tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33107818839514872372024-03-18T21:39:52.013-07:00Evie's Whispered WordsEvelyn Applegate is a writer of romance fiction and erotica.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-87657464273577688472012-12-30T17:20:00.000-08:002012-12-30T17:20:10.338-08:00Happy New Year! I plan to be busy tonight and tomorrow, so I'm going to wish everyone a Happy New Year slightly in advance. My mother tells me that that is bad luck but I'm not superstitious.<br />
<br />
It's been an eventful year for me with unfortunately not as much happening on the writing front as I'd intended, but hopefully that will change in 2013. Life will always get in the way of writing, so I will just have to keep trying to work around it as best I can.<br />
<br />
In other news, apparently <a href="http://www.afterellen.com/content/2012/12/2012-year-lesbianbi-books">Sarah Waters has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London</a>, which means she can walk about the city with a drawn sword, herd her sheep over London bridge and, if she should be convicted of a capital offence be hanged with a silken rope. Lucky her! I must read some more of her books. I loved Fingersmith, Tipping the Velvet and Affinity but there is more out there. So many books, so little time!<br />
<br />
Anyway, Happy New Year everyone! May 2013 bring you happiness and good books!<br />
<br />
Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-61816563812955948182012-10-31T02:53:00.002-07:002012-10-31T02:53:48.180-07:00Happy Halloween (or Samhain, or even Beltane for Southern pagans)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpBEXS940D3DL3Vvw0u_qQvCGiXIbAXHv3Xc8BfumPBiVRUTMvU3oEX5a6kYPYzr4t_CMTezRzSH80eNsRZtjLUVoWhMnG2Kx55LcZSOw0Zf0u8bHXh3AMhbjbOxH-HK8Sp0OBrZ3J_Y/s1600/Salticidae_sp__AF_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpBEXS940D3DL3Vvw0u_qQvCGiXIbAXHv3Xc8BfumPBiVRUTMvU3oEX5a6kYPYzr4t_CMTezRzSH80eNsRZtjLUVoWhMnG2Kx55LcZSOw0Zf0u8bHXh3AMhbjbOxH-HK8Sp0OBrZ3J_Y/s320/Salticidae_sp__AF_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Also, happy birthday to me!<br />
<br />
Nothing really to report at the moment. I'm still alive, just kept too chained to my day job to be writing and submitting much fiction at present. That will change. <br />
<br />
I'm off to eat some Jolly Ranchers.<br />
<br />
Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-20017053732641604602012-03-14T23:30:00.000-07:002012-03-14T23:30:24.481-07:00Every Night EroticaThis is a bit of a belated announcement, but I am very pleased to say that my short story <i>Fingers</i> has appeared in <a href="http://www.everynighterotica.com/fingers-evelyn-applegate/">Every Night Erotica</a>. <i>Fingers</i> is a bit of a departure from form for me as it is my first male/male story. I enjoy the challenge of trying new things. You can read it and many other terrific sexy stories for free on the Every Night Erotica site or even subscribe and have new stories emailed to you daily.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-66435883279325672502012-02-20T11:54:00.000-08:002012-02-20T11:54:05.977-08:00LaidAnybody see the Aussie tv series <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1695583/">Laid</a>? If not, you should, it's hilarious.<br />
This is the theme song.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Grrp6mxrY5Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-55662792619106117782012-01-30T23:18:00.000-08:002012-01-30T23:18:34.960-08:00Reading ChallengesJust for variety, here's a post about reading rather than one about writing. This year, just for a bit of nerdy fun I have signed up for a couple of reading challenges on Goodreads. I anticipate this being a very busy year for me, so I probably have a snowball's chance in Hell of finishing them, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. The first is the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/754427-2012-a-z-author-challenge?format=html&page=2">A-Z Author Challenge</a> for the Romance Reader's Challenge Group. The idea is to read a book with an author starting with each letter of the alphabet. I reckon I could find a Chinese author for 'x', but apparently any author with an 'x' in their name is acceptable.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2012 A-Z Author Challenge<br />
3/26 complete</b><br />
<br />
<br />
A<br />
B<br />
C Carroll, Jonathan- The Land of Laughs <br />
D<br />
E<br />
F<br />
G Grant, Mira- Feed<br />
H<br />
I<br />
J<br />
K<br />
L<br />
M<br />
N<br />
O<br />
P<br />
Q<br />
R Beth Revis - Across the Universe<br />
S<br />
T<br />
U<br />
V<br />
W<br />
X<br />
Y<br />
Z <br />
<br />
<br />
The second is the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/754428-2012-a-z-book-challenge">A-Z Book Challenge</a>. This one sounds a bit easier. The goal is to read a book with a title starting with each letter of the alphabet.<br />
<br />
<b>A-Z Book Challenge<br />
3/26 complete.</b><br />
<br />
A Across the Universe- Beth Revis<br />
B<br />
C<br />
D<br />
E<br />
F Feed- Mira Grant Feed<br />
G<br />
H<br />
I<br />
J<br />
K<br />
L The Land of Laughs- Jonathan Carroll<br />
M<br />
N<br />
O<br />
P<br />
Q<br />
R<br />
S<br />
T<br />
U<br />
V<br />
W<br />
X<br />
Y<br />
Z <br />
<br />
I'll post an update later in the year. For now, I'm off to have a read. Don't interrupt me!<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BuRuwR2JSXI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-15196592258620506642012-01-22T23:35:00.000-08:002012-01-22T23:53:31.819-08:00More F***ing Flash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqccNHgPtBHgGoZoDGbPIpc4kIdzSiaQoFYlsJY5qPY-ldusT3kd1LLShPqVbaPDB8p6MT_X8RI4DXyBkci2xRJCi2zP_5AR-XcTESvTcLX-jjs_8UpiaBHYdsgpmqOHry5325D7Gr9Ts/s1600/womantyping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqccNHgPtBHgGoZoDGbPIpc4kIdzSiaQoFYlsJY5qPY-ldusT3kd1LLShPqVbaPDB8p6MT_X8RI4DXyBkci2xRJCi2zP_5AR-XcTESvTcLX-jjs_8UpiaBHYdsgpmqOHry5325D7Gr9Ts/s320/womantyping.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I recently entered another one of <a href="http://alisontyler.blogspot.com/2012/01/five-new-fucking-stories.html">Alison Tyler's flash contests</a> with this story. It didn't win, but I had fun writing it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summer Rain</b><br />
<br />
By Evelyn Applegate<br />
<br />
“Wet enough for you?” Lyla asked, watching the raindrops wind their way down Theresa's muscular arms as she paddled. The sky had been a clear and cloudless blue when they set out that morning, but by mid-afternoon it was as grey as the old woolen army blanket Lyla was now pulling over her head as a makeshift raincoat. The Summer rain didn’t mess around. Once it started it came down hard. <br />
“I hate to say I told you so, but, well, I told you so. It always rains here on New Year's Eve. It's like a rule or something,” Lyla continued. “Honestly we might as well be swimming!”<br />
“Are you asking me to throw you overboard? Because I will!” Theresa turned so Lyla could see her mascara streaked face. The firm set of her mouth said she was only half joking.<br />
“No,” Lyla squeaked.<br />
“Well then shut up and keep an eye out for a good spot on the bank to rest. We can shelter under the canoe.”<br />
<br />
In a few minutes time they were doing just that. Lyla nestled into the crook of Theresa's arm as the rain hammered a tattoo on the hull of the canoe drowning out the calls of the birds and the sound of the river. Theresa slid a hand down to the fly of Lyla's jeans and expertly popped the button open. Going on texture alone she moved her fingers past soft lace and feathery hair until she reached the warm slit hidden there. She began the lazy rhythmic stroking that usually had her young Australian lover purring like a cat.<br />
Suddenly, Lyla giggled.<br />
“Is something funny?” Theresa asked.<br />
“Sorry, I was just thinking of something from Monty Python.”<br />
“At a time like this! What was it?”<br />
“Oh, just that what we're doing is like your American beer.” Lyla loved ribbing Theresa about her country, but this was odd timing even for her.<br />
“What?” Theresa's voice took on a warning tone. <br />
“It's fucking close to water!” Lyla giggled again heedless of the consequences.<br />
“Fucking? I'll give you fucking!”<br />
Theresa rolled on top of Lyla and tugged down her jeans. Pinning the slender blonde's hands above her head with just one of her own strong hands she kissed her roughly. As her tongue pushed its way into her lover's mouth she reached down with her free hand and resumed her exploration of Lyra's cunt. She slipped first one, then two fingers rapidly in and out reaching for the familiar rough spot in the velvety wetness. She pulled away from Lyra's mouth and the blonde gasped “Lube! Backpack. Front pocket.” <br />
Moments later, Lyra gasped at the cold wetness as Theresa's fingers drove back into her, three this time, then four. Finally Theresa pushed and felt her whole fist slide in. Lyra rocked against her hand as she pumped in and out, filling her completely.<br />
<br />
Afterwards, as Lyla lay there gasping, Theresa smiled. “Yeah. That's wet enough.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-8546722592418892202011-11-27T13:55:00.001-08:002011-11-27T14:00:49.010-08:00Health issues and the spectacular destruction of my old computer slowed down my writing for a while, but I'm getting back into it.
In the meantime have some linkage:
The Guardian's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/22/bad-sex-awards-the-contenders?intcmp=239">Bad Sex Awards</a> is on again. They usually get either a giggle or a disgusted-but-cannot-look-away stare from me.
Also, if you haven't watched <a href="http://news.advocate.com/post/13324191023/possibly-the-most-beautiful-ad-for-marriage-equality">this video</a>, you should. It's truly beautiful.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-64878264279347380212011-10-30T15:20:00.000-07:002011-10-30T15:34:58.882-07:00Happy Birthday to me!<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J8ZR-WmCcJw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />And happy Halloween to everybody else. May it bring candy and much spookiness!<br /><br />Oh and for those of you planning on embarking on the mad journey that is Nanowrimo tomorrow, you might find <a href="http://jodicleghorn.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/tips-for-keeping-your-sanity-during-nanowrimo/">this article</a> by Jodi Cleghorn helpful. Oh, and consider joining the guys on <a href="http://ofteninspired.com/">Often Inspired</a> for their annual Nanowrimo contest. It's always heaps of fun. I'm not attempting another novel this year as I have too many other writing projects on the go as it is, but I'll be watching my friends' progress with interest.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-9456973423879679172011-09-26T19:40:00.000-07:002011-09-26T19:45:31.261-07:00FemslashI know it's a couple of years old, but I love this! I wish there was a little more Katee Sackhoff in it though. I had the honour of meeting her at a con in April and she was lovely.<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0cAb1OAb93w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-31571638710247311282011-05-29T19:02:00.000-07:002011-05-29T19:28:36.388-07:00Bits and PiecesI have a bad habit of reading quite a few different books at the same time. See?<br /><br /> <style type="text/css" media="screen"><br /> .gr_grid_container { /* customize grid container div here. eg: width: 500px; */ } <br /> .gr_grid_book_container { /* customize book cover container div here */ <br /> float: left; <br /> width: 39px; <br /> height: 60px; <br /> padding: 0px 0px;<br /> overflow: hidden; <br /> }<br /> </style><br /> <div id="gr_grid_widget_1306722081"><br /> <!-- Show static html as a placeholder in case js is not enabled - javascript include will override this if things work --><br /> <br /> <h2><br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4397457-evelyn?utm_medium=api&utm_source=grid_widget" style="text-decoration: none;">Evelyn's currently-reading book montage</a><br /> </h2><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_grid_container"><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1882180.The_Best_of_Best_American_Erotica_2008" title="The Best of Best American Erotica 2008"><img alt="The Best of Best American Erotica 2008" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266917906s/1882180.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7991204-alison-s-wonderland" title="Alison's Wonderland"><img alt="Alison's Wonderland" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1270651116s/7991204.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9567379-loose-rabbits-of-the-rabbit-trilogy" title="Loose Rabbits of the Rabbit Trilogy"><img alt="Loose Rabbits of the Rabbit Trilogy" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ENws-t-9L._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6499791-lavender-ink-writing-and-selling-lesbian-fiction" title="Lavender Ink - Writing and Selling Lesbian Fiction"><img alt="Lavender Ink - Writing and Selling Lesbian Fiction" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266729733s/6499791.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8013269-be-a-sex-writing-strumpet" title="Be a Sex-Writing Strumpet"><img alt="Be a Sex-Writing Strumpet" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292961930s/8013269.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/640029.Nobody_s_Princess" title="Nobody's Princess (Nobody's Princess, #1)"><img alt="Nobody's Princess" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1283193671s/640029.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6671563-women-of-the-bite" title="Women of the Bite: Lesbian Vampire Erotica"><img alt="Women of the Bite: Lesbian Vampire Erotica" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266816736s/6671563.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26582.The_Claiming_of_Sleeping_Beauty" title="The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty (Sleeping Beauty, #1)"><img alt="The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167830172s/26582.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10602480-nothing-but-flowers" title="Nothing but Flowers: Tales of Post Apocalyptic Love"><img alt="Nothing but Flowers: Tales of Post Apocalyptic Love" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298758266s/10602480.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <br style="clear: both"/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4397457-evelyn" class="gr_grid_branding" style="font-size: .9em; color: #382110; text-decoration: none; float: right; clear: both">Evelyn's favorite books »</a><br /> <br /> <noscript><br/>Share <a href="http://www.goodreads.com">book reviews</a> and ratings with Evelyn, and even join a <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/">book club</a> on Goodreads.</noscript><br /> </div><br />}<br /> </div><br /> <script src="http://www.goodreads.com/review/grid_widget/4397457.Evelyn's%20currently-reading%20book%20montage?cover_size=small&hide_link=&hide_title=&num_books=20&order=a&shelf=currently-reading&sort=date_added&widget_id=1306722081" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script><br /> <br />Since most of these are anthologies it's not really too confusing, but I should actually knuckle down and finish some of them so I can write some reviews. My writing tends to go the same way. I start writing a story, then have an interesting idea and start writing that, then think of something new and before I know it I've got half a dozen stories on the go and nothing completed to show for a whole month of writing. Having lots of ideas is a good start, I think, but I need to work on my focus. At any rate, I can assure you that there are new stories coming, it's just that presently they're all in bits and pieces. I'll get there. It's just a case of picking one and sticking to it.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-56428145038787823442011-04-09T17:53:00.000-07:002011-04-09T17:55:25.172-07:00I love this!I don't know how to make it fit into my blog, sorry, but you can see it all if you click on the picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=2209"><br /><img src="http://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20110409.gif"></a>Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-6486589487894693982011-04-03T19:45:00.000-07:002011-04-04T17:49:09.410-07:00Geeking OutI had a lot of fun at <a href="http://www.supanova.com.au/">Supernova</a> at the weekend, gawking at the cosplayers and celebrities and trying not to spend the whole month's budget on books, comics, dvds and assorted geekery. I MET KATEE SACKHOFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those who don't know, she's Starbuck from<em> Battlestar Galactica</em>, and she was lovely, despite being probably quite jetlagged.<br /><br />I got to (briefly) meet fellow Brisbane author <a href="http://www.trentjamieson.com/">Trent Jamieson</a>, who signed my copy of <em>Managing Death</em>, the second book in his awesome new urban fantasy series Death Works (more info about this can be found on his website, including some spiffy 'community announcement' videos about the series). <br /><br />I also briefly said hi to <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/287923.Marianne_de_Pierres">Marianne de Pierres</a>, whose new young adult series, <em>Night Creatures</em>, I really must check out. So many books, so little time! That's it for now. I'd better go and tackle the giant stack of unread books by my beside before it topples and crushes me in my sleep. <br /><br /><br /><br />On a somewhat related note, this made me giggle:<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_eJmYKN_1QE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-84530289087064697112011-03-19T03:21:00.000-07:002011-03-19T03:43:24.147-07:00Under the weatherI've been sick for a while (nothing serious, just a cold and stomach flu- what a great month!), but am still plugging away at another story on and off. Today, though I took time out to join in a <a href="http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/19/brisbane-rally-for-same-sex-marriage-march-19th-2011">rally for gay marriage</a> here in Brisvegas. Apparently there were about 400 people marching, which sounds about right. Not quite the numbers seen in other larger cities, but considering our population and the fact that it was pissing down today it wasn't too bad. There's another rally planned for May 21st. Hopefully if we can keep the issue in the public eye and keep up some pressure on the government eventually something will happen. <br /><br /><br />I love this video. :)<br />Beware: Contains lots of naughty words. Well, mainly just the one lots of times.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JmsTqgcYCE4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-81823829509672766222011-02-12T21:54:00.000-08:002011-02-12T22:21:19.099-08:00I'm Not Afraid of RomanceI'm a contrary creature. Originally I got into reading romance novels because I felt an automatic urge to rebel against intellectual snobs who not only dismiss all romance novels as crap without ever actually bothering to read one but dismiss all romance readers as morons for liking the stuff. Some of these people are sci fi and fantasy fans who, after fighting exactly the same battle for years, frankly should know better. To these people I say, fuck off. <br /><br />Yes, some romance novels are crap (indeed some are hilariously so -plagiarist and racist Cassie Edwards springs to mind) but as Theodore Sturgeon once said, 90% of everything is crap. Romance is a massive and diverse genre, with a ludicrous number of (sometimes alarmingly specific) subgenres. There are romance novels that are also murder mysteries (like J.D. Robb's <em>In Death</em> series, which is also kind of sci fi), or heist stories (like Jennifer Crusie's <em>Agnes and the Hitman</em>, which is sort of like what you might get if Elmore Leonard took up writing romance), historical fiction, you name it. And of course, the readers are a diverse bunch too, so it is unfair to assume anything about their intelligence from the fact that they enjoy a genre you don't personlly like (or haven't even tried), just as it would be unfair of me to think that all fans of Dan Brown have suet pudding between their ears instead of brains. Which I don't, honestly. I know some of you people even have degrees. I don't get it, but whatever.<br /><br />So, in conclusion, do what you wanna do, read what you wanna read yeaaaah and leave other readers to enjoy their trashy books unsneered at. And if you haven't already, check out <a href="http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/">Smart Bitches Trashy Books</a> where a couple of very smart ladies put what I was trying to say far more cleverly than I could.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Was this post purely an excuse to post the video below? Only I will ever know for certain.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xMmZi77bCdc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-35468804459663412982011-02-05T20:06:00.000-08:002011-02-05T20:20:20.557-08:00Vajingo bingoThat's not the name of a game as far as I know, but it should be. <br /><br />Lately I have been trying my hand at writing some historical erotic fiction and have encountered a small problem. While there is a certain amount of suspension of disbelief needed to accept that people in Ancient Rome or Medieaval Europe or wherever/whenever are speaking modern English, writers mostly get away with it, but certain words stand out more than others. You don't want to throw around 'shlong' and 'bearded taco' unless you're actually trying to be funny. Actually, you usaully don't want to do that in a contemporary story either, but I'm getting sidetracked...<br /><br />When it comes to describing parts of the body, especially the naughty bits, I find that modern slang sounds very jarring, and clinical terms are too, well, clinical. Where possible I guess you can research and find out the actual words people used for these parts in the time of your setting, but if it's really far back that can be pretty difficult. I think I will set myself a project to read more historical erotica and pay special attention to how writers describe things- whether they use slang of the time or get around it with careful description (I don't want to slip into Harlequin territory with 'her sex' and 'his rod' etc. either). So, that's my project for the week. <br /><br />Suggestions on description in historical erotica, or of good historical erotica to read would be very welcome.<br /><br />Tata for now!Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-16560339384248532492011-01-26T01:41:00.000-08:002011-01-26T01:55:24.219-08:00More Authors Helping Flood VictimsWith one day to go until the final deadline I'm still not quite finished my submission for <a href="http://www.benjaminsolah.com/blog/?p=2999">100 Stories For Queensland</a>. Flash is tricky to write! It's hard to bring a story to a satisfying conclusion in just 1000 words. I've written flash before of course, but it was mainly erotica, and I find that easier because, without wishing to sell my chosen genre short, there's a more obvious conclusion for events to come to (no pun intended), so it's just a matter of trimming away some of the preamble. Wow, that really is selling erotica short. I don't mean that it's easy to write, because it's not (well, no more so than any other genre), or that it's less worthwhile somehow (there are some seriously brilliant erotica flash stories out there). I suppose I just find it easier sticking within my comfort zone. This exercise has been good for me and I probably should practise this kind of thing more often.<br /><br />Fellow Goodreads author Sean Williams is involved in another initiative by Aussie authors to help flood victims. Visit <a href="http://writersonrafts.com/">Writers on Rafts</a> if you'd like to help out and go into the draw to win some pretty awesome prizes donated by various authors. These incluce author visits, book packs and the chance to have a character in an upcoming book named after you.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-18019508922610108982011-01-15T19:47:00.000-08:002011-01-15T20:02:30.517-08:00100 Stories for QueenslandA couple of writers are putting together an anthology called <a href="http://www.benjaminsolah.com/blog/?p=2999">100 Stories for Queensland</a> to raise funds to help victims of the recent flooding in the area. They're calling for submissions of flash fiction, any genre as long as it's upbeat and not about death and destruction. It's not my usual genre but I will see if I can come up with something suitable.<br /><br />In terms of loss of life the floods aren't on the same scale as other disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, but the damage to homes and businesses is in the billions and it is likely to take the state a couple of years to recover. There are people out there right now sweeping out their homes and emptying everything they own onto the footpath to be taken away in a garbage truck. Many of these people were insured for everything except flooding because they couldn't get flood insurance due to their proximity to the location of their homes. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/brisbane-flood-2011-photos_n_808067.html#s222903&title=Australia_Flooding">Click here for photos.</a> So please, if you can help us out by submitting a story, buying the anthology when it's finished, or preferably both.<br /><br />If you'd like to donate to the Premier's disaster relief fund directly you can do it <a href="http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html">here.</a> Thanks in advance for your support.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-64304536420955917862011-01-11T17:16:00.000-08:002011-01-11T17:21:48.152-08:00FloodsHalf of my city is under water at the moment, so I may not be online much for a while. Hopefully we won't lose water (it's ironic having none to drink when it's everywhere!) and the river will subside soon. In the meantime I have a roof over my head at least and plenty to read when I can't go anywhere due to all the road closures. My heart goes out to those who aren't so lucky.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-53596426560022628452010-12-31T23:23:00.001-08:002010-12-31T23:48:30.462-08:00Happy New Year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yzRFtdhpwf6-7zKCqeT2grtAEMVCTJgaMH8pQ28khWHyRWOk6HthnL89xjHhopcP2tc0rmDRguyy4S-wFj8I-qMdxalMwpdZBZqfKb2JL1C-jxcT2l36R4JhbW0wyIYwoJKTInwlrss/s1600/couple-of-out-of-focus-lights..jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yzRFtdhpwf6-7zKCqeT2grtAEMVCTJgaMH8pQ28khWHyRWOk6HthnL89xjHhopcP2tc0rmDRguyy4S-wFj8I-qMdxalMwpdZBZqfKb2JL1C-jxcT2l36R4JhbW0wyIYwoJKTInwlrss/s320/couple-of-out-of-focus-lights..jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557114969618181522" /></a><br /><br />I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I know I did, mostly just kicking back with my family. The wet weather we've been having here was a good excuse to to just stay holed up indoors with some wine and a few good books. Santa has brought me a few new additions to my TBR pile, including <span style="font-style:italic;">Divine By Mistake</span> by P.C. Cast and <span style="font-style:italic;">Graceling</span> by Kristin Cashore, both of which I'm itching to get into. I'm currently halfway through <span style="font-style:italic;">Grave Peril</span> by Jim Butcher which is a cracking good read so far.<br /><br />I haven't really made any resolutions this time. I'm tempted to could go with "try to read more", but that's not so much a resolution as just doing exactly what I wanted to do anyway. "Get more writing done" might be better. I'll certainly try. Happy holidays everyone!Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-53645082373972686462010-12-13T22:51:00.000-08:002010-12-13T22:55:02.065-08:00Bargain E-booksLand of A Thousand Dances is being featured at the moment on <a href="http://bargainebooks.blogspot.com/">Bargain E-books</a>, a site that showcases E-books in any genre costing five dollars or less. It's worth checking out for anyone who's on a budget and wants something new to read.Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-74115405846417785522010-12-09T17:48:00.000-08:002010-12-09T18:03:00.691-08:00And then...I'm not dead. I've just been struggling to get much writing done lately because other regrettably necessary things keep getting in the way. Of course this is always the case, so it should just be a matter of managing my time properly etc. etc. I'm working on it. As always I have a couple of short stories in the black hole, awaiting editorial responses and more in the draft stages. <br /><br />In the meantime, I have a shiny link to share. If you've never read <a href="http://www.platinumgrit.com/issue12.htm">this comic</a> you definately should. Platinum Grit rocks my socks. It's by a couple of Australians and it is at times funny, at times poignant and frequently bizarre. The art is awesome and the characters drag you into their world and won't let go. Episode 12 is particularly close to my heart because out of sheer desperation and lack of ideas Kate, the sassy young magazine writer, is trying to write some erotica and finding that it isn't as easy as it looks.<br /><br /><em>"Her skin was hungry for his touch BECAUSE IT HAD ONLY HAD A SLICE OF TOAST ALL DAY..."</em><br /><br />And now that I've posted that I see that there's an issue online that I haven't read yet. Dammit! I will promise it to myself as a reward when I get my latest draft finished. Bye for now!Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-17906150030067078252010-12-03T23:57:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:09:05.126-08:00Oh Me of Little Faith<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOqkEmdInWohtsRmQuK3ChKYUBKARyM_OyZ6J_2kpxTUcDA2M4TGefXJ3L8y6i4I0QYq2rcjJeuBb2SQpqsSxQKTofc5zOaorhZCAGfVIn_4NuzzPDPoNYKKJIIKGo4Cha7SgIhgLUGQ/s1600/nano_10_winner_120x390-8.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 98px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOqkEmdInWohtsRmQuK3ChKYUBKARyM_OyZ6J_2kpxTUcDA2M4TGefXJ3L8y6i4I0QYq2rcjJeuBb2SQpqsSxQKTofc5zOaorhZCAGfVIn_4NuzzPDPoNYKKJIIKGo4Cha7SgIhgLUGQ/s320/nano_10_winner_120x390-8.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546734488995603090" /></a><br />Having been convinced for most of November that I would never get my novel finished in time I finished with a day to spare. The same thing happened last year. For some reason I can never quite believe in myself when I'm about halfway through. I don't suppose it matters whether I think I can do it or not as long as I keep typing just the same. I just need to accept that self doubt is a necessary part of the process.<br /><br />This year's book is an as-yet untitled detective novel set in Brisbane, Australia. I plan on editing it, but I'm going to let it lie fallow for a month or so first. In the meantime I have more short stories to be getting on with now that I have time to think of things other than novelling.<br /><br />Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Nano journey with me, whether you got to 50k, or beyond, or only a couple of hundred words. If you enjoyed Nano and learned from it the time certainly wasn't wasted.<br /><br />Now, let there be chocolate for the Novelist!Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-18027694270478739342010-11-18T01:06:00.000-08:002010-11-18T01:15:37.683-08:00Nanowrimo WoesI'm still plugging away at Nanowrimo, despite being quite woefully behind at this point. I think it's still possible for me to win, just a bit unlikely. Still, that's what I thought this time last year and I did finish then. We'll see...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.nanowrimo.org/widget/LiveSupporter/540307.png" />Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-21909043013393074222010-10-30T03:06:00.001-07:002010-10-30T03:17:56.693-07:00Happy Halloween!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H0ve6wtvwxtbI6qpvgpnqhSrd1dr2YebDL0-A0GcCIuKOJ0ARNXkKAwLmlcmpU96-1ZpxIoGAxRcdVTa-XOvpQ2T59SyJkmEo4AbAoN_UBZhj7ZGkJuN-IXp892eiy-CctM4NL60I6o/s1600/vampire+squid.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H0ve6wtvwxtbI6qpvgpnqhSrd1dr2YebDL0-A0GcCIuKOJ0ARNXkKAwLmlcmpU96-1ZpxIoGAxRcdVTa-XOvpQ2T59SyJkmEo4AbAoN_UBZhj7ZGkJuN-IXp892eiy-CctM4NL60I6o/s320/vampire+squid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533778811384975922" /></a><br /><br />I'm going to be pretty busy tomorrow, so I just wanted to get in early and wish you all a Happy Halloween! The little vampire squid is back for the occasion just because I love him (what? Bizarre sea creatures are cool!)<br /><br />On a totally unrelated note, for this weekend only the very Giselle Renarde is donating 100% of the proceeds of sales of her ebook <a href="http://www.rainbowebooks.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2439">Ugly Naked People</a> to the LGBT Youthline. I've just picked up a copy and am it looks like a great read. <br /><br />Now back to my last-minute novel plotting. Have a great, spooky time!Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310781883951487237.post-78185550613406244272010-10-25T21:22:00.000-07:002010-10-26T02:33:47.107-07:00Procrastination<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMG3ML_iGlyPYS1Jbu4hQrcIXNhEzsOJfOOQwZGLsZvSlwgshWB3sO0qkZxQoyTK52xZk-lNqx-mxH9Bvcvfi3dt9bQXr5UGrLOQGah4bDaABCBsbB0QZHb9-kP4ii1jcxX3MmtREw4s/s1600/womantyping.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMG3ML_iGlyPYS1Jbu4hQrcIXNhEzsOJfOOQwZGLsZvSlwgshWB3sO0qkZxQoyTK52xZk-lNqx-mxH9Bvcvfi3dt9bQXr5UGrLOQGah4bDaABCBsbB0QZHb9-kP4ii1jcxX3MmtREw4s/s320/womantyping.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532278885010668962" /></a><br />I need to get my novel plotted out ready for Nanowrimo but instead I have been:<br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Shopping for books</li><br />I can't stop browsing <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com"> All Romance Ebooks</a> and <a href="http://www.audible.com/">Audible</a>. I've also just found a blog called <a href="http://bargainebooks.blogspot.com/">Bargain Ebooks</a>, which seems like a good place to find some cheap reads.<br /><br /><li>Writing Other Stories</li><br />There seems to be no limit to the ammount of writing I can get done if it's not what I'm supposed to be working on. I have some contemporary lesbian erotica and a scifi/erotic horror story in progress. I'll see how they go.<br /><br /><li>Watching <a href="http://www.watchtheguild.com/">The Guild</a></li> This isn't even remotly productive, but it is fun.</ul> <br /><br />I'd really better do a least a little plotting before bed. Aaaany minute now...Evelyn Applegatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871705818657918387noreply@blogger.com0