Blog: Naughty Escapism (Patreon)

Hello!

So, I’m finishing up a short story right now that I’m pretty excited about. This usually bodes well for a story, I feel. My favorite stories of my own are usually the ones that get written quickly and effortlessly - like I’m just more engaged with the words and settings. I’m thinking back on some of my recent favorites like “Kitty Comes Alive,” “Neighbors,” and “Power Lunch,” and they’re all stories that came together very quickly. That’s not to say that I think less of other stories. Some stories feel a little more like...work. And that’s okay too. This is a job. A good job. A job that I enjoy.

With this latest story, it breaks one of my rules a little. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done it, but it’s certainly an exception. Typically, when I write stories, I try to consider good and ethical practices. I usually dislike writing about scenarios that would be unacceptable in reality. Things like obvious public humiliation and exposure to non-consenting strangers. Again, obviously, I’ve broken that rule a few times before. I think the story “Shrinking,” from earlier this year, is an example. And (uh, minor spoiler alert) there’s a scene coming much later in “Neighbors,” that kind of breaks that rule too.

But...the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced it’s a rule I could and should be more lax on. For one, we (myself included) turn to these stories because we’re looking for these fantastical escapes from reality. Even those of us who may get to live their best baby life want glimpses into other worlds and possibilities.

I don’t watch horror movies because I actually want cleaver-wielding maniacs and zombies to disembowel my family. I watch horror movies because I like going to a place where that sort of thing can happen.

All this to say: I trust you, dear reader. I trust that you know the difference between right and wrong. You know what’s ethical and nonethical in reality. But here, in our little corner of the internet, we can tell stories about the dirtiest and naughtiest things imaginable.

Actions have consequences, of course, and unethical behavior in a fictional story still has ramifications. But that’s exactly why you’re here, right? You want to see the consequences. The punishments. The blushing cheeks at the top and bottom of a person.

This isn’t exactly a statement of intent on a change to my writing formula. But I’m feeling more willing to push boundaries a little harder in stories. Because I know that I can trust you and because I know that, at the end of the day, you probably want the same things that I do in a story.

As always, thank you for being a reader and I hope you’ll stick around. In addition to the story that prompted this post, I’m also wrapping up another 10-ish part story that I think is quite fun. And, that’s not to mention the queue of stories I have lined up for the next few weeks.

Stay naughty.

-QH