The New Intimacy

Naked Reader Book Club Discussion: FRENZY, edited by Alison Tyler (7-11 PM EST)

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Contributor: Erobintica Erobintica
Hi. This artistic versus arousal value question is interesting to me as both a writer and reader. Though erotica is supposed to arouse, not everyone has the same buttons. So, I wouldn't expect an anthology of erotic stories to "deliver" with each and every story to particular readers. Sometimes I read for arousal and sometimes I read just to read (and if arousal happens, that's just a pleasant bonus).

Laurel's comment that maybe the challenge is more fun for the writer than the reader is a good one. As a writer and reader, I can appreciate short pieces, like Nikki Magennis' "Madrid." It's hard to create a complete "story" in a very short time.

Well, I better post this before it gets too long.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
I like some details, even if the sex is frenzied. I personally need more explicit details than just getting off from the setting.
It's not so much the setting. It's more of an abstract feeling like "The compassion flowed through her veins" instead of "Her panties were drenched." I suppose I'm a factual girl.

I always feel like trying my hand at getting a story in one of these anthologies, but I always chicken out.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Splendwhore Splendwhore
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
I think I feel like, when stories are that short, they are mostly abstract and not actual actions like I prefer too.
I think it's a personal thing. I often write abstractly, so perhaps that's why I appreciate it.
07/13/2010
Contributor: LucyLemonade LucyLemonade
Popped in as well, I've read 2 other Cleis Press books, but not this one in particular.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Splendwhore Splendwhore
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
Welcome Just in time too.
Yeah, no kidding! Just got done cleaning the kitchen and saw the discussion was already underway!
I get a bit mixed up because of the time difference.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by clp
I'm curious, for those that were able to read, what were your favorite stories like in this book? What made them your favorite?
I've honestly read too many other erotica books since then to remember off the top of my head, but I'm referencing my review on it.

I loved "Pirate Treasure" which is about a girl who's on-set shooting a Pirates movie, seated on a male Pirate's lap when she starts to feel his erection on her.

In "Take Note, please" a woman wakes up blindfolded to a table to find that she's in the middle of a classroom that's teaching how to pleasure a woman - and she's the test subject.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
wow, that moved really fast, lol.

I just bought the book too, I can't wait to read it
07/13/2010
Contributor: Splendwhore Splendwhore
Quote:
Originally posted by LucyLemonade
Popped in as well, I've read 2 other Cleis Press books, but not this one in particular.
Phew, at least I'm not alone! I'm working my way through After Midnight, Hard Hats, and Can't Help the Way I Feel.
I've yet to read this book either, but I'm very excited to get my hands on it!!
07/13/2010
Contributor: clp clp
Quote:
Originally posted by Splendwhore
I think it's a personal thing. I often write abstractly, so perhaps that's why I appreciate it.
I tend to be the same. While I don't consider my writing to be too flowery or metaphoric, I do seem to become more elaborate in my description so that it is not too ...obvious? I guess that it describes the feeling more than the action.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by Splendwhore
I think it's a personal thing. I often write abstractly, so perhaps that's why I appreciate it.
True. Well, it is a personal thing - I'll highly admit that. Everyone's erotica tastes vary as much as tastes in porn.
07/13/2010
Contributor: clp clp
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
I've honestly read too many other erotica books since then to remember off the top of my head, but I'm referencing my review on it.

I loved "Pirate Treasure" which is about a girl who's on-set shooting a Pirates movie, ... more
Ahem. These sound.... yes. Enjoyable. I'll need to read these sooner than later...
07/13/2010
Contributor: Splendwhore Splendwhore
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
I've honestly read too many other erotica books since then to remember off the top of my head, but I'm referencing my review on it.

I loved "Pirate Treasure" which is about a girl who's on-set shooting a Pirates movie, ... more
Ooh!! That Pirate one sounds intriguing.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by clp
Ahem. These sound.... yes. Enjoyable. I'll need to read these sooner than later...
Those are probably my idea of some of the gems in this book. At least by reading this book, I have realized that I love the idea of public sex. It's hot.
07/13/2010
Contributor: clp clp
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
True. Well, it is a personal thing - I'll highly admit that. Everyone's erotica tastes vary as much as tastes in porn.
I think thats the crux of it--I imagine it is harder to allign erotica to its best reader than for porn to its viewer, if only because we now have porn readily available over the nets, while erotica is still somewhat difficult to find.

With that in mind, I wonder if that parrallel could be taken further--is boxed porn better than free net porn, as published erotica tends to be better developed than free? Or am I just talking smack about a pretty sunset?
07/13/2010
Contributor: clp clp
Quote:
Originally posted by clp
I think thats the crux of it--I imagine it is harder to allign erotica to its best reader than for porn to its viewer, if only because we now have porn readily available over the nets, while erotica is still somewhat difficult to find.

With ... more
Also. I love misspelling.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kynky Kytty Kynky Kytty
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
I think I feel like, when stories are that short, they are mostly abstract and not actual actions like I prefer too.
I've read two books edited by Alison Tyler now and there are some similarities in the way she targets her audience by selecting the stories that she edits. I think softer erotica is still what is more popular for the average erotica reader, if it means anything...
07/13/2010
Contributor: LucyLemonade LucyLemonade
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
Those are probably my idea of some of the gems in this book. At least by reading this book, I have realized that I love the idea of public sex. It's hot.
In "Please Sir" there was a nice public sex story, Knot Here by Yolanda West. Right outside of a diner!
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by clp
I think thats the crux of it--I imagine it is harder to allign erotica to its best reader than for porn to its viewer, if only because we now have porn readily available over the nets, while erotica is still somewhat difficult to find.

With ... more
Honestly, I've found free erotica that's better that some of the paid ones I've written. It's just harder to find while a paid erotica presents it all nicely while with free, you have to wade through the crap first.

That's what I like about Cleis Press - their erotica is nicely priced, their editers do well with their collections, and even if all of the stories aren't 100% hot, they are amazingly higher quality than the internet and easier to read.
07/13/2010
Contributor: LucyLemonade LucyLemonade
I just got "Playing With Fire" edited by Alison Tyler. I'm excited to read it since "Frenzy" got good reviews!
07/13/2010
Contributor: clp clp
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
Honestly, I've found free erotica that's better that some of the paid ones I've written. It's just harder to find while a paid erotica presents it all nicely while with free, you have to wade through the crap first.

That's ... more
Sounds about right. You either pay with your time or your money.

That is just about the best recommendation to try a publisher that I can think of.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by LucyLemonade
In "Please Sir" there was a nice public sex story, Knot Here by Yolanda West. Right outside of a diner!
I've flipped through Please, Sir for a virtual book tour, but I haven't sat down and read through every story. Now I'm going to have to dig out my copy. I think I'm going to check out one of their public-sex erotica books to try and feed my interest.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
I totally got confused on the time difference too. I thought I was going to be extremely early. I think I remember that 50-word thing too. I still just don't like reading stories like that. There's something about getting to know the ... more
Oh, yes-- "flash" fiction is deceptive-- with so few words, it can be HARD to convey a story. I think that's why I enjoyed Frenzy so much from a writerly perspective-- i can appreciate the work that goes into crafting short-shorts. And when those stories still manage to arouse me or make me think... I'm blown away.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by Kristina Wright
Oh, yes-- "flash" fiction is deceptive-- with so few words, it can be HARD to convey a story. I think that's why I enjoyed Frenzy so much from a writerly perspective-- i can appreciate the work that goes into crafting short-shorts. And ... more
Some make me think. I feel like I must be a bad reader though since most of them just really, really bore me. Or act as a "buffer" between some good stories.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Erobintica
Hi. This artistic versus arousal value question is interesting to me as both a writer and reader. Though erotica is supposed to arouse, not everyone has the same buttons. So, I wouldn't expect an anthology of erotic stories to "deliver" ... more
Erobinitica, I completely agree. While short-shorts might not be everyone's cup of tea (or shot of tequila?), I think most writers can appreciate the work that goes into creating an entire story with a bare minimum number of words. In this case, Alison managed to cobble together 60 stories that demonstrate not only the authors' expertise, but show the spectrum of possibilities when it comes to "quickie" sex. Truth in advertising here, folks!
07/13/2010
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by LucyLemonade
I just got "Playing With Fire" edited by Alison Tyler. I'm excited to read it since "Frenzy" got good reviews!
I really enjoyed Playing With Fire, it was a great read, and I'm not generally all that into stories with fire
07/13/2010
Contributor: clp clp
Quote:
Originally posted by Kristina Wright
Oh, yes-- "flash" fiction is deceptive-- with so few words, it can be HARD to convey a story. I think that's why I enjoyed Frenzy so much from a writerly perspective-- i can appreciate the work that goes into crafting short-shorts. And ... more
Very much agree! I am always impressed by the creativity that some writers have to be able to cram so much story into so few words. This is definitely on of the reasons I delight in watching the #twitterotica feed so much. Bite-size stories, as it were!
07/13/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
I've honestly read too many other erotica books since then to remember off the top of my head, but I'm referencing my review on it.

I loved "Pirate Treasure" which is about a girl who's on-set shooting a Pirates movie, ... more
I loved "Pirate Treasure" as well - it was well written and I like the aspect of so many people around but no one knowing.

I also like "Seconds," for the group aspect (3 women on 1 man).

I don't remember all the titles I liked and I can't reference the book because my boyfriend actually borrowed it.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
I really enjoyed Playing With Fire, it was a great read, and I'm not generally all that into stories with fire
I haven't read that one yet. It's definitely on my list of "want to reads" though. Best Fetish Erotica is higher up on that list though.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by Tori Rebel
I loved "Pirate Treasure" as well - it was well written and I like the aspect of so many people around but no one knowing.

I also like "Seconds," for the group aspect (3 women on 1 man).

I don't remember all the ... more
Ooooh. Share the erotica love.

Pirate Treasure was probably my favorite, and to be honest, I don't remember anything about the "Seconds" story.
07/13/2010
Contributor: Kynky Kytty Kynky Kytty
Quote:
Originally posted by clp
Very much agree! I am always impressed by the creativity that some writers have to be able to cram so much story into so few words. This is definitely on of the reasons I delight in watching the #twitterotica feed so much. Bite-size stories, as it ... more
I know. The first story and introduction of the book 'Pleasure Bound' was general, but powerful, sensual, even poetic. It was a great one to start the book. It reminds me that I didn't even mention it in my review.

The authors, they're really good.
07/13/2010