The Erotic Side of Gay Romances (#gay #erotic #romance @KDahll)

Kenn Dahll (Guest Blogger)

It is possible to write a gay romance without explicit sex−possible but in my view unrealistic. Authors who eschew depicting realistic sexual encounters employ various devices such as euphemisms, “the two handsome young men kissed, hugged and united blissfully”; or behind closed doors transitions, “the pair went into John’s bedroom hand in hand.” I’m not fond of either avoidance mechanism. My take is that gay romance by definition requires hot, erotic coupling depicted in exquisite detail. Hence, my style is often criticized as “raw” or “gritty,” and I won’t deny the criticism is fair−if coming from the perspective of someone puritanically inclined. Based on my published works, I’ve identified several reasons for injecting graphic sex in gay romances.

Gay men often initially connect through sex frequently through cruising in gay bars for sex partners, engaging in sex in gay baths, or even trolling gay internet hookup sites as a means to meet other gay men, ostensibly for sex, but often with the ulterior motive of connecting on an emotional dimension. It would be inaccurate to eliminate such venues and motivations from a story about contemporary gay romance.

Stories with an historical setting are considerably different in that the means of same sex partners meeting are more constrained. In the few non-contemporary stories I have written, getting the main characters into situations were sex develops faces a thin line between consensual and non-consensual. Depictions of brute force and master/slave relationships must be carefully crafted to tread carefully while maintaining the power dynamics of the time period selected. One mechanism I used in an early story−Soaring with a Hawk−was to force myself to limit common vulgar terms such as “cock,” or “ass” to more faithfully capture the encounters between a young pioneer son and a Native American brave. They had sex but the language was “softer.”

Additionally, explicit sex in gay romances can reveal a character’s personality allowing for the storyline to portray an evolutionary change in his personality. In my works I’ve done this for various types of personalities.

In one category, the Main Character (MC) is portrayed as a Machiavellian manipulator. Two stories make this point. In Naughtical Buoys, the extremely wealthy MC uses his fantastic yacht to lure attractive young men into virtual sex slavery, fully described in gritty detail. He also uses money to buy sexual favors from hustlers and strip club dancers, often paying for humiliating sexual demands in front of an audience, also depicted in full rawness. In At Your Service, the charismatic scion of a wealthy family uses his sex appeal, as well as his position as boss over his valet, to procure elaborately detailed sexual services. In both stories, the MC experiences crises motivating him to drastically change his views on sex and commitment, resulting in more romantic−yet explicit−sex.

A second type I’ve depicted is the naive MC who experiences uncaring or even manipulative sex before meeting an individual who respects his sexual autonomy. They then engage in romantic sex as sensitive lovers in a thoroughly depicted sexual encounter which becomes a dramatic highlight of the story.

Finally in a story involving a dominant MC, usually in a BDSM situation, the control over other characters’ sexual release becomes a major factor in the narrative’s direction and ultimate resolution. My most common resolution in this type of story is redemption. Some event causes the abusive MC to realize the concern and even love his abused has for the MC. A primary example of this, one recognized by a reviewer, is Irish Punk.

Given my belief in the validity of explicit sex in gay romances, I face one big issue−a largely female audience preferring more romance for gay erotica. Recognizing the problem, I engaged a female editor for a story included in a Valentine's Day bundle under Selena Kitt’s Excite Spice forum. Other than some grammatical changes she had two issues: 1) she questioned including what she termed "icky behavior” involving armpits, and 2) she felt the story lacked romantic buildup. I followed her advice and managed to keep the sex toned down−took out the armpit scene, for one thing−so it's not as explicit as many of my stories, leaving it caught between gay romance and gay erotic sub-genres. I also upped the romance factor, delaying overt sex until mid-story. Even then, I held back for a sex scene or two before going fully raw. Since it was part of an anthology, I didn’t get any exclusive reviews of my story, but the anthology reviews were favorable and one singled out my story.

My current work in process, a novel, is historical−set in Las Vegas, New Mexico in the late nineteenth century−and I have created various unusual settings in which sex occurs−railroad cars, a church rectory, barns, boarding houses, a mansion, and a farmhouse. My MC has romantic notions but, unfortunately, his first love doesn’t appear to be interested, the first person he has sex with betrays him and he sours on the possibility of a “happy ever after” situation. On his journey, the MC encounters brutes who threaten physical−even sexual harm−witnesses a rough sexual threesome, and is pestered by younger men curious about sex. I won’t give out the surprise twist in the story except to say it ends in lots of loving−but explicit−sex.

About Me

Kenn moved from the gay ghetto called Wilton Manors, Florida to the much more dynamic, yet still extremely gay, District of Columbia area. More than twenty-five years ago he submitted a short story to a “one-hand magazine” contest and won a year's subscription. Since then he has written many stories, none of which he submitted for publication until August 2008 when one was included in Alyson Books’ Island Boys Anthology. Currently, he is thrilled to be published in eXcessica.com with over thirty titles. He is also published in two additional Alyson Books anthologies: Best Gay Love Stories 2009 and 2010.

Generally, Kenn says he sees a hot male and constructs a fantasy story around him−how he’s dressed, what he might be thinking, what is his relationship with the other males around him be it in a bar, a bus, a restaurant, a bank, or even a church. Sometimes a situation encountered in Kenn’s daily routine, on vacation, or simply on a casual stroll around the neighborhood, inspires him and a story will take shape in his mind, which is then populated from his vivid imagination. Kenn claims to find few outlets outside of erotic fiction for his innate creativity and is pleased others are interested in reading what he writes.

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Character Development: Actions v. Words (#mm #giveaway #shapeshifter @KDahll)

By Kenn Dahll (Guest Blogger)

For me, character development has always been an issue. My first stories were consistently criticized for lack of depth in my characters. In fact, the stories were more porn than erotic romances−reviewers used words such as “raw” or “gritty.” The main character’s motivation was getting off, certainly not developing a relationship, although in some of them minimal interpersonal emotions were displayed. Taking the criticism to heart, I consciously tried to limit the sex and focus on character. As a result, I felt my stories were dull, lacking the erotic side of erotic romances. I tried several means of conveying character through sex. For example, using sexual conquests as a surrogate for seeking power or control. That too failed me as the characters became overly one dimensional.

More recently, I refined my storytelling technique following the dictum “Show it don’t tell it.” I developed my characters through various behaviors−sexual and non-sexual−but rarely entered their minds to examine their thoughts and motives. Some of my main characters−almost exclusively male−treated other characters with disdain, humiliated them, manipulated them, sexually dominated them, and crassly threw them aside−all to demonstrate their machismo, domination, or despicable personalities. Other of my main characters demonstrated kindness to the other characters, supported them, treated them with respect, their sex was lovemaking not lust gone astray, and, above all, they showed empathy for the other characters they interact with. These diametrically opposed types are exaggerations, far more frequently the main character was a combination of good and bad, or was submissive to another character−whether voluntarily as in a BDSM story, or involuntarily as when another character was unscrupulous.

Subsequently, I delved into using the main character’s thoughts to reinforce and/or supplement their development. Their contempt of others is both demonstrated through actions and encapsulated in non-verbalized thoughts. In those cases, the thoughts expressed don’t explicitly state motivation but implicitly, through disparagement of another character for example. Wonderment at the actions of others, feelings of mistreatment, biases, and many other thoughts are expressed that complement the characters’ actions to paint more complete portraits. I feel the following quote from a review of Irish Punk best reflects my success with this approach: “Is it possible for a story with D/s, bondage, incest, humiliation and masochism to result in a true love story?”

One final means of character development, one I rarely use as it seems too blatant a device, is to have the main character, another character, or the narrator verbally describe a character’s motives. The main character proclaiming a desire for a promotion would be an example of a character verbalizing his motivation and explaining his Machiavellian behavior. “He’s manipulating John’s emotions to get into his pants.” Might be the view of another character toward the main character and expressed to another character. It could also be the narrator’s comment on the main character’s actions.

I violate my own rules in my new book, The Reluctant Alpha. The word “reluctant” was carefully chosen and is explained though actions, conversations, and in deliberations. Rather than focus on the concept of shifting, or on the hierarchy expected in a pack, I opted to emphasize the humanity of the main character as communicated in Benjamin’s expressed reluctance to impose subservience “to another person for life” on a sex partner through bonding. That moral revulsion is first verbalized by Benjamin’s uncle, but eventually Benjamin states the same rationale for his behavior toward a romantic interest whom he pushes away.

Blurb

The story starts in pre-Civil War New Orleans when Benjamin becomes aware something is going awry; his body constantly betrays him during the day, and at night his mind plays games inducing troublesome nightmares involving running through the wooded areas of his plantation home. A conversation with a ‘confirmed bachelor’ uncle, Adair, enlightens Benjamin about the mysteries of puberty, and more particularly, on being a shifter−a silver fox when not human−and dealing with sexual awakening and the complexities of bonding with an Omega−a situation the uncle explicitly compares to involuntary servitude. The kindness and perceptions of his uncle guide Benjamin through a disappointing relationship with a handsome gen de couleur libres and influences his decision to seek refuge in the mountainous west to explore his nature as a shifter as well as to understand his sexual desires.

Ben, as he becomes known, has a chance encounter with three trappers at the regional trading post. One of the trio is Caleb−a handsome young redhead with a slightly muscular physique, bronzed curls above his collar, and the suggestion of a beard−who attracts Ben’s attention. Before long Ben’s physical attraction to Caleb−who turns out to be a red fox shifter−conflicts with his moral aversion to binding. This reluctance to engage with Caleb emotionally, and thereby risk bonding, is severely tested when Caleb is attacked by several disreputable men who turn out to be wolf shifters, one of whom has his eyes on Caleb’s enticingly plump assets.

Salacious Excerpt

In the interim an older sister married and I was moved to her larger suite on the second floor, overlooking the roof of the entrance portico. Using the tall window for access, I often spread a quilt on the flat outside space with its decorative railing sheltering me from view.

On one of those occasions, the sun’s warmth and my adolescent hormones took over and I imagined myself naked with one of the sons of our nearest neighbor, Thaddeus. Tad and I were the same age and attended the same church. Thus we were in Sunday School together for many years. He was always on the scrawny side, but recently I’d taken note of his more strapping physique. Still shy despite his handsome appearance, he was uncomfortable whenever one of the local young ladies directed her southern charm in his direction. To escape his female admirers, Tad frequently sought me out for a day of fishing on the river or horseback riding through the countryside. On the rooftop I envisioned stopping the horses in a secluded grove of trees, spreading a blanket on the grass, and getting naked with Tad. As I fantasized doing obscene things with my enticing neighbor, I unfastened my trousers, reached a hand into my undergarment, and fondled my engorging shaft. Eyes closed I stroked my erection using a glob of spittle to facilitate the movements of my palm. Shivers of pleasure began in my ball sack and were precariously close to bringing me to orgasm when I heard a low voice.

“Master Benjamin, it appears you could use a helping hand.” Startled I retracted my hand from my trousers and looked toward my room. There stood Martin LeBlanc, the Creole tailor Mother had engaged to make and install more masculine drapery in my room. Stepping over the sill, he went out to where I lay stupefied by his materializing out of thin air. Looking around to check if anyone could see him, he knelt on the edge of the quilt and leaned forward to grasp my hard member with a firm, warm hand. “Let me take care of your problem,” Martin whispered as he slid his palm up and down my rigidity. Only a few strokes were required before my body tensed up and my breathing stopped. He was experienced enough to know I was about to shoot my juices on my vest and shirt so he covered my erupting weapon with his ample lips to catch my manly discharge. Delirious I moaned a little loudly necessitating Martin to put a hand over my mouth. “Quiet or we’ll be discovered. Are you recovered enough to pull up your trousers and return to your room?”

“But… you… I… ” Reaching out I clamped a hand on the noticeable bulge in the coffee and cream colored tailor’s crotch.

“We can deal with that once I get you inside and we have some privacy.” Numbly I did as he suggested and went inside. “Now we can finish matters.” Martin removed his clothing until he was as exposed as a classical statue on a pedestal, and as beautiful. As I stared at his naked body with the granite-like curved column of flesh rising from his nest of curly black hairs, the color of Martin’s member, and the hirsute sack suspended at its base, surprised me for it was much darker than the rest of his skin. The tailor gently undressed me until we were both stark naked. Then he led me to my bed, pulled back the covers, and, holding me in his strong arms, fell onto the mattress.

About Kenn Dahll

Kenn moved from the gay ghetto of Wilton Manors, Florida to the much more dynamic, yet still extremely gay, District of Columbia area. More than twenty-five years ago he submitted a short story to a “one-hand magazine” contest and won a year's subscription. Since then he has written many stories, none of which he submitted for publication until 2008 and was published in Alyson Books’ Island Boys that August. He is thrilled to be published in eXcessica.com and recently in Torquere Press with over thirty titles. He is also published in two additional Alyson Books anthologies: Best Gay Love Stories 2009 and 2010.

Generally, Kenn says he sees a hot male and constructs a fantasy story around him−how he is dressed, what he might be thinking, what is his relationship with the other males around him be it in a bar, a bus, a restaurant, a bank, or even a church. Sometimes a situation encountered in his daily routine, on vacation, or simply on a casual stroll around the neighborhood inspires him and a story will take shape in his mind, which is then populated from his vivid imagination. Kenn claims to find few outlets outside of gay erotic fiction for his innate creativity and is pleased others are interested in reading what he writes.

Connect with me on Twitter (@KDahll) or on Facebook (Kenn Dahl).

Buy Link:  Get your copy of The Reluctant Alpha at Excessica, or other great retailers!

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The Unholy: Love and Rage

By Paul DeBlassie III (Guest Blogger)

The stronger the character in terms of capacity for both love and rage the more compelling they are and it is in this that the true character is birthed. Love and rage are in essence the nests in which the characters are cared for and nourished and then allowed to fly free.

I find that I must dip into my own capacity for primal feelings of love and rage in order to discover that aspect of myself that is like the character, has been like or felt like the character feels in the situation. It’s critical to always allow this to move the story forward and not get stuck by over thinking the character, to just hit and go into the emotional life of the character and let the character then tell me what he or she wants to express. 

The rage in particular can be horrifying because of our human capacity to inflict injury on others or society. To then express this on the page leaves me feeling vulnerable yet also true to myself within this dimension of storytelling. It’s mind boggling for me to experience the rage of the character and what the character like Archbishop William Anarch in The Unholy wants to do and does to innocent human beings. 

Claire Sanchez, the medicine woman, on the other hand needs to find rage, a healthy aggression, that has gone awry in Anarch, and only by doing this, if she can, will she potentially be able to discover the strength to fight the powerful archbishop.

Blurb 

A young curandera, a medicine woman, intent on uncovering the secrets of her past, is forced into a life-and-death battle against an evil Archbishop. Set in the mystic land of Aztlan, The Unholy is a novel of destiny as healer and slayer. Native lore of dreams and visions, shape changing, and natural magic work to spin a neo-gothic web in which sadness and mystery lure the unsuspecting into a twilight realm of discovery and decision.

Excerpt

“Help me? Help yourself! Face what is yours to face,” Elizabeth hissed. She yanked the door open then forced it to slam behind her.

Claire stood still for a moment, feeling as if a tornado had swept through the room. Elizabeth’s demand had left her shaken. She drew a deep breath, then went to her desk and picked up her tea, noticing her trembling hands.

Turning toward the window, Claire saw a muscular orderly accompanying Elizabeth to the locked ward at the far end of the hospital compound. A flock of crows circled high overhead, seeming to follow the two receding figures. As they arrived at the outer doors of the locked unit, the orderly reached for his keys. The crows circled while the two crossed the threshold of the unit, Elizabeth suddenly pausing, turning, and looking outside, her gaze riveted on the flock of birds.

All but two flew off, disappearing into the piñon-covered hills. The two that remained came to rest on the red brick wall adjacent to the locked unit, their black eyes boring into Elizabeth. She looked panicked then enraged and, shaking a finger at the creatures, yelled something. Her frantic gestures told Claire that she was screeching curses to ward off evil.

Claire took a step back from the window, from the impact of Elizabeth’s rage.

The orderly grabbed Elizabeth roughly by the arm and pulled her inside.

The crows waited, watched, then flew away.

Author Information

Paul DeBlassie III, Ph.D., is a psychologist and writer living in Albuquerque who has treated survivors of the dark side of religion for more than 30 years. His professional consultation practice — SoulCare — is devoted to the tending of the soul. Dr. DeBlassie writes fiction with a healing emphasis. He has been deeply influenced by the mestizo myth of Aztlan, its surreal beauty and natural magic. 

Dr. DeBlassie is a member of the Depth Psychology Alliance, the Transpersonal Psychology Association and the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Paul-DeBlassie-III/e/B00E5TBJXY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Website: http://www.pauldeblassieiii.com/

Blog: http://pauldeblassieiii.blogspot.com/

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Unholy-Novel-Paul-DeBlassie/dp/0865349592/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379592287&sr=8-1&keywords=the+unholy+paul+deblassie

BN.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unholy-paul-deblassie/1116061527?ean=9780865349599

 

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