It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Scarlet this week. She’s been writing for several years and living the lifestyle with her Master (husband). Scarlet will be presenting a workshop on “creating contracts” in your D/s relationships. If she hasn’t answered your question below, be sure to ask her as she’ll be available for comments.
Scarlet, when you first started writing, did you have any idea you’d be writing BDSM/kinky books? Do you write in any other genre?
I wrote my first short story when I was eight, so I certainly didn’t then! When I began pursuing writing seriously as an adult, I didn’t even anticipate being a romance writer, let alone including BDSM in them. I had been working on a metaphysical novel, which – although it does contain a great deal of sex and some bondage – definitely is not a romance novel. I don’t want to be trapped in to always having to end with a “happily ever after.”
Was there something that happened to you in your life or career that made you want to begin thinking about writing BDSM/kinky themed erotica?
I just got tired of the negative portrayal of BDSM in the media, particularly in TV shows and movies. We aren’t perverts or freaks just because we are Doms or subs or whatever. Penn State covered up Sundusky’s pedophilia for years, and the Catholic Church played musical parishes with their priests for decades, if not longer. In one of those monolithic non-denom churches here in Louisiana, the (married) pastor had an affair with the church secretary, so the board sent her out of state with hush money. A new study found a correlation between BDSM and better mental health, but according to screenwriters, WE are the villains.
What is your favorite fetish? Why?
Being bound and blindfolded. I love surrendering complete control. During a scene, I escape all my responsibilities and focus only on the present; my worries fade from my consciousness. People not in the lifestyle don’t understand how liberating submission can be. I read once, “Sometimes not being in control is the most beautiful thing in the world,” and it’s true. There is freedom in submission!
Is there one area of BDSM that you tend to write about more? Why do you think that area creeps into your writing more than some others?
Bondage, discipline, Dominance and submission. I write what I know.
Do you do any “hands-on” research when you’re writing BDSM/kinky themed erotica?
Often for a scene, I will ask my husband (Master) to try it out with me to confirm it is logistically feasible. I don’t want readers rolling their eyes and thinking, “That’s not even possible!”
.
Have you ever heard that a fan might have tried something from one of your stories and liked it?
Not yet, but I did include blindfolds in the goodie bags I gave out at a conference recently. I hope the ladies will take them home and try them out!
Scarlet Hawthorne loves including elements of BDSM in her erotic romances because, as a 24/7 submissive in a DD household, she hopes to reverse the misinformation and negative stereotypes promulgated in the media. She has also published mainstream romances in a variety of genres, from paranormal to romantic suspense, under other pen names. Scarlet’s upcoming release is the M/M Romance, BETWEEN THE NOTES. Visit her website for more information or find her on Facebook.