Guest Post and Giveaway: To Stand Close by Faith Ashlin

The Novel Approach welcomes author Faith Ashlin today on the To Stand Close blog tour. Enjoy Faith’s article, then be sure to check out the giveaway details from Totally Bound Publishing below!

The Best Way to Write Sex 

Once upon a time, a long, long while ago, I used to find it…tricky to write a sex scene. Maybe I was a bit embarrassed, even though I was on my own. But, hey, that’s fair, isn’t it? There’s a whole world of difference between reading a steamy scene and writing one yourself. If I write it that means the smutty stuff comes from my brain. There’s no saying, ‘oh, I didn’t realise the book was like that,’ because it’s all mine!

I soon got over the embarrassment – although I still have to be on my own when I write sex. I don’t even like someone else being in the house – and now I love writing sex.

Oh boy, do I love writing sex.

But, sometimes, it’s hard to get started. On a cold Tuesday afternoon, with the rain pouring down outside and a pile of ironing waiting for the end of writing-time, it’s really difficult to think sexy thoughts. I’ve tried lots of things: reading something good or watching sexy TV. But I was always worried I’d copy their scenes. I tried thinking about my favourite gorgeous man. Only trouble was I got more interested in him than the sex needed for the book.

Then, by accident, I discovered my perfect way to write sex. With a glass of cold Pinot Grigio.

The words fly off my fingers and all these different ideas seem to just suddenly pop into my head. I’m sure I never would have thought of putting his legs there or have them do that if it wasn’t for the wine!

It has to be the right amount of wine though, and at the right time. It has to be long enough after lunch or there’s still too much food in my belly and the wine doesn’t work. Too long and there’s no time to write.

Then the amount. Too much wine and I go to sleep – I’m great at parties. Three glasses and I’m asleep in the corner – too little and it doesn’t work. One big glass is about right. But even with that there’s a short window of opportunity. For about half an hour, I write almost without thinking (and most definitely without editing. That can be done later/sober.) The images flash in my mind as I fight to get them all down while more and more just flows.

Then comes the first warning sign that time is almost up. I want a biscuit. And a cup of tea.And a wee. After a visit to the bathroom sexy-writing-time is up and the sleepiness kicks in. At that point I might as well go and cook dinner or start on the dreaded ironing because writing becomes laboured and more like work than fun.

It does mean that I work on a different alcohol schedule to everyone else. But, hey, I think it’s worth it.

Later, when everyone else is either asleep on the sofa or shooting tanks on their computer, I can go back and read what I’ve written. Yes, it needs polishing, and the spelling/grammar/punctuation correcting, but usually I’m pleased. The magic of Pinot Grigio worked again.

My new book, To Stand Close which is out now, isn’t cover to cover sex but it did need some intense scenes. I used the Pinto Grigio method a couple of times!

Blurb for To Stand Close: Can love grow and survive for two men on opposite sides of the deepest of chasms—slavery? 

In this world, one country has cut itself off and is closed and mysterious to everyone else. What’s the secret it’s hiding? Magic?Monsters?No, just the cruel reality of slavery. But inside its borders life goes on as normal, and it competes with the rest of the world at sport just like everyone else, just to prove that it’s the best.

Nicky accepts that and is happy in his own small, simple life as a gymnastics coach. He accepts it because he’s never known anything else, but he stays as far away from the brutality of slavery as he can, until he’s given a present he doesn’t want and isn’t allowed to refuse.

As for love? Well, he loves his sport. Isn’t that enough?

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of slavery.

Extract from To Stand Close: “God, so beautiful,” Michael said, appreciatively. “I knew you would be. I want this.” He crawled over Nicky, kissing his knee, his thigh, the line of his groin, the dip of his belly, then moved up his chest with one long lick of his tongue along Nicky’s sternum.

Back to Nicky’s mouth, the kisses deep, thorough, demanding and exploring, as he forced his way between Nicky’s legs to press their cocks together for the first time. “Want that,” he groaned. “Want all of it, all of you.”

“What do you want?” Nicky asked. “What now?”

“Want to fuck you, want to suck you down deep, taste you on the back of my throat.” He bit at Nicky’s throat, little nicks with the promise of more behind them. “What do you want?”

Nicky snorted. “When have you ever taken any notice of what I want?”

“Right now.” Michael stared him out. “You want this but you’re too decent or too scared to even hint at it, let alone ask for it. So I just took the pressure off you and gave it to you.” He pressed their hard, hard cocks together, circling his hips so the pressure was never the same, the pleasure constantly building. “Yeah, you want it.” He lapped at Nicky’s mouth again and this time Nicky bit back, taking. “But what do you want to do right now?”

“Now?” Nicky dug his fingers deep into Michael’s hair, twisting them tight. “Pretty much the same as you. I want to fuck you, suck you. Feel all that skin under me, between my teeth, as I pound into you.” He kissed up again, harder, more insistent, forcing his tongue deep into Michael’s mouth before pulling away so he could watch him. “I’m not going to get it though. You’re going to take what you want first, aren’t you?”

About Faith Ashlin: When Faith was clearing out her attic many years ago, she found a book she’d written as a ten-year-old. On rereading it she realised that it was the love story of two boys. Over the years her fascination with the image of beautiful young men, coiled together as they fell head over heels in love, became a passion for her.

Since that first innocent book—written in purple sparkly pen—she has written many stories, set in varied worlds, but always with two men finding their way to happiness.

Still nothing much has changed because now she can be found in a daydream, wandering around the supermarket, or sitting in a meeting at work still dreaming up stories.

Enter Totally Bound’s March blog tour competition for the chance to win an eBook of your choice, not including boxsets or anthologies! (**NOTE: Contest Deadline Has Been Extended To April 3, 2015**)