27 Comments

Damn! You are brave Ben. Such an erotic yet tasteful and sensitive chapter. Avoiding this sensuality would have deprived your characters of their full humanity and your choice only deepened the intensity of their predicament. So much admiration!

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Thank you, Kim. I was worried about how this chapter would play for folks. I’m glad it struck the right balance for you.

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Absolutely! 💯

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This story just keeps on working!

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Thanks, Chip. I sure hope so!

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Wow! The most erotic scene - without any actual touching - in recent memory! This would be a great one to jump right in to "Departures"...! 🔥❤️‍🔥💥

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Might be a good candidate for your "Neurotica" collection, friend!

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Anthology anyone? ;)

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Favourite episode so far! Brilliantly executed. I’d been hoping for a June centric episode and this did not disappoint (and I also pray to God that they got to have real sex at some point, because they so deserve it 🥹)

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Thanks, Chloe! I didn’t plan for June to reveal herself in quite the way she did in this episode, but she’s such an infinitely practical person. Here’s hoping real sex will happen for her some day!

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🤞🤞

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Dayum, Ben! So well done. I know how hard it can be to write sex scenes and strike a good balance between erotic and tasteful and to make it feel real. And you nailed it. Impressed.

And very much looking forward to what comes next for these two.

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Thanks, Holly. You’re absolutely right. It’s never easy to write a convincing sex scene. I’m glad this one struck the right balance for you.

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Wow!! That was a fantastic chapter! You could feel everything the characters were feeling as you read it, Ben. Outstanding writing!

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Thanks, friend. I’m glad you enjoyed this episode and felt connected to the characters.

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This is the first time I listened to your or read your work so enjoyed it you read so well

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Hi Kerrie, thanks for the kind words. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the narration. I spend quite a bit of time on it so it’s always good to hear that it’s worth it.

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You’ve wrestled this sensitive chapter perfectly Ben…

Every word of that difficult and complicated love scene was filled with tenderness and love… brilliant!

And this too « But he just kept smiling or struggling to keep his lips in the shape of a smile while the weight in his eyes could not defy the gravity of their situation, even for a moment. » so well done - I can imagine Wilds desperation and longing!

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Thank you, Susie. I’m glad the scene felt right to you. I so appreciate you reading and commenting.

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Definitely the perfect balance between powerful description and not falling into too much, well description.

June is such a sensitive beautiful character, such a huge heart.

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Thank you, Teyani. I’m so glad it felt balanced to you. It’s hard to write about young love without addressing the sexual aspects of it and the writerly part of me couldn’t resist the inherent challenge in this one!

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Beautifully done, Ben. This was so well done. Perfectly done, in fact. Sensitive but also sensual.

Also, brilliant line: Unlike Wild, who’s family behaved as though they would burst into flames like vampires thrust into a courtyard at mid-day if they had to be honest with one another

Another brilliant line: The hunger in Wild’s eyes was kinetic ...

Something about the use of "kinetic" here is just wonderful.

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Thank you, friend. I had some trepidation posting this one so I’m glad to hear it’s working as I hoped it would. I thought the vampire image was funny too, especially if you imagine this stately southern family.

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Very well done🔥

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Thank you, friend. Glad you enjoyed this one.

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What a scene! The tension of longing, her daring, his shyness, her plunging on despite inhibitions, and the not-so-perfect aftermath -- it all works beautifully. I admire the ways that you stay true to your characters. It’s easy to read but not at all easy to craft (at least not for me; is this your superpower?). BTW, the audio is impeccable.

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You spoil me, friend. Thank you so much for the kind words, especially today of all days. I appreciate you.

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