Beyond Romance: You never forget your first – #FirstNovel #Inspiration #MFRWHooks

First novels are products of passion. No one pushes life aside and sits down to generate thousands of words of prose without deeply personal reasons. While many first-time authors deliberately weave auto-biographical elements into their books, rookie novelists who pen stories intended as pure fiction also tend to reveal more about themselves than they’d planned.

We write about what excites us, what moves us, what matters. First novels often have a level of authenticity lacking in more polished work. Passion compensates for failings in craft due to our inexperience.

I began Raw Silk on a whim, but it quickly became an obsession. The immediate inspiration was Portia da Costa’s Black Lace title Gemini Heat, which I found on the book swap shelf in an Istanbul hotel in 1998. In those days, the Black Lace imprint advertised itself as “erotic fiction for women, by women”. As I closed the cover of Gemini Heat after my second re-reading, my heart still pounding from arousal, I wondered whether I could write something in a similar vein, capturing the intensity and joy of my own sexual awakenings. If I did, might Black Lace publish it?

Breathless with excitement, I pounded out the first three chapters of Raw Silk in a couple of weeks and sent them off via air mail to the Black Lace editor in London. Then I let go of the outcome, returning my attention to the other aspects of my life—marriage, job, friends, and so on. I received a formulaic post card from the publisher a few weeks later, advising me that my submission had been received and cautioning me that due to the large number of manuscripts to be vetted, I might not hear from them again for several months. I shrugged, not having expected more.

Two days later I got an email from the Black Lace editor, offering me a contract for an 80K word novel.

My first reaction was astonishment, my second panic. What did I know about writing a novel? Then I re-read my first three chapters, and passion took over. The story of Kate’s erotic odyssey in the exotic City of Angels poured out of me onto the page, almost without effort. I finished the initial draft in a matter of weeks, producing thousands of words with barely any revisions.

The first edition of Raw Silk was released by Black Lace in January 1999. The book has since been reprinted by several other publishers including Blue Moon Books and Totally Bound. Over the years, through multiple editing rounds, I’ve managed to smooth some of rough edges off my original amateurish prose. With each edition, too, I’ve deepened the romance elements, at least partially due to changes in the market. (Even Black Lace rebranded itself as a romance imprint.) The current edition is in many ways a typical erotic romance, chronicling the development of a committed relationship and offering a happy ending. Indeed, the bonus chapter included in the latest edition serves up a wedding!

Still, as Kate struggles to understand and accept her own desires through experiences with multiple partners of both sexes, the focus is as much on the journey as on the happily-ever-after. At the same time, she learns that love and lust are not easily separable, one of the most profound lessons in my own life. Depending on your inclinations and disposition, you might categorize the book as romantic erotica or erotic romance.

My personal view? The category doesn’t matter. Read the book for what it is, the very first of the fifteen full-length novels I’ve produced so far: intensely emotional, exuberantly sensual, and despite its explicitness, somehow innocent.

First novels are acts of love.

If you’re curious, the book is currently on sale, discounted from the usual price of $5.99 to only 99 cents. I hope you’ll check it out.

Blurb

In a foreign land, a woman discovers exotic new realms of the senses.

“You were born to this. You may not understand, yet. You may not believe. But I will teach you.”

When software engineer Kate O’Neill leaves her lover David to take a job in Thailand, she embarks on a sensual journey that will change her forever.

In the glittering City of Angels, Kate becomes sexually involved with two very different men—a handsome and debauched member of the Thai aristocracy, and the charismatic, dominant proprietor of a sex bar. With Anand Rajchitraprasong, she discovers her own almost unlimited capacity for erotic pleasure. Meanwhile, Gregory Marshall shows her what she has hidden from herself: a deep desire to submit, to surrender herself body and soul to someone with the power and compassion to master her.

The Hook

It was already past seven o’clock in the evening when she arrived back at her house in Bangkok. Ae had left for the day. Kate found a note, in the maid’s childish block-printed English.

Mr. Marshall call 3 o’clock. Please call him 02 243 0657

She felt a rush of pleasure. Gregory had never telephoned her before. Still, she was annoyed to note that her heart was pounding and her mouth dry with nervousness as she dialed the number and listened to the repeated rings.

She was almost ready to hang up when he answered. “Hello. Marshall here.”

“Gregory, it’s me. Kate.”

“Kate!” She heard warmth in his voice, and relief. “Where have you been? I was concerned about you.”

“I had to get away, away by myself to think. The time at the hotel was so—intense. And confusing. I needed to sort things out.”

“I understand.” The voice on the other end of the line was uncharacteristically gentle. “I pushed you hard the other night. Maybe too hard. It seems to come so naturally with you that I forget your inexperience.”

“No,” she answered, almost whispering. “It wasn’t too hard. I see a little more clearly now, how it is between you and me. I see myself more clearly.”

“Ah, Kate! You have so much to learn! If you still want this, of course.”

“I do want it. I want you.” She found herself blushing at her forwardness.

“And I want you, Kate, in ways you probably cannot begin to imagine.”

She recalled her night of lurid fantasy as he paused.

“Or maybe you can. Still,” he continued, “I think I will give you some time to recover. And next time, perhaps, offer a lesson that is less physical.”

Kate felt a stab of disappointment.

“Don’t worry,” Gregory laughed, as if he had read her thoughts. “You won’t find it easy. So, how about next Saturday night?” he asked. “Will you make yourself available?”

“Of course,” Kate answered, thinking that it would be a long week.

“I will send you instructions. I will expect you to obey.”

Kate was silent, wondering what new indignities he would contrive for her.

“Till then, Kate, be well.” His liquid voice was like a caress. “Goodnight, my eager little slave.”

Buy Links

Ebook is only 99 cents until May 9^th! (Regular price $5.99)

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Raw-Silk-Lisabet-Sarai-ebook/dp/B0DF6Q2S2B

Amazon CA:https://www.amazon.ca/Raw-Silk-Lisabet-Sarai-ebook/dp/B0DF6Q2S2B

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raw-Silk-Lisabet-Sarai-ebook/dp/B0DF6Q2S2B

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1611408

Paperback (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKJ2PW92

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218068923-raw-silk