Dialogus / Marquis de Sade

Lisa Cunningham
writes to

Marquis de Sade

On Writing

Mon plus cher Donatien, mon petit chaud lapin! What a delight it is to be able to converse with you. If I may, I'd like to posit to you the following question: What advice do you have for the budding erotica writer? Your reply will be much appreciated. I remain, your avid admirer - Lisa

Ma très chère petite Lisa,

It is always extremely delightful to correspond with brilliant minds such as
yours, and I will most willingly attempt to match your «avid» expectations.

So you want to become an «erotica» writer, hein? And may I inquire as to what
gave you this delightful, perky idea? Was it perchance your underwritten? Was
it the reading of my works that prompted you to imitate this poor,
underestimated writer? Well, so be it; may I be damned if I attempt to
discourage such noble intentions!

The prime requisite for writing is a fantastically fertile imagination,
which, if you don't have it, you can grow it like a plant through time and
devoted exercises. And here is what I suggest: select a room where you feel
comfortable and safe, i.e., where no interference can interrupt you. Put out
all the lights, save for one small candle, which you can place in any corner
of the room, as long as it is not too close to you. The lighting in the room
should be dim; that encourages the spirits to come to you. Then you lie down
on your bed (or couch), very comfortably, and you start caressing yourself in
a very leisurely manner, slowly more lascivious than playful; caress your
most intimate parts (I don't have to indulge into ludibrious details, or do
I? ah details... we'll come to those very shortly!) and let the images come
to your mind. What do you see? What are you doing in your imagination? Don't
hold anything back, dare to be free with your dreams, let them be as wild as
you possibly can and then strive to be more daring, and more...! Soon you'll
find that, driven by your wildest dreams, your body follows suit and will
lead you to the utmost pleasure. Don't be rash, don't be in any hurry: linger
for as long as you can with the flow; indulge a bit longer with those images
and push them further and further... and then let it all go, be merry, my
sweetheart!

As soon as you're finished, relax just enough to catch your breath. Then
rise, sit at your table, by the same candlelight and write down all the
images you have seen in your mind while you were enjoying your body. As you
write, you will soon realize that there is a voice inside you that is
dictating phrases and scenes. Don't be afraid, it is your inner voice that
is coming out. Be precise, don't omit any detail that comes to your mind.
And be careful to write everything without pausing. Your rationale should
never interfere with your dreams, however wild they might seem to you in the
state of sated desire you are. When you're done writing, push away the
sheets of paper, put out the light and rest. Sleep, relax, let many hours go
by. Later, maybe the next day, you will take up your work and with a cool
mind you will revise it, correct it, make additions... Out of personal
experience, I can tell you that it is much more fruitful to rewrite
everything from scratch. Just copy into a blank sheet the story, making
additions and corrections as you go.

You will probably need to make a third revision, just to make sure that every
word, every scene you have described suits the impressions you felt during
those wild, pleasant moments. Personal experience might be useful, but I have
to warn you against the temptation of realism. You have to be truelike, not
realistic. Your readers will have to experience the same sensations you have
experienced while masturbating and should find it impossible to resist the
temptation of having a heavy go with the «manilla»!

Details. Ah yes, wonderful details... they say that the Devil hides in
details. That is correct, you know? The whole difference between a so-so
story and a wonderful story is the care and choice of details. Never take
anything for granted: the reader needs to know exactly how many
you-know-whats and exactly how they were used in the you-know-whom.
Measures, times, lengths, everything should be described with the utmost precision.
That is the principle that I have always adopted and I have found it of
extreme use.

One final word: you may not be happy with your first product. It is only
natural, as it is natural that any writer is never, never perfectly happy
with his work. That should never stop you. Keep going, using the method I
suggested, because only practice makes perfect. When you have a story that
you feel reasonably satisfied with, leave it alone and resist the temptation
of revising it again. You would be caught in an endless chain of corrections
which will hamper your production. Once it's done, find a suitable publisher
and divorce from it. If you want to be a writer, you have to keep moving
forward, always. And, last but not least, never never never take yourself too
seriously. Life is fun and that's all there is to it!

Keep me posted with your progress and success. I want to know!

Your most devout teacher,

Donatien


		Lisa Cunningham writes to
		Marquis de Sade

		On Writing
		Mon plus cher Donatien, mon petit chaud lapin! What a delight it is to be able to converse with you. If I may, I'd like to posit to you the following question: What advice do you have for the budding erotica writer? Your reply will be much appreciated. I remain, your avid admirer - Lisa Ma très chère petite Lisa, It is always extremely delightful to correspond with brilliant minds such as yours, and I will most willingly attempt to match your «avid» expectations. So you want to become an «erotica» writer, hein? And may I inquire as to what gave you this delightful, perky idea? Was it perchance your underwritten? Was it the reading of my works that prompted you to imitate this poor, underestimated writer? Well, so be it; may I be damned if I attempt to discourage such noble intentions! The prime requisite for writing is a fantastically fertile imagination, which, if you don't have it, you can grow it like a plant through time and devoted exercises. And here is what I suggest: select a room where you feel comfortable and safe, i.e., where no interference can interrupt you. Put out all the lights, save for one small candle, which you can place in any corner of the room, as long as it is not too close to you. The lighting in the room should be dim; that encourages the spirits to come to you. Then you lie down on your bed (or couch), very comfortably, and you start caressing yourself in a very leisurely manner, slowly more lascivious than playful; caress your most intimate parts (I don't have to indulge into ludibrious details, or do I? ah details... we'll come to those very shortly!) and let the images come to your mind. What do you see? What are you doing in your imagination? Don't hold anything back, dare to be free with your dreams, let them be as wild as you possibly can and then strive to be more daring, and more...! Soon you'll find that, driven by your wildest dreams, your body follows suit and will lead you to the utmost pleasure. Don't be rash, don't be in any hurry: linger for as long as you can with the flow; indulge a bit longer with those images and push them further and further... and then let it all go, be merry, my sweetheart! As soon as you're finished, relax just enough to catch your breath. Then rise, sit at your table, by the same candlelight and write down all the images you have seen in your mind while you were enjoying your body. As you write, you will soon realize that there is a voice inside you that is dictating phrases and scenes. Don't be afraid, it is your inner voice that is coming out. Be precise, don't omit any detail that comes to your mind. And be careful to write everything without pausing. Your rationale should never interfere with your dreams, however wild they might seem to you in the state of sated desire you are. When you're done writing, push away the sheets of paper, put out the light and rest. Sleep, relax, let many hours go by. Later, maybe the next day, you will take up your work and with a cool mind you will revise it, correct it, make additions... Out of personal experience, I can tell you that it is much more fruitful to rewrite everything from scratch. Just copy into a blank sheet the story, making additions and corrections as you go. You will probably need to make a third revision, just to make sure that every word, every scene you have described suits the impressions you felt during those wild, pleasant moments. Personal experience might be useful, but I have to warn you against the temptation of realism. You have to be truelike, not realistic. Your readers will have to experience the same sensations you have experienced while masturbating and should find it impossible to resist the temptation of having a heavy go with the «manilla»! Details. Ah yes, wonderful details... they say that the Devil hides in details. That is correct, you know? The whole difference between a so-so story and a wonderful story is the care and choice of details. Never take anything for granted: the reader needs to know exactly how many you-know-whats and exactly how they were used in the you-know-whom. Measures, times, lengths, everything should be described with the utmost precision. That is the principle that I have always adopted and I have found it of extreme use. One final word: you may not be happy with your first product. It is only natural, as it is natural that any writer is never, never perfectly happy with his work. That should never stop you. Keep going, using the method I suggested, because only practice makes perfect. When you have a story that you feel reasonably satisfied with, leave it alone and resist the temptation of revising it again. You would be caught in an endless chain of corrections which will hamper your production. Once it's done, find a suitable publisher and divorce from it. If you want to be a writer, you have to keep moving forward, always. And, last but not least, never never never take yourself too seriously. Life is fun and that's all there is to it! Keep me posted with your progress and success. I want to know! Your most devout teacher, Donatien