Fighting the Good Fight

Yesterday my technical consultant used his chocolate-bunnies-for-breakfast buzz to post a web version of one of my essays on my website, "A Pill to Change Your Life," about my mother's death from the diabetes drug Rezulin. This was originally published in Fourth Genre, a well-regarded creative nonfiction journal.

The timing is good in light of Amazon's efforts to silence controversial voices because the essay talks about my family's fight to learn the truth about my mother's death. The drug company and the FDA had a lot to hide, but eventually much of the story did come out. The result of our struggle is not simple and not exactly happy, but I see now that we did help get the drug off the market in a very direct way, which saved many more people from our mother's fate. And we did something in spite of the tremendous resources of our corporate opponent.

Rezulin really did change my life, and I see its lingering side-effects in my reaction to the Amazon disaster as well as my decision to write erotica openly. I can't exactly say "I hope you enjoy this," but I do think this essay reveals something of me that I seldom show in my other work. If knowing the truth is in some sense a fundamental human "pleasure," then this piece will provide that at least.

Writer Talk: Point of View

This is my first effort at the "nonpromotional" blog post. The idea is just to share my experiences actually writing fiction and hear any ideas or comments you might have. But there's no obligation because this is more of a "morning pages" type meditation to try to figure out my own writing process.

It is so wonderful to be writing fiction again. It's like a tall glass of ice water on a hot day. I just want to keep drinking and drinking. Mmmm......

So, I finished one new story in the past two weeks and had another on my list, but a completely different one brazenly pushed itself forward and I couldn't resist the little hussy. What I found interesting (to me, anyway) is that the first story was a sort of mystery tale and I instinctively chose the third person. The main character is in a very protective place in her life and the POV seems to add to that intriguing distance, that question of why this woman is engaging in these edgy sex acts. This new one, however, just screamed for my first-person wry observer, very much like my protagonist, Lydia, in Amorous Woman. This approach to a story feels more comfortable for me, certainly for a long-term project like a novel.

I've read in writing/publishing how-to books that third-person is preferred by many editors. Some literary magazine editors will actually send rejections saying "we have too many first-person narratives." And of course third-person allows you to hop around to different characters more easily among other advantages. Most blockbuster novels are sagas which follow the fates of many different characters in that way. Yet for me, erotic writing is more intimate as a confession. I'm going to start writing my second novel with "I's" but I'm also wondering if I should try a page or two in third-person, just to see how it feels. Any thoughts on the advantages of one or the other are most welcome here or "in private."

This brings up the question of second-person, which I actually enjoy writing, but seems to drive many editors and readers INSANE for some reason. More on that later. Hope you're having a good weekend!

Am I Hardcore?

That’s what erotica writer Jane Black (check out her bittersweet and very hot story of sexual awakening on Clean Sheets this week--it's a good one!) told me when I described this year’s gingerbread house project. What makes this year’s special is a little experiment of mine, inspired by a recipe for stained glass cookies. I decided to melt some butterscotch disks and see if they might make nice windows for a gingerbread abode. And in fact, this leap of creativity paid off nicely. Note the golden glow emanating from the edible edifice—the perfect touch of tingly warmth for the long December nights.

Again I’m reminded of the refreshingly uncomplicated response this kind of creativity inspires. The compliments abound and they seem totally sincere. Maybe that’s because no one else is crazy enough to spend so much time on gingerbread houses? I mean, there are professional pastry chefs who do it for display in hotels or other public places. They’re definitely hardcore, but it’s their full time job and they get paid for it, the dominatrices of the genre. And then there are those kits of pre-baked pieces you glue together with icing and let the kids decorate. It’s a great idea, but, well, a little too soft and wimpy to turn me on.



I won’t lie to you. This little cottage looks simple and charming enough, but it took me hours to draw the pattern, bake the pieces, assemble and decorate. An absurd amount of time, really. There’s no doubt it’s like a short story. You want it to look seamless and self-contained. No sweat, doubts or swear words ever disgraced its conception. But they lurk just the same in the secret history of the smooth, finished piece. If those gingerbread walls could talk!




Anyway, I think Jane has a point, but I certainly wasn’t as hardcore this year as when I spent weeks on “Holiday Inn,” pictured above. That was definitely hardcore. But maybe this year it would be better to call me “mediumcore.” You know, vanilla, but made with fresh vanilla beans and organic cream, topped with homemade hot fudge and fresh, toasted pecans with a glace cherry on top?

What do you think? (Slack-jawed admiration of the magical wonder of my gingerbread house is shamelessly accepted).

A Note for Insane Gingerbread Architects: The windows are an easy trick to tuck in your bag. Just place two butterscotch candies together on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until melted and spreading, then smooth with a spoon, if necessary (it may not be). Lift them from the paper after about a minute with a spatula and cool on a rack. Glue them to the inside of the windows with royal icing and voila!

Who’s Superstitious?

Well, I am. Just a little. I always start a new story as a “save as” file of a story that did well, for example. And maybe it’s a writer’s thing—magical thinking would be, right?--because Alison Tyler admits she’s superstitious, too.

One of my superstitions is that I don’t talk publicly about a story acceptance until I hold the published book in my hands. (A novel is different because you have to promote it starting like years before you write it--honest!) Now, given the vicissitudes of publishing, this is probably more just a matter of prudence. Alison told me she’s the same way and she mentioned something about lots of rejections and as she says in her blog I did in fact write back: “Rejected? You?”

I mean come on, what crazy loon would pass up the chance to publish an Alison Tyler story? She’s like the Goddess of Erotica!

But, of course, rejection is part of this business, so much a part of it. I stopped counting but I know I’ve piled up hundreds of rejections (some nice, most impersonal, a few quite gratuitously nasty and I haven't forgotten you, you jerks, yes, some day you'll be sorry!) and for stories that later went on to fame. It all has to do with taste and editorial needs and other factors beyond our control. I guess there is a part of me that likes to fantasize that some writers never face rejection or they work their way up the ladder to a shining and glorious land of eternal acceptance. Rather like those erotica stories where complete strangers have sex and they're so perfect together, they come ten times in two minutes.

But Alison’s acknowledgment that even she gets a “no” now and then reminded me that rejections are also a badge of courage. We take the risk of baring our soul on the page, sending our masterpieces out into the world and subjecting them to the callous scrutiny of all-too practical publishers, agents, editors. And often enough the bastards say “no.” But we keep on with our work anyway. If that’s not courage, I don’t know what else is!

Halloween Thrills at Virtual Wordsmith!

Happy Halloween! This has always been my favorite holiday because like all writers I love pretending to be someone else for a brief time. This year I pulled out the hanbok I bought in Korea in 1983 and I’m going as Jang Geum, the title character from the popular Korean historical drama about the only woman to rise to the position of head physician in the Chosun court of the 16th century. I’m pretty excited about that because the dress is gorgeous, even though it makes me look fat, but everyone looks fat in hanbok. You could be eight months pregnant and no one would know.

But I’ve got even more exciting news today—a visit with Virtual Wordsmith blogger Mary Lynn Lewis. Lynn reviewed my novel Amorous Woman in her August 28 post and followed up with an interview today, Halloween 2007. Lynn and I did not know each other before I found out about her book review blog, but I liked what I saw and queried her about doing a review of my book. I was a bit nervous when she said yes. I can count on friends to be diplomatic at least, but with strangers I knew I’d be getting an honest response to my work. Imagine my delight—that’s a big, huge, happy my-heart-is-soaring grin—when Lynn posted her very positive review.

“Donna George Storey is a storyteller, as well as a writer. I had a difficult time stepping away from this book, because I felt transported while reading it. I also didn't want it to end. I wanted to know more!”

Really, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better one! To read more of the review plus an interview with me where I discuss feisty characters who rebel against my writerly plans, why erotica can justly claim to be “real” literature and not just a poor cousin, and how I get creative highs away from the keyboard, stop by Virtual Wordsmith. And check out the other book reviews as well!

Cyber Book Tour: Kay Sexton and Writing Neuroses

Okay, everybody, the book promotion fun has begun in earnest! I’ve kicked off my cyber book tour for Amorous Woman with my first stop at Kay Sexton’s UK-based blog, Writing Neuroses. This is especially appropriate not only because of the location, but because Kay’s blog is a wonderful resource for writers. Kay herself has been a generous source of information and support for me as I try to figure out how to promote my book across an ocean.

The other reason you should check out the interview is because the questions really got me thinking—and prodded me to articulate a few things I’d never really tried to put into words before. You can find out all kinds of secrets about the earliest roots of my novel, what I do and don’t know about writing sex scenes, and my fantasy life lolling away the day on a desert island while I wait for the rescue boat to arrive.

So, pop on over to Brighton and check it out!

My Gorgeous New Web Site!

My Labor Day weekend was busy. We went to the California State Fair in Sacramento, which, alas, was disappointing. Our governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, promised in the program that we'd leave the fair saying, "I'll be back." I doubt it. The exhibits were low-wattage and the food was pure processessed chain food fare. This is California, for heaven's sake, and there wasn't one leaf of arugula to be found! Fortunately the closing day Weird Al Yankovic concert was awesome! Even on stage Weird Al can take on many guises. He even sang some of our old favorites: "Amish Paradise" and "Bob" and "Fat." The concert definitely saved the day.

A more exciting and productive activity of the weekend was that my technical advisor and I updated my Web site in preparation for the release of Amorous Woman. Each page is now adorned with a lovely wood block print by Kawase Hasui and there's a new "About Me" section that will tell you more about me and my path to the writing life than you ever wanted to know. There are also excerpts from Amorous Woman. Lots of goodies, so please drop by the site for a visit!

Jolie du Pre's Iridescence: Do Judge a Book by its Cover

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Everyone’s heard that bit of wisdom and yet, well, I do generally judge a book by its cover, at least on the first go-round. Even though I know now the editor and/or author has little say in the matter (unless s/he’s famous and powerful). Sometimes it’s a mistake to do this. Fortunately, with Jolie du Pre’s Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica the cover and what’s inside are a perfect match.

And my, oh my, do I love that cover. The background blue is strangely mesmerizing. I happen to like dark shades of blue anyway, but this one is so rich and deep, drawing me into it. Somehow the hue shifts just a bit with each blink. Now it’s a bit more violet, now blacker, now with a touch of bright peacock. Then there’s the gorgeous sinuous line of that dark-skinned female torso, the graceful, yet powerful-looking hand, the delicious contrast of the skin with the white cloth wrapped around her hips. (Is Jolie the model? Could be….) After staring for far too long—remember, my house is a mess and I should be vacuuming, not enraptured by book covers—it strikes me that the cover is a perfect preview of what the stories inside provide.

And that is something more than just hot, sexy stories. They are hot and sexy and juicy and if that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed. But as I read, I realized there was something else going on for me which sort of confused me at first because it was new. I was actually caring about the characters as women, as people. I REALLY wanted them to get together with their new lovers or find solace with their long-time partners. I haven’t read a lot of erotic romance—that new gold-mine of a genre—but this struck me as a very romantic collection of stories. I’ve been into looking up words in the dictionary recently, words I thought I understood, but I’m going to refrain this time, because my personal definition is what matters here as a reader. For me romance isn’t necessarily roses and chocolates or gorgeous lovers sweeping down to save me. All it really means is that it makes a difference who you have sex with and it matters to them that they’re having sex with you. Perhaps that is a female thing, but I think this was the case for every character in Iridescence and that’s what made me relate so closely.

I’ll mention a few favorite stories, the ones that stayed with me for days after I read them. Starting off the anthology with Fiona Zedde’s “Night Music” was a wise choice, I think, for immediately all of the reader’s senses are engaged. The narrator, Rhiannon, is drawn to a striking-looked and very talented violinist named Zoya. After the concert, Zoya invites Rhiannon to her dressing room for a delicious meal in which chilled fruit and curried chicken salad are followed by a most luscious dessert involving leather bonds and knowing tongues and a concert of lovely sounds of pleasure. As I reread the story, I admired again the sensuality vibrating in the prose as well as the action. It’s a great story.

We move on to CB Potts’ “Test Your Luck,” stepping from the polished world of the concert hall to a gritty, downbeat Native American Casino. After a rough night on the beat as a Tribal Policewoman, Sesi comes home to her lover Marlee. Again, the sex is hot, but it’s not just that. There’s such deep feeling here in a single kiss—“all the anger, all the fear, all the sorrow and all the terror”—that someone feels when her lover in danger every time she goes off to work. The sex that follows is more than just sex. It’s always more than just sex in a good piece of fiction.

“Grease” by Isabelle Gray is the third story, and this is where I realized this was a special book. Often when I’m reading erotica, I’m like—okay this intro stuff is fine, but when are they going to have sex? Here I enjoyed every minute of the build-up. The narrator and her girlfriend Tia were just so likeable and human, I wanted them to get together and dine on homemade tamales and have sizzling sex. It was as if I were there with them, wanting what they wanted. And getting what they got!

Another standout for me was Teresa Noelle Roberts’ “Special Delivery.” I myself frequent a few Indian restaurants in the neighborhood and there are a few hostesses who are lovely and intriguing and seem to harbor mysterious secrets. Thus is was refreshing and gratifying to get to know the real woman, Amy, behind the sari and the Kama Sutra fantasy, in this case “a special delivery of a hot American dyke.” Bring on the sag paneer, baby!

Last but not least, Jolie du Pre’s “Monisha” is another story that tugs on my heart as well as my groin. Is there anything more depressing than spending Christmas alone? Worse still, the protagonist, Gladys, is cut off from her family because she’s been honest about her sexuality and they can’t handle it. Fortunately, she’s invited for Christmas dinner by a sexy woman who works in her favorite coffee shop, but of course the turkey isn’t the most memorable part of the evening. The ending is warm and bittersweet, and it lingers, just as a memory does in real life.

I could go on and on about Dylynn DeSaint’s dressing room tryst in “Shopping in New York” or Cheyenne Blue’s “Glory B.”—but in short, this is a collection worth reading and thinking about. Recently I’ve started corresponding with a guy who saw my ERWA Circle of Friends bio and he asked me about the goals I’m reaching for in my writing. For better or worse I think I’ve moved beyond “finding my voice,” or avoiding the pitfalls of a beginning writer like using passive voice or whatever. What I want to do is write stories that touch people and change their lives in some small way. It sounds simple perhaps, but it is in fact very, very difficult. In Iridescence, I have some very good examples to study.