Posted January 27th, 2010 by Blog Editor

  My name is Mark Penstone. I am originally from Toronto, Canada. Sixteen years ago, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia to work with Coca Cola at their head office. Despite all this time around the Southern drawl, I still pronounce my distinctive Canadian “outs” and other sounds. I have been with the Bookrix.com team for about a year and have been privileged to watch it grow from a small group of writers and readers to one of the most popular online community for those who love the written word.

  Some of you might know me as Bookmix and the host of BookRix Radio. I started BookRix Radio about four months ago. The BookRix Radio show has helped me meet a lot of very cool BookRix members, contest winners and knowledgeable industry professionals who assist us in teaching our members the “ins and outs” of the book publishing industry. My goal at BookRix Radio is to “explore, entertain and inform”. This would be impossible without the active participation of our members.

  You may also recognize me from the BookRix “how to” videos. The purpose of the videos is to make navigating around BookRix a lot easier and it has turned out to be a great way for our members to learn what BookRix has to offer. If you need help, just let us know and we will consider developing a video.

  My goals this year are to develop the radio show to include live call-in shows. I want to test this concept with an industry professional who will be able to answer our members’ questions live on the air. I promise to keep you informed. I also want to bring on new partners to BookRix who will be able to provide our members with not just their knowledge and experiences, but prizes that will help our members with advancing their careers.

  Let me know what you’d like to see on your online writing community!

Posted January 18th, 2010 by Blog Editor

  By: Jatana Williams, author of “In My Prayers with My Legs Wide Open.”

   I enjoy getting emails from readers after they’ve allowed their minds to be taken to another place by something I’ve written. I believe one of the best compliments I can get as a writer is “I saw the words come alive on the page” or “I pictured the scenes in my head.” As one who writes what many label as “erotic literature” (I label it “sensual tense”), I enjoy this feedback.

   My purpose in writing is to take readers’ minds to another place. Not only do I strive to take their minds but I also want to take their bodies as well. Yes, I said it. I want the body to go there as well. When reading a sexy scene in my writing, I want a reader to imagine he or she is the character being touched, kissed and caressed. I want them to see themselves in place of my characters. This is no easy task for any writer. Writers must be comfortable in their own skin when it comes to writing about sex.

  I assume if you have made a decision to write this genre, you already have a sensual inner being you want to release. One of the biggest challenges to writing in the “sensual tense” is learning to be open with your own sexual desires. In order to write sensually or sexually suggestive story lines, a writer must be willing to let go. You have to tap into the part of you that wants to be stimulated. If you are aroused by what you have written, then most likely so will your reader. If readers continue reading after the first few pages, it is because they want to receive gratification from the story you are telling. So let yourself go.

  When writing stories of strong sexual content, you are setting the readers up to be voyeurs. They are taking a peak behind the red curtains at the video store or looking over their newspaper at the couple kissing on the bus. You will want to draw the readers into your story. Everything from the room color and furniture to what the characters are seeing, smelling, touching or tasting needs to be descriptive. How far is one to go with being descriptive when it comes to sex? It all depends on the story you want to tell. Is your focus to be more romantic or to have a raw approach? You can be sexually suggestive, stimulating or get straight to the point. It all depends on your story. Just because you’re writing sexual content doesn’t mean you don’t need to tell a story. The most important thing to remember when it comes to writing in the sensual tense is not to write about sex for the sake of writing it, but to entertain your readers.

  Now, what do you think is important when writing erotic literature (sensual tense)?

Posted January 12th, 2010 by Blog Editor

  Hello, my name is Ayelet and I’m the new Community Moderator for BookRix. Many of you may have seen me around and already gotten to know me a little through my postings. I wanted to take a moment to properly introduce myself to everyone.
  My professional background is in writing, editing, social media and marketing for nonprofit organizations. While I enjoyed my previous work, I always missed talking directly with people and being involved in a community.

  Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a book in one hand and loved discovering new authors and styles. When I first heard of BookRix and the Community Moderator position, it was so exciting to me that my two loves, books and social media, were coming together.

  My greatest aim at the moment is to help this community become everything you want it to be. As a Community Moderator, I’m here to listen and talk to you all. The BookRix community is so helpful and kind to one another; it’s been a delight to interact with everyone. I look forward to getting to know you all very well!

  Now, it’s your turn: please tell me a little about yourself! If you’re not sure what to write in the comments section below, you always can start with what got you started with writing books or how you came upon your love of reading, and a random bit of knowledge most people don’t know about you.

  Best,
  Ayelet

  p.s. I happily welcome messages to my account here with rants, raves, questions, suggestions or comments. I’ll also be active on the forum and in the groups, if you’d rather open up the discussion.