I can't believe in less than two weeks Slave will finally be released. It feels like it has been a long time coming although it has been less than a year. Everything has now been formatted and signed off on. Slave is now at the printers!
If you haven't already, you can pre-order your copy of Slave direct from my publisher at http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.blogspot.com/.
Now, here is another question from Formspring. This question was anonymous.
How many books will there be in the series?
This is a great question. Unfortunately, the answer is going to be rather vague.
The way I write is rather nontraditional. I only work with a rough outline in my head, therefore I can't tell you for sure how many books will be in the series. My philosophy with the stories I create is that I write them until I feel they are complete. It is one of the reasons this is a series rather than one book. I didn't feel I could do their story justice in one novel.
Stephan and Brianna have a long journey ahead of them. Healing from any trauma does not happen over night. Neither does a romance when one of the individuals has gone through what Brianna has.
As of this moment, I can say that there will be at least four books, however, I will not rule out more.
Do you have a question about the series you'd like for me to answer? Something you'd like to ask Stephan or Brianna? Click on the Formspring link to the left and ask!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Playroom - Leather Collar
My apologies for this post being late. I had it scheduled to post on Sunday, but blogger is obviously not with the program.
July is finally here. Slave will be released in just a couple of weeks. I can't wait. Hopefully, neither can you. :)
So I mentioned that starting this month I would be adding a new piece of equipment to The Playroom. For the month of July, I selected a leather collar.
July is finally here. Slave will be released in just a couple of weeks. I can't wait. Hopefully, neither can you. :)
So I mentioned that starting this month I would be adding a new piece of equipment to The Playroom. For the month of July, I selected a leather collar.
Collars are important in BDSM relationships for several reasons. There are many different types and some are cuffs or bracelets rather than a traditional collar. I'll be exploring some of those in later posts, but no matter what it physically is, the meaning is the same.
For Dominants, collars are a symbol of possession, ownership, and commitment. Giving a collar to a submissive is not something they take lightly. By presenting a collar to a submissive, by marking them as theirs, they are taking a vow to be that persons Dominant, to look after their needs. There are good Dominants and bad ones. The good ones take this commitment very seriously and do not enter into it flippantly.
For submissives, collars are also symbols of ownership, possession, of safety. A collared submissive always has someone they can go to, they are never truly alone. Their Dominant has committed to always be there for them whenever they need them. Submissives take comfort in knowing that someone accepts them for who they truly are and will help them to achieve their maximum potential.
There are so many different types of collars, even leather collars. The one I choose this month is an inch and a half wide. It happens to be a fairly simple design with a d-ring at the front. There is also a place for attachment at the back according to the retailer.
I like the simplicity of this collar. It isn't flashy or overly cumbersome, but you know it's there.
This is what I have in mind that Brianna is wearing the first time Stephan meets her in chapter 2.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Freedom
Happy 4th of July Weekend!
For those in the US, this weekend is full of BBQ's, fireworks, and a whole lot of red, white, and blue as we celebrate the birth of our nation and our freedom.
Freedom is such an interesting concept when it comes to BDSM. Most outside the lifestyle see submissives as having no, or very little, freedom whatsoever. It is ironic that most submissives, however, find submitting to their Dom/Domme to be a freeing experience.
I asked a submissive friend of mine to share her feelings.
"You are free to let go of every burden that society throws on you. You are free to let go of every mask you usually wear for many reasons. And you are finally free to be only yourself. No fear that someone will bother you or attack you because of who you are. You can let go everything and just to be yourself."
I mentioned a website in a previous post where I have done research for my story. It gives information on so many varying subjects including male submission. I thought I'd share a section with you that I feel is relevant to the topic at hand.
"Submitting to a dominant female allows me to drop my "maleness" at the door and become a sometimes fragile human being.
The daily stress of my professional life can become overwhelming at times. I have to make decisions that affect others; some positive, often times, negatively . As a heterosexual male, I am expected to wear a persona of "masculinity".
Submission, by and large is considered by many a weakness. In my opinion, submission is not a symbol of weakness, but rather one of strength. It takes almost inhuman strength to let go of the pain and the humiliation and anger and all the other emotions that we face every single day of our lives. My release oftentimes comes in the form of tears. Remember, we are raised as children to believe that tears were for "sissies" and were not allowed to shed tears. One of the reasons that I submit is to surrender to my need to cry. To shed tears that would otherwise be considered "unmanly". My Mistress calls them her "gift".
Submission does not mean I have a low opinion of myself. It does not mean I crave humiliation or embarrassment at the hands of every person, or dominant female I cross paths with. What it does mean though, is that I am free to "let go" of the daily stresses where I am in charge. Where I am in control. I can safely let another guide me while soaring within"subspace"." http://www.seekers.org.uk/mistress.htm
Whether male or female, submissives feel a sense of freedom when they are submitting to their Doms/Dommes. It is a release, a way for them to be who they are without judgement from society.
For those in the US, this weekend is full of BBQ's, fireworks, and a whole lot of red, white, and blue as we celebrate the birth of our nation and our freedom.
Freedom is such an interesting concept when it comes to BDSM. Most outside the lifestyle see submissives as having no, or very little, freedom whatsoever. It is ironic that most submissives, however, find submitting to their Dom/Domme to be a freeing experience.
I asked a submissive friend of mine to share her feelings.
"You are free to let go of every burden that society throws on you. You are free to let go of every mask you usually wear for many reasons. And you are finally free to be only yourself. No fear that someone will bother you or attack you because of who you are. You can let go everything and just to be yourself."
I mentioned a website in a previous post where I have done research for my story. It gives information on so many varying subjects including male submission. I thought I'd share a section with you that I feel is relevant to the topic at hand.
"Submitting to a dominant female allows me to drop my "maleness" at the door and become a sometimes fragile human being.
The daily stress of my professional life can become overwhelming at times. I have to make decisions that affect others; some positive, often times, negatively . As a heterosexual male, I am expected to wear a persona of "masculinity".
Submission, by and large is considered by many a weakness. In my opinion, submission is not a symbol of weakness, but rather one of strength. It takes almost inhuman strength to let go of the pain and the humiliation and anger and all the other emotions that we face every single day of our lives. My release oftentimes comes in the form of tears. Remember, we are raised as children to believe that tears were for "sissies" and were not allowed to shed tears. One of the reasons that I submit is to surrender to my need to cry. To shed tears that would otherwise be considered "unmanly". My Mistress calls them her "gift".
Submission does not mean I have a low opinion of myself. It does not mean I crave humiliation or embarrassment at the hands of every person, or dominant female I cross paths with. What it does mean though, is that I am free to "let go" of the daily stresses where I am in charge. Where I am in control. I can safely let another guide me while soaring within"subspace"." http://www.seekers.org.uk/mistress.htm
Whether male or female, submissives feel a sense of freedom when they are submitting to their Doms/Dommes. It is a release, a way for them to be who they are without judgement from society.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Pre-Order your copy of Slave
You can now pre-order your copy of Slave direct from my publisher's website www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/publishinghouse/. The book is set to be released July 28th.
Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death.
As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Daren, leads him to buying a slave.
Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.
Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.
Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?
As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Daren, leads him to buying a slave.
Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.
Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.
Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Research
I received this question from Ena via formspring...
I was wondering if you would post some of your research on your blog. I know you did a lot of research for the series and how much would you say had to be 'trimmed off' because there was too much--or the opposite, expanded.
This is an excellent question, Ena. Thank you. :)
When I first started doing research for this story, I was somewhat frustrated. I would type in BDSM and most of what would come up were porn sites. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
Finally I stumbled onto a few websites and blogs of submissives/slaves, which helped a great deal. One of them was about collars and their meanings. That site is where I got the idea of a collar of protection for Brianna. I was going to post the link here, but apparently the website is no longer active.
At the beginning, I really just tried to think back to some of the other BDSM stories I'd read while taking in the personalities of my two characters. I was also reading a story written by a switch in Germany, so I sent her a few e-mails asking questions regarding the lifestyle in general. She was very helpful in getting the wheels turning in my head and pointing me in the right direction.
It wasn't until I befriended a slave on-line, however, that my access to knowledge began to expand. My friend, pointed me to a great informational website.
http://www.seekers.org.uk/home.htm
I found this website extremely helpful. It breaks the lifestyle down for those who are interested in knowing the basics of submission, Dominance, play, clubs, etc.
As I continued writing, I also met more of those who live the lifestyle and was able to get some real life answers to my questions. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent picking the brains of both Dominants and submissives. There is one chapter that will be in the second book of this series that I spent eight hours hashing out with my friend's Master to get the correct level of realism and what I wanted. We finally called it 'done' at three o'clock in the morning.
I would have to say that I've done more expanding than trimming off, but both have occurred at one point and time; it's just a natural part of the editing process. For example with the chapter I was referencing above, I cut about 1,000 words from that chapter, however, I add almost that much in its place. In Slave, I've definitely done more adding than trimming. In fact, the entire third chapter is new material. I've also added some content throughout for various reasons.
To say that my research for this series is completely would be a total lie. I learn more about D/s every day through my research, through talking to those in the lifestyle, and just through casual observations. It has been a rewarding experience for me where I've met some wonderful friends and gotten to know more about myself as well as my relationship with others in the process.
I was wondering if you would post some of your research on your blog. I know you did a lot of research for the series and how much would you say had to be 'trimmed off' because there was too much--or the opposite, expanded.
This is an excellent question, Ena. Thank you. :)
When I first started doing research for this story, I was somewhat frustrated. I would type in BDSM and most of what would come up were porn sites. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
Finally I stumbled onto a few websites and blogs of submissives/slaves, which helped a great deal. One of them was about collars and their meanings. That site is where I got the idea of a collar of protection for Brianna. I was going to post the link here, but apparently the website is no longer active.
At the beginning, I really just tried to think back to some of the other BDSM stories I'd read while taking in the personalities of my two characters. I was also reading a story written by a switch in Germany, so I sent her a few e-mails asking questions regarding the lifestyle in general. She was very helpful in getting the wheels turning in my head and pointing me in the right direction.
It wasn't until I befriended a slave on-line, however, that my access to knowledge began to expand. My friend, pointed me to a great informational website.
http://www.seekers.org.uk/home.htm
I found this website extremely helpful. It breaks the lifestyle down for those who are interested in knowing the basics of submission, Dominance, play, clubs, etc.
As I continued writing, I also met more of those who live the lifestyle and was able to get some real life answers to my questions. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent picking the brains of both Dominants and submissives. There is one chapter that will be in the second book of this series that I spent eight hours hashing out with my friend's Master to get the correct level of realism and what I wanted. We finally called it 'done' at three o'clock in the morning.
I would have to say that I've done more expanding than trimming off, but both have occurred at one point and time; it's just a natural part of the editing process. For example with the chapter I was referencing above, I cut about 1,000 words from that chapter, however, I add almost that much in its place. In Slave, I've definitely done more adding than trimming. In fact, the entire third chapter is new material. I've also added some content throughout for various reasons.
To say that my research for this series is completely would be a total lie. I learn more about D/s every day through my research, through talking to those in the lifestyle, and just through casual observations. It has been a rewarding experience for me where I've met some wonderful friends and gotten to know more about myself as well as my relationship with others in the process.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Pre-sales start next week...
With pre-sales for Slave going on sale next week, things are moving full speed ahead. My editor and I have been working frantically to get through the edits and get Slave ready for its July 28th release date. Slave will contain twenty six chapters. I am currently working through the edits for chapter 18, and am hoping to finish going through the remaining eight chapters in the next few days. We've had a few set backs over the last few months, but it finally seems to be coming together.
Hopefully some of you have visited the playroom page on this site. Starting next month, I will have a new piece of equipment up there every month. Some will be sexual in nature, others will have a more psychological purpose. That section will be more about education than anything else, and I am hoping that people will participate with both questions and answers.
That brings me to my next bit of news. I have set up a formspring account for my readers to use in order to ask questions. Ask me anything my Finding Anna Series. http://formspring.me/SherriHayes Have a question you'd like to ask Stephan or Brianna? How about Richard or Ian? I am hoping to be able to answer some of these question on the blog itself in a sort of 'ask Stephan/ask Brianna' type format. You can also ask question about the playroom section of the blog there as well. Again, this is meant to be fun and educational at the same time. :)
Hopefully some of you have visited the playroom page on this site. Starting next month, I will have a new piece of equipment up there every month. Some will be sexual in nature, others will have a more psychological purpose. That section will be more about education than anything else, and I am hoping that people will participate with both questions and answers.
That brings me to my next bit of news. I have set up a formspring account for my readers to use in order to ask questions. Ask me anything my Finding Anna Series. http://formspring.me/SherriHayes Have a question you'd like to ask Stephan or Brianna? How about Richard or Ian? I am hoping to be able to answer some of these question on the blog itself in a sort of 'ask Stephan/ask Brianna' type format. You can also ask question about the playroom section of the blog there as well. Again, this is meant to be fun and educational at the same time. :)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Editing
With 19 days left until the pre-orders of Slave go on sale, we are in full swing with the second phase of edits. I'm currently working on the first 15 chapters and should have the remaining 11 chapters soon to go through.
Editing is a very detailed process. It is very different from writing, at least for me. When I write, I try to get caught up in the emotion of the story. You can't do that when you are editing; everything is about the details.
For that same reason, however, Slave is proving more of a challenge to edit than my first novel, Hidden Threat. Slave is a very emotional story and it is hard to detach myself in order to just concentrate on what needs to be adjusted to make it the best story it can be.
This is why editors are so important. If you are an author and have a good editor helping you with your stories, take a moment to make sure they know they are appreciated. They really are there to make us look good. Our stories wouldn't be the same without them.
Editing is a very detailed process. It is very different from writing, at least for me. When I write, I try to get caught up in the emotion of the story. You can't do that when you are editing; everything is about the details.
For that same reason, however, Slave is proving more of a challenge to edit than my first novel, Hidden Threat. Slave is a very emotional story and it is hard to detach myself in order to just concentrate on what needs to be adjusted to make it the best story it can be.
This is why editors are so important. If you are an author and have a good editor helping you with your stories, take a moment to make sure they know they are appreciated. They really are there to make us look good. Our stories wouldn't be the same without them.
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