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July 28, 2008 | Writing, home life

Interesting (to me) bit of info on how women’s minds differ from men’s regarding sexual responses:

I’ve been fascinated by the slash fiction phenomena ever since I heard about the original zines featuring Spock/Kirk, before the interwebs became a giant scary super-scifi octopus with tentacles in every nook and cranny on earth. The thing I found most puzzling was that these m/m fictions were written primarily by women for women. I was even more surprised that I very much liked reading some - only two pairings ever got my panties in a bunch, but I seem to be conservative in slash circles. Now, Scientific American has reported some findings that may inform the discussion.

“The results, the researchers say, suggest that women are not only aroused by a variety of types of sexual imagery but are more flexible than men in their sexual interests and preferences.”

Women’s brains FTW!

But, the article infers that women need context for sexual satisfaction. Although women are aroused by visual stimulation, they want the romance, too. They are wired for romance novels that end with a woman who has found safety and bonding with her mate. And mostly, in slash, I’ve seen the most overall reader satisfaction from scenarios that also end with a safe bonding. The biological imperative: let me show u it. :)

As you can probably tell, I’m doing a considerable amount of research concerning the brain and sex, the brain before during and after intercourse, and also really hot slash. I’m also attempting to write the actual book, which is moving along at the same rate as the tectonic plates. I’m also a bit jealous of all the SF bound, but in truth, I’m incredibly not okay enough to go to National. Or to go much of anywhere. Especially because Wednesday is our anniversary. Shit.

-image-New Book - Coming in October

July 16, 2008 | New Releases

-image-July 14

July 14, 2008 | home life

I’m coming back to the world, slowly. This has been the hardest month of my life, but with so much support from real life friends and family to online friends from the writing community that I’m still relatively sane. Thank you again, all of you who’ve reached out. Odd things have happened, things that I never would have guessed that got me through. Mostly, I was searching for ways to disappear, to escape.

I ended up watching DVDs of Criminal Minds over and over again. (I told you - odd). For some reason, I could let go of everything while watching. I read, lots, but mostly fan fiction. Yeah, go figure. I had to go to the dentist last Wednesday, and I inexplicably fell apart there (embarrassing as hell) and went into a nose dive that lasted until yesterday. My friend Debbi finally yanked me from the house and we went to the movies. Saw WANTED, which was a huge disappointment to me. But getting out was good. As was the popcorn.

So today I’m going to write again. As you can imagine I’m very disassociated from the book, and I have to reacquaint myself with the characters and the world I’m writing about. Go me. And weirdly, my heroine’s name is Vivianne, a name that was questioned by friends and editor as being a bit old-fashioned and weird. Now that the Jolie-Pitt’s have named their new daughter Vivianne, I’m thinking it won’t be so weird any more. (Another weird moment - headline: Jolie gives birth to twins. Um, no. Not this Jolie at least. I prefer: Jolie voted best breasts in Hollywood. Ha!

I know there’s still more adjusting and grieving ahead, but I don’t feel as though I’m drowning today. It’s a good thing. One step forward. :)