Quick Six Interview with E.D. Beale

Quick Six
Interview with E.D. Beale

1. Would you be so kind as to tell us what type of stories you write?

I write fantasy, dark fantasy, and sci-fi erotica.

2. What are you reading right now?

Recently I've started re-reading (for the billionth time) The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop. It's my favorite series of all time and it's good for inspiration. Well, reading that and Cosmo...

3. I hear music in the background...what's playing?

Well, my friends call it elevator music, but I'm really into Celtic, World, and New Age music.

4. Do you have a favourite naughty word?

Fuck...Fuckidy-fuck-fuck-fuck. It just rolls off the tongue.

5. Is there a word or phrase that absolutely makes you cringe?

Pussy. I don't know why, but I can't bring myself to ever use that word despite writing the naughty stories.

6. Be honest: What are you snacking on?

Though, I totally shouldn't since I'm a diabetic, I've been snacking on Safeway brand Peanut Butter Clusters. Hey, sometimes the cheap stuff is fantastic!

Promo time! Flog your wares. Any exciting new releases? How can readers find out more about you and your work?

Well, my very first published story is being released on eXcessica on Sept. 8th. It's a sci-fi erotic romance short called Decontamination. There's a lot of other stuff that I'm working on right now and I keep an update on everything I'm doing at my blog (http://edbeale.info). I even have a few quickie stories there for fun, so check those out, too.

Ah, yes. Fuck. I came to the word later in life, but it's been dear to my heart ever since. Fuck you, fuck off, or--my favourite--fuck me.
Thanks for your granting Donuts & Desires an interview!
gigi

I’m Losing Friends Over This

My friend Monty is old and set in his ways, but that’s no excuse.

For many years now, my friend Monty has been my comrade and confidante, but ever since I started seeing Sweet, his usefulness in those roles has been on the decline. The more I’ve spoken to him about my life with Sweet, the more blatantly homophobic and transphobic Monty has become.

Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Hell, I invite people to share their dissenting opinions on LGTBQ topics because once those opinions are out in the open, we can discuss them. We can clear the air. We can talk about how hatred of what’s different, of what’s unknown, is always rooted in fear. We can shine light on ignorance. We can make the subject matter not about "those people," but about this person. It’s about me—I’m queer; it’s about my lovely partner—she’s trans; it’s about our relationship.

I hung up the phone on Monty two days ago.

It made me feel like a moody teenager, but I couldn’t take his ignorance anymore.

Let me tell you about the kind of conversations we’ve been having lately…

Monty (scoffing):
How’s Sweet?

Me:
Oh, she’s great. I had lunch with her today.

Monty:
You had lunch with HIM…

Me:
No…I had lunch with HER. When she’s out in the world, dressed as a woman and identifying as female, it’s her.

Monty:
No, it’s HIM. This guy’s got a dick, doesn’t he?

Me (trying to keep my irritation in check):
How can you base gender on something as arbitrary as genitalia? And you’ve never even met Sweet; what makes you think you’re in a position to select a gender identity for her? That’s a very personal thing.

So it’s been stuff like that in every conversation: Monty challenging my views on gender and transgender issues, and me sharing a lot about my life and relationship in hopes he’ll start to understand. But, you know what? It isn’t working. My tension level has been on the rise. During each new conversation I’m finding myself thinking, “I can’t listen to much more of this.”

Two days ago, Monty made another inflammatory remark about Sweet. He said she doesn't exist; no, "she's" just the product of a warped mind.

Monty was putting down a person I care for, a person I love, my partner, and I just wasn’t having it anymore. I'd given him so many opportunities to shed the ignorance and gain an understanding of trans life. Enough is enough.

I finally had to say to him, “You know, when you say cruel things about Sweet, you’re hurting ME. You’re supposed to be my friend, and here you’re deliberately and consistently upsetting me by insulting my partner and my lifestyle! If you’re going to keep on offending me like this, I’m going to have to hang up.”

You know what he said? “Well, I guess you’d better hang up, then.”

So I did.

I realize how High School all this sounds, dumping the best friend because he isn’t keen on my girl. It parallels that whole mom-doesn’t-like-my-boyfriend-so-I’ll-slam-my-bedroom-door-and-crank-up-the-radio stereotype of the teenage girl. But I made it very clear: saying mean things about someone I care for is hurtful to ME. And my mom would agree that anyone who hurts you on purpose is not a real friend.

So fuck him.

Quick Six Interview with Dakota Trace

Surprise! There's a new feature here at Donuts & Desires.

Every Monday, I'll be bringing you mini-interviews with some of your favourite authors. Quick Six interviews are designed to give readers an in-the-moment snapshot of the author, and what he or she is up to. Like a picture, but with words…

My first victim *smirk* is Dakota Trace. Check back every Monday to see who's next on the chopping block!

Quick Six interview with Dakota Trace

1. Hi Dakota! Would you be so kind as to tell us what type of stories you write?

I love to write erotic romances or erotic sci-fi. I love the idea of visiting another world and having an alien ravish me or the thought of my best friend seducing me, is enough to get me hot and bothered.

2. What are you reading right now?

I haven't started a new one just yet. I just finished the book, Acheron by Sherilyn Kenyon. Although it's a bit long, it was wonderful!

3. I hear music in the background…what's playing?

Ah, you caught me! I absolutely love the old country music from the seventies and early eighties. Especially Kenny Rogers. Shhh don't tell anyone!

4. Do you have a favourite naughty word?

Believe it or not...it's Daddy? Go figure. When a man says "come for Daddy" I just get all kinds of goosebumps.

5. Is there a word or phrase that absolutely makes you cringe?

Yes, it starts with "c" and describes a woman's sex.

6. Be honest: What are you snacking on?

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. I love 'em. Especially the white chocolate ones.

Promo time! Flog your wares. Any exciting new releases? How can readers find out more about you and your work?

I have a new release scheduled for Sept. 8th. Just Between Friends will be for sale on Excessica.com. It is a erotic romance. It will eventually be available on Fictionwise and ARe. To find out more about my current books, you can visit my blog at dakotatrace.wordpress.com.

Ooooh...from the sounds of it, I wouldn't mind being between your friends! Your new release sounds great! Readers can check it out here.

Thanks so much for your time, Dakota!

These are Real: Practical Applications of Recent Discoveries in Neural Plasticity

I have formulated a scientific hypothesis. Put on your thinking caps and don’t doze off, because after the academic stuff I’ll be talking about boobs.

One day I was watching Allan Gregg in Conversation on TVO. Psychiatrist and Medical Researcher Norman Doidge spoke on neural plasticity in relation to memory, stroke, Alzheimer's, etc. and some of the evidence he cited to support his theory that neural receptors don't age as we thought they did was this:

Neurologist Dr V. Ramachandran was working with patients who'd lost limbs and were experiencing phantom limb symptoms. For instance, one patient lost an arm, but he still experienced an ongoing unscratchable itch. How do you deal with that, as a doctor? The arm is gone; there's nothing to scratch.

The brain is not a rigid structure; it has the ability to change. With the loss of limb, cortical reorganization takes place. What does that mean? Stuff moves. Neural pathways take detours.

photo credit: *bene*

So, with neural plasticity in mind, Dr Ramachandra recommended that this patient we’ve mentioned scratch his cheek every time he had an itch on his phantom limb, tricking the brain into rewiring itself. Eventually, this method started to work. Every time the patient had that itch, he'd scratch his cheek and that would satisfy it.

The doctor cited this as evidence that we CAN change neural pathways; they're never fully broken, no matter how much they get screwed up or damaged.

Okay, are you ready for boobs?

photo credit: .imelda

I may have mentioned once or twice that my partner, Sweet, is a transgendered woman: a wonderful girl with a guy’s body. She wants boobs. (Hell, I’m not exactly opposed to the idea either. I’m a breast man…breast woman...breast admirer) Now, Sweet is not quite ready to commit to life as a girl 24/7, but “Ahhhh, wouldn’t it be nice,” we muse, if she could feel her fake boobs? If she could experience them as real?

So, here's MY hypothesis: This phantom limb evidence could be used to help restructure cortical connections until Sweet could actually FEEL something that wasn't truly there. The neural pathways just need to be changed so that, for instance, if I were to touch under her arm or touch her chest, that sensation could be experienced in breast tissue that wasn't really there. Her brain just needs to think it's there.

I shared my response with Sweet, and here’s what she said:

“I know what you mean and I know it would work. There are times I get to that state even now, but ultimately I have to get ready for bed and poof! reality check hits and all the refocusing is reset.”

But Sweet and I aren’t research scientists, so, really, what does it matter what we think is feasible? Let’s just hope some brilliant neurologists picks up on this conception of mine and runs some trials, achieving great successes… and crediting me, of course, when she wins the Nobel prize.

Just imagine… Giselle Renarde, Nobel Prize Laureate in the Field of Boobology…

Bright Blessings,

gigi

Have you seen my website? I know I left it around here somewhere...
Ah, found it: www.freewebs.com/gisellerenarde

Dirty Pictures

Are you a visual learner? Or...just visual...

Ever heard of Ruthie's Club? It's a great site that's always being updated with some of the hottest erotic fiction on the web. Best part is, every story is illustrated by the Club's team of very talented artists.

I'm telling you about Ruthie's Club because my flash fiction now appears on the site. "Overdrive" is up today: a fast-paced flash inspired by car sex and a very particular feeling--a sensation of switching from idle excitement into sexual high gear--which I think of as "overdrive."

Take a tour of the club. You won't be disappointed.

On my knees AGAIN... Book Blogger Appreciation Week

Can everybody do me a big-ass favour? With Book Blogger Appreciation Week upcoming, it's time to get nominations in for our favourite book-related blogs. Nominations close AUGUST 31st, so there's no time to waste.

If you love me like I love you, please please please with sugar on top nominate Donuts and Desires in the Best Published Author Blog category... or any other category you think I'm good for.

Send your nominations to BbawawardsATgmailDOTcom by August 31st, 2008.

Here are all the details...

BBAW Award Nominations are Open

It's time to open nominations for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards 2008!

Listed below are the categories of awards. There are many. You may not have a nomination for each award. It doesn't matter. Nominate up to two blogs per category and send an email to BbawawardsATgmailDOTcom with your choices. You DO NOT have to have a blog to make nominations. Comments left on this post will NOT be accepted as nominations. Each category will be narrowed to the top five blogs by number of nominations received, so don't be shy!!! Support your favorite blogs and bloggers! Nominations will close on August 31st.

And the categories for the Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards 2008 are:

Best General Book Blog
Best Kidlit Blog
Best Christian/Inspirational Fiction Blog
Best Literary Fiction Blog
Best Book Club Blog
Best Romance Blog
Best Thrillers/Mystery/Suspense Blog
Best Non-fiction Blog
Best Young Adult Lit Blog
Best Book/Publishing Industry Blog
Best Challenge Host
Best Community Builder
Best Cookbook Blog
Best History/Historical Fiction Blog
Best Design
Most Chatty
Most Concise
Most Eclectic Taste
Best Name for a Blog
Best Published Author Blog
Best Book published in 2008
Best Meme/Carnival/Event
Most Extravagant Giveaways
Best Book Community site
Write In--think we missed something? Write in your category and nomination and if there are enough other write-ins of the same category it will be added!

i'm a wiener

If only I could be in writing mode and business mode simultaneously, but that seems to be happening for me with increasing infrequency. I don't remember the last time I got out there, promoting my work. Right now it's all about the writing.

I think I'm having way too much sex, and it must way too good, because the moment Sweet leaves my house or throws me out of the car on the side of the highway or whatever, I'm right back at my computer writing about it. It's a little like dream journaling, for anyone who's done that: you don't want to let a single detail slip through your fingers because it all has such great value. I want to include in my work every body twinge, every sigh of enlightenment, every expression of emotion.

Maybe I've told Sweet I'm only with her for the material one too many times; I think she's starting to believe it. Truly, the inspiration of new material is just a delightful bonus.

Ooops... I've been rambling so much I almost for to explain my wiener-ness:Put on your congratulatory caps, because my story Secret Mercy received an honourable mention in For The Girls' "transgression" short story competition. You can read the judges' comments here. Become a For The Girls member soon, because Secret Mercy is scheduled to appear on the site September 18th. Keep an eye out for it!

Lot of Lovin'
gigi

Missing: One Husband

What is my alma mater doing employing the outdated title “Miss?”

Every single item of mail I get from my university is addressed to Miss Giselle Renarde. Miss? Miss! Seriously? There isn’t a single other institution –not a bank, not a charity, not even my cable provider- that sends mail addressed to Miss Renarde.

It disturbs me that the very institution where I learned how to be an effective feminist, where I studied issues in gender and linguistics, now sends mail to my house that slaps me in the face on a feminist linguistic level. I’ve even gone to the university’s website, where you can change your address, phone number, e-mail and essentially every item of contact information -- except title.

I guess the only way for me to get that changed is to get married, or get a doctorate. No, wait… how does Fr. Giselle Renarde sound? Or Giselle Renarde, Esq? Or Rev. Renarde?

I am not a Miss! I am not Miss-ing a husband. If I have to choose, I’ll take “Ms,” but I’d prefer to trash the titles altogether. Titles only serve to highlight differences and segregate along the well-worn lines of gender and class.

Want to know a secret? Every time I have to fill out a form with a drop down menu that only allows you to select from the titles of Mr, Mrs or Miss, I select “Mr” every time.

Is that petty? Well, it’s my choice.

Butchering the Classics

Hi, all! I’m out of town at the moment, but if my computer’s smarter than I am, it should be able to post today’s Monday Miscellany on my behalf.

I have some “informations” for you, as we say in franglais (aka Frenglish): I like to write music in my beyond-ample spare time. Not just that, but I’ve fished some of it out from under my mattress and posted it to my lovely little Myspace page for all to hear. Myspace.com/gisellerenarde

Most of my work fits into a collection I call "Butchering the Classics" because, along with my Garageband software, that's what I tend to do. Hopefully I butcher them in a way that is pleasing to the ear, at least. Might as well check it out; it's all free.

I started (re)arranging classical music to use as a soundtrack for my promotional book trailers (like, did I mention I also write erotic fiction? lol) but soon developed a taste for producing my own music, such as it is.

As for my butchering, it tends to be of french impressionist music. "The Little Shepherd" you may recognize as a composition of Claude Debussy's, whereas "She's Like the Swallow" is a traditional Canadian song. I enjoy those hauntingly beautiful sounds, reminiscent of twilight by a lakeside campfire. I also love Bach, which led me to produce “I (heart) Bach,” an elegant arrangement of his F minor keyboard concerto.

"Vous le voulez comment?" is a sexy little number I wrote (all by myself, mommy!), which begins with a bit of pleading. Although the lyrics are “vous le voulez comment?” (“how do you want it?”), the intensity of expression suggests something else. The subtext reads more as, “I’ll give you anything you want, just fuck me already!” Then we get into the “ah, oui, c’est ça,” suggesting the pleading has paid off. Doesn’t last long, though. It ends with a musical joke, because, hell, sex is funny.

I feel like I’m giving an awards speech, here. Finally, I would like to thank my mother for forcing me to practise piano as a child. All those lessons were good for something after all…

Bright Blessings,
gigi

A Nice Package, Love Bites and Rainbow Reviews

I had an exciting mail day. Snail mail, to be precise. Did you know that still existed? Yes, that’s right: a real live person brings stuff right to your door and it doesn’t cost you a penny. What service! And it’s been around for how long, you say?

Anyway, silly-time over. I received in the post my contributor copy of a great little anthology called Love Bites. I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before. It’s the paranormal M/M/F ménage antho brought to you by the letter Bare Back Angels and the number Torquere Press. Some really hot guy-guy-girl stories in this baby.

But we still haven’t come to the exciting bit. Believe it or not, before the mail came this morning, I had never seen my work in print! That’s right. All my other work has appeared in some or another electronic format. Gosh, is it ever exciting to see your name in print, and to flip through a paperback to find your own words inside. “Q” – I wrote that! “Well-greased stripper pole” – my words! “Tell me what happened or I’ll tie your ass hair to your pubes!” – ahem… yes… also mine.

To add to the excitement, I came upon a great review of my story “The Regular,” which appears in Love Bites. Emily at Rainbow Reviews calls “The Regular,” “an ingenuous twist on the classic tale of Cupid’s arrow.” Aw, shucks! And it gets even better: “This lovely story explores how love is often found in the most unexpected places, with the people we see each and every day.”

There’s also a character cross-over I should mention. Anyone who read Tangled Roots must be wondering what happened to poor, spurned Toby. Buy a copy of Love Bites and read “The Regular.” You’ll die a happy man.

Here’s to the print anthology and many happy mail days to come! (I hear my contributor copies of Coming Together: With Pride are on their way—just one more reason to celebrate life and work!)

Cuddles all around!
gigi