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1997 Letter from a fiction writer


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1997 Letter from a fiction writer - 5/28/2014 12:09:26 AM   
CarpeEros


Posts: 21
Joined: 9/17/2012
Status: offline
This is a letter I received in 1997 from a novel writer who found my website (I did actually have one back then) and told me how my website's prose and erotica (together with interviews of other people in the scene), in a way, ended up changing her novel, or the BDSM elements therein; she was initially going to cast BDSM simply in a negative light.

I've been meaning to post a few things from that website, a newer version of which I relaunched last year (see my signature)

Many of my erotic stories may be too long to post here. However, I hope this forum is ok for sharing some of my more memorable Letters I have received (I got the OK to share them..see "Letters" section of the 4 sections of my site for more info if curious) and this is one of them.

I'd like to share with other folks here as well as, candidly, for archival, in case my site disappears (no site lasts forever, alas) it would be good to have a copy on CM as well. Hope some of you find it interesting.
-Panaeros (I went by another handle back then but use "Panaeros" below for clarity)

I was pleasantly surprised one day to receive this email from a writer of novels..quoting her using her then pseudonym or nom de plume...

Date: Dec 20 1997
To: Panaeros

I am a writer researching the BDSM lifestyle for a mainstream
thriller.

Most web sites provide facts and attitudes. Yours delved into the
heart and mind. I've been having a difficult time understand the
inner needs and desires of both Doms and submissives. Being an
essential element of the book, I had to go deeper than the stereo
typical imagery of BDSM. I needed psychological insight which you
revealed within your prose and your outlook. I just wanted to say
thank you. You've been a great help.

Angel

I wrote her back, thanking her for her kind words, and also asking if she wouldn't mind sharing a bit more background. Her response follows.


To: Panaeros
Subject: Re: novel

Dear Panaeros,

Thank you for your response to my comments. I didn't expect a reply.
So, in turn, you too have surprised me. In fact, the entire D/s world
has been somewhat of a shock. To be honest, my original idea for
the book was to put BDSM in an unfavorable light. Now, in all good
conscience I can't. Like you had said, these are real
people... people from different walks of life... people who take
eroticism to levels most can't comprehend. Also, I have found
submissives that I have interviewed (only 3 so far) to be very
intelligent, together people. I've also interviewed 2 Doms, (1 in an
on line chat, the other through email) and both had an old-world
chivalry about them. After only a few minutes, my knees stopped
shaking and I remembered to breathe. I guess, I had expected them to
be domineering bullies. I found that all my preconceived conceptions
were completely wrong. I suddenly realized that like in any other area
of life, there are good people and bad ones.

Still, even the interviews didn't provide me with as much insight
as your web page. The subs and Doms gave me the stereotype
superficial images that I could get from books. You, on the other
hand, allowed me a glimpse into another world. Again, I am grateful
for that, and I also appreciate your interest in my book as well as
your willingness to share your point of view. I can use all the help
I can get. I want to be able to get inside the characters' heads, and
the only way I can do that is to understand this erotic lifestyle. I
also want my characters to be real. Just the information you supplied
in your email has helped tremendously with that. The woman with
cancer... The woman who had taken in a crack baby... WOW! You are a
writer's dream: a person willing to open up and share beyond the
superficial.

Usually, I don't get quite this in depth. I do an interview or two
and I have what I need. I can feel the characters, and know how they
will react. BDSM, though, is just so different from my tidy vanilla
world, that I have had a difficult time conceptionalizing. Yet, in
the same way that I find it fascinating in the vein of forbidden
fruit, I believe others will as well. One of the Doms I had
interviewed has been urging me to experiment. He thinks the only way
I'll understand it all, is to experience it. I'm dedicated, but I'm
not THAT dedicated, despite the appeal. At least, I hope I'm not.

It was really wonderful hearing from you, and if you have any
questions about my work, please do not hesitate to ask. I look
forward to hearing from you again.

Be well,

Angel

PS My web page (an ad for my first publication), needs updating, for I
have a double romance coming out in the very near future, however, it
will give you an idea of my writing style.

She was "ahart" on the "romanceweb" site which is no longer around so I'll skip the url she included
-Panaeros / Carpe Eros


< Message edited by CarpeEros -- 5/28/2014 12:19:22 AM >


_____________________________

Carpe Eros' essays and erotica (plus letters from readers) My personal (100% NONcommercial) little corner of the web, first version in 1998, relaunched around 2013 is now at: www.lovingintensity.com/
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: 1997 Letter from a fiction writer - 6/19/2014 1:30:45 PM   
GreyMoggie


Posts: 6
Joined: 6/4/2014
Status: offline
This is wonderful, thank you for sharing. It's easy to be dismissive and negative about something you don't understand.
Sounds like you had a great site, I do hope the material from your old site stays online somewhere so it's isn't lost.

(in reply to CarpeEros)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: 1997 Letter from a fiction writer - 6/20/2014 9:28:57 PM   
CarpeEros


Posts: 21
Joined: 9/17/2012
Status: offline
Thanks for your very nice message GreyMoggie. Yes I am working to archive the older material along with (very slowly added) new material, the address is in my signature, LovingIntensity as you can see is the domain (the mirror site with the less elegant name, IntenseLoving will be up for a while but will eventually be discontinued)

In addition to erotica (which is D/s more than S/m so might not be to your liking) there is an Essays section (which is newer stuff) and a Letters section, with several from the 1990s, including the above, featured. The letter from the author was memorable and touching, it, but it's not my absolute all time most "touched my heart" favorite, which is the letter titled "your website changed mylife" which is on the Letters page http://lovingintensity.com/letters/ though keep in mind it's not a short read, but very, how to put it, very real..and a snapshot of early internet reality and a society where bdsm was less known....but I will remember that letter from that 20 year old, untilmy deathbed...

On the other hand, I realize that, well, it seems like very few people care the way you do, or maybe to be fair, are just so busy with so many distractions that everything needs to be a sound bite, which the website is the opposite of a sound bite..

Certainly mine is not the only one trying to point back then or today, in a positive direction; there are definitely many people doing thoughtful positive things in BDSM including writers and website..but too much of what we do see in the media are either one extreme or another, "bdsm is bad" or else some "50 shades" cheap quick thrill or else other neg aspects (the "I'm not hard core than you!" type competitiveness) so whether on a modest small scale today or the original website, my goal is to contribute to the positive..even if only a small group today finds the website or bother to look at it (plus some historians some day) the preservation will have been worthwhile. If you enjoyed the above have a look and feel free to pass on the url to others, every 3 or 6 months I will add a little bit more while I can. Thanks again for your note.

Panaeros / Carpe Eros!
http://lovingintensity.com/letters/

< Message edited by CarpeEros -- 6/20/2014 9:33:10 PM >


_____________________________

Carpe Eros' essays and erotica (plus letters from readers) My personal (100% NONcommercial) little corner of the web, first version in 1998, relaunched around 2013 is now at: www.lovingintensity.com/

(in reply to GreyMoggie)
Profile   Post #: 3
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