1.30.2009

Post B: Writing About Sex & Playlist for Night Myst

Today I’m going to talk about a subject that has come up in recent conversations, and also give you the playlist for Night Myst (the first Indigo Court book).

First: writing about sex. Hell—let’s face it, in our society, sex is a touchy subject. Some people don’t think it belongs in books at all, some want books jammed with it, others want a middle ground, some people are afraid to talk about it, others are embarrassed, and others are perfectly uninhibited in discussing the subject.

As an author who wrote a nonfiction sex magic book where I was very explicit about my personal sexuality (Sexual Ecstasy and the Divine, Crossing Press), and who now writes a series where I can write explicit sex scenes, I do admit—it can get odd at times. People don’t know if they can talk to me about the sex in my books or if I’ll be uncomfortable.

First, I get a lot of letters from G/L/B/T and alternative sexuality readers thanking me for having characters who aren’t ‘vanilla.’ I will say, I never ‘set out’ to do that—the characters evolved and their sexuality evolved with them. Camille’s books will always be more sexual than the others, but that’s because of who she is. As for the whole G/L issue—I’m bisexual, I don’t hide it. I just happen to have married a man. So for me, it’s a non-issue. Some of my characters are straight, some are gay, some are bi, some are polyamorous, some aren’t…it all works out in the mix and I consider it like life—there are people of every walk and nature in your neighborhood. You just might not know it.

Second: I was recently asked if the books would become more erotic as I go along. That depends on the book—some will, some won’t. I was recently called a ‘Mary Sue pornographer’ in one review of Dragon Wytch and you know what? Tough nuts. I write the books as they need to be written. If somebody wants to think that because I open the bedroom door and have two guys and one woman or whatever the case just to get off on it, that’s their prerogative. As I said, Camille’s books will always push the boundaries on multiple partners (and MP in one scene) more than the others, but hey, I’m not shying away from showing Menolly’s passion with Nerissa, or Delilah trying to choose which man she wants to be with. The sex will increase or decrease as needed.

So, I've also been asked, do I mind if you tell me you like the sex in my books? Not at all. Hell, I love sex--I'm a very sensuous person. I like writing about it. Sex is a major part of life for a lot of people and it’s a biological imperative. Now, I don’t really need to hear about fan fiction/slash of my characters (I don't like fanfic and it kind of creeps me out), but hey, you want to tell me that my books helped your marriage or helped you with your sexuality (in the case of my nonfiction) or that you just plain like the steamy scenes, then feel free. I’m happy that people like them—I wouldn’t write the books the way I do if I was ashamed or embarrassed about sex.

Next: I promised on Twitter that I’d put up my playlist for Night Myst soon, so here it is. I’m such a hardcore audiophile. I feel the music in my body—it’s very sensual for me in so many ways. So here it is:

(My favorite musician of all time: Gary Numan. Big time crushing here!)



3 Doors Down: Loser

Alan Parsons:
Children of the Moon
Psychobabble
Can't Take it With You
Doctor Tarr & Professor Feather
Breakdown

Audioslave: Set it Off

Beck:
Loser
Scarecrow
Soul of a Man
Modern Guilt
Que Onda Guero
Think I'm In Love
Dark Star
Cell Phone's Dead
Derelict
Where It's At

Blind Melon: No Rain

Doors:
Hyacinth House
My Wild Love

Bravery, the: Believe

David Bowie:
I'm Afraid of Americans
Jean Genie
China Girl

Death Cab For Cutie: I Will Possess Your Heart
Dire Straits: Money For Nothing

Everlast:
I Can't Move
One, Two

Gary Numan:
Innocene Bleeding
Before You Hate It
Dead Heaven
The Angel Wars
Noise, Noise
Stories
Telekon
My Brother's Time
Hunger
Devious

Gorillaz:
Clint Eastwood
Kids with Guns

Jane's Addiction:
Mountain Song
Summertime Rolls

Led Zeppelin:
Good Times, Bad Times
When the Levee Breaks

Lenny Kravitz:
Always on the Run
Fly Away

Live: TBD
Metallica: Enter Sandman
NIN: I Do Not Want This

Nirvana:
Come as You Are
Where Did You Sleep
Heart Shaped Box
You Know You're right

Offspring:
Come Out & Play

Orgy:
Blue Monday
Social Enemies

Pearl Jam: Jeremy
Puddle of Mudd: Psycho
PJ Harvey: This is Love

Red Hot Chili Peppers:
Higher Ground
Blod Sugar Sex Magic

Rob Zombie:
Living Dead Girl
Never Gonna Stop

Saliva: Ladies and Gentlemen
Seether: Remedy
Simple Minds: Don't You
Soundgarden: Spoonman

Steppenwolf:
Jupiter's Child
The Pusher

Tangerine Dream: Dr. Destructo

Thompson Twins:
The Gap
All Fall Out
Doctor! Doctor!

Toadies: Possum Kingdom

Tori Amos:
Little Amsterdam
Blood Roses
Professional Widow

Ween: Mutilated Lips
Zero 7: In the Waiting Line

And that’s it for today. Remember, I’ll be interviewing Cat Adams on Sunday here on my blog and you’ll have a chance to win her new book.

Yasmine

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