Baton Pass to Erotic Authors Blog Tour

Hi,
I was tagged by Erotic Author Sacha LaSalle who passed the baton on to me.  Let me tell you a little bit about Sacha!

Sacha Lasalle has been published in The Mammoth Book of Urban Erotic Confessions and has also contributed to the upcoming book The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica 13, edited by the venerable Maxim Jakubowski. When Sacha is not participating in the generous community of the Erotica Readers and Writers Association, she continues her exploration of the human landscape — flaws and all — and what it means to write erotic fiction. 

1.       What are you working on?

At the moment I'm spending more time writing for anthologies than I am writing novel length. The current piece I'm writing focuses on a certain trigger between two characters that initiates their interaction, although the process hasn't been all that smooth. I often visualize character scenes, but sometimes they don't quite come out the way I envisage.

The novel length piece I'm working on has an element of coming of age, but is not quite that in the story. I'm exploring two characters (Jack and Charlie) through different timelines, and how what has happened between them continues to affect them as time goes on.

2.      How does your work differ from other authors' work in the same genre?

For me I'd say that my style is beginning to manifest itself a little more often of late, as it doesn't always reflect in what I write. Words have a certain melodic character, or sound when I'm writing in what I would identify as my style (which is something I discovered as an adolescent). I tend to receive comments on the imagery or mood evoked which is humbling because readers are relating or connecting to what I'm writing. It doesn't always work though.

I also have a tendency to be a little ambiguous. I freely admit that I struggle to write narrative that explains every little detail. I want to give my readers that respect, part for the pleasure of their own interpretation and part for their own intelligence. I suppose it's an unspoken request to invest a little for gratification.

3.      Why do you write in your genre?

Our relationship with sex fascinates me. From the sexual revolution and cultural behavior to transgressive elements, our reactions to sex are interesting. Although my writing does not focus on the first two particulars, there are questions I think about, that while not always evident, shape my characters and the way they see things.

The exploration of transgressive elements can give opportunity for more dimension or depth. As humans we have an interesting way of compartmentalizing and labeling things so that we are more comfortable with them. I respect authors that are able to challenge the status quo, by forcing us to ask ourselves why we see or react to things the way we do.  That being said, it's not something I'm necessarily setting out to do as there are highly gifted and intelligent authors already doing so. If there ever was an end goal, it's to write that something that slips deep beneath the skin and embeds itself there. Something that never quite leaves you.

Aside from that, it's for the pleasure.

4.      How does writing process work?

It depends on the length of the piece. Short stories that are more scene driven, I try to write in one sitting. Novel length works start off with a scene or idea. Sometimes I write the scene, then plot. When plotting I'll write timelines to avoid confusion later on, and I'll write questions concerning conflicts and resolution.

Sometimes I also write with music. It just depends, as I go for long periods with, or without. Sex however, is not just something that is a part of the story, it's integral to the characters. Finding that balance is certainly part of the challenge.

sachalasalle.com
@sachalasalle