Naked Reader Book Club Discussion: CAN'T HELP THE WAY THAT I FEEL (Lori Bryant-Woolridge) and MAKING THE HOOK-UP (Cole Riley)(July 27, 7-11 PM EST)

Contributor: clp clp
Just arrived, had to restart my computer. Hi, everybody! I'm already lost on the conversation.
07/27/2010
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Cole Riley
The book was inspired by Calvin Herndon, who probably was the forerunner of Black erotica. He wrote several erotic stories, some published in leading magazines. I saw several stories from Evergreen and the like. I modeled my book on his intent.
That's fascinating, Cole. I'm familiar with Hernton's Sex and Racisim in America (that M.A. in Humanities comes in handy sometimes).

I'm also thinking about the critique of stereotypical African American erotica (and porn) that it eroticizes the exotic for a white audience. Who do you intend your audience to be for this book? Do you think good erotica should be color blind or is that simplifying the issue of sex and race?
07/27/2010
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Cole Riley
I will personally sign the books from the club as a thank you for being here tonight.
Fabulous, Cole! Thanks for your generosity!

I believe Lori Bryant-Woolridge will also be joining us shortly.
07/27/2010
Contributor: Splendwhore Splendwhore
And.. now I have to go. Great discussion, lol!
07/27/2010
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by clp
Just arrived, had to restart my computer. Hi, everybody! I'm already lost on the conversation.
Welcome! Not to worry, just hang on for the ride and you'll catch up soon!
07/27/2010
Contributor: Cole Riley Cole Riley
Quote:
Originally posted by Cole Riley
Do you think I accomplish my goal?
If I do something else with Cleis, I will go further. A bit of romance, a bit of kink, a bit of lust, a bit of soul, a bit of ideas as well.
07/27/2010
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Splendwhore
And.. now I have to go. Great discussion, lol!
I'll miss you!!
07/27/2010
Contributor: Misfit Momma Misfit Momma
Quote:
Originally posted by Splendwhore
And.. now I have to go. Great discussion, lol!
See you later!
07/27/2010
Contributor: Lori Bryant-Woolridge Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Hi Everybody. It's Lori Bryant Woolridge. Am I the only one participating with clothes on?
07/27/2010
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Hi Everybody. It's Lori Bryant Woolridge. Am I the only one participating with clothes on?
No

I'm at work and there are still people around, lol
07/27/2010
Contributor: Cole Riley Cole Riley
Quote:
Originally posted by Cole Riley
If I do something else with Cleis, I will go further. A bit of romance, a bit of kink, a bit of lust, a bit of soul, a bit of ideas as well.
Well, I don't know if the erotica would be color blind, but it would be much more humanist. More universal in its emotions. Like Miller or Nin or Lawrence.
07/27/2010
Contributor: Misfit Momma Misfit Momma
Quote:
Originally posted by Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Hi Everybody. It's Lori Bryant Woolridge. Am I the only one participating with clothes on?
Haha. Wish I could say I was naked but kids are still up
07/27/2010
Contributor: Cole Riley Cole Riley
Quote:
Originally posted by Cole Riley
Well, I don't know if the erotica would be color blind, but it would be much more humanist. More universal in its emotions. Like Miller or Nin or Lawrence.
Hello, Lori. Great book.
07/27/2010
Contributor: *Keona* *Keona*
Quote:
Originally posted by Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Hi Everybody. It's Lori Bryant Woolridge. Am I the only one participating with clothes on?
lol Hi Lori.

And nope, fully clothed over here. It's hot enough to be naked though
07/27/2010
Contributor: Brendada Brendada
It is so cold in california, I just had to put on a shawl! So, no- Lori, not YET, anyway!
07/27/2010
Contributor: Lori Bryant-Woolridge Lori Bryant-Woolridge
I wanted to second Cole's comment about Cleis. They are awesome and I am enjoying so much being part of the family.
07/27/2010
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Splendwhore
And.. now I have to go. Great discussion, lol!
Thanks for stopping by! We'll be here for another three and a half hours, if you can come back!
07/27/2010
Contributor: Lori Bryant-Woolridge Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Hi Cole. Yours as well.
07/27/2010
Contributor: Lori Bryant-Woolridge Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Splendwhore, you'll have to get back to me about your favorite story once you finish the book!
07/27/2010
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Hi Everybody. It's Lori Bryant Woolridge. Am I the only one participating with clothes on?
Welcome, Lori Bryant Woolridge, editor of Can't Help the Way That I Feel. Perhaps you could share your inspiration for the very unusual and creative way you bring the reader into your book with your "story starters."

Also, I opened the discussion with a question for the crowd about what your theme of "Lead Me Into Temptation" means to them. Anyone care to tackle that one?
07/27/2010
Contributor: Hopeless Romantic Hopeless Romantic
Quote:
Originally posted by Kristina Wright
Hi and welcome to the Naked Reader Book Club discussion! I'm Kristina Wright, your book club moderator.

Tonight we will be discussing two books: Lori Bryant-Wooldridge's Can't Help the Way That I Feel: Sultry Stories of African ... more
I would like to read these books. I like to learn and especially if it teaches me & my hubby how to better please each other
07/27/2010
Contributor: Cole Riley Cole Riley
Quote:
Originally posted by Cole Riley
Hello, Lori. Great book.
There is no one at home here. Just your voices....
07/27/2010
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Cole Riley
If I do something else with Cleis, I will go further. A bit of romance, a bit of kink, a bit of lust, a bit of soul, a bit of ideas as well.
I think you did a splendid job of incorporating those elements into Making the Hook-Up! But I think writers/editors are always challenging themselves to go farther. Looking forward to see how you interpret that in your next collection!
07/27/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Hi Everybody. It's Lori Bryant Woolridge. Am I the only one participating with clothes on?
Hi Lori - welcome! Nudity is not required Thanks to you and to Cole for joining us tonight!
07/27/2010
Contributor: Lori Bryant-Woolridge Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Am I not doing something right? I'm not seeing any replies. Did everyone leave? Hello?
07/27/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Brendada
It is so cold in california, I just had to put on a shawl! So, no- Lori, not YET, anyway!
You can have some of our heat Brenda - it's still in the high 90's at nearly 7pm.
07/27/2010
Contributor: Misfit Momma Misfit Momma
Quote:
Originally posted by Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Am I not doing something right? I'm not seeing any replies. Did everyone leave? Hello?
I have been refreshing the page to see replies
07/27/2010
Contributor: Cole Riley Cole Riley
Quote:
Originally posted by Cole Riley
There is no one at home here. Just your voices....
When I read your book, Lori, there is a directness. Every story talks to the readers and that is a wonderful thing. We need dialogue so much.
07/27/2010
Contributor: Brendada Brendada
I will gladly take some of the heat and if I get too cold, I can def read Making the Hook Up or Can't Help the Way I Feel, right?
07/27/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Hopeless Romantic
I would like to read these books. I like to learn and especially if it teaches me & my hubby how to better please each other
It's been suggested in the past, but one of the more exciting ways to couples use erotica to spice things up is to actually read it out loud to each other. So, even if you don't learn something, you are having some fun!
07/27/2010