Thursday, March 25, 2021

5 Tropes in BL & Romance

Tropes in BL & Romance

1) Enemies to Lovers

2) Soulmates 

3) Best Friends to Lovers

4) Unrequited Love

5) Coming of Age

This video gives you recommendations for some BLs in each category.

Enjoy!

Hugs, Z.



Thursday, March 18, 2021

Things That Help Me Write

Getting in the mood:

A clean organized house

A hot travel mug of my tea

I have a time 10am is my start time & an end time usually 4pm-ish

I start by taking care of emails & then making a Facebook post


Tools I rely on:

*I use Scrivener to write my manuscript. I find I like their cork board system. It's set up to allow assess to all my chapters, character sketches, research is invaluable. I don't waste time searching for what I need.

*I use Alexa for spell checks. "Alexa, how do you spell auto erotic asphyxiation?" Saves me trying to figure out how to spell something enough to get the right spelling, and I avoid leaving my work in progress.

*Once I have a rough draft I transfer it to Word. 

*I'm going to use Edit Out Loud and Writing Pro with this new manuscript. 

*Taking breaks. My iWatch demands I stand up, and since I need make tea a lot so that gets me to move around. (Sitting is today's smoking > or so I'm told). Also I try to take an afternoon walk (15 or 20 mins) refreshes me.

*Using Walmart pickup or Publix pickup allows me not to waste time grocery shopping. 

*When there's not a global pandemic I usually take 1-3 days off and go somewhere. Driving helps my characters flash scenes to me. 

*Always take notes of your thoughts/ideas > put it some place permanent as there is nothing worse than losing it.

*Crash Plan: Anything that automatically backs up your documents is a heavenly. This has saved me 4x and counting.

*Uplet > an app that allows me to upload to Instagram from my laptop. (Here's to add links & longer text)

 

***Keep in mind I don't beat myself up. I write because I enjoy it if I was writing to get paid I'd probably have different information on this post.***

If you write may the words come to you and if you read may the words light your life.


Many hugs, Z. 


Thursday, March 11, 2021

Sexual Traditions from Around the World

I do NOT agree (nor am I advocating for) any of these traditions. 

Some our fascinating while others should to be illegal. 

Hugs, Z. 



Thursday, March 4, 2021

Prequel to Bent Not Broken... Stefano's Birthday

 

Stefano followed the cryptic poster with a handcuff border into the Edge... a BDSM club. 

Unzipping his leather coat, he tried to blend into the shadows by leaning against the wall. The club made good on its promise of a spanking good time.

On stage, someone was taking a paddling, but what struck Stefano was the man doing the demonstration. His long raven colored hair, snug leather pants that clung in places Stefano shouldn’t be staring at, and a handsome face, captivated Stefano. The Dom was stunning, but it was the cadence of his deep voice that uncoiled something tight inside Stefano.

“Position is important. Ensure the target is accessible and nothing pulls your attention.”  Taking off his leather vest, the Dom pushed his long hair over his broad shoulders, and re-gripped the paddle.

“Rhythm and anticipation are tools the Dom should consider and be mindful of how to use them.” His careful and unrushed speech, punctuated by paddle swats, lulled Stefano allowing him to take a first breath. “Unpredictable impact strokes makes the sub unable to settle into a pattern and adds shock along with pain.”

He demonstrated by connecting the paddle to the sub’s ass. The sub’s ass started turning a pleasant pink. “Varying the location of where impact occurs increases the sting. Every stroke remains fresh.”

The Dom stroked a hand over the sub’s ass. He kneeled in front of the sub. His words quiet words were only for the sub. Then he stood and addressed the audience, “Always remain connected to the other person or persons in the scene. Now I will settle into a rhythm.”

One, two, three, four, five…. 

Stefano eventually stopped counting and started wishing. 

Wishing the attention was being paid to him. Hoping that someday, he could have the dreamy look the sub wore. He wanted….

Needing that Dom could never be an option. Stefano was a good Catholic. There had to be Mistresses willing to play with him, who would bring him to subspace. 

Allowing himself one glance over his shoulder, he left the club.

“Happy Fucking Birthday to me,” Stefano muttered. It might have been his first time coming to the Edge, but there was no way it would be his last. 

 

Giveaway: To enter the giveaway please leave your birthday month along your email in the comments section. I’ll about pick a winner on Friday Nov 6th.

 

 

Stefano’s story, Bent Not Broken is about overcoming your past, and accepting yourself so you can grab onto your future. It’s about struggling with your demons and finding a way forward to love.

 

Blurb for Bent Not Broken:

Stefano Rossi longs for the mystical—and so far, unattainable—peace of reaching subspace. But can he accept that the person who can take him there is a man?

 

Riku Tao has given up on finding a sub who complements him. He’ll stick with doing demonstrations at the BDSM club the Edge. He certainly doesn’t have time for a closeted Catholic guy with internalized biphobia… and yet he cannot help but want to protect Stefano and give him what he needs. A history of physical and sexual abuse makes it impossible for Stefano to come out of the closet, and Riku certainly isn’t going back in.

 

Perhaps an arrangement of six months to explore their desires will be enough to satisfy them both.

 

Or it might break their hearts.

 

To take hold of his future with the man he’s coming to love, Stefano will need to move beyond the pain of his past, and he won’t be able to do it alone.

 


https://amzn.to/2UQmQ0b

https://bit.ly/3dcvrC3