tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post1028003694069711275..comments2024-01-05T15:42:46.899-05:00Comments on Katie O'Sullivan ~ Read, Write, Repeat: Writing Wednesday: Reading Sex Scenes to StrangersKatie O'Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-19123743258532111042017-04-14T10:34:08.644-04:002017-04-14T10:34:08.644-04:00It's probably easier and more fun to read the ...It's probably easier and more fun to read the bloody, action-packed demon slaying parts of your books anyway, right? Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-52754636521860285752017-04-14T10:32:08.189-04:002017-04-14T10:32:08.189-04:00Thanks for chiming in, Claire. Yeah, "discuss...Thanks for chiming in, Claire. Yeah, "discussing" the sex scenes with people you know is way worse than reading them to strangers. Or the though of my mother-in-law reading them. The receptionist at my dentist's office admitted that she felt "weird" reading "those" parts of the book since she knew me. And then proceeded to ask me something about one of the scenes... Oh the strange conversations we authors get to take part in...Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-16446064496254174962017-04-12T22:30:28.833-04:002017-04-12T22:30:28.833-04:00Okay, I can't get passed the Egyptian scene. T...Okay, I can't get passed the Egyptian scene. That was a sex scene? Wow. Good for you--you're brave. I'm cringing at the thought of my in-laws reading the sex scenes in my debut...gulp. Awesome post!! Thanks for sharing. Claire MartiClairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09053502831615206034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-38336940428348823472017-04-12T15:59:39.463-04:002017-04-12T15:59:39.463-04:00Holy cow, no I have not! But I am impressed with y...Holy cow, no I have not! But I am impressed with your bravery. I would be stumbling over my words while beet red. Good for you for making it through!Karilyn Bentleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04359102189839118744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-16406477359969240642017-04-12T15:56:04.193-04:002017-04-12T15:56:04.193-04:00Go you! This reminds me of a game I play with my k...Go you! This reminds me of a game I play with my kids- would you rather?<br />Would you rather read your sex scene aloud or ? Like you said the only thing worse is reading in front of family. <br />Being a romance writer is not for the faint of heart.<br /> 😁I think I would have to copious wine before I attempted it. My scenes are fairly graphic. Charlotteoshayauthor.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17994548860606367251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-63314507407311634962017-04-12T15:26:36.376-04:002017-04-12T15:26:36.376-04:00So far I've read aloud only to my husband and ...So far I've read aloud only to my husband and a writing group at the library in my small town. My husband tends to see my reading about sex as foreplay, so I have to be careful about the timing there... My library group is composed mostly of men who know nothing about contemporary romance and seem to have the notion that it's all like a blending of their idea of "bodice-rippers" with pornography. I try to read highly suggestive, emotion- and yearning-filled scenes, but not sex scenes. I like stimulating their curiosity. Maybe they'll buy the book!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12465676067298712433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-39398133575921554772017-04-12T14:15:08.828-04:002017-04-12T14:15:08.828-04:00Absolutely not! Ha! I'm just not publishing bo...Absolutely not! Ha! I'm just not publishing books this year with sex scenes. I'm excited, but a little nervous about what fans might think. Reading them outloud...in public...I'm not sure if I could do that. I'm not what you would call shy, but I am kind of a prude! Ha! Maybe I do need to go read some sex scenes out loud! You are so brave! And I do love all of your book covers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16276907858122293854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-65954577217446912822017-04-12T13:53:21.998-04:002017-04-12T13:53:21.998-04:00What a challenge, for sure, Katie. I wouldn't ...What a challenge, for sure, Katie. I wouldn't have that courage, but I'm proud for you that you did and that it went so well. Maybe I could read a sex scene in front of my chapter members, but strangers...doubt it!Barbara Bettishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16540961829243251471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-57293983004931372342017-04-12T13:47:44.770-04:002017-04-12T13:47:44.770-04:00LOL - yes a good response, and poor reader!LOL - yes a good response, and poor reader!Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-43045151607960911392017-04-12T13:47:06.164-04:002017-04-12T13:47:06.164-04:00This comment was sent via email, as the author had...This comment was sent via email, as the author had difficulty getting the comment to "stick" in Blogger:<br /><br />What a fun time! I go into anaphylactic shock at the mention of reading a sex scene aloud in the privacy of home ever since my middle daughter compared my h/H to...rabbits! LOL<br />I have, however, read in front of my (former) local RWA chapter (about 20 women). I think I would rather speak to a crowd of non-writing strangers! The meeting was about tightening a scene and I read one preceding a sex scene--that I evaded behind a closed door. Then award-winning author Sharon Sala gave tips to fix it. I know how you must have felt when your turn came. I almost didn't read, but I knew I had to for myself. Did you feel a weight lift and a burst of Super Pride come over you?<br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />~Calisa Selfridge~Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-50976188299634942232017-04-12T11:50:22.160-04:002017-04-12T11:50:22.160-04:00I had to have someone else read from one of my ero...I had to have someone else read from one of my erotic romances. I blushed the entire time, but the audience enjoyed the read. The person who read it kept fanning her face. Good response.Tina Susedikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16385927355782445962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-70356474028058250222017-04-12T11:17:13.767-04:002017-04-12T11:17:13.767-04:00Love that story, Mary! I'm not sure how that w...Love that story, Mary! I'm not sure how that would feel - listening to someone else read a sex scene I wrote. Hmmm...Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-20529742394801345402017-04-12T11:15:22.877-04:002017-04-12T11:15:22.877-04:00(pun intended, I'm sure!) Thanks for chiming i...(pun intended, I'm sure!) Thanks for chiming in, Jana!<br />Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-68241457211738633682017-04-12T11:10:41.785-04:002017-04-12T11:10:41.785-04:00Wonderful post, Katie! You're brave, indeed! I...Wonderful post, Katie! You're brave, indeed! I don't believe I could read my sex scenes out loud to a crowd. Yet, if my own 83 year old mother can read my books and fall in love with the story, I suppose I could attempt to face a crowd. Your post brought to mind another situation for me. I had to listen to a narration of my book for audio. The narrator was exceptional, but you should have seen how crimson my face was as I was listening to him. He has this deep, rich voice, and I kept fanning myself. Thankfully, I was alone in the room at the time. I kept looking over my shoulder for a family member to pop in. As far as challenging myself...yes, I try to step out of my comfort zone every six months with something different I would never attempt to accomplish. Thanks for another thought provoking post. Mary Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11999861032120466782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-81767976246025050082017-04-12T11:09:56.713-04:002017-04-12T11:09:56.713-04:00I've never read a sex scene to the public, onl...I've never read a sex scene to the public, only my writing group. Good for you for having the courage to "go all the way". Jana Richardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16624650840243322617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-75120087978054532672017-04-12T10:56:24.137-04:002017-04-12T10:56:24.137-04:00Thanks, Tena. The only time I did a radio intervie...Thanks, Tena. The only time I did a radio interview, I realized how much talking and explaining I do with gestures instead of words - doesn't work well on radio and the host was frustrated with me. Good for you for reading out loud on the airwaves!Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-72495689723646492702017-04-12T10:51:18.334-04:002017-04-12T10:51:18.334-04:00Yay!Yay!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582957779887018995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-56934372257834875232017-04-12T10:47:49.669-04:002017-04-12T10:47:49.669-04:00Great post Katie! Yes, I've read an almost sex...Great post Katie! Yes, I've read an almost sex scene on a radio interview, stopping short of the actual act. I was nervous, but the host was entertaining, the show received good reviews and I sold a few books due to the show.Public speaking is not my forte, though I was in debate club in high school, I can argue with the best, but getting and presenting, like a workshop, I'm still working on. Good for you!Tena Stetlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17728074623573439351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-19243985422716135542017-04-12T10:35:25.839-04:002017-04-12T10:35:25.839-04:00Very enjoyable post, Katie. I can't imagine do...Very enjoyable post, Katie. I can't imagine doing what you did. I'd probably be run out of town, but the event dis sound like a lot of fun. I think I'd have like dot be there in the audience. Kudos to you for your courage.CB Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09365788411598009246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-91041634072485224832017-04-12T10:29:15.316-04:002017-04-12T10:29:15.316-04:00In the end, I think maybe it's easier to read ...In the end, I think maybe it's easier to read that kind of scene to a group of strangers (or mostly strangers) than to friends and family. I remember being much MUCH more embarrassed when my dad told me he'd read my book than I was Monday night.Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-61192262028502665392017-04-12T10:26:59.887-04:002017-04-12T10:26:59.887-04:00The last time I read out loud from one of my roman...The last time I read out loud from one of my romances, I picked what I thought was a funny, if slightly suggestive, scene, and the first audience question was:<br />"I thought there was sex in this story, no?"<br />So maybe it's better to go for it, pun intended!Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-803316722434718992017-04-12T10:25:31.183-04:002017-04-12T10:25:31.183-04:00Anni, I've read your debut and I'm not at ...Anni, I've read your debut and I'm not at all sure I'd be able to read yours out loud either! Loved your book by the way and will be posting my review soon!Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-55446206245757574852017-04-12T10:24:25.637-04:002017-04-12T10:24:25.637-04:00LOL - actually, the moderator had a basket of choc...LOL - actually, the moderator had a basket of chocolate she passed around after a few of the readings. After the graphic Egyptian story people were grabbing handfuls!<br /><br />Thanks for chiming in with your own tale!Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-35996506671308127742017-04-12T10:23:48.057-04:002017-04-12T10:23:48.057-04:00Katie, I've never read a sex scene out loud to...Katie, I've never read a sex scene out loud to strangers or to ANYONE. Not sure I could. But I loved your post, mainly because like you, I'm not eager to do any public speaking. If you can, maybe I can!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831433709810155834.post-43399688575275928692017-04-12T10:23:10.277-04:002017-04-12T10:23:10.277-04:00Thanks for stopping by and for tweeting! I'm l...Thanks for stopping by and for tweeting! I'm looking forward to reading your just released novel - and you should start getting used to the idea of reading out loud, too!Katie O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295418503546522882noreply@blogger.com