After I wrote last month's newsletter, I took the inspired step of emailing it to the three cartoonists I mentioned in the "Thoughts" (and Ann Landers). I was thrilled when I got an answer, several days later, from Lennie Peterson (creator of "The Big Picture"). He seemed a little surprised that I would write him about polyamory when I could be out working for world peace, ending hunger, and so on; but I assured him in a second email that I also work for Amnesty International and other noble causes and -- in short, we rather hit it off (of course, as a clarinetist I had to compliment him on his trombone playing -- maybe that's what did it!)
But where are the other cartoonists...and Ann??
Meanwhile, back at the writing club...a colleague invited me to a cup of coffee, then told me that I was driving some of the listeners away from our twice-a-month open readings. "Just think of the audience as Little Old Ladies. They're uncomfortable with all the sex. They don't like the multiple partners".
Undoubtedly they don't like the nudists and pot-smokers either.
"You're a powerful writer," my friend told me. "Just read something that isn't about sex!"
I looked at her, thinking "But everything's about sex!" So of course I said:
"What sex? The man and woman get into bed...snuggle up...then the chapter ends!"
It caused me quite a lot of thought, the next couple of days. I kept thinking of Ellen DeGeneres' description of the episode of her show where she actually held hands (or was it kissed?) her girlfriend. The network plastered the show with warning labels. Meanwhile, the rival networks displayed lust it all its heterosexual pseudo-monogamous glory -- largely naked bodies plastered all over each other.
I've been very careful, in what I've read in public, to avoid any explicit sex scenes. What I haven't done is deny what topics interest me: same-sex relationships, poly relationships, transgender issues -- all with an emphasis (I thought) on relationships, not sex acts per se.
All this will undoubtedly have a sequel. A fellow writer who does write explicitly about sex acts wants to know what she can read: "You mean, instead of saying 'cock' or 'penis', I might have to refer to 'his member'?".
But no: Even I would gag on that! (the restrictions, not the "member"...ahem!)
So I'm going to have a talk with the bookstores that host our readings, to see what their opinions are.
Meanwhile, watch for my story "Love's Children" in Loving More magazine. Someone compared the style to O. Henry (I wonder, is that a first for a poly story??).
I haven't even read the writing group any pagan stories yet!
More, certainly, to follow...