Note: The words here are PG,
but the overall topic of the post isn't!
This post first appeared on the blog 4 the LUV of Sanity, along with a steamy excerpt from Who Is Candid?—definitely not PG! Head on over and take a look at this excellent blog!
Taoism, from a Slightly Different Perspective...
If I were to describe Taoism in erotic terms, I would say that it’s a philosophy of topping from below. The hand that holds the whip isn’t the hand that’s really in charge. It’s an odd concept for those unfamiliar with SM, but maybe makes sense to some of you.
Taoism is all about influencing from the sidelines, guiding from beneath, surrendering in order to lead.
“Superior leaders are those whose existence is merely known.” (17)
“Those who use the Tao to guide leaders
do not use forceful strategies in the world.
Such matters tend to recoil.” (30)
[quotes are from R L Wing’s translation of the Tao Te Ching.]
Taoism is about having the patience and stamina to wait for the right moment. It’s about honoring the female, the stream, the flow, the creation. It’s about emptiness and the value of the vessel. Yeah, it’s erotic.
How has being a Taoist influenced me as a writer of erotica?
Thinking in practical terms, I think Taoism has had the most influence on my male characters. I like men with strength and gentleness. I like men who respect and have the urge to protect the feminine. I’ve always thought of the men in my erotica as updated Regency heroes, but writing this article makes me see that they are all Taoists at heart.
I confess to falling in love with the hero of each novel as I write it. If I don’t love them, why should the heroine, and why should you the readers?
Dick, the Hot Hunk Nerd Taoist God!
Dick, the hero of Who Is Candid?, is just about perfect. Yeah, he’s a little dorky, in a gorgeous hot hunk, not taking advantage of his sexiness kind of dork. Imagine Zachary Levi, on the TV show Chuck. Don't you just love Chuck!
 |
| got this photo from TV Guide |
Yeah... Hot!
In the novel, Dick is sweet and protective and secure enough to let Lucy leave and find her own way back. Now, that’s sexy! And the ultimate Taoist!
There’s a Taoist fable that a farmer has a strong young son. The neighbors say, “How lucky you are.” The farmer shrugs. The son breaks his leg and can’t work. The neighbors say, “How unlucky you are.” The farmer shrugs. The army comes and takes all the young men off to war, except the farmer’s son. The neighbors say, “How lucky you are.” The farmer shrugs. And so on, and so on...
The point of the story is that we can’t see a big enough picture to judge how something will ultimately turn out.
Dick could be that farmer. He trusts Lucy; he trusts the future. He’s the ultimate in non-judgmental! And when the time comes to act, trust me, Dick knows EXACTLY what to do!
Would you like to read Dick and Lucy's story? Buy it now on Amazon!
So how about you? Readers, can you sometimes see the philosophical underpinnings of characters in novels? Is there a certain type of character that you just love? Writers, does your philosophy of life reflect in your writing? Please comment! I’d love to hear your thoughts, and look forward to a lively discussion!
This is a really interesting post! I don't think I've consciously put my philosophies into my characters but it's bound to happen in some form or other. As you know, Carole, my first novel (which will probably never see the light of day :-) was a real learning experience for me as I found that I poured far too much conflict into the plot. Although it was, on a more obvious level, my attempt to create pace, a closer examination may find more complicated motives. As for reading, I love variety in characters and for them to be strong yet vulnerable, amiable yet sometimes frustrating.
ReplyDeleteWriting is a thoroughly fascinating process - as well as thoroughly enjoyable! I'd be interested to find out what other writers and readers think. :-) xx
I'm interested too, Molly. Come on writers, I know you're there! Tap the keyboard and join the conversation!
DeleteNovel writing is a bit like seeing a psychologist. The reader sees things you didn't know you put in there. Mary Jane from Beauty of the Beast, I realized after it was in print, is an idealized vision of my mother before she got married. Bran in Fantasy Impromptu, coming this Fall, is a dear friend who had recently died.
I think we write at times to exorcise as much as to celebrate. The characters ARE real people, and they live out our internal conflicts and desires, sometimes showing us the way!
Huge hugs! Thanks for coming by and commenting!
Carole
You definitely write to exorcise. That is what memoirs are about, no? Maybe writing can help with the resistance you have, MC. It is cathartic and will leave you with a lighter heart, ergo release resistance and in a higher vibrating state to manifest the things you want.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm posting as anonymous, but if I log in to my google account, I do not wish to print my user name and I have no idea what is happening with my Wordpress account.
Huge hugs,
A.
Guess I was able to post after all! Hooray!
DeleteHi A!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, and I'm so glad the comment section is working for you now! Woohoo!
We're kind of carrying on this conversation across two blogs, so I'll write you at Melody's too. I think one of the points of the farmer's story is to stay in the present. Overnight it hit me that resistance doesn't exist in the moment. It's all about the past and the future. Live now, and enjoy life!
I've been thinking too about how my characters exhibit the Law of Attraction, even though I knew nothing about it when I wrote the novels. Hmmm, I feel a post brewing...
Hugs, have an awesome Tuesday!
Carole