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PORN.

Y'all who missed this week at writers group missed out on a doozy.

I had my meeting with the education coordinator. I was prepared for the "some women think you are an exclusive bunch" thing; we're taking steps about that one. But that was hardly the #1 concern. No. Nor was the "y'all are too loud" thing the #1 concern, even though yeah, that too.

No.

When we go around the group to introduce ourselves and what we write? The fact that more than one of us casually says that we write erotica was cause for complaint.

[Edited to add: I want to make this absolutely crystal clear. Not the reading of erotica during the session itself: the "I'm hcolleen and I primarily write erotica" part of the group. The introductions.]

We're ... reviewing our options.

She was really nice about it; she was more uncomfortable about it than I was. Basically, the center has Policies, and "porn in classes" is not one of the things that fits their vision, even though her personal views are different from the center's views, and I pointed out that properly done erotica can be incredibly empowering for women ... preaching to the choir, but the church doesn't want any.

I didn't hardly even get to bring up the part where what the center is aimed at is more along the self-help-group lines, and we need to be able to accommodate the women coming in looking for a self-help group.

...tonight sure was sex and chocolate night again, even though hardly anyone had anything even close to erotic in their stories. Ecchi-chan reached the infamous "you have a hand" part of Winter Break, but that was it. It was all about the PORN, baby.

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It's infamous? oh, dear. *giggles*

I still fail to see how "I primarily write male/male romance and erotica" is offensive, even if someone is insecure. It's not like I boast about it, I tend to mumble that part, or emphasize the "boys" or "romance" part. *shrugs*

Ah, well, transitioning is a good idea, I think.

Teh JD was wondering if it wasn't the "boys" part.

http://azurelunatic.livejournal.com/5702188.html?thread=9455660#t9455660

*gigglefits* What did they *expect* from a group of women writers?

A strong leader who can enforce not-porn?

Would it be less offensive if she failed to mention it and just kinda read it without any warning? *sigh*

I think we started mentioning it up front because people were unnerved when it just happened.

Erotica evidently needs to be handled very sensitively. Pornography is right out.

But but but... <3 erotica! (Even if I don't really enjoy male/male erotica. Still, that's no reason to get upset and report you. e.e What are they going to do next, take away your quills and ink?)

We're plotting. Most of the plotting includes "Okay, where can we meet?"

...I don't think it'd do over too well in public places like Starshmucks to be sure. Uhm...so that's a really good question. ...libraries are probably bad ideas too (as I recall they require someone from the library staff to be present for the events but things could have changed)...

And renting out a room for a once-a-week thing would require collecting dues. Which tends to leave a bad taste in peoples' mouths (with good reason)...dang. I got nothing.

Willow House is on the short list of places; there are some things we need a closed door for, but a lot we don't.

*blink* Oh, my.

I submit that what you need is a code word for "erotica", if it's just the intros that are the issue. Like "flower-arranging." Or perhaps "epic poetry," which in most hands is far, far scarier than erotica.

I'm writing a Manifesto for the group. A selection from same:

Writing is so way cool, and we use it for a lot of things. We use it to write out things we're trying to process through, write the stories that are in our heads, and write our own entertainment. There are all levels of that going on here, and that is one of the things that makes this group so cool. A lot of the women in this group have progressed from a supreme lack of confidence in themselves and their writing, and have found a higher level of comfort and empowerment from participation in the group and a safe space to stretch to challenges beyond immediate comfort zones.

We cover all kinds of topics in the writing here, from children and family, to the scariest backgrounds of abuse and terror, through the various processes of healing, to sexually explicit material. We do our best to cover the material in a mature and sensitive fashion, but some people are still not comfortable with talking about or hearing materials of this kind. None of the material is intended to be attacking or damaging, though it may speak to experiences both sublime and terrifying that some of the members have had.

I'm gathering that a large part of the issue is that people hear "erotica" and think "ohnoes patriarchy attack!" but if it's presented up front as a "some people have issues with this but it is EMPOWERING for these women to write it!!" then maybe the people having issues will own their issues instead of going OMG NOES PORNOGRAPHY.

Wow. Just wow.

I always miss out on the really good drama. *Sniff*

It seems to be so! INSANE!

Speaking of writers group, for tomorrow if I can get one last ride *grin*, I'm actually closer to you now than before. I think at least.

I'm in room 300 of the Homestead Studio Suites on Dunlap. 19th ave is the closest intersection and DeVry is right across the street along with Long Wongs. =)

Room 300 is ground floor. If you just drive straight in the driveway, it's the building on the end there before you'd have to turn to avoid the dead end. 300 is the very first room on the right. You can't see the door from the parking lot.

Ecchi-chan should be able to pick you up; it'll be easier walking than driving!

I actually have a bit of a delimma now. :(

Today is the last day i can see you all. But yesterday evening found me coming down with the plague that started with FiL, then hit Dyse and has now hit me. *grumble*

I can do two things: Suck it up and go and hope I don't spread the plague, or behave and not go. But in the second situation, I can't deliver the cdrs i have for H and M, or the early b-day pressy I have for you. Which I have here at the hotel with me.

Heeeeeeeelp!

You're moving to Texas. Ask Ecchi-chan to raid my underwear drawer for handkerchiefs or something, and announce your contagion; we'll try not to glomp you too hard if you try not to breathe on us.

Right now, I'm wishing the daytime cold/flu medicine hadn't been packed off to Texas already. I'm also wishing I had my lotion laced tissue from the car. >.>

What time will H make it down to the hotel, do you know? Chas called me from work a short bit ago, announcing he is getting off work at 4 and wants the boys dressed and ready to go as he's heading off to tucson tonight. To get a trailer hitch on the car since none of the uhauls here in the valley had an available hitch. >.>

I can be there about 5 ish if that works for you. Later would be kinda rough getting to group on time, but I can do a little earlier if need be.

5ish is good. Or better be. I hope traffic doesn't suck bad enough that Chas takes an hour to get from work to here. Especially since he needs to be at the uhaul in tucson by/before 7 since that's when they close. =)

and omg, we're going to *miss* you.

You're going to miss all the good drama now. (Though I'm not sure if that's an entirely bad thing; see the group e-mails!)

She usually gets over here around five-ish, so she'd be coming through shortly before that. Poke her or somethin'.

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