On Saturday
12th August at 12 noon I arrived at the Live Arts Bistro in Leeds for an
afternoon of reading slams and workshops run by the fabulous Victoria Blisse of
Smut UK.
After a
quick turn on the Erotic Tombola and socialising with fellow erotic romance
writers, including Kryssie Fortune, Jennifer Denys, Janine Ashbless, Gilly and
Zak Jane Keir, we went straight into the first workshop, "What Author
Shape Are You?" Jennifer Denys led us through a ticksheet geared towards
finding out our author style before splitting us into groups according to our
author shape (apparently I am a rectangle) and setting us the task of finishing
J.K. Rowling's latest novel.
Next came
the first reading slam. Victoria Blisse, Kryssie Fortune and Anna Sky treated
us to five minutes each from their novels while Stephanie Robb stood by with
the paddle to punish - or reward - anyone who went over their time. This led to
at least one writer being pursued across the stage, paddle aloft!
After a
brief break we reconvened for the second workshop, "Using Random
Factors". Zak Jane Keir had us roll dice to choose character traits for
two protagonists, a setting and a random twist to throw in when we got stuck. I
managed to get a brief outline for a potential story which will go on my list
for later in the year.
We then
moved on to the second reading slam. Victoria Blisse, Jennifer Denys, Zak Jane
Keir and Ashley Lister treated us to more five-minute excerpts and, in Ashley's
case, two poems, one about a woman who shoplifts using her vagina and one about
Vagisil, the medicated cream. Needless to say, the room was in stitches.
Stephanie
Robb then laid down the paddle and picked up the ropes, chains and bondage tape
to give us a demonstration on Hogties and Rope.
Using a willing (!) volunteer
she led us through the safe usage of hogties, tape and Japanese rope bondage,
much of which I think I'd be terrified to try myself but I took notes for
future writing purposes...
I had to
leave at that point so wasn't able to join in with the Smutty Crafting, but
thanks to Victoria and Kev Blisse for a great afternoon - I'll definitely be
coming to more!
