Tag: writing

Thank you

Mona and Honey give thanks

November 27, 2015

BeautyYesterday, BFF’s Mona and Honey spent the day together, sharing memories and creating new ones. Since Honey is carrying, Mona took it upon herself to go visit her friend. A lot has happened since they first met six months ago.

They talk about everything, from the smallest little details of their daily life to the big ones involving their respective Masters. The one thing they do not talk about is how they came to meet. Honey was stalked, attacked, kidnapped and almost killed. Everyone else thought that she had simply run away from home, shirking her duties to her family and community.

010-ReflectionsBWMona found her, rescued her and saved her from almost certain death. She discovered who the perpetrator, who was later punished. As a result of the events, the traumatized Honey and Mona became best friends. Neither would have it any other way.

In sharing time together yesterday, they relished the opportunity to be thankful for finding each other and their respective lives, their housemates and their Masters. Sharing a superb meal together, they talked, laughed and even cried long into the evening.

Not to be left out, they also included many of Honey’s housemates into their circle of fellowship. Till now, most of them would usually leave them alone, knowing that they needed their time together alone. Besides, most of them were in awe with a bit of hero-worship towards Mona. Their honor restored through Mona’s relentless search to discover the truth of Honey’s disappearance, they believed they owed a debt to Mona. Mona didn’t think so. She was just doing what she does what she does.

So, yesterday, the two women invited them into their circle, answered questions, posed some their own and enjoyed each others company well into the night.

As Mona drove home afterwards, she reflected upon the warm feelings, emotions and fellowship offered her that day. She couldn’t help but feel grateful by their attentions. After all, in her mind, what she did for that family was a very small thing indeed. She would have done it for anyone.

But one thing could be said for the day. She was very thankful that Honey was forever, a part of her life.

Why did I write ‘The Taste of Honey’ (part 1)

November 24, 2015

Why did I write this book? The answer is well … complicated. The quick answer is that I am horny, all the time, every day and every night. So, I need and like to write stories with adult themes.

Just ask anyone who knows me. I enjoy watching  movies and television shows that include some level of nudity. There are a rare few that I will override that requirement, if they intrigue me in some other way.

I’m also deeply into science, sci-fi, crime and mystery, especially if they include historical or future dramas. I’ve been reading all my life and used to write my own stories as an adolescent and young adult.

The longer or more thoughtful answer is I strive to take every opportunity to enjoy the finer pleasures of life. I absolutely love the female form. She is Mother Nature (and God if you’re believer) gift to the species. To me, to believe in God is to believe that she is a woman. There is something about that gender that turns my eye and encourages me to engage with women. I enjoy finding out who they are and getting to know the person behind their breasts, legs, lips and asses.

Now that I’ve found a person to share that passion with, life is grand. She allows me to be who I am and doesn’t try to change me.

I’m also kinky. What does that mean, you might be thinking? Well, as you read my books, you’ll find that some of the scenes that I write about are based upon real life experiences.

When I was a young lad, I always thought that the thoughts I had in my head were very different from those of my family. I kept them private, fearing that I would be labeled as a deviant and outcast. Over the years, I buried those thoughts and feelings. I thought that they existed solely in the realm of fantasy. Something that they do “only on the west coast” but never in my traditional home.

I suffered during those years, though I maintained my grasp on my love of sex and free love. Early in my first marriage, we shared experiences together that I will never regret to this day. They were fun, exciting but never fulfilling. Then one day, I realized that the mask I wore would put me looking at the grass brown side up for all eternity. I also discovered that she had been wearing a mask. Once we shed those masks, we each discovered we had married the wrong person and we moved on.

From that point on, I grieved for many years. As I healed, I vowed to be the person who I knew I was. How to get there was a mystery. It wasn’t until I met someone who said to me, “Rich, you may be kinky. I think you should look into it”. After she gave me pointers, I discovered that I’m not strange, different or sick. I also found an entire community who lived a life I was always meant to live.. They share the same beliefs and morals as I do.They were honorable, healthy and well-rounded. They were just like me!

Jump ahead a few years and many experiences later, I resumed the writing that had slipped from my life. After struggling with finding an exciting and titillating topic that was different from other authors, I began writing, ‘The Taste of Honey’.

I hope I have peaked your curiosity that you will return tomorrow as I continue to explain why I wrote, “The Taste of Honey”!

Broken Steele book cover 3D

Why “Broken Steele” Will Dominate the LGBT Book Category on Amazon.com

November 19, 2015

Pretty confident title… right? So is the first chapter of “Broken Steele”.

Amazon.com readers and Kindle eBook buyers are simply going to love the uninhibited approach that “Broken Steele” offers in the exploration of a lifestyle that is well known in the LGBT arena. Instead of  gently easing into a lesbian sex scene, the first chapter is an explosion of intimacy, domination and sets the tone of the entire book.

As Leah Hart said “Ok, so we’re going there – right now! Alrighty then!”

I think she might have been surprised.

It’s not often that books have a sex scene smack dab in the front of the book, let alone the first few paragraphs. The LGBT audience will love it and rave because it celebrates sex and puts it right “out there” instead of shying into it. It’s not like other books on the market.

What can you do to get the word out to help “Broken Steele” dominate the Amazon.com LGBT market? Spread the word. Thanks for sharing!

Broken Steele book cover 3D

The Start of a Great LGBT Series

November 18, 2015

“The Taste of Honey” and “Broken Steele” are breakthroughs in the LGBT book audience because of their ability to portray an honest depiction of real human love and sexuality. These two books are the start of a fantastic series, with many more books to come. I have really enjoyed delving into the characters of both books and often find myself getting lost in their world as a writer and reader.

These books are not going to be for everyone. What I write is very specific to an audience of readers that enjoy provocative scenes and sensual writing. I have enjoyed catering to an audience that has often been misunderstood, mistreated in today’s society and have, until this point, gone without literature that identifies and celebrates their love and desires for physical touch.

While my books are intended for mature audiences, I know that many teenagers who are LGBT will find my books and want to read them. I’m sure you may remember instances in your own life where you might have read romance novels under the covers with a flashlight at an age that might have been considered “too young” for the contents. I truly believe that my books open up an opportunity for teenagers and parents to have honest, open discussions about the kinds of lifestyles my characters have – along with the safety precautions that need to be in place with this lifestyle… because it does exist in today’s world. LGBT relationships can be committed ones as well as polyamorous, and these are great discussions to have with others, regardless of religious or spiritual beliefs and preferences.

I also believe that my books satisfy a lot of curiosities out there about dominance/submissive sexual relationships, and no one should feel ashamed or embarrassed about wanting to read my books. I’m happy to entertain constructive criticism and discussion. I encourage anyone and everyone who is curious about what has been a somewhat hidden world to read any of my books – you’ll enjoy them very much!

Marketing on Social Media

October 13, 2015

So, I’ve been on social media for a while now, and the more I learn about it, the more I realize that it is an important part of marketing my books and artwork. The folks who I now following have lots of great ideas and thoughts that make a whole lot of sense to me. I hope that my posts do the same for you.

What bothers me is that it seems that I have to pay attention to the feeds throughout the day, everyday. Don’t get me wrong, it can be fun but it can be tedious as well.

I struggle with the idea that I have to post multiple times a day. I don’t believe that I would do justice to my followers. The ones I’ve been in direct contact with, tell me that my thoughts and insights are interesting. They want to read them. Makes me smile. Thanks to all who get this far in my essay.

So, back to struggling with this whole new venture involving social media. I find that I seem to be spending more time marketing than writing or painting. I also have a real full-time job. I don’t want that to be jeopardized by what I do here.

So, how do I balance everything? I presume that in the years to come, I’ll figure it out and it won’t be so intrusive on my time. Yet, I have a driving need to promote my creative works. It’s not so much selling my books or my fine art. It’s more that I love the idea of people appreciating my work enough that they want their very own copy of it, or the original for that matter when it comes to my art.

I’m not saying that I am a world class author or artist. Time will tell in that front. But, I believe I’m good and I’ll only get better by doing what I love to do.

Writing and painting. Right now, writing has the nod. But how do I do that while promoting, marketing and supporting myself on a shoestring budget.

Your thoughts and ideas are most welcome. Please send me your thoughts. I really want to hear from you.

Thanks for reading and have a cup of coffee or tea; a glass of wine or the taste of a good woman or man. Till next time, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, which isn’t much.

Book Editing Question

September 25, 2015

So, the nagging question that has been on my mind is whether which is better? Pay a professional editor or use a personal contact who is very good at editing but who is not a professional in the field.

So far, I’ve been using the later for several reasons.

  1. Broken Steele book cover 3DWe argue about sections of my books and whether they need to be there at all.
  2. How to improve the story by helping to rewrite sections, large and small, while still keeping the intent of the section.
  3. We can work together editing  regardless at any time of day, even well into the night or first thing in the morning. Even before my morning coffee (ah, who am I kidding, not).
  4. By using someone I know and trust, we can discuss the bigger plot lines, intent and direction of the story along with a host of a number of little things that I can’t think of right now.
  5. We can discuss future story lines which I can turn into an outline for another book.
  6. Of course, the usually finding and correcting spelling and grammar errors.

The big question on my mind is this.

Does using a paid professional editor significantly improve the end result which translates in more sales?

What do you think? — I really want to know.

Finished my draft of ‘Broken Steele’

August 9, 2015

Whew! This morning I finished my draft of my new novel, ‘Broken Steele’, book 2 in the ‘Mona Bendarova Adventures.  Next, I’m on to the arduous task of editing it and preparing it for publication. Yes, it’s true. I am an independent publisher under the brand ‘maggicalExpressions’.

First, I’ll be doing a once over edit looking for obvious errors and inconsistencies, which I am sure exists. Next I’ll be doing a more in-depth with my favorite person in the world, my partner Janet. She is quite good at helping me edit and was a huge help in preparing the last book for publication.  I’ll also be sharing it with one or two others who promise to help me edit it.

Which begs the question. To edit yourself or hire an editor? What do you think?

As an independent publisher who has yet to make his first million (alright, hundred) in royalties, I’d like to know. From research I’ve found all over the web, the recommendation is to not self edit but hire an editor.

Since I don’t have the money to do that, I have to resort to my own means to edit my books, and for that matter, design the book covers and everything else necessary to publish.

The second question that comes to mind is, if you hire an editor, how long does it take to get the book back and ready to publish? For that matter, does an editor format the book as well, or that still my responsibility?

What do you think?