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STEVIERAYGOVAN INTERVIEW

stevieraygovan will be a new name to many of us; less than two months have elapsed since he first published here. But in that short amount of time, he has already published half a dozen stories, including several multi-parters. An impressive body of work, which debuted in March with what he calls a series of "Summer" stories: "Summer," "The Gifts of Summer," "Summer is Hot in Cozumel" and "Summer Voodoo," in that order.

"I knew the Summer saga would in no way run afoul of this place's guidelines. The one I actually wrote first is the true story of my first wife, Angelina, but I was hesitant to post it here because I'll have to water down the 'hottest' chapter a bit in order to make it work within Art's rules. I'm only now beginning to post her story.

Q. How many stories have you published since then?

I currently have fifteen chapters posted here, divided among six series. The Angelina story will be comprised of eight chapters divided among three series.

Q. What was your most recent one?

"Angelina: Ch. 01" It's the single shortest chapter in my entire catalogue. Chapters two and three will be a bit longer, then chapter four will be more of a normal-length affair for me. Like I said, it's a nonfiction story, and it's very personal to me. Once people get to the third series, "Stacey," they'll discover the other reason I was so reluctant to post this story here.

Q. Now, is there anything you'd like to tell us about yourself?

Unlike some of your other authors here such as Dancing Doll, innosence and yourself, I am not a gorgeous woman with a killer Bio pic. Nope, I'm just an average guy. I'm so nondescript that I should've become a spy.

Due to a number of truly horrible events in my life I find myself single again, starting all over at the age of forty-six. It really sucks, so in the meantime I'm living inside my head, subsisting on memories of better times.

How and when did you begin writing erotic stories?

In 2008 I finally broke down and wrote "Angelina" after being badgered for two years by a woman who knew all about my time with her. She simply insisted that I write Angelina's story and submit it to an erotica site. I'd already written quite a bit, though never erotica, and this woman would not take no for an answer.

From that point on I've been doing nonstop writing and editing, working with a number of other authors on their works.

Have you published anywhere other than ES.com?

Yep. All the usual sites. I didn't find out about this one until just recently. I am very close to a sexy, wickedly smart and downright cruel woman who goes by the nic "annanova," and she referred me to this place via a recommendation from PennLady. annanova, PennLady and I all seem to end up posting at that same sites.

What is it about writing erotica that you most enjoy?

The purity of spirit involved in the process. It's both freeing and enlightening. There are no rules, and I never know what is inside of me until I see it appearing on my sceen. I love the revelations. I find that the images I depict in my stories represent all that's good in me, allowing me to put aside the constant darkness that makes up the rest of my life.

Q. What is your favorite category to write in, and why?

I always struggle with choosing categories for my stories. They never really seem to fit. Because so many of my stories involve women who dress sexily and love to flirt, I tend to end up settling for "Exhibitionism" as my category, though it never feels quite right.

A perfect example would be the "Angelina" story. In no way did I want to label that thing a "threesome" story but "True story" wasn't provided as an option, and it ultimately isn't really about exhibitionism as much as it's about love, freedom and passion.

Hell, I was so screwed up by the category choices that I ended up punting when it came time to label "Summer Voodoo." I just went with "other" because, well, what category would you call that thing?

I have no idea. I just know it's about perfect love, but that's never a category choice.

Q. How much of yourself do you include in your stories?

Every last bit. Even in my fiction stories I'm always using episodes from real life, and Angelina goes uncredited throughout my entire catalogue. Everything I write here is either a faithful recounting of true events or it's a narrative of how I feel about the majesty of women.

Probably the only exception to this would be my request stories. Okay, when I'm writing a story for someone else that's based on their specific wants and needs, yes, I will sometimes write outside of my own experiences and preferences. Even so, I still try to apply my basic truths to those circumstances.

For example, a woman requested a specific type of "water sports" scene be included somewhere in my Summer saga, so I went ahead and indulged her. In fact I went far beyond my own experience there, yet I was okay with it because I kept it true to Summer's character. In the end I still enjoyed those scenes, even though they freaked out a number of readers.

Q. Is there anything that happens in your stories that you would really like to try in "real life", but haven't yet been able to?

Absolutely. The entire inclusion of the Christina character in "Summer Voodoo" was pure fiction, and I would've loved for that to happen when we did our trip to the French Quarter. Much of the rest of that chapter actually did happen, including most of the 'voodoo' sequences, but there was unfortunately no Christina joining us.

I would also sure as hell love to live on the beach in Cozumel with a woman like Summer.

All in all, though, the majority of Summer's antics are taken directly from the real-life Angelina.

"Living happily ever after" occurs quite a bit in my stories, and that has sure never happened to me. Yeah, okay, there ya go, that's something I would dearly love to try in real life.

Q. Does your partner or any of your friends know that you write? What do they think?

She did, yes. It was often painful for her, simply because she knew how painful it is for me.

"I can never be Angelina. No one could ever be that perfect again, and no woman wants to be held to that standard," was a statement made to me not too long ago by annanova, and that basic truth has applied to every woman I've been with since.

Q. What, if any, difficulties do you face when writing - erotic writing difficulties and general writing difficulties? And how do you overcome them?

A lack of time would be the main issue, along with a fear of being unable to top myself with each new chapter. It's what I refer to as the "Boston Factor," using the rock band Boston as my example. Those guys simply destroyed with their first album. Their second album was essentially the first album played sideways, then they were never able to recapture it again.

I've been sitting on the Summer saga for a long time now, in large part because I know how much of a bitch it will be to follow up "Summer Voodoo." That story deserves at least two more chapters, yet I'm reluctant to tackle them because of my feelings about "Voodoo." That story was so fucking personal to me that I often find myself thinking, "Okay, now what? How are you ever going to do that again, especially when you'll have to wing every word of any subsequent chapter?"

The same holds true for "Everyone Loves My Ass," which is actually my most 'popular' series. (I'm still debating whether to post it on this site, simply because I'll have to change some key elements just to make it do-able here.) Though I could call that one finished, it really does need at least one more chapter. Again, it's going to be a real chore to maintain the standard I've set with that one, so yeah, I guess basic fear would be one major challenge for me to overcome in my writing.

The only way I overcome them is to make the decision to throw myself headfirst into the next project. That's just how it works for me.

Q. How about in more general terms - how do you feel about the "outside world"'s perception of erotic writing?

I feel it's somewhat accurate, actually. In my experience people seem to have this attitude about erotica: "Sure, of course there can be real quality there, but christ, you have to wade through so much poorly written garbage to find it."

It's similar to porn in that regard, only much more glaring. Bad acting and a lack of plot in a porn flick can mostly be obviated for many people simply by the 'hotness factor' of the actress and the sex. With the written word, however, all bets are off. Horrifically written dreck destroys the necessary imagery, killing any interest in pursuing the thing further.

It's not enough to have a good idea in erotica. One also has to have the technical facility to convey that idea, and far too often authors of erotica can't be bothered to put in the effort.

Also, there is far too much "cutting to the chase" in erotica, which is a complaint I hear over and over from casual readers. Many people want more than a simple, crude spank story, and those types often walk away dissatisfied with the available offerings.

Q. One thing that I love about ES is that you very quickly build up a community of fans, who enjoy writing to and hearing from their favorite authors. Do you have any favorite topics that have surfaced in these "conversations"?

Because of the nature of my stories, I often end up receiving requests from both men and women to help guide them in becoming sexier and/or to assist them in getting their wife or girlfriend to become sexier.

That is one dicey subject. I've had women who literally wanted me to design for them a daily regimen of things to do that would force them to break out of their conservative shell. They desperately wanted to become sexier, yet they needed some strange author's approval and advice in order to make it happen.

I suppose I enjoy those discussions, particularly when they're accompanied by photographic evidence of the progress they're making.

Wait. No, that's not always true. Holy fuck, please, do not send me pics of your incredibly obese wife dressed up in vulgar new Slut Gear, looking for my approval.

Sometimes things really do need to remain a fantasy.

Okay then, my favorite discussion topics with readers have to do with their specific questions about the stories, rather than these things...

"Loved it! God, I splooged for three days straight!"

Or...

"Great story. When's the next one?"

Nothing else.

Q. How do you feel when you receive negative comments or very low votes from readers?

When it's obviously a troll vote, my natual inclination is to want to see them drawn and quartered like Mel Gibson in Braveheart. I put a helluva lotta work into these stories, and I really do not appreciate a total Blitzkrieging of my entire catalogue by some ass clown who clearly never even read any of the stories he trashed.

Conversely, I love it when a reader takes the time point out any error I may have made. Seriously, I will get right on it. If I've made an error, I will try to fix it immediately. I greatly appreciate constructive criticism. I absolutely loathe gratuitous hating.

Q. And do you read, and respond to, other writers on the site? Who are your favorites?

Okay, I've hardly begun to do so here, mainly because I've been too busy editing and prepping my stories for submission. So far, I've checked out a little bit of Dancing Doll's stuff. She clearly knows how to write, even if her subject matter often leaves me flat. Helluva Bio pic, too.

innosence seems to post a new story nearly every day, so of course I've checked some of her stuff out. Again, one of her Bio pics was pretty damn impressive, which never hurts an author's popularity!

Her attitude intrigues me. Notwithstanding her odd penchant for delighting in butchering the English language, she always seems so detached, almost angry or bitter, and there's little to no joy in her narratives. She's like a really horny Sgt. Joe Friday with the way she doles it out there so evenly.

"Just the facts, ma'am."

"Nice cock, detective. I wanna suck it."

"Go ahead, ma'am."

"Thanks. I think I will."

I recognize a few familiar names here from Literotica. Thesandman is a guy with whom I've actually PM'd once or twice, way back when. Very popular writer. PennLady knows what she's doing, though again she writes in a genre I don't normally frequent. (And vice-versa, most likely.) She probably doesn't know this, but I've actually helped edit some of her works through our mutual friend, annanova. Oh, and I see Just Plain Bob is still having a real bear of a time finding a faithful woman.

There are a lot of great writers floating around here, I'm sure. In time I will find them.

Q. Do you remember the first pornography you ever saw?

Shit, nope. I guess I can recall the first porn movie I ever saw; or, rather snuck into. That was way back when I was probably sixteen or so. Steve, Angelina and I conned our way into some dirtbag porn movie theater in Hollywood back around 1980. The place smelled like Pine-Sol. We didn't stay for the whole flick, though it did star Annette Haven, who was ridiculously hot. She was always my favorite. Classic gorgeous brunette.

Q. What's the kinkiest thing you have ever done?

Hmmm. I guess my best answer would be, "Read my stories."

Basically, a whole lot of public sex in some really crazy situations, if one considers that to be "kinky." I've always seemed to attract women who enjoy having "sneaky sex," whether in public or somewhere right beneath the noses of people who weren't supposed to know.

Q. Do you have any fantasies that you would like to fulfill?

Nothing short-term that could be accomplished in a single act, no. My fantasies involve deep, longstanding passions that won't wane over time. It's your brain and heart I want, not merely your body.

Q. What is a major turn on for you during sex?

Visuals. Anyone who's ever read any of my stories will attest to the fact that my biggest thing is the visual narrative. I want to see everything, I want her to see everything, and I want everyone else to see everything too, when applicable. One thing that will never occur in any of my stories is the whole blindfolding cliche. Oh hell no. I want to see her eyes, always. I want her fully aware of everything that's happening, and thoroughly eager to participate.

A total 'letting go' is another big thing with me. I don't want careful sex, or "proper sex." I want the woman to lose herself in the moment, regardless of where we are. I want her not just willing, but openly hungry. Feel it...act on it. No holding back. No fear.

Q. How about a major turn off?

Insecurity-based rules and/or hang-ups. Don't tell me why something isn't "right." Inhibitions have no business mingling with love and sex.

Put it this way: If the girl doesn't want it, then neither do I. She could be the hottest woman on the planet, but if she's not into it, I wouldn't bother. Merely using her body to masturbate myself holds no interest for me.

Q. How do you feel about same sex relationships, both personally and as a writer?

I am completely guilty of the typical male double-standard. I love the idea of lipstick lesbians even as I'm somewhat repulsed by bulldykes and flaming homosexuals. If I were a girl and I wanted another girl, christ, I'd still want Kate Beckinsale, not some two-hundred pound bitter dyke who looks like Dick Butkus. I'll never understand that attraction, other than to think that it's simply a case of the girl settling for the only one who will have her.

On a more basic level, I don't really care what someone does in their private life, and if a person finds happiness, all power to 'im. Happiness is too hard to come by in this world, so however it's achieved, fine by me.

Q. Do you explore these feelings, positive and negative in your stories?

There are no homosexual leanings in my stories. There sure is a lot of girl-girl activity, though. I'm sorry, but women tend to be more openly receptive to the charms of another beautiful woman than men are to other men.

Q. How long does it take for you to write a story? Could you talk us through the process?

I can already hear annanova laughing and cringing over this one.

Okay, in a nutshell, I'm insane. My process is pure insanity. See, whereas most people who write lengthier stories of the type I tend to write do so in a somewhat orderly, well thought out manner, even including things like storyboarding and whatsuch - basically, having an idea what they're doing before they do it - I am the complete opposite.

I write off of single bursts of uninterrupted inspiration. Except for my nonfiction stories I haven't a clue where any story of mine will go once I sit down and begin writing it. All I ever have as an idea is a basic theme, such as "How does someone ever become an ass model?" The hardest part for me is coming up with the very first sentence. I can stare at my screen for thirty minutes, just trying to come up with those opening words.

Once I do, however, I'm all in. I completely wing it, writing whatever pops into my head while having no clue where I'm going. Also, I don't stop. Other than for bathroom and food breaks I will not leave that chair until the story is finished, which may take me a couple of days of straight writing. No sleep. No nothing. Then, to make it worse, I continue on to the editing process; again, usually without a break.

I wouldn't recommend this method to Hitler. Still, I work off of passion, and I hate to see it interrupted once it's driving me forward.

In a concession to my migraines, I did at least try to break up the editing a little with my last few stories. I allowed myself to go to bed a couple of times, mainly because I had to admit that I was missing too many things from trying to edit while falling asleep.

Yes, I know I'm an idiot.

Q. What do you think is the best story you have published here?

~again annanova cringes~ (Inside joke.)

Okay, if someone put a gun to my head and said, "Pick one!" I guess I'd go with "Summer Voodoo," but that's not meant to be a stand-alone story. It's really chapter eleven of the Summer saga.

In no particular order these are my favorites, which aren't necessarily the same as those I'd consider to be my "best"...

"Angelina: Ch. 02"
"Sisters: Ch. 02"
"Everyone Loves My Ass: Ch. 02"
"Everyone Loves My Ass: Ch. 04"
"The Gifts of Christmas: Ch. 01"
"The Gifts of Christmas: Ch. 05"
"Summer is Hot in Cozumel: Ch. 01"
"Summer Voodoo"
"Deceptions: Ch. 03"

My "best"...

"Summer Voodoo"
"The Gifts of Christmas: Ch. 05"
"Sisters: Ch. 02"

Q. Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of this interview and your fans? Now is your chance...

Please write your favorite authors. Leave public comments. PM them. Let them know your thoughts, and not just that you liked the story and are eagerly awaiting the next one. Before you delve into the next one, tell them why you liked their story, citing specifics. Also, tell them your concerns about their story; i.e., things that confused you and/or could have been better.

In other words, give real feedback. Most authors don't wish to write in a vacuum. We want to hear from our readers and, yes, really converse with them.

Q. Finally, do you have a website or a blog, where your fans can visit and maybe learn more about you?

Nope. I'm not exactly tech-savvy. "Luddite" is the term applied to me by one particularly caustic buddy o' mine. Just e-mail me at stevieraygovan@yahoo.com or PM me using ES's interal PM-ing deal.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Please read stevieraygovan's stories!