RS: The ‘B’ In #BDSM – Part Three, So Where Do We Do This?


I suppose it would be kind to leave a warning here before you start. Many, if not all, of the links in this series of posts are totally NSFW. If you want to have a look, do, by all means, but don’t be surprised if you find naked boy bits at the other end . . . or girl bits.
Happy? Let’s go.

line break, swirling graphics, from openclipart

So far we’ve covered the ‘what’ and the ‘why’. Now it’s time to look at the where.

confusing road signs

Credit: johnthan

This is potentially a short post as the most basic answer is ‘anywhere.’ Bondage can happen anywhere and at any time, though the more extreme and obvious examples will obviously lend themselves to specific places.

But rope harnesses or leather accessories? You can wear those whenever you like and, the truth is, part of the fun can be in bringing bondage into your every day life. Like submissives who have a piece of jewellery about their person to represent a collar; something you might never usually associate with kink that holds a specific meaning for them and their dominant. These things could be earrings, necklaces, rings, hell, even a specific piece of underwear or nail varnish. The possibilities are endless because the people involved are as varied and different as any other.

For the purposes of this post, however, let’s look at a some specifics.

Home

cute little house, OpenClipArtNice and simple. In the safety (and privacy) of your own home, one can practise bondage in varying degrees. Using any of the tools I described earlier and for any of the reasons I described earlier.

Or not.

Be creative. The home is choc-full of all sorts of things that can be used for light bondage play, though I’d say that if you choose to use items not specifically designed for the purpose you intend to put them to, take care and be aware of safety.

I’m certainly no expert, but a good dash of common sense is required here.

Clubs

Not just for music and dancing, that’s for sure! Alternative clubs are all over the place (if you care to look) and some of them cater to the kink crowd. This means there are spaces specifically designed for play to take place.

Not bad, right?

Kinky Hollywood by ropemarks

By Bob from RopeMarks [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

These places are warm, comforting and friendly, filled with a vast range of different folks with different strokes. Some are there to play, some are there to watch, many are there simply to socialise and chat with those they speak to on-line. Some clubs have private rooms, others don’t, but many of them do have areas containing toys and/or equipment available for patrons to use.

There are often rules in place, specific to the venue that tells people what behaviour is expected of them should they choose to use the facilities. These are often clearly displayed and visible in multiple locations throughout the venue. Some venues (though not all) are also alcohol free.

There are certain laws in place with protect these places. I’m not sure what they are (again, not an expert!) but I’d imagine there are licenses required, the same way they are for the selling of alcohol. I don’t know if these laws are the reason, but I do know that play is can be confined to non-penetrative acts.

Parties

Penguin with cake and present; party!

Credit: Moini

A little like clubs, but more personal and probably smaller. ‘Play Parties’ are something I’ve been meaning to write about for some time but, given that I feel the need to do more research first (mwaaa ha ha ha h ah hahaa!) My understanding here is that these events tend to be held in someone’s home or in a hired venue (though in a hired venue there may be far less toys/equipment available).

Here, think a house party, the sort of event you’ve probably been to a dozen times in your life. Except people may show up wearing latex, leather and silks, fully prepared to spank or be spanked by other party go-ers.

Since these events are usually confined to those who know each other well already there is perhaps less of a safety and trust issue, but I want to talk about that now.

Trust, Safety and Common Sense

I mentioned rules employed by venues and that a smattering of common sense is required. Whether you are in a public place or enjoying bondage in your own home, I’d say, approach it with your head fully on your shoulders.

Many people refuse to drink alcohol during any form of BDSM activity. Personally I think that’s a great idea and I was thrilled to hear that many venues are dry in that regard, serving only soft drinks and water.

Bondage and any form of BDSM requires trust and due consideration to all potential risks. Do you or your partner have any conditions that make you less flexible than someone else? Are you prone to panic attacks? Are you claustrophobic? Do you have a heart condition? Are you a nervous or anxious person? Do you know what you’re doing with ropes? Have you a sense of delicate areas to avoid putting pressure or how long it is safe to tie a particular body part?

There are lots of things to consider and though it may sound like a bit of a downer I’m assured that knowing these things before hand leads to lengthier, more intense and ultimately more enjoyable bondage sessions for all.

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IY: Mah Plans 05/10/15 & September Round Up


I’m feeling good this week. Really fired up and ready to do stuff! Not sure how that translates into what I’ve been up to goal-wise, but it sure is a great feeling. 😉

Actions Last Week

~Go through thumbnails from DaveJ and choose final for ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ cover artchecking off feedback
Done! Maaaan, that was painful. The thumbs were SO amazing, picking just one from the selection of five caused me physical pain (well, I stubbed my toe in the middle of my happy dance, but let’s not talk about that). It was hard, but I’ve done it and that’s what counts. Very soon I’m going to see the final version of the new cover and I can barely speak I’m so excited. It’s all on track! ^_^

~Work through x5 chapters of beta comments
One. Meh. This will be problematic if I keep dropping behind, but I’m glad I managed to do even that much when I spent a lot of the week kinda going ‘Uuurk, I dun wanna!’ and slinging my arms around like a teenager. This week I’ll do better. *nods*

let it go~Clean up ‘Episode Two’ and get it entered into both Amazon and Smashwords properly (BY WEDNESDAY).
I could be happier, but I did it. It’s done. All I need to do now are all my final checks to ensure that all the files coming out at the other end are what I think they should be. I don’t think I’ll be able to do that until the release date (Oct 12!) but so long as it’s in my mind we’re all happy and good to run.

September 2015 Round Up

~Edit ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ with a particular focus on Lenina’s character growth—show the transition!
Hmm, I was supposed to be done by now, wasn’t I? Defo going to have to shift the release date of this novel back a bit if I want to be sure it’s all done in good time and error free. Ho hum. Christmas gifts, anyone?

~Finalise cover design for ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ with DaveJ
Sorted. Just waiting to see the final version but now we both know what it’s going to be. Sooooo can’t wait to show you guys. ^_^

~Clean up ‘Dead And Alive, Episode Two’ and get into pre-order status
Done. Wanna see, check out Amazon and Smashwords.

Changes To My Plans

I’m so glad of this section. It used to be a failure to have to change things up, now I know that this is what stops me going crazy. And what ensures that the things I want to do are achieved in a timely manner. Completed tasks struck out, changes/clarifications in red and additional tasks in green:

  • Edit ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ to completion by end of October (including betas, final proof and formatting)
  • Publish ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ through Little Vamp Press by end of November in digital form
  • Publish ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ through Little Vamp Press by end of December in paperback form
  • Start deep edits on ‘On A Knife Point’ by end of December
  • Send one more newsletter to subscribers.
    • Include giveaway copy of ‘Episode Two’ in next ad hoc newsletter
    • Include a teaser for the third episodes of ‘Dead And Alive’ in November
  • Publish Season One of ‘Dead or Alive’ episodically every two months (from August)

Targets for October

  • blank calendar from OpenClipArtComplete editing on ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ with a particular focus on Lenina’s character growth—show the transition!
  • Format ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ ready for Kindle and CreateSpace (Kindle first)
  • Finalise ‘Dead And Alive, Episode Three’ cover art
  • List ‘Dead And Alive, Episode Three’ as a pre-order
  • Complete deep edits on ‘Dead And Alive, Episode Three’

Activities For This Week

  • Work through x5 chapters of beta comments
  • Complete first read of ‘Episode Three’ in preparation for deep edits
  • Make a decision on what’s bothering me about the cover art for ‘Episode Three’ and outline plans to correct it

Thoughts…

That looks like a mega list. Hmm.

Well, I’m confident that some new changes DSB has made to how we live is going to make all the difference here. I’ll let her talk about that on Saturday, but watch this space. If things go the way I hope, that list will be nothing compared to what’s coming up!

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IY: Fantasy Creatures – Elves – Hoity Toity Delicate Snobs?


Aaaaaaall righty then!

First, sorry the post is late! Second, we’re moving on to a new fantasy creature. For the next few weeks I’m going to be chatting about elves—particularly fun as I get to talk about LARP a hell of a lot. ^_^

Many different images come to my mind when I think of elves. The most prominent of these is this:

DSB as Trya Fenwyn

Yes . . . this is DSB playing Trya Fenwyn at the latest Herofest LARP: Hunting Moon And The Bravos Blade
Credit: Helen Duffy-Moone

I also think of Legolas, Miele and guys like this:

elf from openclipart.org

Credit: Child_of_Light

More common however is the image of Legolas, and I believe both Tolkien and Peter Jackson have a great deal to do with that. The basic characteristics of an elf (as most people think of them) are long, flowing hair; clear, pale skin; pointed ears and delicate speech. There are variations on the theme—of course—but these creatures are humanoid, long-lived beings (sometimes immortal) who sometimes (but not always) have magical powers. They speak their own tongue, hate dwarves (passionately) and have a special affinity for nature, trees, moonlight and starlight (again, Tolkien’s fault).

Before I had Hollywood’s interpretation of Tolkien’s elves, I’ll admit my mental image matched fairly closely, but the elves of Katherine Kerr’s Deverry Series features elves with slitted pupils and slightly curled ear tips. The elves of Forgotten Realms and the core Dungeons and Dragons system (thank you Wizards of the Coast!) have variations based on type which includes Wild Elf, High Elf, Drow Elf and Sea Elf.

The general consensus among those reading of elves, however, is generally that they are good and kind and benevolent—which I believe is totally Peter Jackson’s fault. As this part of my series progresses I’m going to have LOTS of fun talking about how this is not the case. Yes, the Tolkien elves work hard with the other Free Peoples against dark forces and often have relationships with them, but what I call the ‘true elves’ or the elves from old folklore are sooooooooooo different.

Buckle your seatbelts guys, this is going to be SO much fun. ^_^

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RS: eBook Review – Wetter, Harper Bliss


Credit: Harper Bliss

Author: Harper Bliss
Title: Wetter
Genre: F/F Erotica
ASIN: B008DI0W2C
Length: 14 ‘pages’

Rachel has had a crush on her spin instructor Toni for months. One late night visit to the locker room steam cabin transforms her fantasies into hot, steaming reality.

 

line break, swirling graphics, from openclipart

Cover:

*sigh*

Story:

Following her spin class in which Rachel has been shoved front and centre but showing up late, she finds some hot smexxy time with the instructor, Toni.

I was worried about giving away spoilers, but I’m not sure that I can with these shorts.

Characters:

Rachel: Chick With Fantasy.
Nina: Basis of All Fantasies.

Again, I’m not entirely certain that this part of my review is appropriate for this story as there isn’t much for me to say about this pair. But I am going to keep it in. A short story is a short story – I should be able to measure all of them using the same rules and if I can’t, then that should be mentioned.

Eroticism:

Actually . . . not sure why, but didn’t like this one quite as much as some of Ms Bliss’ others. Something about this felt rushed. I know they were in the shower, but there is a way to convey urgency without the text itself being rushed. And this story didn’t quite manage it. For me, anyway. 

Overall experience:

Another short and sweet story. More character development and actual story than others, but still not enough. Ho hum.

Final score:

Average across all scores is 2.9, which rounds out to 3 fireballs.

I wanted more. I know the story was a freebie, so I feel a bit cheeky demanding it, but I do feel that if something is ‘sold’ as a story, it should be a story rather than just a scene. It’s a recurring theme I’m finding across Ms Bliss’ shorter pieces which leads me to believe I should just grab a full length novel and give her a chance to flex her wings. I imagine that would be far more satisfying overall.

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RS: I Haz Planz 01/10/15 & September Round Up


End of the month and I’m looking back at the simple things I wanted to get done . . . funny, but I don’t feel angry or upset with myself. Not like usual. Perhaps that’s a good thing, who knows?

Actions Last Week

blank calendar from OpenClipArt~Edit the flash for my upcoming Smexxy Snippets series
No. Just nope. Didn’t even look at it. In fact, I was a bit naughty and didn’t quite finish writing it and intended to sneak both in across the course of the week. Didn’t happen. On the bright side, I picked up some
 excellent inspiration over the weekend which has left me burning to write stuff down. I just haven’t really had the time yet.

September 2015 Round Up

~Draft a 13,000 words of ‘Slippers & Chains: Three’
Nope. Didn’t even try. Got about 250 words in and just . . . nothing.

Change That Shit Up!

No changes this month. I really don’t want to add much more to this list, so I’ve not messed with it. Makes a nice change, right? Oh, okay, one thing. :-p Completed tasks struck out, changes/clarifications in red and new tasks in green.

  1. Draft ‘Slippers & Chains Three’ (and give it a damn title!) by end of November 2015
  2. Publish ‘Slippers & Chains: Second Base’ by 21 November 2015
  3. List titles of ten Smexxy Snippets and have them arrayed for pre-order by end of December 2015

Targets For October 2015

I don’t think I have very much outside the usual run of work to get done this month. I’m slowly getting used to the changes imposed by the new nursery schedule for The Sprogs and after next week the mad rush of weddings DSB has to attend should ebb.

Maybe I’ll just repeat what I had before with a couple of extras

  1. Draft 13,000 words of ‘Slippers & Chains Three’
  2. Order proofs of ‘Slippers & Chains: Second Base’ and finalise all details across Amazon, CreateSpace and Smashwords
  3. Put ‘Slippers & Chains: Second Base’ up for pre-order on all available sites

 Activities For This Week

  1. Write up stand-in blurb for ‘Slippers & Chains Three’ to go in the back of ‘Slippers & Chains: Second Base’
  2. Double check formatting on all three versions of ‘Slippers & Chains: Second Base’
  3. Complete all background admin for ‘Slippers & Chains: Second Base’ across Amazon, Smashwords and CreateSpace (do not upload files yet)
  4. Write 1,000 of ‘Slippers & Chains Three’

Thoughts . . .

checking off feedbackHave you ever heard that phrase: ‘the busier you are, the more efficient you are’? Or something like that.

I’m looking at that list of tasks and wondering how the hell I’m going to complete it, but I’m also starting to feel that I’ve been too gentle with myself lately. I’m not getting much done because I’m not giving myself much to do.

Yes . . .I’m aware of how stressed I get when I don’t meet goals, but if the goals aren’t challenging, then there’s no joy in meeting them.

In light of that I’ve given myself a little more to do.

I’m also aware that I’ve done very little actual writing for some time. Editing, yes. Admin, god yes! Cover design, marketing, promotion and networking, sure. But writing? Thin on the ground. I know all those other things are necessary for me to move forward, but even more necessary than all of those things, is writing. I need to spend more time doing the thing I’m actually here for. The balance of writing to everything else is skewd the wrong way and that, in part, may be why I’m so lethargic about it all.

So that’s my plan. Write more. See how that makes me feel. Combined with early nights, regular trips to the gym and (hopefully) better eating, I should be an all round better person physically and mentally.

Let’s see, eh? ^_^

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