The Art of Erotic Writing, Jess C Scott interview

A short chat with author/artist/non-conformist, Jess C Scott, on the art of erotic writing.

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Have you written erotic-themed material? Why or why not?

Jess: I've written two erotic anthologies so far (both of which "cross multiple genres," within the erotic sphere).

Sex and sexuality have always been significant and important (core) aspects of life to me, on both a personal and social/societal level.

How do you differentiate quality erotica (as an art form), from pornographic writing?

Jess: As with all good literature (in my humble opinion), quality erotica tends to have some kind of social value and artistic/literary merit involved.

Pornographic writing is pretty straight-forward: the primary purpose is to make a profit via the stimulation of arousal from selling sex (from the depictions of graphic sex acts). Plot, structure, and style, cannot ever get in the way of this commercial aim of the product.

How you would respond to the following statement:

“I am very put off by the notion of 'literate smut', as if any porn is intellectual, that erotica needs to have a high and low art distinction. I think this is just a pretentious way for people to excuse their taste for pornography.”
-- originally posted on http://www.barbelith.com/topic/925

Jess: I'm inclined to think that said person does not have / has not had a satisfactory sex life, and would do well to look into improving this area of his or her life.

If said person had more pleasurable sex, perhaps s/he would feel less compelled to moan *smiles sweetly* about other people's tastes and preferences with regards to reading erotic or pornographic material.

P.S. If Anais Nin and D. H. Lawrence are "intellectual pornographers," then I guess I'm into intellectual porn.

What inspired you to write erotic stories/poems/etc.?

Jess: In my teenage years, I developed a distaste for the mass media's constant portrayal of sex as a commodity. I seek to offer something fresh/engaging/true/honest/exploratory, uninfluenced by social norms and conditioning, to counteract "whatever I'd like to see changed in real life."

To quote Marcus Tullius Cicero (Ancient Roman Lawyer, Writer, Scholar, Orator and Statesman, 106 BC-43 BC):

"I criticize by creation, not by finding fault."

This is a perspective that has shaped my writing and artistic vision, with both erotic and non-erotic projects.

Do you always follow the "safe, sane, consensual" credo?

Jess: Not really. To me, it's more important to get to the truth of a matter, than be politically correct (in both fact and fiction).

What do you think readers will find most notable about your book(s)?

Jess: I guess this reader email sums it up:

"Based on the three books I've read, I can say that you're a brilliant writer. They are not shallow reads. Your books do not only entertain but they also make you reflect on what is really important in one's life."
— e-mail from a reader, 2011 (The Philippines)

In order to write on certain experiences, you would have to either research or live the life. Which describes you as the writer?

Jess: Combination of fact and fiction.

Imagination is greater than knowledge (it's unlimited).

Then again, fact can often be a lot stranger than fiction...

Do you think erotica caters to a male or female market (or does gender of the target audience not matter)?

Jess: I think quality literature (of any genre) appeals to a wide demographic (regardless of age, gender, etc.). With erotica, it's not the endless description of sexual acts, but the intensity of the desire and themes involved, that make a timeless story.

Are there any topics you will NOT tackle, with regards to sexual behaviors and attitudes?

Jess: I'm open to tackling any subject, as long as I feel I have some amount of capability to develop a story while keeping the topic in mind.

Please share with us a short excerpt and blurb of your work (10-100 words).

Jess:

EXCERPT (from Jack in the Box, which features in Primal Scream):

The scene was a swirl of candy bright lights--the Victoria’s Secret fuchsia signboard, signboards which lured one to purchase “confidence,” or “sexual appeal,” or whatever it was that was being advertised--the fluorescent lights in each store, contrasting with the shiny, black-tiled walls and eye-catching speckled marble tiles on the ground.

One could lick the floor--the tiles were spotless, clean like the fake air she was breathing in, like the atoms and cells in her that were decaying in stale neglect.

Share an excerpt of your favorite author’s work (10-100 words):

Jess:

So many, but I'll pick something from Edgar Allan Poe (the author who got me delving into the world of classic books!):

"My companion spoke of the lightness of our cargo, and reminded me of the excellent qualities of our ship--but I could not help feeling the utter hopelessness of hope itself, and prepared myself gloomily for that death which I thought nothing could defer beyond an hour. . ."

-- MS. Found in a Bottle, Edgar Allan Poe (1883)

Please let readers know where they can find out more about you/your work.

Jess:

www.jessINK.com
www.twitter.com/jesscscott
www.facebook.com/jessINKbooks

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JESS C SCOTT / jessINK:

Jess C Scott is a 24-year-old contemporary writer working in a diverse range of genres, such as experimental fiction, erotic fiction, new media, young adult fiction, poetry, urban fantasy, and cyberpunk.

As a creative professional, Jess experiments with a variety of genres and styles to produce original work which stands out from "the same old re-packaged mass-market pulp (Bibrary.com)." Her erotic writing focuses on psychosexual themes (not porn) and love/emotions (not fluffy formulaic romance).

Some of Jess’s taboo-themed stories were banned by Amazon in December 2010, which prompted her to set up www.jessINK.com (her indie publishing platform/company).

Jess has always aligned her business goals with her personal values.

She continues to identify herself as an author/artist/non-conformist.

WANT TO BE FEATURED?

If you are reading this and you write, in whatever genre, and would like to share your views via a similar interview, just check out/fill out the form at Author Interviews. Jess will email you with the link once it is posted.

Jess is available for interviews too. Drop her a note at missfeyATgmailDOTcom :)

Genre as a Marketing Aspect

This was originally posted on Incandescent Books in August 2011 (blog is now defunct).

I've pasted the guest post here for now :)

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Genre as a Marketing Aspect, by Jess C Scott

Jess C Scott, author of Primal Scream and EyeLeash: A Blog Novel

Independent publishing offers tremendous opportunities to writers everywhere. The indie publishing model is speedy and efficient, and allows a writer to have full creative and business control.

I decided to self-publish my debut book (EyeLeash: A Blog Novel) in June 2009. I published my first erotic anthology in August 2009. Both these books (and many of my subsequent novellas/novels) aren’t exactly “commercially categorizable.” They don’t fall neatly into a specific category. These types of books can be problematic for mainstream publishers, who have certain expectations with regards to the business of commercial genre fiction.

I’ve always liked concentrating on giving readers/customers a good story (I usually aim to present a combination of style and substance; to produce something that’s entertaining yet meaningful). I’m less interested in plugging into a hot genre that’s popular today but that could possibly fade away tomorrow. I’m interested in sharing my thoughts and feelings via the written word, and always improving on my craft to be the best storyteller I can be (with both mainstream and alternative work).

Genre and the category are labels I think of when doing marketing/promotion, and/or if I need to keep certain themes of a specific genre in mind (like the rigidly divided social order which features in the ‘cyberpunk’ genre, for instance).

Keeping “the genre” in mind can be limiting, which is the last thing I want to impose upon myself as a writer. Commercially, I’m aware this means I may initially lose out, since I don’t like following fads and trends (which the mainstream publishers -- and mainstream audiences -- demand).
And while I’m not entirely closed off to the possibility of being traditionally published one day, I’ve never intended to keep all my novels in the dark because they couldn’t be neatly labeled.

Maybe one day I’ll write something which does fit neatly into a specific genre, but it won’t be at the expense of my multiple-genre-crossing alternative work, which is the department where I frequently challenge myself to improve both spiritually/artistically, and professionally.

Writing is a craft to me, and I’ve always maintained a strong commitment to quality. This applies to both my alternative (mostly erotic) and mainstream (mostly urban fantasy) projects. No matter what genre label I decide to ultimate place on any project, I always keep in mind the (slightly paraphrased) words of Jeffrey Gitomer (the #1 sales authority in the U.S.):

“Offer value, if not, all that’s left is price/genre/the marketing aspect.”

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LINKS:

Website: http://www.jesscscott.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jesscscott
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessINKbooks

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jess C Scott is a contemporary writer working in a diverse range of genres, such as experimental fiction, erotic fiction, new media, young adult fiction, poetry, urban fantasy, and cyberpunk.

As a creative professional, Jess experiments with a variety of genres and styles to produce original work which stands out from “the same old re-packaged mass-market pulp (Bibrary.com).” Her erotic writing focuses on psychosexual themes (not porn) and love/emotions (not fluffy formulaic romance).

Jess has always aligned her business goals with her personal values.

She continues to identify herself as an author/artist/non-conformist.

E: missfey@gmail.com | www.jessINK.com

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Alternative versus Mainstream Writing

I set the prices of this anthology a little bit higher than most independently published books, partly to reduce the impulse buying tendency, and partly because I don't want to undervalue my work (I usually charge by quality/value offered -- never by the word count alone).

I've made the shift towards labeling my work as "contemporary fiction (with erotic elements)" since early 2011 (since Amazon banned some of my ince$t-themed short stories in December 2010). It took me a long while to realize that most modern "erotica" is associated with "explicitness" -- it's mostly pornographic, in other words.

I think moving away from that label allows me to better locate and reach out to the right target audience(s). I know smut novels/stories sell very, very well ("sex sells" and there'll always be a market for porn), but it's just something I've not really been spiritually/artistically/professionally inclined to do. I just need to do something more meaningful (it's personal, but how I make money and the type of work I do are important to me). If making a lot of money was my #1 aim, I'd have aimed to have been a porn-star instead, right from the start (lol).

I dabbled with writing/publishing stories in various different genres from 2009-2010 (while completing my bachelor's degree). If I had to narrow it down to two specific categories, I'd narrow it down to the following two (at the moment):

1) alternative / erotic fiction
2) mainstream / urban fantasy

I guess what appeals to me the most is the "fantasy" element (spoken just like a Pisces Moon!). I know that mainstream audiences DO want material that's not too "unfamiliar" (and therefore uncomfortable), but at the same time, I believe that it doesn't have to come at the complete expense of the creator's/writer's unique touch and vision.

I guess this is something I've been struggling with (off and on) since I was sixteen (I'll turn 25 later this year).

I'm at a point right now where I'm better able to balance the artistic/creative aspects of writing with the business aspects of publishing.

I'll be expanding my "mainstream / urban fantasy" department over 2012, and I'm not sure if one department will outsell the other in future (right now they're about equal, in terms of rate/ratio).

But I enjoy writing hard-to-categorize, original/alternative material, because that's the area where I frequently challenge myself to be a better writer/artist. The feeling of stagnation really irks me, because the feeling of commoditization sets in along with that sense of stagnation, and as an artist, that is something I never want to truly become.

I've seen several people get very defensive/rude/outspoken when there's talk of this "artistic" vision (or anything of an artistic nature). These individuals can be very vocal about how financial security is more important than satisfying an inner muse, so on and so forth. That's not entirely untrue, but perhaps different people have different goals with the written word.

As someone who's spent a long time been passionate about and dedicated to improving their craft, I continue to maintain a sense of commitment to quality with the work I do (whether it's mainstream or alternative writing).

Good stories/books/products are remembered, and stand the test of time.

That's what I want my work to be in future, even if it means a slower, less glamorous/loud beginning.

I've stopped relying on Amazon rankings and ratings, because I've seen how quickly and easily those dynamics can change according to the retailer's whims and fancies. This means I'm literally getting ahead a lot slower than I could be (if I wanted several neatly-categorized projects to always be highly ranked and "very visible"), but I think the jessINK brand will be able to organically evolve based on the strength and value of the products/books themselves (and the customer/reader testimonials to back them up, many of which are unsolicited).

I have a couple of "financial targets" to hit over the next two years. I'll do my very best to make sure I succeed (since writing is both a passion and purpose to me). And I'll continue to provide as much value to the reader/customer as I can, with both my mainstream and alternative projects.

"Rome wasn't built in a day" = a quote I appreciate more, the more mature, focused, and emotionally stable I get ^^.

Synopsis, Primal Scream

Primal Scream is quite a tricky anthology to summarize, so I decided to upload the eBook files and get all the compilations + product links sorted out first (then write out a proper summary for the collections later).

As of 12 August 2011, this is the summary/synopsis on the product pages of Primal Scream:

PRIMAL SCREAM ANTHOLOGY

SUMMARY: jessINK is pleased to present the second (huge) erotic anthology by author/artist/non-conformist, Jess C Scott.

Stories include taboo-themed material, factual fiction, and non-pornographic BDSM stories.

GENRE: Contemporary / Erotic Fiction (the focus is on psychosexual themes, not explicit graphic scenes).

LENGTH: 13 short stories + novelettes | 150,000 words

(followed by a table of contents of the 13 short story titles, and accompanying theme/s)

As of 13 August 2011 (time of this posting), I've decided to leave the synopsis as it is. I kind of like the non-gimmicky and to-the-point description of the advertising copy. It's pretty different from the synopsis for 4:Play (my first erotic anthology, published back in August 2009), but I think I'll try something different this time (since there are quite a few excerpts and reviews on the ever-evolving main jessINK website).

With the above synopsis, the two key phrases and/or key words that stand out (to me) were/are:

1) "non-pornographic BDSM"
2) "psychosexual"

If those can pique the interest of readers/customers, I think the synopsis is doing its job (which means I'm going to leave it as it is ;) -- though I'll certainly update this post if/when I change my mind!).

Excerpts and Inspiration

Primal Scream is made up of three collections (the taboo-themed Fashion Icon; Asian Factual Fiction collection; and the BDSM-themed PLAY).

Most of my writing is a combination of fact and fiction. So here are three excerpts (one from each collection), with a little bit of "background information" on what inspired the content ;)

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Excerpt(s) of Primal Scream:

A preview is available via Google Books (coming soon).



Excerpt #1 (from Wicked Lovely / Story #1 in Fashion Icon):

I want Julie completely in the nude I lie there over her frozen for a minute as I build up the courage to start removing her magnificent mind-blowing panties when suddenly, she flickers her eyelids open.

"Ed," she says softly.

God Almighty she recognizes me and this is the end of me. She’s going to scream and I’ll have to knock her out. Promptly. Soon. Now. I’m a murderer. This was doomed from the start. Anything would be better. Getting raped by a stranger, being kidnapped, anything but your own step brother

Background Info: Wicked Lovely was the first taboo-themed piece I completed. I enjoyed the stream-of-consciousness freestyle style of Ed's sections in the story (the "step"-brother). I would like to do more incest taboo-themed stories in future (novella or novel length).

I think what inspired the taboo-themed stories was reading real-life accounts online. I wasn't expecting stories of this topic to be banned by Amazon (and other retailers), but since there's a way to sidestep the issue (by writing about step relatives, instead of blood relatives -- please "use your imagination" if you enjoy stories of the original theme), I'm likely to continue exploring the ("adjusted") theme in future works.

To me, it's the matter of consent that matters more than the taboo aspect. I elaborate a bit more on this earlier Q&A I did for 4:Play (my first erotic anthology). 

My intent was never to be controversial or outrageous. I guess it was/is simply due to the fact that I don't have a brother, but if I did, it's a moot point as to whether I'd...

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Excerpt #2 (from Jack in the Box / Story #2 in AFF / Factual Fiction):

The scene was a swirl of candy bright lights--the Victoria’s Secret fuchsia signboard, signboards which lured one to purchase “confidence,” or “sexual appeal,” or whatever it was that was being advertised--the fluorescent lights in each store, contrasting with the shiny, black-tiled walls and eye-catching speckled marble tiles on the ground.

One could lick the floor--the tiles were spotless, clean like the fake air she was breathing in, like the atoms and cells in her that were decaying in stale neglect.

"Miss…what brand of facial wash do you use?" a cool, level voice asked, breaking through the little bubble Drea was encapsulated in. She heard the words in drifts and drabs—"Miss" and "facial" were the only ones she heard clearly.

Miss Facial…

A young man had appeared, and was standing next to her, quite near to her. He had entered her personal space without even trying. Drea’s mind and spirit were so dead and desensitized, that her entire being engaged the well-groomed, pleasant, and easy-to-look-at figure before her. He was a hint of a breath of fresh air/oxygen--and she was happy to take it, even if it lasted for just a second.

Background Info: Jack in the Box is epistolary (like my debut blog novel, EyeLeash), and close to 100% real. That's all I'm going to say, so here's another short excerpt from AFF!

Excerpt #2.5 (from Catholic School Girls Rule / Story #3 in AFF / Factual Fiction):

Brett stood up, and held his hand out for Chantal to pick herself up from the ground. She stood beside him, still shy and demure, wide-eyed, feeling her bones melt, when he cornered her against the concrete side of the canal. It was heat, passion, wildness, and purity all combined in a moment, a prelude to the impending cataclysm Chantal was sure was coming.

"Tie me up, please…" Chantal said. They looked above at some vines and roots hanging down from the grassy area above the depression in the canal they were standing in. She was in his hands—he had to comply.

Background Info: I attended St. Anthony's Canossian Convent in Singapore, and my classroom *was* situated next to a canal. I did use to see some boys fishing and running around in the canal (during low tide)...I guess it was a good setting to place this story. I wanted to do something different from the usual "nymphomaniac Catholic school girl" pornographic archetype (I tried to ground it more in reality than fantasy).

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Excerpt #3 (from Teacher's Pet / Story #3 in PLAY / BDSM Anthology):

Perlah remembered observing Walter Edwards's hand and forearm during his first lecture. He had been drawing something on the whiteboard with care and precision, the line of muscle showing when he raised his forearm. They were fluid, artistic hands, which made her wonder what he could do with them.

She studied his hands the same way he studied her pictures, in a semi-detached kind of way. He had the type of hands an artist would love to make figure studies of, the type of hands that could engage the primal scream coming from a body that wanted to be set free, that was craving for some kind of transcendence.

"And I would hate to see your talent go to waste…whether or not you're still a student of Tate Polytechnic," Walter remarked, looking at the photograph of a girl's handcuffed wrists in front, her pinky fingers shaped in a heart. The wry smile and puckered lips in the slightly out of focus background added a tinge of sarcasm. "What do you plan to do after leaving school?"

Background Info: I attended Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore after completing secondary school. I didn't get into sexcapades with any teacher, though I did leave my course of study halfway. I didn't feel particularly inspired by what I was supposed to be learning, so I quit to look for something more fulfilling.

This is also the excerpt/story in which the words "Primal Scream" appear. I had in mind the title of Primal Scream from quite early on, though I wasn't too sure which story would feature the words (if any story did at all). I initially intended to call the BDSM-themed anthology "Primal Scream," but decided to pack several collections into what would eventually develop into the full Primal Scream anthology.

I guess I wanted a title that was loud yet subtle, something that captures the  tension and all-consuming intensity of a person/body that's "craving for some kind of [sexual] transcendence."

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* More Excerpts @ Primal Scream | jessINK

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Related Books / Textbooks

I recently received a friend request on Facebook, followed by an email sent out by the individual (first screenshot below, with the subject title, "Text books on the subject").

I'm not sure how Google's algorithms work (with regards to recommending "similar books"), but it was nice to see Wicked Lovely and Incestiable listed alongside the works of Anaïs Nin and Marquis de Sade (second screenshot below)!



1) "Text books on the subject"



2) "Similar Books"

I first read Anaïs Nin when I was sixteen. I thought Delta of Venus and Little Birds contained the most fantastic erotic short stories.

I'm glad I read her work at the time, because I think it truly "opened my mind/heart" and broadened my perspectives on the erotic life [both writing about it, and living it ;)].

Reviews

Here are some reviews for the 13 stories which feature in Primal Scream.

All reviews listed here are unsolicited.

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"[Ms. Scott] can weave a vivid tale of lust and love, bringing together lovers for casual sex or eternal devotion."
-- Traction_Bob / review on Fashion Icon

"I liked [Master & Servant] for many reasons, it was an easy read, and tastefully done."
-- JamieLBaker1 (22 May 2011) / B&N review

"a lot of stories with the 'bdsm' label focus heavily on the 'fetish wear' and 'd/s' labels--i liked [Master & Servant] as it handled the psyche and 'power play' with regards to bdsm in an original and non-gimmicky kind of way. 'bdsm' can be such an interesting topic that way, which was handled well by the author here--the writing was hot, intense, and very real."
-- hk82 (23 January 2011) / B&N review

"[Rockstar] is a sweet and well written short story about two guys who love each other but they're both waiting for the other to come around. One thing leads to another and it all comes out. There is a nice knife play scene that I enjoyed and both the leads are very likeable."
-- Miss Asima, 11 July 2011 / Goodreads.com

"[Jess's writing is] raw [and] full of brio. It’s very contemporary. It has personality and energy. It deals with modern issues in a very modern way."
-- Joseph Grinton | "Don't Run Away From Sex"

"Wicked Lovely is a fantastic tale of forbidden love."
-- Author/Poet Dan Schwartz

"I love the fact that the writer is not scared of taboo subjects, I love to read and learn about different things, and I am very glad that there are authors out there like [Jess]."
-- melanie alexander (2010)

"I just finished reading Spinning Around, and I really enjoyed it. I absolutely love [step] father-daughter erotica...and I’m not sure why. Of course I must keep this secret to myself, as no one would understand. It’s probably safe to say that incest (including consensual), is hitting too close to home for many, so let’s not even acknowledge this topic: it’s too real. Please write more father-daughter stories!!!!!!!"
-- Sincerely, A Female Reader/Customer, 2011

"Dear Jess: I have a few of your pieces on my Nook and I caught my husband reading them the other day. He does not usually like erotica but did yours. He is very conservative, on the outside. He is slowly changing I think."
-- e-mail from a female reader, 2011

"I read [Jack in the Box], which I loved. I am looking forward to the other stories. You are not obscene as far as I can see. You write about emotion and you capture it and convey it beautifully. You have something very original and very contemporary."
-- customer email, March 2011 (from U.K.)

"I think anyone who has the guts to write good incest [taboo] erotica needs to be lauded. What inspired you to write on [this] theme?"
-- J. K. / Goodreads personal message, May 2011

"just read some of your stories on my kindle. nice work!...my first read i bought last night on kindle was your story Master & Servant...I need to check out the ones Amazon banned lol..."
-- GuitarTechGill_XXX / Twitter message, Aug 2011

"I must say your perspective is very unique and impressive.. A different style of writing but I like it.. I read like excerpts of [Primal Scream] from ur interview.."
-- R. Z. / Private Facebook text message, Aug 2011 (from Singapore)

"You are a DYNAMO!! I've perused through some of the short stories in Primal Scream. You've an incredible ability to tell an erotic story in a way that does not offend. . .your sense of humor is evident throughout."
-- P. J. / email / 15 Aug 2011