Sunday, November 30, 2008

Secrets

I thought about doing a Thanksgiving theme...even though I'm Canadian and our Thanksgiving was in the sensible month of October. ;-)....but then I thought EVERYBODY does a Thanksgiving theme at this time of year. So maybe I should do something different...

A little while ago I posted a story about an incident that occurred to me with a Shuttle-Bus driver. How my candid approach to discussing my writing...was misinterpreted and got me into trouble. But...there is a flip side to that.

There's the innate trust that seems to come along with the knowledge that I write about things like m/m sex, anal toys and threesomes. It seems that along with that knowledge comes that assumption that they are talking to someone who is open to...just about anything. Who won't judge. Who will listen without prejudice or condemnation. Perhaps that's a big assumption to make, but in my case...for the most part...it's true! And thanks to that I have been trusted with some very privileged and deeply intimate information. For the most part I am honored by that trust, and I do my best to do it justice.

In the last few years I've been entrusted with secrets ranging from tales of childhood sexual abuse, to dabbling in the BDSM scene, to a young man's struggle with his own leanings toward homosexuality. It always amazes--and thrills--me how candid the conversation can become, and how people are so eager to share their deepest secrets. When they know it's safe to do so.

I don't take that responsibility lightly. I keep their secrets, and I'm as understanding and supportive as my own experience allows me to be. I've made some wonderful friends because of it. And I hope to make many more.

I'm curious if other erotica authors have had similar experiences...and how YOU feel about it?

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Capsized coming Friday!

I'm so excited to announce my new book from Ellora's Cave, Capsized, will be released this Friday, November 28th.

Here's a little taste. This scene comes after Lance has admitted to Chris that he's bisexual.

* * * * *

Thoughts of Lance and sex didn't make any sense. He'd never thought of his friend in that way. Sure, he'd seen Lance naked, lots of times. He'd looked at his friend's body, sometimes longer than he probably should have. That didn't mean he'd thought of him sexually.

Well, maybe he'd been a little curious. Maybe he'd looked at Lance's full lips and wondered how they'd feel against his. Maybe he'd looked at Lance's dick and wondered how big it got when hard.

"Shit," he muttered.

He wished Lance hadn't said anything about his bisexuality. Chris could've gone the rest of his life without these weird feelings tightening his gut.

He loved Joni. There wasn't a doubt in his mind about that. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. And yet...

Yet he couldn't get the picture of him in bed with Lance out of his mind.

Ignoring his rapidly-growing hard-on, Chris undressed and slid between the sheets. He lay on his back, his hands beneath his head to keep from touching himself. He closed his eyes and pictured Joni sitting across from him at the kitchen table. They had a dining room in their house, but preferred the intimacy and comfort of the kitchen when they ate. She loved to cook, and especially loved to try new recipes. She'd spend hours surfing websites for unique dishes. Everything she prepared was delicious. Chris always showed his gratitude for her hard work...usually in the bedroom.

He and Joni had such a special relationship, the kind he'd always wanted. It didn't make sense for him to have fantasies about anyone else in his life or in his bed.

Especially his best friend.

* * * * *

I hope you fall in love with Chris and Lance, just as I did.

Lynn

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Decaf in a Caffeinated World

So, a little over a week ago, I implemented the decision to stop drinking caffeine and all forms of diet soda. I’m not a coffee drinker but I do drink a lot (a lot) of soda so this was all part of a slow effort to make myself a little healthier.

I’ve learned a few things in the last week…

1) My body loves its caffeine and protests vehemently when I take it away. The headache only lasted for a day but I’ve discovered how much I relied on the false pick me up caffeine provides. One morning this week, I woke up at 8:15 and went back to bed at 10:30 (also in the morning). I was exhausted and couldn’t focus. The little nap helped but I was groggy all day.

2) It’s difficult to be uncaffeinated. Drinks are either caffeinated, filled with sugar, or filled with artificial sweetners (also part of the sacrificed list at the moment). I know water is the healthiest choice, but sometimes, I need flavor.

3) Caffeine has become such a part of our culture that people find it strange if you decide to remove it from your diet. The most common question asked when I’ve mentioned I’ve given up caffeine is “why?” Admittedly, in the realm of unhealthy addictions, it’s not the most likely to kill me, but in the quantities I was consuming, it couldn’t have been a good thing. And, when my 13-year old niece is drinking caramel lattes, I think we should consider our culture a little too caffeinated. There’s got to be a conspiracy theory here—something about caffeine keeping us so wired we can’t think—but you know, my brain is just too tired to think how it might work.

So, I’m moving a little slower than the rest of the world, not twitching quite as much and sleeping a lot better. Still, I feel a little out of sync, just a beat behind. Eventually, I know my body will rebound from its caffeine addiction but (yawn), right now, I need a nap.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Let's Step Back From The Madness

It’s been a wild past week here in the United States. Well, maybe the word ‘wild’ doesn’t even begin to cover it. Frenetic? Extreme? Passionate? For me? I’M SO DANG GLAD THE ELECTION IS OVER! It’s back to our regularly scheduled programs and that’s ALL I’m going to say as far as politics.

Instead I thought I’d dedicate my blogging to softer, less passionate subjects. Just some musings, simply some thoughts that run through my mind when I climb into bed at the end of the day.

The holiday season is upon us and because of my busy lifestyle, I have to say I’m sooo looking forward to even the one day of the Thanksgiving weekend to spend with my entire extended family. The computer will be shut down, our business will be closed for the day so hopefully the interruptions of my usually fast paced days will be put on the back burner (along with the boiling potatoes).

Our family ‘get-togethers’ whether official holidays or a stolen afternoon to share one another’s company are often loud and joyful. No matter whose house we are at, there is always a room for the kids to play in with toy boxes and cardboard boxes hauled up from the basement. It’s wonderful to see where the younger members’ imagination will take them. They build forts, they form musical bands and march through the living room, they pretend they’re on a wild safari in Africa, sometimes even becoming the wild herds of zebras or giraffes. Sometimes they play school, each taking on the revolving role as instructor. And there’s always dress-up time, which I think is the most fun for them. Old adult shoes, draping jewelry and big floppy hats. Wherever it is or whatever persona they’ve taken up for the moment, they’re comfortable and happy and the smiles are wide. We as adults should learn from them. They’re never told to be quiet or to stay in the playroom because they’re allowed just as much say in the day as an adult has. It’s their holiday or their day off, too, so we all want them to enjoy the time as much as we ‘elders’ do. I hope you’re not imagining the perfect Norman Rockwell setting because family days with my group is so far off that mark! We’re loud and rambunctious and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

I’ve got another anniversary of sorts coming up on November 28th. For you animal lovers, it’s the first anniversary of my Kaydee’s passing. She was a great dog, a yellow Labrador retriever with velvet ears and eyes that would encompass your soul. We were fortunate enough to have her with us thirteen years. Man, I miss her and so does everyone else. She was such a clown, had a huge personality and was such an integral part of our family. In the boat, in the car, camping trips, hunting trips, trips to the dairy queen, special treats for her birthday…she was included in on everything. My kids grew up with Kaydee and hardly a visit passed from them (when they came to visit as adults) that they didn’t get down on the floor and wrestle with her. And when the granddaughters entered the picture she would just about turn inside out with joy when they came through the door. Her mantra was the more humans around, the happier she was. Kaydee was that once in a lifetime family pet that any animal lover would have loved to have. And as silly as it sounds, there will be a candle burning on the 28th in her memory.

Winter is right around the corner here in Minnesota. In fact I’m watching big fluffy flakes falling outside my office window as I type. We’ve done all the necessary steps to get ready for Ma Nature at her worst. The yard is raked and ready to be hidden beneath a blanket of snow. The snowplow is ready to be mounted on the truck to keep the driveway clear. Water hoses are wrapped and stored away, gardens have been cleaned out. And as those chores were being completed without too much complaint because they’re things that need to be done, we looked forward to those coming cold wintry nights when we can snuggle up nice and warm against the elements, to sipping on a hot toddy and disregard the eventual ‘sound of winter’ as it rattles the window panes. And yes, we’ll talk about the tasks of the coming spring and know that when the melt starts, we’ll be filled with the smug satisfaction that we made it through another cold winter without too much wear and tear on our bodies (or our livers. LOL)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one more thing that I’m thankful for in this season of gratitude. My family has weathered one of the most horrific storms of our lives. My mother, who sits at our family’s center, has made it through her chemotherapy. Not so much with flying colors because that ‘rat poison’ just about did her in, yet she mustered her battle with extreme courage and her typical sense of aplomb that is so a part of her disposition. So far, it looks like she came out the victor. She’s definitely the first thing on my list of prayers. Mom is a trouper and has set an example for all of us to follow once more. And it is with great hope on my part that she’ll be here for many more family riots (what else can I call our get-togethers????). Go Mom! You’re my hero.

In closing, as I grow older I’ve learned to not sweat the little stuff. I know that sometimes in the moment, a certain event can seem insurmountable but it’s amazing how age grows wisdom. Life is life. Simple as that.

So. There’s some Ruby Storm musings for you to ponder. We didn’t talk books here today, we didn’t discuss erotica. And thank god we put politics back there with the boiling potatoes. Have a wonderful week and enjoy your holiday season. I know I’m going to—as long as I don’t get caught in a snow drift. Toodles!