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Interview With Author & Screen Aficionado Bryn Tilly

October 26, 2015 by scarletdarkwood

Bryn Tilly2

That’s the beauty of writing. You get to meet fun and interesting people you’d not have met otherwise. That’s how I met fellow author, Bryn Tilly. When our two imprints mingled for the sake of a good book loaded with enticing stories, magic happened, and a book was born bearing the best writing a person could sink their teeth into.

They say that it’s every writer’s dream to see their book made into a movie, and yes, I fantasize too. Bryn , one of the authors of The Animal, just happens to dabble in film, cinematography, and screenplays. His blog focuses on the avant garde, those films that are not necessarily mainstream, but leave a viewer enthralled long after the movie is over. His curated gallery features vivid plotlines of different genres, and I was more than pleased to learn that he has a soft spot for erotica.

His portrayal of erotic films go beyond mere lust and romp, but dig deeply into the human psyche, honoring the base animal nature within ourselves to the beautifully perverse. His choices in erotic films stimulates the brain and leaves you wanting more. Without further ado, let’s learn what Bryn thinks of erotic themes in cinema:

Scarlet Darkwood puts Bryn Tilly on the spot.  

SD: Since your background is cinema, your website features movies of all kinds. They say an author’s biggest dream is to see their book made into a movie. What type of books absolutely DO NOT translate well into movies?

BT: There are no definitive rules as to what works and what doesn’t. There are novels with narratives that feature an ongoing internal monologue, or predominantly deal with intellectual ideas and abstractions, rather than conversational dialogue and action, that don’t translate to cinema well at all. Occasionally there are surprises, like director and co-screenwriter Mary Harron managing to wrestle Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho into an even sharper satire than the novel. But in terms of novels that haven’t worked, I single out Perfume by Patrick Suskind. His novel should never have been attempted. The intense descriptive passages of the olfactory sense at work could never translate to the screen, and that elaborate orgy, and a very disturbing act of cannibalism, just did not make for mainstream movie appeal. While we’re on the subject, at this stage they are safe, but I hope no one ever attempts to adapt Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude or Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves.

SD: It’s clear you are open to erotic themes. Your “Deep Trash” section on your blog is highly erotic and leaves little to the imagination. Many of the movies you highlight feature erotic themes. What is it about the erotic element that fascinates you?

BT: To use a distracting and amusing analogy; it’s like the difference between the pictorials in Hustler magazine and the ones in Penthouse, back in the day. Hustler always shot in cheap studios, were garishly over-lit, and had average-looking girls with too much makeup (or none at all), whereas Penthouse was shot in lush locations, with atmospheric lighting, and featured very foxy, voluptuous women, as opposed to Playboy’s innocent girl-next-door.

Erotic is not just about the sex act, it’s about the surrounds, and the mind-set. It’s about the exotic allure, the naughty tease, the provocative suggestion, the wicked promise, and then the delivery done with a charged sensuality, a slap of mischief, perhaps a bruise of perversity … and, in my books, not a Brazilian in sight!

SD: If you were to create an erotic movie, what would be some of your plot lines that would give Walerian Borowczyk’s  The Beast a run for its money?  

BT: Untamed, about a widowed man who has temporarily gone off-grid and encounters an attractive, but feral woman in the mountains and finds himself in a very primal relationship with her, no dialogue, just body language and wild, animalistic sex. He tries to introduce her to his civilised world, but she panics and escapes. The man abandons his commitments, and searches for the woman. Eventually he finds her, and chooses to give up his former life to live with her in the wild.

SD: Is there a close link between horror and eroticism? What are those elements and why?

BT: Sex and death. As the French call the orgasm, la petite morte, “little death”. In fiction and in cinema a heightened sensuality and threat of the dark nightmarish unknown provoke a similar genuine excitement, think Anne Rice’s novel The Vampire Lestat, or Paul Schrader’s remake of Cat People.

SD: In your opinion why do many men include raping a woman as part of their crime? Why not just take her purse or her jewelry and be gone?

BT: That’s a tough question to try and answer! Rape is more about power than sex. But it is the power to humiliate, and to recklessly harness what they think is masculinity. It must be a testosterone aberration; otherwise more women would rape men.

SD: Some of the movies you showcase mention rape. Why do you think women have rape fantasies, and do men have them?

BT: There is rough consensual sex, and there is BDSM, but if there is no safe word, and the word “No” or “Stop” is not adhered to, then it becomes rape. Crossing this line presents itself as a kind of fantasy danger realm. Within the safe confines of the fantasy no one gets hurt, but there is the thrill of that ever-present danger, the lack of control, the lack of defence. To be honest I don’t know if other men have rape fantasies, as I’ve never discussed it, and whether women discuss them with other women, I’m none the wiser. I’ve included rape in some of my fiction, but I don’t perceive it as a personal fantasy.

 SD: I had the experience of witnessing a man who had some mental issues, and when he became overwhelmingly angry and began expressing this, part of his behavior included masturbatory acts. Does intense fear or anger arouse men sexually? (This isn’t an issue of a man using power, but reacting to a situation that didn’t go his way or finding himself in an unpleasant situation).

BT: I’m sure it arouses some men. But I have no idea what percentage. I enjoy watching horror movies, but they don’t arouse me. I find watching the good ones in the cinema can be thrilling and exhilarating, but there’s a distinct difference. And as a contrast, witnessing violence and rage in reality is very confronting for me.

SD: You’re considering creating a novel from a screenplay you’ve written—about a succubus. Many erotic authors feature these mythological and folkloric creatures. What is it about them that allures you or inspires you to use them as characters in your work?

BT: I’m fascinated by the concept of a sex demon, a powerful nightmare creature like a vampire that sucks the life force from people through the act of sex, but rather than tackle the male version – an incubus – I wanted to tell a story about a female one. I’m also interested in fusing the succubus element with the mythology of Lilith, the woman who preceded Eve in the Garden of Eden, but was cast out by Adam, because she refused to lie under him during intercourse.

SD: How does American cinema and European differ, and why did some or many of the movies you feature on your blog not make it into mainstream?

BT: I’ve always got my eyes peeled for something with a transgressive edge, something that pushes boundaries. Arguably, Euro cinema has been more adventurous than American cinema, frequently more risqué, and often plain darker. That’s not to say there aren’t great American films that push the envelope, in fact many of my favourites were American movies from the 70s, arguably the most interesting and adventurous decade in the history of cinema. The movies that interest me are those of a darker hue, especially noir and horror, but actually, in the last decade horror movies have become part of mainstream cinema, especially with Hollywood’s focus on PG-13.

 SD: What is your ultimate dream?

BT: I intend to become a successful screenwriter of genre movies, and perhaps an occasional novelist and director.

Thank you, Bryn! What a wonderful interview. Definitely insightful. You can visit Bryn’s blog and learn more about his interests and what makes him tick. Definitely check out his Deep Trash section and learn about some of the most unique erotic movies around.

Cult Projections

Bryn Tilly3More about Bryn Tilly, the man from Down Under:

 Bryn was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. He began writing creatively at an early age, mostly science fiction and fantasy. During puberty and into his early adolescence he penned dozens of cartoon strips, mostly sci-fi, horror, and violent adventure stories. In his late teens and early twenties he began dabbling in long form prose and short film screenplays. In 1993 he joined a local newspaper as the resident film reviewer and has been a published film critic ever since, currently with his site cultprojections.com. Apart from working as a writer, Bryn has also been a professional DJ since 1993. He has been based in Sydney, Australia in 1997. A few years ago he returned to prose and wrote a gruesome haunted house story. In the last year he has written two more short stories and directed a short film, all of them pushing the fabric of nightmares, real and supernatural. All three short stories are to be published by Booktrope. Bryn is feeling a novel brewing. But for the immediate future he is off to Spain to support a short horror film he made, which is in competition at the Sitges Film Festival. Bryn may be a little longer in the tooth but he has found his calling.

 

Filed Under: General Writing Tagged With: Bryn Tilly, cinematography, Cult Projections, erotic, erotica, film, Scarlet Darkwood, The Animal

Mistress And Master: Erotic Romances With Spicy Sex

February 9, 2014 by scarletdarkwood

As I’ve immersed myself in the waters of writing novels, I’m looking over the works I’ve published and Pleasure House is, by far, the “fairest of them all.” At least according to the purchases I get. Dance of Desire  is the other one that usually gets purchased afterwards. The warnings on both of these books are clear when you view the blurb: They are erotic pieces of work and not soulful sweet romances with spicy sex scenes. So there you have it. If you want “in-your-face” sex, sex, sex, these two books are it.

However, as I’ve discussed in other posts, there are readers who like their erotica with a story to it. Otherwise, readers usually label the work, porn because there is no central story line. Gee, I guess I thought the character’s sexual experience was the story line. Personally I’m okay with that, understand that, and like it when I’m in the mood (no pun intended!).

So, for all you romancers out there who still like the graphic sex but would like the focus on more than just the sex, then Mistress Of The House and Master Of The House will be more of what you’re looking for. I was careful to note there were adult situations in these books, and that they were for a mature audience, but they are romance, focus on the relationship between two characters, and there is the HEA (happily ever after).

The sex in these two books is still there, hot, rich, spicy, just the way erotica readers would like it to be. But if you want to know more of what the characters are thinking, what their agenda is, where there hearts are, these two books give you all that too. As a reader, you’ll get to see the characters in these two pieces of work put their House teachings to good use, and see them use creativity and sensuality in the bedroom get them what they want, while taking their partners on a fun-filled, lusty adventure.

Pleasure House definitely is the center piece in my House “box of chocolates,” and the three books mentioned above are some of the other tasty-filled treats.

Filed Under: General Writing Tagged With: adventure, erotic, lusty, master, Master Of The House, mistress, Mistress Of The House, sex, sexual, spicy

Ebook Returns Are Not Erotic Or Sexy!

July 22, 2013 by scarletdarkwood

I’ve never addressed this topic before, but I just feel compelled to do it now. What you may read below, by Janus Gangi, an author friend of mine, may get your hackles up as a reader. HOWEVER, try putting yourself in a writer’s shoes: What if you put your time and energy into writing books, and suddenly everyone thought you needed to give them away free? Or just as bad, slammed your work as crap and a piece of trash? One lady who responded to Ms. Gangi’s post below had the audacity to say the following:

” . . . if you can’t pay your bills writing books you should get another job.”

 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? REALLY? And I’m inclined to say this: If you are  such an entitled cheapskate: give up reading and find another hobby!!

I’m so sorry. That was unlady-like and uncalled for. But here’s the thing, I appreciate my current readers and future readers, but honestly, ladies and gentlemen, please put yourself in my position: I work hard at what I write, and I put lots of effort in getting beta readers to review my work, as well as PAY an editor and cover designer to put the finishing touches on everything. I do my utmost to put out the best quality book that I humanly can. If you think indie writers put out crap, or that I put out crap, I’ll throw down this gauntlet: WRITE YOUR OWN PERFECT BOOK, THEN! Let’s see how well you do. Go ahead, I dare anyone of you to try, if you haven’t done it before. Enough of my rant, here’s Janus Gangi’s Post:

“I was brought up to believe that if you want anything in this life you must work hard for it , nothing is just handed to you. Life is NOT about the” free ride”. But lately, I have seen a disturbing trend happening in the writing world that not only affects me but all my fellow authors.

As you all know, I post many free books on my page. I do this as a courtesy to my fellow authors. I realize that the most important thing a new author must achieve is name recognition. And so, by sharing their links in some small way I can help them reach that goal.

But let’s step back and take a real good look at “free books” and what their purpose is and what has sadly has been the result of this trend.

Overall book sales are drastically down. Why? Because we in the book business have spoiled our readers into thinking they deserve to get ALL their books for free. And now an even more sinister practice has come to light. When books are not for free, readers are reading them and then returning them for their full purchase price.

I AM FURIOUS!

It takes an awful lot to get this witches cauldron to boil over but it finally has and so I think it is time to set the record straight.
For far too long the misconception that writers are independently wealthy and can afford to sit for hours writing and editing a manuscript is nothing more than a hobby is BALDERDASH!

There is not one of you that will work a forty hour week and expect no pay for it, but yet, that is what is expected of authors.
Writing a manuscript can take anywhere from months to years to be completed. And then because readers rightfully expect nothing less than an excellent plot line, correct grammar, and no typos, the editing process can take just as long and in some cases longer.

Mind you there is not one good writer out there that will rely on their own editing skills and so, we must hire an editor. The key word is hire; we pay to have our works edited. Now let’s just think about this for a moment…. Oh that’s right authors have bills too! Who’da thunk?

Oh and then there are all those pretty book covers that readers love to be enticed by. News flash: they are not free. We must hire a graphic artist to create them and we must pay for their services.

We also need electricity to light our homes and run our computers. We have rent or mortgage payments due at the beginning of every month. We eat and so we must pay the grocery store or starve. We have children and grandchildren that need clothes, shoes and school supplies. We are no different than any other group of working people. We just work at home. Some of us have more than one job. We work from nine to five and then, exhausted, come home and write.

Don’t get me wrong, we all love what we do. But authors are not second class citizens; we deserve to receive an honest salary for our labors.

The next time you see a link for a book why not change your way of thinking? Instead of saying, “Oh, that looks interesting. I’ll just wait for it to go free,”
purchase the book, support authors and the arts by sharing the links.”  BY: Janus Gangi

So what’s your take on all this: Do you really think books should be free? Do you buy other books from an author if they offer a free one? Do you sit around and snap up free books and don’t buy much of anything? Have you ever tried to be in business for yourself and people say and do the darndest things–before walking away and purchasing nothing . . .? 

Filed Under: General Writing Tagged With: authors, ebook returns, ebooks, erotic, indie writers, returns, sexy, writers

Slinky, Erotic Moves: Burlesque At Its Best

July 21, 2013 by scarletdarkwood

Like in most of the House books, dancing is involved, and Master Of The House is no exception. If you haven’t read this book, the newest release in the House Tales From The Archives collection, just know that Wille takes Louise to a private, erotic art show, and the two characters are in for a real treat at the end: a live risqué burlesque act, where sensual belly dancing meets The Full Monty.

When creating this scene, I had to get an idea of what belly dancing looked like, and consider if I even wanted this style of dancing in the scene. When I viewed some videos, I found exactly what I was wanting. Now, belly dancing doesn’t require the dancer to “take it all off,” but the moves are smooth, titillating, and beautiful, really. And the costumes, I must say, are gorgeous, much like you might see in ballroom dance gowns. The fabric is flowing, bejeweled, colorful, and allows the body to move freely.

As I watched talented dancers, I came to appreciate the ways they undulated their bodies, shimmied their hips, and how they could makes those breasts pop up and down. I won’t even begin to think I could do any of that at my age, but I can sure use those moves to create a fun scene in a novel.

But in this erotic romance story, I couldn’t resist having my dancer take it all off at the end–just quick–right before the lights go off, leaving the audience staring, open-mouthed. The viewers in my scene got more of an eyeful than viewers who saw the Broadway version of The Full Monty, but as you know, “poetic license” allows me to do this and not get sued. I’ve included a video of Alla Kushnir on Ukraine’s Got Talent. I hope you enjoy the true beauty of the dance and moves as much as I did.

And I hope it entices you to purchase a copy of Master Of The House so you can see what happens after Willie and Louise leave the art show.

Inspiration For Burlesque Scene

Filed Under: My Worlds Tagged With: Alla Kushnir, belly dancing, burlesque, erotic, erotic romance, house, House Tales From The Archives, master, Master Of The House, The Full Monty, Ukraine's Got Talent

Erotic Flash Fiction: My First Time

March 14, 2013 by scarletdarkwood

I don’t know how much many of you know about Flash Fiction, but I was truly amazed when I started reading pieces from this catagory of writing. Look at it as writing in minature form, if you dare. Under a 100 words or so, one can compose a fun, quick read that usually leaves you with a “gotcha” at the end.

Once group of writers, me included, decided to try our hand at flash fiction, using visual aids to prompt us. I didn’t include the pic here because I’m so afraid of copyright infringement. But imagine this, if you will: Visualize an old tree that begins to separate into two parts at the trunk, then sinks it’s roots deep into the ground. If you stand back and look long and hard enough, you see that it kind of reminds you of a naked lady. I chose this pic as my inspiration, and I came up with the bit below:

He stared hard at the crotch of the tree for a long time. The more he gazed, the more the division of the trunk reminded him of a graceful figure of a woman . . . his woman . . . with her thighs parted just enough to tease. Smiling, he stood there, remembering how he’d first made love to her under this same tree, her head cradled in his hands as he held her close. Like the tree penetrating the yielding soil below, the hardness he’d born between his thighs sought shelter in the warm, dark haven within her. Since that time, he’d longed to return to this magical place of transformation, where friends became lovers. They’d made a pledge to keep this spot sacred, coming here only when one desired total union with the other. No words would be spoken except from the heart. Now she joined him!

I kind of liked it, as did my other fellow writers. The gotcha at the end is a little more subtle, but I thought it was there, nonetheless.

So tell me what you think about my piece, and if you’ve read flash fiction in general, how do you like it? Do you like the twist at the end? Do you like something more soft and thought-provoking?

Filed Under: General Writing Tagged With: erotic, fiction, first time, flash, flash fiction, lady, naked, thighs, tree, writers

Sassy Lusty Character Takes Over Erotic Dreams!

March 6, 2013 by scarletdarkwood

I’m sure I’m not alone in this experience, and that would be one where a writer has dreams about one of their characters. Let’s face it, our dreams are usually symbolic and people, real or created, can represent things in your life when you dream. In Dance of Desire, one of the main characters is Daren, my red-headed sexy attendant who works at The House. One night, after I’d been writing about him, creating him in my mind, I fell asleep and began dreaming about him–about us. When I woke up, I had to laugh, and then I wondered, do any other writers do this? Apparently it’s not that all uncommon for writers to have night-time experiences with their characters, especially if you write romance or erotica. After all, these characters are real to us. We conjur them up in our minds, and as we write out their scripts in our novels, they begin to take on what feels like a real walking, talking person.

Sometimes when I hear certain songs, I wonder how Daren, in his day and age–the 20’s-30’s–would react to the song. Would he like it? Would it make him want to sing or dance? How would he look in modern day clothing? After all, in my novels, he’s wearing nothing but a loincloth–or nothing! I can hear his voice in my mind when I write dialogue sentences for him. I can see his smile, his teeth, feel his touch. I wonder what he likes to eat. In my novels, he likes fruit, probably because it’s erotic and can be used/eaten in may ways! I think Daren would describe himself as a vegan or a health nut. He cares for his body very much.

Now for the big question as it relates to dreaming about your characters. Since Daren engages in lots of sex, have Daren and I had sex in a dream? Well . . . all I can say is It was good for me, and I’m hoping it was for him too. Oh, wait, he’s only a fictitious character, and I was just dreaming. Anyway, it’s an interesting concept as we writers breath life into each one of our characters, creating the way they walk, talk, dress, swagger . . . and fulfil our naughty desires.

What about everyone else–readers or writers? Do you ever dream about characters in novel? If you have, and you’re not too shy, tell me about it.  I’d love to hear your experience.  

Filed Under: General Writing Tagged With: character, Dance of Desire, Daren, dream, erotic, lusty, sassy, The House, vegan, writer

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