Wildlife Wednesday - Magpies

I have a gorgeous family of magpies come and visit us. When the youngsters were just out of their nests, their folks dropped them into our yard for a visit. The dogs' bowls became a great food source (and much easier than pulling worms out of the ground!) and the birds kept coming back. They also spent some time in the garden and the lawn getting real bird food.

They became so friendly, they'd sit at the back door and warble until I came out to give them something extra - like some sunflower seeds. Sometimes I'd break up the dog biscuits to smaller crumbs for them. There's something about that warble that melts me. It's special. And when they're singing it just for you, it's an incredible feeling. Sends goosebumps racing along my spine.

My dogs didn't mind sharing their remains with the maggies. In the photo, one dog is just behind the birds and the other just in front - sleeping!

I've always been a fan of the magpie warble and I've always had magpies near me wherever I've lived. I know they have a terrible reputation for swooping during the nesting season when they're protecting their young, but I think I've only been swooped once that was scary. Mostly when they know you (because you're in their area all the time) they don't worry you.

Are you a fan of magpies? Or do you have a swooping story?

Phallic Friday - Reading for arousal?

Why do you read (and/or write) erotic stories?

I’ve been thinking about this question for some time now and I have a multitude of answers. The obvious answer - that I read (and write) for arousal - is not the one that first comes to my mind. My first answer is… for knowledge. I know, a strange thing to say. Let me try to explain.

In year 6 when we had the ‘birds and the bees’ talk, I was given a book. I learned all I knew from that book. Being a bookworm, I guess I naturally gravitated to reading for knowledge. You can’t die of embarrassment when you’re reading, like you can by asking a dumb question. I like to learn. I like to expand my mind. I like to read.

When writing erotic stories, I think it’s important that scenes have a “truth” to them. I’d hate to think people were seeking knowledge when there’s no knowledge behind the writing of the story. I’m not saying as a writer you need to do everything you write, but I believe you have to have an understanding about (and empathy for) what you write.

Sexual knowledge is important. I was guest of honour at a welcome-to-town ladies luncheon some years ago when the conversation ended up about sex. Someone shared the building with the youth worker who had free condoms and dental dams available. These were brought to the lunch (why? I have no idea). There were a dozen women and no one could explain what a dental dam was used for. No one could even imagine what it was used for. Maybe it was a test, I don’t know, but I ended up explaining. I couldn’t stand people not knowing, especially in the age of safe sex. To say they squealed like twelve-year-olds is no exaggeration. I was horrified. Can't grown women talk about sex without acting like kids? How are we meant to learn and teach kids if that's the reaction to a safe sex issue? They seriously needed education, maybe through erotic reading. Hmm… might send them some bookmarks!

I’ve read all manner of erotic stories. All manner of crime stories. All manner of horror and fantasy. I’ve learned heaps. It doesn’t mean I’ve gone out and tried it all! But I like to know what’s out there, what’s in other people’s minds, how other people think of things and describe things. Is that weird?

I’m also a bit of a rebel at heart. I like to read these stories purely because they’re not ‘mainstream’ reading. I like to write them to push me beyond my mainstream life. I like to push myself beyond my comfort zone, make my brain contort to think of how things would feel even if I’ve never experienced them.

There’s somewhat of a challenge in writing sex scenes. They need to be plausible - body parts are located in the same place on everyone. They need to convey the act without being flowery or revolting. It requires discussion about parts of the body, and body emissions, often not deemed fit for discussion.

Some of the most sensuous writing can be found in erotic stories. A sentence that whips the breath from you. A phrase that perfectly conveys. A paragraph that slides across your senses.

It’s not often that a story, or a scene, grabs me and causes arousal but when it does, what a ride!

The Next Big Thing

I've been avoiding this post because it's like a chain letter but I guess I'd better do it since the festivities have ended.

Jenn J McLeod tagged me in The Next Big Thing, which was good because I became part of a crazy group. Not sure what that means yet, but with Jenn, it could be anything! It led to the Next Bog Thing, which was fun.

The others tagged to do this are Lily Malone, Kerrie Paterson and Allison Tait.

So here I go:

Cate Ellink’s Next Big Thing

1) What is the working title of your current/next book?

I’m so bad with titles. I don’t like creating them and so I don’t worry if it doesn’t have one right until the end. So this one was called the theme, and now I’ve finished is called “Deep Diving”.

2) Where did the idea come from?

Hmm… should I tell the truth? It’s kind of convoluted. Phase 1: I was sitting at the NRL Grand Final in October and having lust-filled ideas about one of the Melbourne Storm players. So I started writing this story about a girl who meets him on holidays. Phase 2: At a writers retreat a theme was discussed and since this story was in its infancy, it fitted the theme. Phase 3: I was struggling with motivation and a friend helped me out big time - motivation and final scene nailed.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

Erotic definitely. Romance too because it has a Happy For Now ending.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Well, the hero would have to be the Melbourne Storm player in question - even if he isn’t an actor. Although, Dean (Jensen Ackles) from Supernatural could be a close second.

The heroine, hmmm, she’s played by the reader. I just don’t get a good picture of my heroines. She’s fit, tanned, a triathlete, with curly hair. Is that any help?

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Cooper and Samantha are paired up as dive buddies and he’s the best she’s had so when he wants to take it to bed buddies, she’s determined to make sure she’s different to every girl he’s had before.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I hope it will be picked up by a publisher.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft?

It’s been 3 months since I started and it’s with my critique partners now (it’s 20K). The writing part is fast, the re-writing and self-editing is slow. I just hope it doesn’t need much more!

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It’s like lots of erotic books - steamy sex between two consenting adults, who may or may not fall in love!

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

RWA erotic romance writers inspired part of this book, a very sexy Melbourne Storm player and a great friend inspired the rest.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

It’s set on Lord Howe Island, which is the most incredible place, in the water and out. In the water the snorkelling is as good as the diving. My first trip there, except for sleeping, I lived in the water. The second trip I did more land-based activities. So I’m combining all of that beauty and adventure into this story.

Samantha is a retired Olympic triathlete who fails at nothing. By the end of the story, she’s confronted with a sex act she knows she can’t do but with Cooper, she can’t afford to fail. Will she be able to overcome her fears?

Wildlife Wednesday - Bogong Moth

The Bogong Moth is supposedly a delicacy, but I couldn't bring myself to eat them - they're much too "fluffy".

CSIRO have information about Bogong Moths but here's a little to whet your appetite.

Each year as the weather warms in south east Australia, bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) prepare to migrate.
Through spring they fly to the high country of the Snowy Mountains in southern New South Wales and the Victorian Alps. 
They have been doing this for thousands of years to escape the harsh summer environment in their winter breeding areas of the Darling Downs in Queensland, western slopes and plains in New South Wales and drier inland regions of Victoria. In autumn they make the return journey.
Bogongs fly at night and, attracted to lights, can cause problems for floodlit buildings by blocking air-conditioning ducts and setting off alarms.
During the day they hide in dark crevices.

I've only had this backyard 4 years and I haven't experienced a Bogong plague here. In one of my old residences, my back screen door was coated every night with Bogongs. It was a sight to see! My dogs loved them - nothing like a little added protein snapped from before your nose :)