Dale H West Menu

What is sensual fiction? I have found when I write fiction which is decidedly about sexual situations, but don't do the graphic descriptions of sex, normal readers of what is considered erotica on the Internet are not terribly impressed.

I find, as I write the erotic fiction which is "enjoyed" by my readers, there is something missing from it. I suppose that something is me. I empathize with Anaïs Nin as she writes in her diary about the Collector:

I was sure the old man knew nothing about the beatitudes, ecstatsies, dazzling reverberations of sexual encounters. Cut out the poetry was his message. Clinical sex, deprived of all the warmth of love — the orchestration of all the senses, touch, hearing, sight, palate, all the euphoric accompaniments, background music, moods, atmosphere, variations — forced him to resort to literary aphrodisiacs.

For me, this is fiction which explores sensual and sexual situations - these are the "better secrets." Some readers have told me how powerful this writing is. Other have sent practically hate mail. Take it for what it is - a poetic form of prose. Whether you love it or hate it, be sure to let me know what you think by e-mail.

Desire Walks On (2003) - an affair? an old flame kindled?
The Telamon and the Muse (2004 removed for more work)
Bruised (2005) - the morning after
Dear Muse (2006) - a love letter