Today marked the first in what I hope to be a long-running Online Book Club. I was so excited and nervous but prepared and eager.
A huge thank you again to Multiperv, rubbug and toymax for beta-testing chat plug-ins with me so today’s discussion ran smoothly. Those tests were frustrating at times, but it helped, and I’m so grateful to you!
I first started talking about the club in this post. If you need to catch up, I’ll wait. *grin*
For the first meet, I selected three of my shorter books and left a slot open for you to choose. This time, the suggestions are from the club members. I’ll come back to the new poll later.
I can’t wait to tell you about the discussion. When I created my website, I always had the idea to do a live book club but I didn’t know if there’d be interest. Let’s face it, erotica isn’t something that’s casually discussed at the water cooler.
Good thing there’s the internet!
You voted to discuss “Caught in Chastity”, and some of you sent in questions ahead of time. It was great to see so many people in the chat room and *not* have problems with the chat feature! [at least I don’t think there were any problems; I forgot to ask–you’ll have to tell me]
I forgot to mention at the start that Sean O’Toole and L.K. Lynch weren’t only participants but authors with books of their own on my site! I told everyone later, but I’m not sure whether Sean and L.K. were still around.
The three of us have done several compilations, so if you’re looking for a few quick short stories in one book, check them out!
Let me give a shoutout to our Book Club attendees who aren’t authors:
toymax ~ who wasn’t sure he could make it but did, and started our discussion
rubbug ~ who talked to me right up until the start, gauging my level of excitement and preparedness
Frankiemouse ~ who added positive commentary and interacted with others
Multiperv ~ who kept me on my toes when I overlooked rubbug’s question
PabloAtTheBar ~ our resident Englander, who affirmed CIC’s authenticity (it’s set in London)
Sparky ~ who offered constructive dissent about the lack of consent
For those who couldn’t make it–and for those who want to read it again–I give you bite-sized chunks of our stimulating conversation. <–seriously. You guys asked insightful questions that, sometimes, made me pause and consider before responding.
With any live chat, it’s kind of crazy to read sequentially after the fact because thoughts bounce around. I’ve rearranged it and cleaned up the errors for a better read. While I did that, I realized I had missed some questions while I was typing live. I’ve indicated that, too.
Book Club Recap
As I said, toymax started us off, so I will start there:
toymax: CiC plays in London. Is there a special reason for it ?
bj: Yes, great question! This story was a fantasy of an old bdsmlr–someone I first met when I joined. He lives in london. This bdsmlr’s fantasy was to be caught in chastity in a hotel like the husband.
toymax: Thanks, so I guess there isn’t any inspiration of YOUR real life in the story ?
rubbug: That’s awesome that you had a whole story inspired by him
bj: So, I thought it only fitting to set the story there, and he helped me with british-isms… which is also why things are * weirdly * spelled
Multiperv: Have you been to England yourself?
bj: The only part of my real life is how I feel about the situation… and that is, it was very important to me to depict a loving relationship at the base. I have never been to England, but it’s high on my list!
Frankiemouse: You should go for a kink convention.
Multiperv: An American Mistress in London.
bj: LOVE IT! Pablo… how do you feel it read, being from England?
PabloAtTheBar: It was nice to see a few British-isms and “proper” spellings … I felt at home 🙂
bj: haha… those were SO DIFFICULT to do, Pablo; and my editor had a fit and wanted to remove them all
Multiperv: I admired the Britishisms, too, that’s what made me wonder if you went. I haven’t been but also want to so I can’t speak to their accuracy, but if Pablo says it’s good, I trust him.
bj: Thank you, Pablo–your admittance is validated!!
* * * *
toymax: What I noticed is, in all other books I’ve read, You tell us the names of the character – not in CiC. Why ?
bj: There are a few books where I don’t provide names or many details of the characters. Sometimes readers like to create their own images in their minds. For CIC, I felt, since it was first person, he wouldn’t need to provide names, because he knew everyone. And it was a short vignette about how he became a cuck
Frankiemouse: Does not providing names and backstories make the writing any easier or harder?
bj: Good question, Frankiemouse… it doesn’t for me, because I * see * the people as I write and I know their backstories
* * * *
Sparky: Why did his dominant feel it was okay to leave him alone with a stranger the very first time she gave him to another man? I have to say that this seemed… irresponsible to me.
bj: Multiperv also feels similar to Sparky in the irresponsibility aspect of the book. And I have to say that it wasn’t a factor for me at the time I wrote it; though, I understand the concern now. Most of you know me well enough by now to know that I’m VERY keen on communication of all forms, and especially when starting something new.
rubbug: There was the point where Mistress had said she was watching all along and would intervene if she felt he was in trouble
bj: In a regular situation–not like CIC–yes, it would be irresponsible. Thank you, rubbug; just getting to that. The wife plotted out everything and would step in if needed
Multiperv: It was addressed in the book, he WAS safe, he just didn’t know it.
bj: And as Multiperv pointed out in his review, this couple knew each other very well. Plus, the husband says many times that he could have done something differently, voiced objections… but he didn’t because he was aroused and into it.
Yes, Multiperv–and the wife also knew that he enjoyed that bit of humiliation and “freaking out”. Also, I knew the “fantasizer”, and I knew he was okay with the entirety of the situation, so, as the writer, my focus was the transformation itself. In retrospect, I could’ve added the caveat to the author’s note
<I missed these questions during the discussion while I was typing long answers, so I’ll answer now>
Frankiemouse: Have you ever considered going back and “correcting” the “mistake” of her leaving him with a stranger?
bj: I don’t consider it a mistake, but I understand the concerns voiced today. The wife knew exactly what she was doing and knew her husband wasn’t in harm’s way… and had a backup plan, just in case. I will consider adding a caveat to the author’s page, though. Sparky ~ gotta ask whether the explanation was good for you?
Sparky: You did, thanks. Yes. Putting myself in the place of the sub, though, is still a problem. I can see how it might be okay for someone else.
bj: I understand that–Sparky and I have had extensive conversations, and I understand his sub-ness is NOT similar to the husband’s. It’s not a book I would’ve recommended for him, but he read it in support of this club, for which I’m grateful!
Sparky ~ Thanks, B.J. But it’s all good. Different people different perspectives.
* * * *
Sean O’Toole: You’ve written a lot of things since CIC. How do you feel you’ve evolved as a writer and storyteller?
bj: Can you tell he’s a writer? *grin* It’s a difficult question, because CIC was one of my earlier works, and I still love it. It’s my shortest piece but it says what it needs to. My evolution as a writer and storyteller comes from being more relaxed about numbers. By that, I mean, when I first started, I was so focused on word count. How much is a short, how much for a novella, a novel?
I still am word-count conscious, but I know it’s silly. Like, when I first start a book, I have an idea of how long it’ll be. Take my latest, “The Service Sub”. That was only supposed to be a quick short, and it turned into a long novella. That would’ve freaked me out in my early writing days. Now, though, I know the story will be what it wants to be, regardless of numbers.
As for a general evolution? I’d leave it to my readers. I hope they appreciate that I write across a wide spectrum of kink. I don’t want to be typecast into writing the same types of stories. It’s my wish that they enjoy the journey of the story and character development as well as heat.
* * * *
Multiperv: Was the Mistress unhappy with their relationship when she started down this road of dominance or did she just want to spice things up and explore her dom side? And did she have reason to suspect he had a sub side or was she just hopeful?
bj: Thanks for the question, Multiperv. The wife’s friend–the one she sends to her husband in the hotel–is the one who got her into it, as she cucks her husband. It began as a test. You can see her nerves in the beginning when the husband says she didn’t go to sleep right away… as if she were waiting for him to balk
Multiperv: Ah, right, I forgot that bit. Well, that experiment paid off well, for everyone!
* * * *
rubbug: She calls him a cuck very early on, and he acknowledged himself as such, but it seemed the first time he was aware that she was with another man was at the hotel, why is that?
bj: She has suspicions but didn’t realize how much she was going to love it
Frankiemouse: I love that about the story, that she just started with little thing and saw how far he was willing to comply.
PabloAtTheBar: One of my favourite parts was the entering into the hotel and meeting the very loud staff. I cringed as I read it as if it were myself wearing the pink shirt.
bj: haha–that’s great, Pablo!
* * * *
Sean O’Toole: I’m glad you brought up transformation. A lot of your books feature characters who go through major transformations to become what ends up being their best selves in the process. Why is that?
bj: Thanks, Sean! That’s a really good and difficult question. It’s because I like exploring characters’ minds and how they got to be where they are. On a personal level, I didn’t find my kink until after my divorce. So, in a way, *I* am a part of all of my characters’ transformations.
* * * *
Multiperv: rubbug’s question bothered me, too, her always calling him a cuck, though there was NO discussion or actual cucking going on for most of the book, seemingly. Which makes me wonder did she cuck him that night early on when she came home and was VERY eager for him to lick her pussy, the night he watched more than the one clip? Maybe he just didn’t taste or smell it then, or she used a condom that time?
bj: Ah, thanks, Multiperv–I missed that one.
rubbug: I thought that, too, Multiperv, but he made no mention of taste or scent
bj: She uses the term “cuck” as a way to mold him. Pablo just brought this up to me the other day… the husband says it’s like a nail hammering in the point. She was using femdom vids to train him, and some of those were cuck-related.
Multiperv: Yes, he gets it there, I just thought maybe he was so preoccupied with everything else, he missed it in the early scene or, she used a condom that time so there was no scent or taste to detect.
Frankiemouse: Calling him cuck. Yes
bj: No, she did not cuck him then; she was just very excited, being out with her friend, and knowing how well the training was going, and she was going to step it up that night
Multiperv: Ah, okay, that makes total sense. Thanks.
PabloAtTheBar: I think a little infidelity throughout might chafe up against the love she has for him.
bj: Indeed, Pablo–I avoided it for that reason, until the end
Multiperv: I was frankly pretty frustrated with ‘cuck’ as well since there were so many applicable other words she could use – sissy, pansy, young lady, etc. but now that I know the ‘endgame’ and that it was sort of mental conditioning for later I’m okay with it.
bj: Yes, she definitely had a plan and carried it through. I don’t think the husband would’ve taken to the other words, because he voiced a concern about wearing things in public… he liked wearing lingerie but not necessarily the derogatory terms
* * * *
toymax: And CiC is completely written from the perspective of Mr. Cuck.
bj: Several of my books are first person–male and female. My characters talk to me (except for Lisa, and we’re not gonna talk about her right now), and they tell me how the story should be told
Sean O’Toole: First person is a difficult POV to do well. I admire your ability to pull it off.
bj: Thanks, Sean! Because I had communicated with the bdsmlr, I felt it was “his” story to tell.
rubbug: Is it difficult for you to place your mind in a submissive male?
Multiperv: They talk to you as in “this is what I want” or you hear them talking to other characters and that becomes the story?
bj: It’s not difficult for me to get into a submissive male mindset because I’ve played with submissive men and roleplayed. The characters talk to me in different ways… sometimes to others; but most of the time directly to me–or they’ll show me a scene they want
L.K. Lynch: How would you handle “topping from the bottom”?
bj: Me, personally?
Frankiemouse: As if the character is literally with you discussing it or they’re being created in your mind and it just comes to you what they want?
Multiperv: Are the characters that talk to you all respectful and/or submissive to you? (thinking of Kirk from The Service Sub as one possible exception)
bj: Frankiemouse, I envision my books as I type, so the characters talk to me in the setting of the books.
L.K. Lynch: Yes, it sounds like in when they are discussing a scene that it could happen
bj: Ah, the characters… yes, Keegan was like that–and in real life, I handle things like Jeneca does; but that’s “Mistress Managed”. Everyone is respectful, except for Lisa. Kirk didn’t talk to me… he didn’t have to
L.K. Lynch: Either characters or in real life, do the subs get what they want or get what they get?
bj: For characters, it depends on the story–but most get what SHE wants them to get. For me, it’s worked both ways
Multiperv: Which book is Lisa from?
bj: Lisa’s Lies
Multiperv: Ah, of course. I’m amazed by how well you remember your ‘children’ so well since you have so many.
bj: haha… at least the main characters; some of the sides I have trouble with names. I didn’t used to, but with nearly 50 books…
rubbug: Have you thought to make a companion piece to CIC? I think getting Mistress’ perspective could be great
bj: Rubbug, that is how books are sparked. It’s actually how “He Wanted It” came to be–because so many readers wanted the wife’s perspective. What is the thought on a companion book?
rubbug: The thing that makes me want to read Mistress’ view is that scene in bed when she’s waiting for his reaction, like what are her thoughts
Frankiemouse: I think a companion book would be very interesting. To get a glimpse into the mind of the Domme
Sparky: I’m always interested in the domme’s point of view.
L.K. Lynch: Consider a book where there’s a Domme writing parts, and responses from a sub
bj: *nods* good points… I will add it to my long list of ideas
Multiperv: Though you write a lot of books does your list of ideas outpace your ability to write or do they stay about even?
bj: My list is longer than my writing due to having to promote, etc. also, because I keep coming up with other ideas
Final Comments
PabloAtTheBar: I was surprised how much I enjoyed CIC as there are some aspects I don’t tend to dabble with. But it was a great read.
Frankiemouse: This seemed to be a lifestyle choice.
rubbug: It was a great read the first time and the second time. As purely fantasy, it was great
Multiperv: Yes, I think most of us have some fantasies that we know should stay that way but that’s the beauty of having them, you can go farther without real consequences or worries.
I’ve since chatted with a few of you to reiterate how great the chat was overall. With this group, I didn’t worry about clashes or things getting out of line. And it didn’t. Yes, there was dissent, but it was dealt with in a positive way, with people being heard and accepted. Even I was swayed by the consent concern… and by the next blog post, I will have updated the author’s note to include the caveat!
I hope you enjoyed the Book Club as much as I did… and I’m looking forward to the next one!
*big hugs* to everyone who attended!
To those of you who missed it or want to get in on it… DM me!
Choose the Next Book
It’s only fitting that the Book Club members nominate the next book, and they came up with four. I’ve made a new poll, and it’s live. So be sure to cast your vote for the next Book Club!
Also, since you know how much fun it is, get in on the action. DM me to join! It’s that simple.
bdsmlr ~ Not Safe for Work
Tumblr ~ Questionably Safe for Work
Twitter ~ Safe for Work
TwitterNSFW ~ Not Safe for Work
FetLife ~ Safe for Work
Right Here ~ Safe for Work
This poll will be open for a few weeks. It will close the first week of May so people have a chance to read the next book. And 
we decided to have the next Book Club the first week of June, so it didn’t interfere with DomCon L.A. or Memorial Day (U.S. Holiday).
Until then… get the vote out!
Do you have a kinky question you’d like answered? Use the contact form to submit your question. All questions will be kept anonymous unless you’d prefer to be named.
Thanks for the great questions and comments!
For other kinky advice, check my blog archives.
Happy reading,
~B.J.
