Writing that touches

Kirsten Monroe


It's a new year and I'm feeling a buzz of excitement. I'm hoping for great things in 2009 - like stumbling upon writers whose work fires my imagination and surprises me. Especially ones who share recipes and ice-melting stories!

Welcome Kirsten Monroe, and her sweet pleasure pineapple ...




Why do you write?

Ever since I can remember, stories of one kind or another have bubbled and fizzed about in my mind. The pressure builds until I finally get them out. I have boxes of journals. I write down everything. I find lots of wonder in the world – in every little thing, really. I find life incredibly arousing, hilarious, and miraculous, and all of that excitement translates into stories. It's said that the universe is not made of molecules, but of stories. I love that! I enjoy nothing more than letting all of those pent-up words out.

In fact, the imagining and then the act of writing can feel like a sexual experience, though much less slippery. It's fun, it feels good, it's free, it's environmentally friendly, it makes me smile, it helps me focus, and it's good for the complexion – or maybe that's just sex. Beyond the creativity, being able to express myself in a way that feels natural, and knowing that my words made an impression or touched someone in some way is just – wow! That's so powerful. It's like being able to make the wind blow! (A very stiff wind if I've done it right).

Is there something in particular that you'd like to express?

I like to express the wonder, texture, taste, feel, delight and "joie de vivre". Sexuality & sensuality – love, passion, desire, and lust – are all so important to who we are as human beings and are richly and deeply intertwined within the human experience. My writing can be dark, my characters downright dirty, but I tend towards lighter pieces. Regardless, I always want my dishes to taste good, smell good, and look good! Around every corner, it seems, is a new sensual experience.

I get a big thrill out of cooking – combining flavors, and experimenting with textures and presentation and taste. It's similar with writing sex and erotica. I especially love knowing that the way I string words together can stir a reader's mind and body. A friend once read a piece of mine and said, "Damn, I need to go punch the clown!" Now that is a high compliment.

What is the most successful piece or work you feel you've written, and why?

I was thrilled to have a piece published at Clean Sheets – "Mustang Sally." I really enjoyed writing it and the story itself really gets to the heart of my rebellious, fun-loving side and delight and pursuit of love, happiness, and a sex-positive culture. I am also very excited about a story titled "Road Trip" that will be in Sacchi Green's upcoming anthology, Girl Crazy. It's my first published lesbian erotica piece and is another one that just kind of spilled out like magic.

Please name a recent thought, event, person or whatever that inspired you:

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to see Susie Bright recently in Portland. I was there with my longtime sexy friend Shanna Germain and it was just such a surreal, awesome, delightful evening. Susie and Shanna are both incredible, amazing, funny, sexually enlightened, empowered women. I was completely star-struck. I woke up the next morning and felt so alive and fulfilled and inspired by the experience and realized I'd come full circle in a long journey.

Years ago writing sex felt awkward. One day Shanna (who is also an amazing teacher) was literally rolling on the floor over one of my sex scenes. The words were stilted and shy and embarrassed. I never used the word "fuck" and I couldn't bring myself to use naughty body part names. I'd written something like, "Oh yes. Oh baby. I want you to wrap your lips around my sweet pleasure pineapple down there." Anyway, Shanna basically told me to get some balls and stop being afraid to put the juicy stuff on paper. She said, "Don't turn away from it. Don't look away from the fucking."

So….about six years later, yeah, a really long time, with the encouragement of Shanna and a male writer friend (you rock Sam!) I took a swig of whiskey, looked the sex square in the eye and said, "Bend over bitch. It's time." I have a long ways to go as a writer, but I feel like I'm finally making forward progress and having lots of fun as well.

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In addition to writing, I enjoy endurance & trail running, travel & outdoor adventures, cooking, of course, sailing, and goofing off as much as possible. I'm a mom of two scrappy boys and wife (of 15 years!) My husband is a lot sweeter and less naughty than I am, but he appreciates the fun of keeping things spicy…..and he loves my cooking. I also can't resist a fun wig – or red licorice! I keep a blog at www.aphrodites-table.blogspot.com.

I'd also like to say how grateful and thankful I am to the erotica community for being so incredibly supportive and welcoming newcomers to the genre with open arms. I have been absolutely blown away by the encouragement and kindness that's been offered by so many.

Hey, it's a pleasure Kirsten! Thanks so much for kicking off 2009. Next week I'll be interviewing the kissable Kristina Wright. Join me!