Naked Reader Book Club Discussion: Foreign Affairs, Edited by Mitzi Szereto (August 23, 8-10 PM EST)

Contributor: Liz Langley Liz Langley
Hi Kat!
08/23/2011
Contributor: Blue Koi Blue Koi
Quote:
Originally posted by Mitzi Szereto
I'm waiting for the book burning to begin. I'm already on the phone with Salman Rushdie's people.
EGAD, thank goodness the Austen aficionados don't have worldwide fatwas at their disposal.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by Mitzi Szereto
Being startled is a good thing. Being predictable as a writer is not. It's all about sparking some kind of emotion in the reader.
But would you agree there is a fine line between sparking emotion and going for shock value?

(And it should have been positive note in the post above. Blast the lack of ability to fix typos on this forum!)
08/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
I'm torn here. I respect your approach and agree with you 100% — I don't want to read the same thing over and over. However, I felt there was a definite inclination towards the melancholy in this collection, and I personally prefer my erotica ... more
I can understand your position. Many of us read erotica for fantasy and escapism. A depressing ending sort of shatters that.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Sacchi Sacchi
Quote:
Originally posted by removedacnt
That's fascinating! Thank you for sharing that! It would be interesting to learn of the sensuality of foods from different countries.
Sex and food are both so enhanced by scent, taste, texture, and, well, presentation, that I think they complement each other in stories. You could even see them as metaphors for each other. Within reason, of course.
08/23/2011
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Liz Langley
Hi Everybody! My first time here...lots of interesting things already underway...
Hey Liz! Great to see you here!
08/23/2011
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
I love all the writers that we have here. Makes my inner book-lover extra happy.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
Sex and food are both so enhanced by scent, taste, texture, and, well, presentation, that I think they complement each other in stories. You could even see them as metaphors for each other. Within reason, of course.
Scent, taste, and texture are definitely things I enjoy in any piece of erotic writing as well as food!
08/23/2011
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Since this book is about travel or foreign lands, I'm curious if the writers have all been to these places. Basically I'm asking if when you write most of these types of stories do you usually have a personal point of reference?
08/23/2011
Contributor: Mitzi Szereto Mitzi Szereto
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
I'm torn here. I respect your approach and agree with you 100% — I don't want to read the same thing over and over. However, I felt there was a definite inclination towards the melancholy in this collection, and I personally prefer my erotica ... more
I think it's all about human experience, of touching the reader in some way. I mean touching not necessarily on a "stroke" level, but reaching into their minds and hearts and making them feel. There are happy endings and sad endings and endings of all sorts. It's a matter of taste. That is why the traditional romance market is so geared to the happy ending. But after awhile it's all the same old, if you know what I mean. Guess it depends on what you are in the mood for.
08/23/2011
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Blue Koi
EGAD, thank goodness the Austen aficionados don't have worldwide fatwas at their disposal.
I really don't quite understand the protest myself. I love Jane Austen and I love the idea of adding erotic scenes to her stories.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Sacchi Sacchi
Here's another question i asked Mitzi. We've pretty much covered it already, but it's still worth pondering.


The stories in Foreign Affairs are exceptionally well-written in terms of the prose. Which do you find most erotic, the explicit sexual moves or the lyrical quality of the writing?

Mitzi: The lyrical quality of the writing is what immediately grabs me. Anyone can write mechanical depictions of sex; where's the lyricism or talent in that? When I read I want to be engaged by the voice of the writer and be pulled into their world. If their prose is about as lyrical or original as what's scrawled on the wall of a public toilet, then they've pretty much lost me!
08/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Quote:
Originally posted by Blue Koi
EGAD, thank goodness the Austen aficionados don't have worldwide fatwas at their disposal.
LOL!
08/23/2011
Contributor: Mitzi Szereto Mitzi Szereto
Quote:
Originally posted by Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Mitzi, does the Middle Eastern setting or the exotic appearance of Middle Eastern people hold any significance to you? I could have sworn that the mysterious male in "Melinda" had such an exotic appearance as well.
Well, the gentleman in "Melinda" was a British Asian, whereas in Dubai we're full-on Arabic. I had travelled to Dubai on two occasions, and my story was inspired by a trip I'd made during Ramadan. I suppose I have some sense of connection with the Middle East because a former partner of mine was from Iran. So I learned a bit about Middle Eastern culture, etc. I still like a lot of things about that part of the world - the food of course, but also the beauty of the architecture, the goose-bump sounds of the call to prayer, etc. It's just a fascination culture.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Sacchi Sacchi
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
I really don't quite understand the protest myself. I love Jane Austen and I love the idea of adding erotic scenes to her stories.
I'm an Austen aficionado, and I have some opinions on the book, but I'll save them until we feature it here. (on the whole, I liked it very much.)
08/23/2011
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Quote:
Originally posted by Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
LOL!
Congratulations Yaoi! You won our first $25 Edenfantasys gift card of the night. Please email me at Liz @ Edenfantasys.com
08/23/2011
Contributor: Mitzi Szereto Mitzi Szereto
Quote:
Originally posted by Blue Koi
EGAD, thank goodness the Austen aficionados don't have worldwide fatwas at their disposal.
You never know...
08/23/2011
Contributor: Blue Koi Blue Koi
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
I really don't quite understand the protest myself. I love Jane Austen and I love the idea of adding erotic scenes to her stories.
The whole thing gave me pause. It's hardly a case of preserving the hagiography——old Jane's been rewritten every way 'til Sunday. Mitzi just offered up the version we'd really been waiting for. Total touché on the HuffPo response, especially shedding light on the profound gender disparity among writers of her time.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
Here's another question i asked Mitzi. We've pretty much covered it already, but it's still worth pondering.


The stories in Foreign Affairs are exceptionally well-written in terms of the prose. Which do you find most erotic, ... more
Mechanical descriptions of sex begin to remind me of my 7th grade biology text book.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Liz Langley Liz Langley
Nice to see you, too, Laurel!

Liz, that's a really good question about the writers' experiences in the places they're writing about...I'm curious about that, too (trying to figure out how to reprint the question!).

Since this book is about travel or foreign lands, I'm curious if the writers have all been to these places. Basically I'm asking if when you write most of these types of stories do you usually have a personal point of reference?
08/23/2011
Contributor: Mitzi Szereto Mitzi Szereto
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
I'm an Austen aficionado, and I have some opinions on the book, but I'll save them until we feature it here. (on the whole, I liked it very much.)
It was intended to be a fun romp - sort of with sex rather than zombies. I still don't understand all the upset. Life is short - we need to have a laugh on occasion!
08/23/2011
Contributor: Mitzi Szereto Mitzi Szereto
Quote:
Originally posted by Liz Langley
Nice to see you, too, Laurel!

Liz, that's a really good question about the writers' experiences in the places they're writing about...I'm curious about that, too (trying to figure out how to reprint the ... more
My story was based on a visit there, so for me, the answer is a big YES.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Quote:
Originally posted by Blue Koi
The whole thing gave me pause. It's hardly a case of preserving the hagiography——old Jane's been rewritten every way 'til Sunday. Mitzi just offered up the version we'd really been waiting for. Total touché on the HuffPo ... more
Wasn't there an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that had zombies in it? You would think that would get more complaints than erotic scenes.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Mitzi Szereto Mitzi Szereto
Quote:
Originally posted by Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Mechanical descriptions of sex begin to remind me of my 7th grade biology text book.
Here, here! Well said, my dear!
08/23/2011
Contributor: Top Kat Top Kat
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
I'm an Austen aficionado, and I have some opinions on the book, but I'll save them until we feature it here. (on the whole, I liked it very much.)
I liked it too.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Sacchi Sacchi
Quote:
Originally posted by Sacchi
Here's another question i asked Mitzi. We've pretty much covered it already, but it's still worth pondering.


The stories in Foreign Affairs are exceptionally well-written in terms of the prose. Which do you find most erotic, ... more
Replying to my own post to add, with some degree of guilt, that I was almost tempted to see if I could write a good story using mainly phrases scrawled on the walls of public toilets, but the challenge wasn't enough to justify the rather icky research necessary.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by Mitzi Szereto
I think it's all about human experience, of touching the reader in some way. I mean touching not necessarily on a "stroke" level, but reaching into their minds and hearts and making them feel. There are happy endings and sad endings and ... more
I think the unsettling part of Foreign Affairs is that many of the characters achieved sexual fulfillment, but were mentally left yearning. It transformed the mood from nostalgic or wistful, to sad.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Quote:
Originally posted by removedacnt
Congratulations Yaoi! You won our first $25 Edenfantasys gift card of the night. Please email me at Liz @ Edenfantasys.com
Oh wow! Awesome, thanks!
08/23/2011
Contributor: Mitzi Szereto Mitzi Szereto
Quote:
Originally posted by Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Wasn't there an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that had zombies in it? You would think that would get more complaints than erotic scenes.
LOL! Yeah, I sorta recall some zombies somewhere... They did get some grief, but I think I'm getting a lot more! What a bunch of tight arses!
08/23/2011
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
I think the unsettling part of Foreign Affairs is that many of the characters achieved sexual fulfillment, but were mentally left yearning. It transformed the mood from nostalgic or wistful, to sad.
I haven't read it, but from your description, I'd say that can be very true in life as well.
08/23/2011