Incest Interview

A short chat on the topic of incest step relations with Jess C Scott, who writes contemporary fiction + poetry.

UPDATED!: As of 2011, Jess writes about step relations, not incest [since it's against Amazon, PayPal, Google and Blogger's TOS to "write about bestiality and incest" (no word about necrophilia)]. Jess has updated her short stories on sale at Amazon too (so it's about step relations, not incest). 


Photo by margolove.

1) Do *you* have a brother?

Jess: No, I do not. I've wondered from time to time what it might've been like, though (if I did have one).

2) Where did the idea for the story come from?

Jess: I submitted the story for a "taboo subjects" writing anthology (I think it was one of the lines from Harlequin). A few months later, the editor replied saying that the writing needed some "cleaning up." By that time, I'd already published 4:Play (my multiple genre-crossing erotic short story collection). Ed's voice is deliberately rough and unpolished -- and I kept it that way (allows his true thoughts/etc to show through).

3) What has reader response been like?

Jess: I got slammed by an editor of a literary journal, with regards to Ed in Wicked Lovely (an excerpt of the email discussion is available in my writing portfolio, Porcelain). Apart from that, I'm quite surprised at some of the responses to my work -- I primarily just write things coz I have to get "things" out of my system, lol. So it's nice when a reader appreciates something in the writing/story. And if they don't get it, that's okay.

4) Did you do any research for Wicked Lovely?

Jess: I was surfing around websites, reading on real-life accounts of brother-sister intimacy. I frequently read many accounts which were very honest and open (anonymous, or no)...what I saw in the accounts was a pure and clean type of love which you don't see often (in a society/culture that commoditizes sex and romance). I sought to capture this in a story on the topic. My erotic fiction is never meant to just work up a reader -- I'll always try to add something else in.

5) Is incest Are family relationships "right" to you, then?

Jess: Procreation concerns aside, I tend to look at the quality of the relationship itself (over the actual relations / blood ties of the people involved). A really solid relationship based on all the good things like real trust, etc, is really special, and I guess I share the views of Ed's friend, Rafiz, in Wicked Lovely. P.S. France lifted the incest ban as early as 300 years go, during the reign of Napolean (I think). For the purpose of this Q&A (with regards to Google's/Blogger's TOS), I am neither discouraging nor encouraging incest, just stating the matter as it is.

6) Is any subject too taboo for you?

Jess: Mentally and conversationally, not really. I'm always open to learning something new...

Wicked Redhead Interview, Christine Kirchoff

Redhead Picture by Ramona

Here's something a little different for this blog -- I had my first Q&A with a fellow author (I haven't done the asking before).

Let's give a warm welcome today to Wicked Redhead/Christine Kirchoff, author of Science Fiction and Erotica! Her website is http://christinekirchoff.wordpress.com/.

-----------

Q&A with Wicked Redhead

Jess: What do you like (and/or dislike) about writing erotica/erotic fiction?

Wicked Redhead: I enjoy everything about erotica, the sensual atmosphere, the creation unfolding on screen, and the ability to excite readers. Dislike is a little harder to pinpoint, headaches from hours of staring at the lit screen and some crude comments are becoming familiar territory.

2) It'd be interesting, to see what great masterpieces certain crude commenters have come up with. What is the most important aspect of erotic writing, to you?

The story, it’s always the story revealed. The sex has to be good, yes, and the details well written but the characters have to be whole. They have to pull at your heartstrings when they’re sad or wet your desire when they cum. I love how a happy or tragic ending can stay in your mind for days.

3) Who are some of your favorite authors?
I try to pick up a new author a few times a year, there are so many that I can’t keep up. As for my favorites, the books I buy without even reading the jacket because I know they’ll be fantastic are…Laurell K. Hamiton, Shayla Black, Lori Foster, Lora Leigh, Christine Warren, Christina Dodd, Gena Showalter, …that’s just to name some of the top individuals.

4) How long have you been writing flash fiction and what are your thoughts about being successful in the form?
I’ve only been writing it for about a year professionally. I dabbled in flash for a while but never seriously contemplating their success. I wrote my first real erotica at the end of last year (2008). I showed it to a few people and apparently, it was a hit. I never realized how off kilter my mind works from others or that I’d be able to transfer my imagination onto the computer screen. Sex in a Bubble, which will be published in November, is the first one I wanted to perfect and submit. Writing to me is exhilarating. Editing, however, is becoming the bane of my existence. Thankfully, I have a very good friend who doesn’t mind sharing his thoughts and editing skills.

5) What attracts you to Science Fiction and Erotica vs. other genres?
I honestly don’t know the answer to that one. I find I read, write, watch TV, movies with science fiction or erotic subjects. That’s just what my mind gravitates towards.

6) Ah, it's always nice to follow one's natural instincts ;). Speaking about instincts/naturality -- do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
Alone and quiet works best. My house is always busy with something so I tend to write at night when the world descends to sleep. I do like some music on, depending on which scene I’m working, but that’s about it.

7) Do elaborate on being a "wicked redhead".

Besides having red hair I have the personality to match. I can be feisty, wild, or just plain wicked. I started that name on my blog, just something that would truly describe me and it stuck.

8) What is the #1 tip you would give to anyone who likes to write?
Trust in yourself and try your hardest to work your way through the BS that’s in life.

9) I read on your blog that you are currently working on a novel. Please tell us more about it!

Once Upon a Mate is progressing, the rough draft almost complete! Lake George, New York with all its beauty holds a secret, seven of them actually. Seven half-human experiments have escaped the laboratories to find and rescue their mates from their enemies. Avery is the oldest, part wolf and is desperate to find his mate Violet. They soon meet in a collision of gunfire and irresistible lust. They have to work through their insecurities and outlast their hunters. Orgasms roar, betrayals scorch and their love forces the world into a new era of survival.

-----------

Thank you so much to Wicked Redhead for the lovely interview! Be sure to check out some of her published work @ http://christinekirchoff.wordpress.com/.

Interview + Review

I've got my first interview (regarding some of the material in 4:Play) scheduled, and a review also -- now to send out a few more emails/stuff, to get the word out about 4:Play, heh.

P.S. Had an interesting note from a reader -- #8 under "Yay's" on the Feedback page.

A Word About Ed Drake

Photo by Joseph Brauer

Ed Drake is one of the lead characters (the "step brother") in Wicked Lovely (the second story in 4:Play). The title was "Ed & Julie" initially -- kind of was following a "Romeo & Juliet" type of vibe, but I decided to change it later.

Ed's voice might seem unedited and illiterate. I was inspired by the stream-of-consciousness narrative mode of The Rules of Attraction, by Bret Easton Ellis. I liked the unforced nature of the writing style.

Ed might sound like a whiny brat, and speak like a child (input I have received so far), but I think he manages to get his point(s) across.

* * * * *

Excerpt of Wicked Lovely (Scene 1, Ed Drake) / 4:Play

Peel myself off the sofa. Ed, you sicko.

I wanna tell the voice in my head and the whole world to shut up. They can talk and talk but they’ve not been in the same situation, they don’t even know what they’re missing out on.

That. That’s the exact thing that fuels their disgust and anger. It’s a displaced frustration, that they can never have access to this deranged special kind of arrangement. Go, Ed!

Drag myself up the stairs in a weird mix of dread guilt apprehension and uncontrollable wild anticipation and excitement.

Find myself in front of Goddess Julie’s room. The door is closed but you can’t lock it from the outside. Glare at the morons on the poster. Some lame brothers emo-looking band with way too much eyeliner and black hair dye that really sucks BIG TIME, nothing but pop "rock" crap for 12 year old girls to listen to (Julie isn't 12 -- figure of speech). Their lyrics are about their love life and if those lyrics are indeed true, damn their love life blows. They don’t have one insanely hard and talented guitar solo, no drummer, no bass player, and no talent. They are just another manufactured product and who knows what their appeal is. Where’s a new Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Nirvana, or Guns n’ Roses? Good music is dead. So once again, I don’t think they suck, I KNOW they suck.

Then the paranoia and urgency strikes. Hurry up! Someone might be home any minute!

* * * * *

A contemporary cocktail of erotic short stories...

I've ordered the proof copy for 4:Play. This is the CS page for 4:Play.

I'll be fiddling around with the sidebar here, making sure everything is "not too much of a mess"...I've one more trailer to go. I'm tired (work-tired, not the sick-of-it type of "tired")...so I hope I can still put something together for one trailer that covers 4:Play, as a whole collection.

Personally, I prefer launching a book, and then getting (unsolicited -- it's more genuine) reviews for it. Maybe it's just me, but the concept of ARCs (and much of the traditional publishing model) seems pretty archaic to me.

Update 04/August/09 -- Sat down last night and completed the trailer at 11pm, bwahaha.

I wanted an electronica beat/music style for this one. There was another reggae fusion music track I was considering, but it was a little bit "relaxing" and laidback for what I had in mind.



Kindle & eBook editions should be available soon. With EyeLeash, I got the print copies set up first, before the digital formats. I'm doing it the other way around this time, which I think works better.

Rockstar Fantasy

Book Trailer #2 is done (I took about 7-8 hours, LOL):

The Only One

Sneak peek at one of the images I might be using, in the next trailer:



* Hopefully, I'll be able to finish the trailer in 5-7 hours (minimum). I'd ideally like a "rock" sound/feel to this trailer. I've a few selections, but I haven't settled on A Final One just yet, heh.

Literary Snobs

They said that of themselves (rather, the editor of a literary sex magazine I was in contact with). I'd sent in a couple of excerpts from Ed & Julie (I've since changed the title to Wicked Lovely -- it's the second story in 4:Play), in early 2009.

I'm not posting this to "vent" any frustration -- I just enjoy whacking high-and-mighty sorts.

Here's the correspondence, for your amusement + entertainment:

* Note: Text highlighted in this color provide the gist ;)

Alright. I don't think you quite understood my criticisms. We do not like the voice of Ed Drake. This next chapter is just the same. He speaks like a child -- and there are parts that are just nonsensical like: "...I’d pay the bozos inside if I had cash to spare so that I could loan the restroom for a half hour or so." Honestly, I've got to ask: have you ever edited this thing? If we didn't like chapter one, which at least introduces the characters and the plot, why on Earth would we want to publish chapter two, which only makes sense because I've read chapter one. Well, y'know what: we are literary snobs. XXXXXX is a literary, sex & arts magazine. It isn't a print version of literotica. It isn't a print version of literotica. I don't think one of us has read Twilight and I don't think any of us every will, but like Date Movie and Epic Movie and Superhero Movie, we can usually smell crap from across the room. Rule of thumb for something like Twilight; if it's a book that has it's biggest audience among people who never read anything, it's not good, it's grade nine book report pulp.

I wrote that the first bit of Drake you sent us didn't pick up steam and that it was repetative. Rather than take the time to consider these comments, you just sent the next chunk of your story, as much as you could wedge within our word-count guidelines, as soon as possible. And I said we didn't consider your haiku as the sort of haiku we'd publish, and then you just sent us another ten of the same thing. I've got to ask: have you actually read an issue of our magazine? You say you're trying to get as many excerpts published as possible before looking for an agent. To me, that means your just dumping old pieces which have never been edited on as many laps as possible.

I didn't want to be mean, but when you replied almost instantaneously to my letter of last night (note: I wasn't aware at all -- truly) it struck me that you aren't taking us seriously, not our publication or our time. Please do not submit again.

Sincerely,

Mr. "I-am-a-Literary-Snob"

Here's my reply -- wasn't expecting to get a reply (my instincts were right):

Dear (Mr. X),

Most of the time, I know what I'd like a character to sound like, and I have my reasons for it. Not everyone will see eye-to-eye with me on it, and that's no biggie.

Regarding one of my poems, perhaps I should have omitted the word 'haiku' from the title itself, and reverted the title back to its original version (which, with the omission of the word 'haiku', would read "txt-msgs [from one guy 2 another]), so that a certain level of objectivity could be better maintained while reviewing the piece. In your previous mail, you said that I sent "another ten of the same thing". That might be true, but technically, that isn't necessarily true either, because that poem brings together 14 stanzas to form one stand-alone piece. Now whether each individual 5-7-5-syllabled stanza IS a haiku, or not, needn't be an issue, when the poem is taken in its entirety.

As to whether I edited Ed Drake, indeed, I did! As carefully and meticulously as I do with all my other material. A horny teenager isn't going to sound like Shakespeare, and if that's going to ruffle up a few feathers here and there, I am fine with that.

PS: I'm sure William Faulkner edited The Sound and the Fury. As did Bret Easton Ellis, James Joyce, E. E. Cummings, and Emily Dickinson et al., with their respective works.

Jess.

P.S. Got an email from the magazine in June 2009, calling for new submissions.

P.P.S. More feedback on 4:Play on this post.

Inspiration for Playing the Flute

I'd like to write a future blog post on "Book Trailer Tips" -- there are some things I've learned along the way, which might be useful to others who're thinking of/doing the same thing ^^.

Anyway, I just wanted to share/ramble a little, on the inspiration behind Playing the Flute (poem + trailer).

I happened to buy this book when I was 18 years old -- it's one of my most treasured books (along with my collection of Anaïs Nin, D. H. Lawrence, and a couple of erotic art publications -- I've been wanting to add to that collection in the longest time, man):



Love Poems from the Japanese, The Shambhala Library

It's a beautiful, exquisite, gem -- of remarkable quality, and succinctness. The divine simplicity of the short pieces of poetry (no inflated word count to justify the sticker price here) is authentic, uplifting, and speaks directly to the soul.

So...yeah. I wrote Playing the Flute, and a range of freeform haiku (entitled 30 + 2 Haiku, in 4:Play).

I don't know if my chapter of poems was a turn-off to industry professionals, as I've seen variations of the following line on more than a couple of lit agent pages:

"No poetry, please. Poetry doesn't sell."

Okay. So I'm one of those "delusional optimists" that chooses to do whatever they set out to do anyway, regardless of who has to say what, and the pitfalls/obstacles pointed out, and blebbity blebbity bleh.

There are many reasons why I value poetry. Vladimir Nabokov has this to say:

"A writer should have the precision of a poet and the imagination of a scientist."

Which is something I agree with. That's regarding the writerly aspect of myself :)

I've never written a poem in order to sound "smart". I usually like to focus on the content/message, rather than the techniques applied [and that got me into serious hot soup with a self-proclaimed "literary snob" of an editor (names withheld, of course...)].

I think it's the quality of a piece of work that determines if people will like it/be inspired by it/be influenced/etc. Even (or especially, to some) if it comes in the form of a poem.

P.S. A friend asked whether I wrote Playing the Flute. I said yes. And she said, "Oh! It was subtle and different from (the writing style in) your first book!"

I can't and won't disagree with that. Jade Ashton simply has to sound the way that she does in EyeLeash.

Erotic Poem, Book Trailer

Features the poem, Playing the Flute, from 4:Play, and music by the uber talented Kevin MacLeod.

I've 2 or 3 more trailers in mind for this book. This one took a total of about 7 - 8 hours (inclusive of searching for pix, and drafting up the initial concept)...half the time it took for my first trailer ever done for my other book, heh.

I was going for something old world + slightly contemporary, at the same time.

EXCERPTS

+ Here's the first story, Black Velvet.

+ An excerpt of Wicked Lovely.

+ A preview of random pages via Google Books and/or Book Buzzr.

+ Excerpts of 4:Play have appeared in the following publications: Bare Back Magazine, Blink Fiction, Clean Sheets, UnMasked Online, Yellow Mama, The Battered Suitcase/Vagabondage Press, Side of Grits/Rural Messengers Press, Oysters & Chocolate, and Nefarious Ballerina. You may hunt for them on the writing page @ my main website ;)

+ Freebies are below.

* * * * *

'New Order' -- 27 downloads on first day, wow!:



New Order, ebook format on Smashwords.

* * * * *



Appetizers is a sample of erotic/sensuous poetry excerpts. Poetry's good for the soul.

* * * * *

FEEDBACK

Here are some comments I'm gathering, regarding the material in 4:Play.

I'm gonna follow the Nays and Yays sequence, as with the feedback page on my other book, EyeLeash.

* * *

NAY'S

1) "Thanks so much for submitting to us. We have not yet published any single author's collection of short stories. While what your are writing sounds very fun indeed, we must decline as it falls outside of what we publish. I wish you all the best!"
~ Publisher of books in the areas of sexuality & erotica

2) "I’m going to pass on this one. While I can appreciate the structural risks taken, I was looking for a bit more focus in the narrative; also, I thought the tone was a little too casual / conversational at points."
~ Editor

3) "Thank you for submitting your query to xxxxxxxx. I'm not sure yours is quite right for us, however, and I suggest you try to place it with a GLBT publisher."
~ Publisher that seeks "ultra-manly herpes (good grief, I mean 'heroes' -- but I'll leave the typo error as is!)" for their romance lines

4) "Was there an underage (under 18 years old) sexual relationship in the story? Please feel free to re-submit after you've made revisions."
~ Editorial panel feedback

5) "We do not like the voice of Ed Drake. This next chapter is just the same. He speaks like a child...and there are parts that are just nonsensical like: '...I’d pay the bozos inside if I had cash to spare so that I could loan the restroom for a half hour or so.' Honestly, I've got to ask: have you ever edited this thing?"
~ read the full rant from the editor (and my reply) here!

* * *

YAY'S

1) "Congratulations! We would love to publish 'New Order' on Oysters & Chocolate! Wonderful story...(2 weeks later)...What intriguing, beautiful work you do! We would love to publish 'The Only One' on O&C."
~ Samantha & Jordan, Oysters and Chocolate

2) "Hi Jess: Attached please find an acceptance letter for your submission, 'Playing the Flute.' I really enjoyed the sensuality of this short, prose like story."
~ Editor of Unmasked Online

3) "Ms. Scott, thank you for sending your poetry in for consideration. Our editors have looked it over and really enjoyed it. We'd be delighted if we could include 'Wired' in our September issue."
~ Vagabondage Press/The Battered Suitcase

4) "After careful consideration, we are going to pass on 4-Play. As a writer, you will certainly go places. As an agency, we are not quite the right match to represent you, as much as I enjoyed your work. Your scope and style are fresh and interesting. Keep writing. You are sure to find the right niche with the right editor."
~ Literary agency

5) "I am sure I will enjoy your stories if they include yaoi features."
~ DB, blogger/anime-addict

6) "That's the most exciting book ever!"
~ Kevin MacLeod (his music is featured on Playing the Flute)

7) "Progressive (short stories) sounds right to me."
~ York UK, Alumnus

8) Short e-mail correspondence with a reader:

reader:

i liked your poem in bareback (status: married). i find your theory of erotic evolution amusing. what is its provenance?

jess:

thanks! that's actually a "poeticized" version of a short story. i wrote the poem first, then lengthened it later.

i think the theory came about from my own meanderings in the areas of gender/sexuality (the "inspiration" for my just-launched erotic short story collection, 4:Play, i guess). i wanted to sum up my thoughts in an eloquent way :P

reader:

Cool. Thank you.

Gender is a construct. That makes sense.

9) "...These stories are too complex to be called erotic, too creative to be classifiable, too genre-bending to be conventionally published and far too hot for me to handle."
~ Joseph Grinton, April 2010

10) "...I like the reality of [4:Play], and feel it must ring true with audiences, say, under 40. I'm 64 and it rings true with me. America is totally twisted on the subject of sexuality, and I hope the next generations will handle that better than their predecessors. My gen. treats sex as appropriate only for:

• 1) courtship (but abstain!),
• 2) the first year or so of marriage (no longer!) and...most important,
• 3) A marketing and sales device."

~ email from a reader, May 2010

ABOUT

Available in print and digital formats.

=====

Summary of 4:Play: A contemporary cocktail of erotic short stories

4:Play captures the deliciousness of sexual fulfillment, the adventure of conquest, and the mystery of unexplored territory.

Among these progressive stories, a step brother and sister try to make sense of the sexual love they share; a demure young woman encounters an incubus; and two friends strike up a stimulating discussion that acts as the perfect aphrodisiac.

With a scope and style that is fresh and compelling, 4:Play dives into the depths of navigating gender, sexuality, and the lines of desire.

ISBN: 978-1-4486-4766-8

Why 4:Play is Written This Way

I deliberately wanted to cross multiple genres. I don't believe that a book should be *only* about gay fiction, or *only* about urban fantasy, etc. I'm all for diversity and open-mindedness (however one wishes to define that!).

I elaborate more on the first blog post.

Excerpt(s) of 4:Play:

Note: Excerpts of 4:Play have appeared in the following publications: Bare Back Magazine, Blink Fiction, Clean Sheets, UnMasked Online, Yellow Mama, The Battered Suitcase/Vagabondage Press, Side of Grits/Rural Messengers Press, Oysters & Chocolate, and Nefarious Ballerina.

A preview is available via Google Books.

Excerpt #1

Oh my God.

I drop my program, and I quickly bend over to pick it up.

I want to sneak out with him to the parking lot, under the moonlight, rip his boxers off, have them between my teeth.

He is immaculate, dressed in a white suit, holy-white, of all colors. The lights on stage throw a halo around his chestnut-brown hair, random, sexilicious strands resting upon his eyebrows.

He’s standing directly beneath the center spotlight, like he is the star of the show—he knows he is. He knows, and I know.

But he knows not that I know.

Lean meat and a polished body, bones hardly showing, hardly a drop of fat on him. Cheekbones and a jaw line like they’d been chiseled by a master artisan’s hands. He moves so lightly across the stage, and I think of the Greek messenger god, Hermes, with the swift wings on his heels.

~ from New Order; originally published by Oysters & Chocolate

* * * * *

Excerpt #2

It’s one of those nights. Closed the curtains and locked my room door from the start. Now I’m bringing the lights down a little lower.

This is how I like it.

I look at myself in the mirror. I love having a big mirror. I like the undivided attention.

The gear, the get-up? Nothing too fancy – no leather, feather boas, spikes or handcuffs for me. I saw a couple chained to each other by the wrist with a set of cuffs once. They were making out on the street at night.

I’m standing in a simple white camisole. The only other item I have on is a ruffled leopard thong.

I start thinking of what it’d be like, if there was a boy here.

"Hello, foxy," he’d greet me in a low, smooth voice.

He’d be standing behind, holding my hand, the other circled around my waist.

He would lean in to nudge the loose strands of hair off the back of my neck so he could place the side of his face on the exposed area of skin there. Start kissing, exploring round the neck, gradually going up to the ears. His hands over my milky-white breasts, the tips of his fingers instead of mine, working the nipples, now becoming erect. I see them, hard and prominent against the thin silken fabric.

The first wave hits me, quick as a lightning bolt.

Things...start to spin, a little. What if this wasn’t actually my room? Where would I be? Who would I be?

~ from Black Velvet; originally published as 'Smooth', by Bare Back Magazine

* * * * *

Excerpt #3

rave

acid & candy
are bland & contrived after
the smooth rush of You.

Lock & Key

Hold me down; your eyes
Do it better than cuffing
My wrists to bedposts.

Label-free

Why does it matter
Whether I like boys or girls,
Over genitals?

~ from Appetizers; originally published as 'Haiku', by Clean Sheets

Erotic Short Stories

I'm currently getting started on one trailer, for 4:Play -- A contemporary cocktail of erotic short stories. The title's pretty long, but that's what it's all about.

I learned more quickly with this book (than with my first book), that the mainstream fiction genres are highly "commercially categorized". 4:Play is GLBT/trans*/alternative-friendly (which means it's "Queer Fiction") -- there's sex/ual encounters between straight people (which means it's "General Erotica") -- I take some "structural risks" as put by one editor (which means it's not Mainstreamy enough) -- there's an incubus and succubus (which means there are Urban Fantasy elements) and basically, this erotic collection doesn't fit neatly into any category (as with my debut blog novel, lol).

I deliberately wanted to cross multiple genres. I don't believe that a book should be *only* about gay fiction, or *only* about urban fantasy, etc. I'm all for diversity and open-mindedness (however one wishes to define that!).

I queried about 30-35 literary agents at the time I sent this out (April/May 2009).

Here's one reply I received from a publisher of erotic fiction (Cleis Press):

Hello,

Thanks so much for submitting to us. We have not yet published any single author's collection of short stories. While what your are writing sounds very fun indeed, we must decline as it falls outside of what we publish. I wish you all the best!

Here's one reply I received from an agency (International Transactions). They were very nice:

After careful consideration, we are going to pass on 4-Play. As a writer, you will certainly go places. As an agency, we are not quite the right match to represent you, as much as I enjoyed your work. Your scope and style are fresh and interesting. Keep writing. You are sure to find the right niche with the right editor.

Here's one reply I got about Tongue-Tied, which involves a lesbian succubus. I'd sent in a condensed version of it for inclusion in an anthology:

...Here's something you might try. End the story after about page 9 (the first encounter, when the succubus goes away and thinks about it) and send it out. Rework the ending to be more mysterious. For one thing, it's a bit long as is, and I think it is a complete story in the first 9 pages.

The section after page 9, I thought, was what made the story different. There was that soul-searching element -- I'll let readers decide whether or not that part should have been removed ^^.

An indie author is what I am for the moment, I guess :P

I don't bother with the "stigma" of self-publishing, which still exists among the literary community to some degree (though it's changing). I'd rather focus on writing something good and getting it out on the market. That's all.