Anime Expo Cuties and Muse Music

Image courtesy of Anime Expo

I took time from work to get my geek on a little bit. I went to Anime Expo as it is a mere 30 minutes from my house. AX was a personal treat, because there was all kinds of firm fleshed young men that were either nearly undressed or wearing paint or very tight costumes. And then, there were all the anime and manga related goods to explore. The young men wouldn't let me explore them. All this talk about 'laws' and 'lewd' acts. Bah! The two big reasons I attended in the middle of the mayhem that is my work, was to meet the bosses at Digital Manga who send me wonderful yaoi to edit. In fact, a new title is going to be distributed widely sometime this week. I'm very excited about it as it is a very funny and extremely naughty book! We got to chat with some of the folks who run the Digital Manga Guild. I even had a chance to chat with the president of the company! The other reason for the trip was a visit with the talented ladies behind Teahouse Webcomic. I am such a huge fan of this series! And I am so in love with their newest character, Gilder. I love this big, scary strong, yet sweet Seme! I walked away with some gorgeous artwork and trinkets featuring him. Sugoi! A great time was had by all, despite not wranglin' that herd!

Muse Music

I've had a few conversations on various writing forums about the environment necessary for writing well. Many of them have spaces just for writing that are quiet and free of distraction. I never had that – ever. My childhood home was filled to the rafters with our immediate and extended family. I always shared a bedroom. We didn't have a study. If we had, I do not doubt there would have been a distant relative living in it. I learned to do homework with the TV blaring and every day life bellowing around me. To this day, I can tune out the most raucous of settings and work. The communal household also made playing music to work by difficult. You see, young-uns, I am from the age before headphones. We had a hi-fi (boy, that was a major piece of equipment) and later, a boom box. By the time things like the walkman or discman came along, I was simply used to whatever ambient sounds were around me when I wrote.

Only recently did I start writing while listening to music. It started with A Soldier's Fate. I had become enamored with Yoko Kanno's music for Ghost in the Shell Second Gig. This sequel to Soldier's Choice has a melancholy air to it due to the separation and tension Rik and Vincent endure in the book. Also, there was the theme in the background of the plot that these soldiers must be willing to give their lives at any moment to make sure their given objective is achieved. I found the song, Rise, summed up all those things for me. I also found the song Get 9 reminded me of Falcon Squad, Rik and Vincent's unit. It was a funky tune with attitude that fit the personality of that squad. I wouldn't listen while I wrote, but I would listen when I was having a block. The song Rise in particular helped me get through a scene at the climax of Soldier's Fate where Rik and Vincent are trying to survive a brutal attack. The song has a haunting quality to it. There is a sense that death is something that a soldier expects, but they must fight anyway. In that case, they are fighting to survive.

Ensnared has an entirely different vibe. It is drenched in sensuality even when Darius and Andreas are nowhere near a bedroom. Early on, Darius spends every waking moment after meeting Andreas on a campaign of seduction. Even though Darius owns Andreas through a happenstance of fate, he still works to seduce his lover so thoroughly that leaving their relationship will be completely out of the question. The seduction continues during the time they are forced to be separated. There are intimate meals and sexy notes and detailed wet dreams. All of that sexuality can only mean that Sade is my musical muse. In fact, the song that Andreas has played to get a rise out of Darius when they first meet is Sade's Smooth Operator  . The song seemed to describe Lord Darius Galatea, and I could see these beautiful men dancing closely while listening to it. I use most of the songs from Sade's early CDs for inspiration in writing the saga of Darius and Andreas. Yes, there are more to come!

The current book, A Soldier's Destiny, seems to have a Jpop vibe. I'm listening to Theatre Brook and Yuya Matsushita. There's an edginess to the music that matches all the action and intrigue in this book. There is still some melancholy for my leading men. They will be put through a lot once again, but I'm hoping that the reader will sense that they have a lot more control over what will happen in their lives. Yes, I'm getting all that from the music. I still don't actually write to music, but it has become useful to feeding my muse.

Updates

I am doing the sound mix for the second CLU video with the cutie pie actors while in pre-production for the next shoot. I'll make no promises. I'll just announce when I do the upload.

Flame Wars, The Forever War and Ai No Kusabi

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On Possessive Semes Part 2 and New Book Reviews

Before I get down to the business at hand, I want to announce a new section of this blog. This week, I will begin to do book reviews of tasty titles that catch my eye. I begin with The Highest Bidder by Kimberly Hunter, a very creative spin of the sex slave story. The links for books reviews is on the right under Hot Links, but here is a direct link to the review: http://www.sybpressyaoi.com/p/book-review-highest-bidder-by-kimberly.html.

Also, Cook Like a Uke is delayed again due to technical difficulties with the editing program. I hope to have it up this week as we are shooting another one soon! I really appreciate the interest and concern. I ask for patience a little longer.

And now...

When I first wrote about possessive Semes, it was solely in the context of one particular Seme in one particular book. This time, I want to talk about the subject in broader terms and cover more characters from my books along with those in anime and manga. For those just joining my blog here, I'll briefly cover some necessary ground rules. Possessive lovers can be really romantic – if the partner is completely fine with that kind of behavior. It's just like being a kinky lover is great if that lover's partner is a kinky sort. However, in most relationships, couples need space to enjoy friends and family on their own. It's healthy for a relationship, because each partner is always bringing something new to the conversation. Healthy is a very important word in this discussion. Keep that in mind for later. At any rate, if the a lover is not comfortable with possessiveness in a partner, it can end badly. Words like 'restraining order' and 'house arrest' can come up. This is far from sexy and romantic. If your lover is behaving like any of these characters, and you don't completely dig it – run!

Possessive Seme's have magnetism as characters because of the intensity of their focus on their lovers. It's all the more thrilling when they are handsome and accomplished and powerful. Often, the ukes cannot believe that they have such attention from these men. That kind of romance is a lot of fun to read. It is also a lot of fun to write. However, the pragmatist in me can't have possessiveness without some sort of character background to explain the behavior. I simply cannot ignore reality – even when I am writing absolute fantasy. It makes no sense that a man with all of those positive attributes (looks, wealth and power) would have the need to be possessive of a lover. They are beyond confident in themselves and their ability to hold onto a lover. There is no need for possessiveness. Why indeed?

Before I get to my own works, let me talk about one of my favorite yaoi anime series, Junjou Romantica . For those who want to give yaoi anime a try, this series is a funny and mild introduction. You can check out the 1^st and 2^nd episodes here on the official Youtube site. In this story, Akihiko Usami is the very handsome scion of a powerful and wealthy Tokyo family. He has a law degree from a prestigious university. He became a wealthy bestselling author and the winner of Japan's highest literary prizes by age 28. Legions of women and some men chase after his affections. On the surface, there would be no reason a man with all of this going for him would clamp onto an 18 year old orphan who required tutoring to make the wait list at a university for dear life. Usami-san is not all he appears. His childhood was full of family strife and acute loneliness. When he finally fell in love, it was with someone who could never return more than friendship – the older brother of said 19 year old orphan. Misaki chanced to find out that Usami-san was in love with his brother. He figured out something no one else could see – that Usami-san was a fragile soul. And he reacted with protectiveness. Misaki even protected Usami-san from his own brother. Such a gesture given so easily and with such fervor was something that shook Usami-san to the core and permanently shifted his affections. He takes Misaki as a lover as soon as he can and is highly possessive of anyone who comes near him – something he readily admits. He is quite upfront that he means for Misaki to stay at his side forever. That tends to be a bit much for a college guy who is just testing his wings. And thus begins the epic and often comedic battle between them. Misaki loves this crazy author who has a fondness for stuffed bears with all his being, but he will not sacrifice his college experience and his new found friends. I love this series for that.

And just as this accomplished author has flaws that cause his possessiveness, so do my Semes. Let's begin with my mutant, super soldier, Colonel Rik Heron from A Solder's Choice and A Soldier's Fate. He is handsome, brilliant, strong and accomplished. For a time, it was believed he would be the youngest general to hold the rank. However, as strong as he is physically, he is also fragile and deeply flawed. The process that turned him into the Altered soldier was physically punishing. The traits he possessed that caused the military to be interested in him also made him a social outcast for all of his life. Public arrogance hides all the wounds Rik carries every day. When he realizes that the most talented soldier he'd ever trained, the volatile and beautiful Major Vincent Greven, was in love with him, Rik falls very hard. Despite military protocol and all other obstacles, they come together. Rik is loathed to let anyone or anything come between them. He grows anxious if Vincent is out of his immediate reach for more than a very short span of time. He doesn't like anyone outside of their immediate circle looking at Vincent. His hyper senses can detect if anyone has even touched him. Fortunately for all involved, Vincent is as damaged and as possessive as his lover. They need to be that intensely needed by each other, so it works for their relationship. Their friends and family accept it and celebrate it, because the pair are happy for the first time in their lives. I emphasize the strength in these characters as well as the joy and the intense sensuality of the relationship. However, I make sure that the flaws that cause their behavior are clear to the reader. This is an underpinning to this behavior.

By comparison, Lord Darius Galatea is far less possessive with his uke, Andreas Hesper from Ensnared Volumes 1&2. Darius is not flawed per se. Though Andreas would argue that his monumental arrogance is a flaw. Darius is the perfect representation of his kind. He was bred and raised to be exactly that. His only real flaw is that he really doesn't suffer fools well. In fact, he has a vicious temper when when pushed, and it takes very little to push him. Andreas is never subjected to that temper. In fact, he is never spoken to or touched with anything tainted by violence. Darius comes to find Andreas so compelling and humorous and engaging that he becomes far more attached to him than he ever expected. His possessiveness is born of a need to protect the man from forces who seek to hurt him through hurting Andreas. Darius falling for this man from the underclass has endangered that lover. Before Andreas, he had no weakness that could be exploited. This is the source of his protectiveness. He is perfectly fine allowing Andreas to run his life even though that means social engagements of all sorts without him – so long as he is adequately protected. Despite the collar of physical ownership (which is a shared kink), Darius and Andreas have a healthier relationship on the whole than Rik and Vincent.

I hope this clarifies the nature of possessive Seme/uke relationships without destroying the fun. Again, you can find links to excerpts to the books I've mentioned in the Hot Links Menu on the right hand side of this page.

Links to Buy Books

You can find all my titles in paperback and Kindle on my Amazon Page HERE.

You can find ebooks in all formats for my titles on my Smashwords page HERE.

When Seme on Seme Works

While writing the script for a Cook Like a Uke episode based on my Soldier's books (A Solder's Choice and A Soldier's Fate), my Hubs pointed out that Major Vincent Greven seemed like a typical uke, but he acted much more like a Seme. It was a valid point that caused me to completely re-write the script. I have written in a previous blog that I reading and writing about adore headstrong ukes. I'll take a uke that will yell at his Seme and give him all sorts of hell over one that is sweet and shy any day of the week. Andreas Hesper from the Ensnared novels is very much this kind of strong willed uke. He is an underworld crew leader who can handle himself in a pitched fight. But for his Seme, Darius Galatea, he is yielding. He often blushes. And he proudly wears a collar of ownership Darius demands. Vincent does seem to be that sort of uke, but one must look closer. [For links to excerpts see the Menu on the right].

Admittedly, Vincent Greven appears to be a typical uke. He is younger than his Seme by over ten years. Physically, he is shorter and slighter than Rik Heron who was also his trainer and superior officer while they were in the military. Even in their post military positions at the Foundation, Rik is still at a higher rank in the organization. In fact, it took a nearly losing Vincent in a tragedy to make Rik realize that he was more than a subordinate. Once he does, he behaves like a typical, possessive Seme. Rik often ends arguments by tossing Vincent over his shoulder and taking him to bed where he often holds him down or ties him down to take him for hours. Vincent thus seems like a typical uke and Rik very much a very possessive Seme.

But Rik is more complicated than that. He is as fragile as he is strong. Like the other Altered soldiers from that program, he has been emotionally damaged. There are times when he needs to be protected and times when he needs to be taken out of himself and loved. Vincent always sensed that in Rik. It was one of the reasons he stuck close and always watched his superior officer. He protected him however he could when they were soldiers. As a couple, he asserted himself as a Seme to truly prtect his lover both physically and emotionally whenever Rick needed that. From the onset of their relationship as a couple, Rik and Vincent switched off the role of sexual aggressor. Rik enjoys being pursued and occasionally ravished by Vincent. Despite Vincent's size, he is very strong. He is as strong as Rik because of the way he was Altered for military service. When they fight, only Rik's experience gives him an edge against Vincent. They are also a near match in intellect. Rik is comfortable enough in his own skin to acknowledge his needs and weaknesses to someone who has his heart.

The best excerpt to show the dynamic of their relationship is from A Soldier's Fate. This is during the time they are working together for the military as consulting trainers for new recruits.

Vincent and I were putting in long hours during the weeks of training. Our day typically began at 0500. We had breakfast then met with Remak and Percival to discuss Foundation business. Both were accustomed to military hours, and the phones were silent. We’d get a lot covered then. From 0700 to 1500, we trained the cadets. The day was short because training was physically and emotionally draining. We’d meet with staff members over supper. I thought after all of that, bedtime would be a shower or bath together then fall over unconscious. This did not turn out to be the case. My lover was profoundly affected by training alongside me. I was startled by the naked hunger in his eyes as we’d reach the end of the day. Vincent’s palpable need for me had a powerful affect on me as well. It was all we could do to keep our hands off each other until all of our work was done, and we were alone. Then, it was intense.

Sometimes, Vincent had me first and always while I wore the uniform He’d hold me down and stroke me until I climaxed. All the while he watched me with hungry, predatory eyes. I would be a limp rag doll afterward, but Vincent enjoyed flipping me over and taking me in that uniform. He really enjoyed sex that way, but his favorite was for me to take him in my bastard Colonel attire. I would use my strength on him to strip him then take him hard while his gaze drank me in. It was incredible.

And before I could worry myself about the implication of his new hunger, my lover eased my mind. It was the first Sunday of training and our first full day off. I was waking gently with Vincent partially on top of me. I yawned and stretched beneath his sleep-warmed body. Then, he nuzzled my chest.

“Thank you for letting me enjoy my fantasy with you,” he murmured. “But don’t think that’s the only way I’d want you now.”

He looked up at me. The morning sunlight softly illuminated his hair and eyes. His smile was sweet and warm.

“I want you when you stretch like a lazy cat and moan in that deep, sexy voice,” he said softly. “I want you when you smile or when you’re angry. When you look at me in the morning with those dark, sleepy eyes, smile at me and say good morning, Love, I fall for you all over again.”

Vincent was still magical to me. He was still a balm for my soul. My heart surrendered to him every time I woke to his golden gaze. I smiled at him, brushing the hair from his eyes.

“Good morning, Love,” I said softly.

I rolled us over, so I could pin him beneath me. He gasped as our aroused bodies pressed together.

“Rik...please...”

I kissed him gently and deeply. We made love slowly and reverently that morning. There were no roles to play and all the time we needed.

Vincent is comfortable enough with Rik to occasionally be the sweet, shy uke. However, in reality, he is very much a Seme. In this case, the pairing works for these characters.

To read more excerpts, got to http://soldierschoice.com .

Blog and Video Preview -- Seme on Seme Plots(攻めをテーマにした攻め)

I've postponed uploading the next Cook Like a Uke video due to the holiday weekend. That will go up next Friday. I'll also have a new blog on why I think Seme on Seme works and is really hot. How can that be possible with two strong willed men? Wouldn't that mean way more fighting than there is loving? It does! In that same blog, I'll discuss the topic of possessiveness. I write characters that could be criminally possessive. How is that in keeping with my views on non-consensual pairings?  It does work. I detail my contentions in the blog with examples from anime and manga.

Mata ne!

Non-Con Again, Scary Semes and Twisted Views

I thought this blog would be about the next Cook Like a Uke Video. The last few days have been spent doing strange research like finding lingerie – specifically teddys – that fit muscular guys. My Hubs looked over my shoulder, exclaimed 'whatever you're planning, count me out!' Then, he fled to the study. Silly Billy! It's nearly time for a new video shoot on Cook Like a Uke. Meanwhile, the latest edited video will go up by Friday. It's a real like Misaki from Junjou Romantica. However, I didn't get as far in my planning as I had hope. Instead, I'll talk about something that keeps coming up in reader e-mails.

Despite previous blogs like the one on Power Exchange, I've had some emails from those kind souls who've taken the time to read the sample chapters of Ensnared and some of my blogs. They raise some interesting points – even the ones that kind of called me a hypocrite. I have blogged against and have often spoken out against the continuing use of non-consensual relationships in yaoi (I hope to have an even bigger panel on this subject at upcoming conventions this year). It paints a picture to the outside world that all yaoi is about rape and torture. These opinions have become really important of late as companies like Amazon and Apple have banned yaoi. And, for a short time, Smashwords was going to ban erotica with such themes. It could be argued that it wasn't non-con that got those books banned, but why give anyone that ammunition when it isn't necessary? These perceptions can impact where we can buy yaoi or even if we can buy yaoi. I am a publisher as well as a writer who doesn't want a tired trope impacting my bottom line. I'm not trying to be provocative in saying it's a tired trope. I think times have changed in the decades since Yaoi was young. The general public know a lot more about gay men and their relationships. It isn't looked upon as something to be ashamed of. Thus, there is no need to have these pairings begin with an act of force or blackmail or any kind of coercion.

And as I mentioned in the Power Exchange blog, I think there is often a fundamental misunderstanding of how dominant/submissive relationships work. I plan on revamping my Primer on Writing BDSM and offering it for free as an e-book later this summer. I love D/s fiction! I adore strong, even overbearing Semes. Who doesn't love Usagi-san in Junjou Romantica or Al from Ikoku Irokoi Romantan? They are a tad pushier than I like, but overall, they are loving and protective and devoted to their exasperated ukes. They are irresistible in their arrogance. I'm with you all with regard to this type of Seme. I want yaoi to remain as sizzling hot and sexy as always!

The gentle readers who wrote were asking how the scenario I set up between Lord Darius Galatea and underworld gang leader, Andreas Hesper was not a non-con relationship. I admit that it looks like a duck and even quacks like a duck. But it isn't a duck. It's more like a platypus. Part of my point in creating that couple was that I wanted to prove that there could be all the tension and drama between the Seme and Uke that there is in a non-consensual pair while being a consensual relationship.

But readers of the excerpts point out that it seems that Andreas is being pressured to stop hanging out with his childhood friend and second in command, Viktor. This situation is not at all what it seems. I'm glad that the sample chapters intrigued readers enough to write me with these observations. I will respond to them as best I can; however, the best way to see that this story is not the usual trope but one that turns that trope on its ear is to read the entire story over the two volumes. I will answer what I can without revealing too much if only for the sake of not having readers think I am being a hypocrite. I must first give a little background.

Early in the existence of Zed Crew, a couple of members who held powerful positions were either booted from the Crew or, in one case, killed over love affairs that went very badly (in that, a jealous lover killed the Crew Member). These unfortunate events caused Andreas to issue a decree that none of Zed Crew was to be involved in high drama relationships. Further, there were restrictions on how much drinking and partying was allowed. The new rule suited Viktor as he was secretly in love with Andreas and didn't want anyone else closer to him than he was. This rule also coincided with the opening of Club Zero, a nightspot popular with almost all strata of that society and their Crew's base of operation. Thus, no one who frequented that club, including those who lusted after Andreas, ever saw him party hard or show a romantic interest in anyone. Viktor had spent years at Andreas' side and never saw him show an interest in another man or woman.

To Viktor and the others who wanted Andreas, Darius seemed to be able to waltz into the building and take what they all wanted. Despite everything they witnessed with their own eyes to the contrary, they couldn't accept that Andreas was the one who initiated the first encounter between him and Darius. So there is jealousy from those who want Andreas. Coupled with those intense and dangerous feelings, there is a plot to remove Darius from power by forcing him to take an outrageous action against those who want to trespass into his relationship with Andreas. This is the backdrop to what appears to be irrational possessiveness on the part of Darius. The only danger for Andreas and his freedom is the very real possibility that Darius will deem it unsafe for Andreas to live his life as he has. There are real physical dangers to this uke as those who lust after him grow more and more frustrated that their feelings are not returned. It is Darius' prerogative to determine how best to keep Andreas safe. Under the terms of their contract, Andreas must obey – even if that means being locked away or chained to Darius' bed. This is not a non-con relationship, because Andreas agreed to accept the terms of their contract without hesitation and without coercion. The fun of reading the book is finding out whether or not Andreas can find a way to stand up to such a powerful being and keep his freedom while keeping his Owner happy. And, if this is possible, how he manages to pull it off without triggering Darius' world famous temper.

To get the answers, you will have to start reading!

NEW Cook Like a Uke - Featuring 'Again Tomorrow's' Hot Seme!

 

Yuusei isn't exactly a Uke. And he is up to something! But what?

Nabako Kamo's Again Tomorrow is available on Kindle, Nook and Emanga :

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FN03L6/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/again-tomorrow-nabako-kamo/1109212837

http://www.emanga.com/books/Again_Tomorrow

(Again Tomorrow - Ashita Kara Mouichido © Nabako Kamo. All rights reserved. Original Japanese edition published in 2010 by Taiyoh Tosho Publishing Co., Ltd.)

For the behind the scenes story -- read this blog tomorrow!