her hips) “But it’s… rather nice.”

TL: “Love hearing the accent, very sexy. Does it hurt yet? I don’t think I’m using enough juice.” (TL turns it up a notch) 
LH: “Ow! Shit! That hurts. And you haven’t even asked me any questions yet. Can we talk about how much I’m being paid for this interview? You were a bit vague in your email. Does it bear any relation to how much you turn up that dial?”

(TL turns it off but leaves the dial setting)

TL: “That seems like the right setting. Okay, now we’re ready. So, tell us something about your latest book. I hear it’s a BDSM anthology. Is there any electrosex in your stories?”

LH: “Okay. My first story, Imagine, was published last year by Silver Moon Books, and my new book is called Coming, Ready or Not: Three tales of tease and denial. My latest work is the story of a couple, Will and Abby, developing a Master/slave relationship. It's about them learning together. There aren’t any billionaires in this one, no mysterious castles in the middle of nowhere; just two ordinary people, who could be anyone you’d see walking down the street, but who are in an M/s relationship. With the humour, the laughing, the fact that it isn't perfect, sometimes things do go wrong, and with the best will in the world you can't always obey, however much you want to, and there are consequences that come with that. And there’s not one scene of electrosex. (LH wriggles) But Travis, I don’t think you’re doing it right. It’s not supposed to hurt, is it?”

(TL flips the switch back on and turns it up another notch)




LH: “Ow! Okay! Okay! You’re doing it right! You’re doing it right!”

(TL switches it off with an evil grin of satisfaction)

TL: “I read the instruction manual. I know what I’m doing. See right here on the label it says ‘Electric stimulation can be painful and even deadly if performed in an inappropriate or unsafe manner’. Now where were we? You were telling us about your non-electrosex erotica novels? Please continue.” 


LH: “A man reading the instruction manual? I thought I’d never see the day…”

TL: “Really? That’s what you’re going with? Think you’re in a good position to sass me?”

(TL turns the box back on)

LH: “Ahhh. No. Sorry. I’m sorry.”

TL: “I should think so. Now, you were saying. About your book?” (TL turns off the box)

LH: (Panting to catch her breath) “The… the book shows Abby being teased right to the edge of orgasm and kept there until Will says otherwise. She wants to obey him, wants to hold on, but can she? And what will he do if she can’t? I’m also delighted to be able to show off my new cover by the wonderful Blue Harvest Creative.”

TL: “Interesting! Giving me ideas, Liv. Great cover, too. Oh yeah. And, one more thing, while I have you here, what were you saying about male erotica authors encountering discrimination? Surely you’re not disagreeing with me?”

LH: “Well, actually, when I ran a discussion on my blog about it, most of the women who commented said they’d be really interested to read more male …”

(TL flips the switch and watches her convulse, squirm, and squeal as he turns it up two more notches)

LH: “NO! Oh no! You’re right! We discriminate! Women aren’t used to reading smut written by men! You’re right!” (TL turns it off, LH gasps and moans)

TL: “I knew I was right.” (TL smiles and reaches into the black case for another toy) “Do you smell that? I think that’s the scent of burnt nipples.”

LH: (Liv groans) “What are you doing now?” (LH squirms, craning her neck around to see what TL is doing as he steps behind her)

TL: “This goes into your--”


LH: “Ahhh stop!”

TL: “Yes, that’s right. Now let’s see just how much power this thing can put out before the batteries go dead.”

(TL cranks the switch all the way to its highest setting and flips the switch)

TL: “Now, when’s the book out? And tell me how everyone can get a hold of you or you will be sorry!”

LH: “Okay, okay! Coming, Ready or Not will be out on 30th May on Amazon and… and my blog is http://www.liv-honeywell.com. You can find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LivHoneywellErotica and Twitter http://www.twitter.com/LivHoneywell. My... owww! My Goodreads page is http://www.goodreads.com/LivHoneywell and my Amazon page is http://www.amazon.com/Liv-Honeywell/e/B009F9WJ4C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_3
Ouch! Okay, wait. Now when am I getting paid for this interview?”

TL: “Yeah, about that. The check’s in the mail!”

(LH glares at Travis and then speculatively eyes the two men still guarding the door.)

LH: “Hmmm, I don’t suppose there’s any possibility I could keep one of them instead? Wherever did you get them from? Did you borrow them from Ellora’s Cave?”

TL: “We can discuss that later. When I’ve finished interro… I mean, interviewing you.”

(TL reaches into another drawer with a wicked grin)

LH: “Uh, hang on, what are you doing? I didn’t sign up for this. No, I’ve already told you everything! I really have.”

TL: “I don’t believe you.”

LH: “Nooooo. Put down the cattle prod!”

----------------------------- ~ * ~ --------------------------------



Liv’s Bio:

When not writing about delicious, hot male dominants and the female subs who love them, I’m usually doing something craft-like, reading, baking, eating the results of said baking, and attempting to satisfy the demands of His High and Mighty Dominance (the cat!). My first story, Imagine, was published with Silver Moon Books last year and Coming, Ready or Not will be published May 30th.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The Dangers of Overindulgence



The Dangers of Overindulgence

-OR-

A prescription for a lean, mean manuscript.

There are empty calories for people and there are empty calories for manuscripts. For people there are foods that only up the fat or sugar content while providing no nutrients. For manuscripts, there are words that add nothing to the vitality, exposition or description of a manuscript and should be eliminated -- or like chocolate, indulged in sparingly. Here are some of my favorites:
  • Good
  • Nice
  • Really
  • Totally, Completely
  • Very, Extremely
  • That, There
  • Just
  • Thing
  • Many, Few
  • Kind of
  • Have, Had, Get, Was, Is, Are, Were
  • Already
  • Almost
  • Then
  • Finally
  • Suddenly
  • A lot, Some
  • Felt, Feel
  • Big, Large, Small
  • Well
  • Like
The above list is an incomplete, generic list of words that are the potato chips of the writing world. Empty description, no nutritive value. I am certain you can add to this list. Eliminate or reduce their use.

In every genre, genre-specific words abound prompting the writer into over-indulgence. Since I write erotic romance here are some of my favorite over-indulgences: erotic, thrust, sensation, hot and, um, certain slang descriptions for the male and female genital area. Consumed sparingly, these words add clear description and atmosphere. Overused . . . okay, my writing puts on a few pounds and prompts my readers to point and giggle.

So make selective word choices and eliminate the empty calories. 


Chocolate is SEXY, if you're naked and swimming with Heidi Klum

What are your favorite empty words?

Next week: What did you say? Those pesky dialog tags.

Healthy writing! ~*~  Dr. Editor, Manuscript Doctor


“Dr. Editor” is also known as Patricia A. Knight, erotic romance author.


Hers To Command – June 4, 2013




Patricia A. Knight is the pen name for an eternal romantic who lives in Dallas, Texas surrounded by her horses, dogs and the best man on the face of the earth – oh yeah, and the most enormous bullfrogs you will ever see. Word to the wise: don’t swim in the pool after dark.

I love to hear from my readers and can be reached at http://www.trollriverpub.com/ or  http://www.patriciaaknight.com. Or send me an email at patriciaknight190@gmail.com. Check out my latest “Hunk of the Day,” book releases, contests and other fun stuff on my face book page: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.knight.71619

If you enjoyed Hers To Command, look for Sophi DeLorion’s story, Hers To Choose, coming out in mid-July 2013 and Steffania Rickard’s tale, Hers To Cherish coming in early August, 2013.

 


Monday, May 13, 2013

Gliterary Girl SPRING BOOK BASH


WELCOME FRIENDS!

Gliterary Girl Group is proud to present the first ever Book Bash. It is our way to connect the reader with the writers so you can discover books you may not have read otherwise. Here is what we are giving away and how the event works.

It will last from now until June 14th and every Monday and Wednesday we will highlight 5 or more new books that are in the giveaway where you can get links and info.

Thanks to the wonderful authors who graciously donated each and every book, we are giving 10 lucky winners 5 books each. They will be sent directly from the authors and you may even get a signed hard copy!
Courtesy of Sarah Fae from Fae Books and Gliterary Girl Media 2 $5 Gift Cards to Amazon will also be raffled along with a Free 5 Day Book Tour!




Gliterary Girl Media is a publicity and editing house who work with aspiring and professional authors.
 
Good Luck Everyone and Happy Reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Prescription for a Healthy Manuscript





An Initial Prescription for a Healthy Manuscript

Part 1 of an ongoing series by Dr. Editor, M.D. (Manuscript Doctor):

Picture walking into a doctor’s office with an ailment and having the learned professional say, “Yeah, you are sick.”

“Well, yes,” you say, “that’s why I’m here, but what is wrong with me and how do I get better?”

You don’t want to hear, “Haven’t a clue and here’s your bill.”



This is what happens when critiques don’t tell the writer the “whys” behind all those red lines. They indicate the “sickness” but don’t come through with a “prescription” for wellness. Don’t go to that doctor anymore. Get a good one.

As an editor, my job is to ‘cure the patient.’ Get him back to wellness so that he can be a healthy individual. Run fast, jump far. Or in this case, make the New York Times Best Seller List. Notice I didn’t say make him over with replacement parts of my choosing.

In order to do that, I need to give my patient an action list for how to get, and stay, healthy.  For example, feeling lethargic, bored? Has life just lost its zip? Let me see your verbs. Are they action verbs, full of strength and vitality? Or are you stifled by energy-robbing passive voice and weighed down with was’es and “had’s”?

Now that I have examined your verbs, let me see your adverbs . . . all those words with the “ly” endings like quietly, softly, urgently. As they say in poker, “That is a tell.” And my patients should never “tell.” My patients should only “show.” My patients don’t live happily. My patients walk around with a smile on their face and a bounce to their step and hum the soundtrack to Iron Man II. 

Now you tell me, which description created a better picture in your mind?

Are people laughing at you behind your back? 

Let’s take a look at your chronically misplaced participial phrases and overwrought modifiers. Do you have everyone in the State of Texas coming over to Aunt Judy’s for barbeque when you really mean that you are barbequing at Aunt Judy’s just like everyone else in the State of Texas? And then there is your habitual abuse of adjectives. To remain healthy, please only use two at a time. It is easy to OD. The little devils are terribly addictive. Pick your two favorite. Delete the rest. Modifiers, when misused or overused, create a comedic atmosphere in your text. Great for farce. Death for thriller, drama, horror or romance.

So here is my initial prescription for action points to start to create a healthy manuscript:
  • Do a self-examination of your verbs. Every time you find “was” “is” “had” “has” “have” – examine the sentence. Can you rewrite it with a verb of action?
  • Scour your text for the “ly” endings. Take them out. Figure out a way to write that sentence with a description that allows the reader to figure out for themselves if your character spoke quietly or moved urgently. 
  • Remember that the modifier, be it a phrase or a single word, should follow immediately after or immediately precede what is being modified. This makes for some awkward sentences if the phrases are too complex. In which case, fall back and KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid.
  • When you are tempted to have a golden, fragrant, waist-length, wind-blown, curling mane – STOP! Back up. Pick your favorite two and go with it.

Next week:  Diets – Words you should stop consuming for the health of your manuscript.
Healthy writing! ~*~  Dr. Editor, Manuscript Doctor
“Dr. Editor” is also known as Patricia A. Knight, erotic romance author.


Hers To Command – June 4, 2013




Patricia A. Knight is the pen name for an eternal romantic who lives in Dallas, Texas surrounded by her horses, dogs and the best man on the face of the earth – oh yeah, and the most enormous bullfrogs you will ever see. Word to the wise: don’t swim in the pool after dark.

I love to hear from my readers and can be reached at http://www.trollriverpub.com/ or  http://www.patriciaaknight.com. Or send me an email at patriciaknight190@gmail.com. Check out my latest “Hunk of the Day,” book releases, contests and other fun stuff on my face book page: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.knight.71619

If you enjoyed Hers To Command, look for Sophi DeLorion’s story, Hers To Choose, coming out in mid-July 2013 and Steffania Rickard’s tale, Hers To Cherish coming in early August, 2013.