My post is a bit of an update from the first few
posts I made about the same subject. Since I’ve been around the past two years
I’ve learned a lot and I wanted to restate the reasons why I love it.
In the beginning, it was about it being taboo, it
made me hot, etc but now, it’s more about my enjoyment for writing romance. I
discover with every story I write, I’m putting a little bit of myself in every
character, whether it’s my snarky side, my long winded, my love for the
overdramatic. Notice I said, overdramatic, doesn’t make me a drama queen!
*snicker* I do love the tension but occasionally, I love a story without all
the heartache. I like the fluff as my favorite fellow writer put it.
Ever since I was a teen, I loved reading stories
about romance and two people falling for one another. It started with the
cutesy Harlequins or my grandma’s Barbara Cortland novels and then I wanted to
know more about the steamy with Fern Michaels and Jackie Collins. In many
people’s eyes, those writers put together smut but hey, it had a romantic
element, or tried to. *grins* The bottom line is, it opened the door for what
we know now as erotic romance.
Then I started getting into Anne Rice and much
later, Zane, who writes erotica as well. The common thread? In those stories
there was something about two people connecting, finding a common ground, and
maybe love somewhere along the way. Perhaps it wasn’t clearly stated, but
reading between the lines, you saw something in those characters that made you
enjoy that book.
And so, that spurred me into wanting to write my own
but it wasn’t until I gained the confidence through encouragement from friends
and the fanfic community did I get the courage to publish. It took me a while
but here I am. Now, just like the writers before me, I enjoy writing about two
people connecting. Most of the time, I just like them to be two men. Other than
the genitalia, what’s the big difference? Men have feelings, desires; they have
their ultimate partner just like women do. They have hang-ups, fears, some
express their feelings openly, some do not. Why should writing m/m be singled
out?
Sure, a lot of men might fit what society calls a
“real man” but in Shar’s world, the characters may not always fit that mold.
They’re unique, most of the time imperfect, not always what America considers
as everyday males. They debunk stereotypes, cross over boundaries, they’re
human to me and they connect. I love that the most and as much as I am a
feminist, I love writing about the opposite sex.
So my ideas are better defined. Yeah it still makes
me hot, I love the taboo, but most important, I just love writing romance and
the fact that it’s between two men, shouldn’t be a big deal. It is after all
about human interaction. I enjoy it, and God willing, I’ll continue to do to
for years to come.
Thanks for listening.
Overall
Series Blurb
The N’awlins
Exotica/Paranormal series
The city of New Orleans is rich in
tradition, diverse, and known for the inspiration it provides. In the “Big
Easy” there lies the hunger for the erotic as well as the unknown. The
residents here feel that sexual energy and it reveals itself through their
various creative activities.
Join the characters as they take a
wild ride on the edge, enjoying their town for all it has to offer. There’s a
certain magic in the air, an erotic magic that cannot be ignored.
I Like Em
Pretty Book Blurb
New
Orleans is supposed to be the big easy. One night changes everything for
Frankie Choteau.
New Orleans. A city rich in tradition, diversity, and on the comeback trail from hurricane Katrina. Francois “Frankie” Choteau, a resident of this town, a cop with a hot temper and low tolerance for bs. Kajika Fortier, a transplant from Oklahoma came here looking for a dream and unfortunately it’s turned into a nightmare. On a hot summer night, they meet and cross paths during a very difficult situation. Despite this, the attraction between them is evident and loneliness for both men is a fate worse than death. They’d both like a chance at happiness but will the circumstances and Frankie’s uneasiness prevent their happy ever after?
New Orleans. A city rich in tradition, diversity, and on the comeback trail from hurricane Katrina. Francois “Frankie” Choteau, a resident of this town, a cop with a hot temper and low tolerance for bs. Kajika Fortier, a transplant from Oklahoma came here looking for a dream and unfortunately it’s turned into a nightmare. On a hot summer night, they meet and cross paths during a very difficult situation. Despite this, the attraction between them is evident and loneliness for both men is a fate worse than death. They’d both like a chance at happiness but will the circumstances and Frankie’s uneasiness prevent their happy ever after?
Read
chapter one here
Michael Mandrake pens
complex characters already comfortable with their sexuality. Thorough these, he
builds worlds not centered on erotica but rather the mainstream plots we might
encounter in everyday life through personal experiences or the media. To find
out more please visit http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com.
Author Sharita Lira: In one word, crazy.
Just crazy enough to have 3 different muses running around in her head, driving
her to sheer exhaustion with new plot bunnies and complex characters.
This happily married mother of two beautiful children loves music,
computers, reading, and still enjoys reading and writing fanfiction. She’s a
proud member of the Erotica Readers & Writers Association, as well as an
advocate for rights of LGBT citizens.
She’s also a contributor to the heavy metal ezine Fourteeng.net.
For more information, please visit http://www.thelitriad.com
as well as her Facebook fanpage, The Literary Triad.
* * * *
Alright then. So know you know why we love m/m romance, here is a contest. For us, we'll do a 5 GC, a book from Shar's backlist, and a special prize from the I Like Em Pretty group.
The hostess, Hennessee Andrews is giving away a 50GC from Amazon so make sure you visit all the blogs to comment. Here are the others doing this hop!
The hostess, Hennessee Andrews is giving away a 50GC from Amazon so make sure you visit all the blogs to comment. Here are the others doing this hop!
24 comments:
I have to agree with you. I love me a bit of fluff sometimes. There's something about reading a story with fluff that makes me smile and has me thinking that the world is indeed an amazing place to be in :D.
siteno.ebulu@gmail.com
Hi. Your story sounds familiar except I haven't gotten to the righting part yet. ;) I've enjoy your work.
Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo.com
Imperfect characters are the best! :)
Lol, I'm not the only one who started with Harlequins?? Good to know!
Urb
brendurbanist@gmail.com
I always thought the stereotypical "real men" protested too much--being secure in yourself is much hotter than machismo!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Got I Like Em Pretty and I liked em. Count me in please.
Sounds like a good read. Please count me in.
I love a bit of fluff too. Thanks for sharing.
Lisahelo(at)outlook(dot)com
Am so glad I'm following this blog hop! I've been finding so many "new to me authors" that my wish list is going to be enormous by Christmas! Thanks for sharing and being a part so that I could find you! :)
I have read several of your books but not this one. I must add it to my list.
debby236 at gmail dot com
Other than the genitalia, what’s the big difference? Men have feelings, desires; they have their ultimate partner just like women do. They have hang-ups, fears, some express their feelings openly, some do not. Why should writing m/m be singled out?
So true!
I think it's singled out because it's special. Special people with special tastes are rarely understood. M/M writers shouldn't feel bad others aren't as special as them :P
shayla.mist@gmail.com
Love your stories!
gisu29 at gmail dot com
I love romance period. The hotter the better and I don't care how many letters of the alphabet are in the mix. I started with Harlequins too!!
Bobbie B
mamaboo7907 at gmail dot com
Haven't read any of your books yet.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
Sounds interesting
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
I love your reasons for writing and liking mm romance, my reasons for reading it are similar to yours. Hope I get a chance to read one f Shar's books!
Nidabland@msn.com
I love your stories and would love to read this one too. Thanks for the giveaway.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
Those are wonderful reasons for writing, and I couldn't agree more. Romance in all its forms should be shared and celebrated. Thanks for being part of the hop and sharing with all of us!
Carolyn
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com
Imperfect characters are the best! :)
I'm just a reader, not a writer, so your reasons for writing m/m was quite interesting to me. Thanks for sharing!
spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
The reasons for reading and writing m/m can be all over the board, but alot of it seems to come down to one thing: the romance. It doesn't matter the gender, love is love.
ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com
Fluff can be good! Love your work.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
I love your work! Thank you for the chance to enter. Wendynjason04@gmail.com
Hi! Great post! I do love some fluff! Makes the stories a bit more interesting! :) Thanks for sharing! Very fun!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
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