Saturday, January 1, 2011

Word-Whores Open for Business!

They say prostitution is the world's oldest profession. Certainly, the concept of paying money for service is nothing remotely new...and writers are no different.

In some ways the words are our come-ons, soft and furtive from the dark alley or brazen winks wrapped in silk. "Come and read our stories," we whisper, each delicate phrase like a well turned calf, a swaying hip, the damp brush of tongue over swollen lips. We invite you to stroke our covers, the outer trappings of our blurbs tempting you to crack the binding, lift the petticoats, and find the sweetness within.

*ahem*

Book euphemisms not withstanding, writing is often like sex. When it's good, it's *GOOD*. A story can uplift you, make you cry, put a secret smile on your face. It can fan passion or hatred, or spark something deep within that seems larger than yourself. It may be uncomfortable, or painful or a struggle to understand. And a book that strikes you a certain way the first time you read it may very well become something else all together on a subsequent reading. The key is the emotion that drives it forward.

Have you ever turned the last page of a book that truly touched you in some way and just laid there in your bed? It's a bit like afterglow, isn't it?

On the other hand, lousy writing is...well, like lousy sex. Boring. Dull. Passionless. Confusing. You may read a book and wonder just how you got there. Do you force yourself to finish, simply because you spent money on it? Or maybe you chuck it at the wall and never return. Maybe you merely lose yourself in the moment, or the mechanical act of reading. It's good at the time, but you know you've had better.

As writers, we would prefer repeat business, all of us longing to become the courtesans of the literary world - darling, sweet, bold or sultry or refined. Whatever your pleasure, we'll do our best to serve it to you.

And make no mistake - we want to get laid...but we also want to get paid.

Which brings us to the purpose of this site - a collection of thoughts of seven women writers - some of us pubbed, some of us on our way to being pubbed. All of us are purveyors of the written word, and we'll sell it to you honestly, plying our trade in bedrooms or bookstores.

We are word whores.

10 comments:

  1. I've followed Allison for a while on Twitter and watched her get agented and then signed. So proud of you sweetie. This blog looks marvelous! Here I am now, entertain me! [holds up dollar] Oh wait, that's a strip-tease not...
    Nevermind. :">

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  2. @Carrie - Thanks! You are too kind. :) And you can hold up a dollar for me anytime! *waggles eyebrows*

    We're hoping this will be a fun project.

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  3. Excellent first post, looks to be a great site.

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  4. Very alluring beginning! I'm so excited to see this kick off.

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  5. Ooh, you make me want to go get a book, and stroke its covers -

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  6. Exactly...I'm going to go pet some books right now!

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  7. Hee hee! Oh, I am so out of my depth here. :D I've really been looking foward to this. The site is gorgeous, Allison. And your post has inspired me...off to ply my trade.

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  8. Wow. I'm not sure I can ever again sit at my desk and write in my very unsexy but very comfy pjs and fleece lined slippers. I think you just elevated my experience as the author, Allison.

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  9. LOVE the comparison of reading to sex! LOL! it's so disturbingly true :-p

    xoxo!

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  10. I'm still looking at the guy in the picture...This is going to be an awesome blog to follow!

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