An Odyssey with Michelle Polaris

My first erotic romance, Bound Odyssey, explores the world of BDSM on a futuristic, post-apocalyptic Earth. Challenging myself with authentically recreating the Domination and submission subculture in this story and the psychology behind those dynamics was important to me. I wanted readers new to BDSM to come away with some level of understanding of what this flavor of sexuality was about. Thinking about why, I came to the realization that erotic romance, or even just erotica, is an important way for people to explore their sexual identities.

Most of us live fairly mundane lives with no sexy, fast-paced plot elements forcing us to uncover conspiracy and save the world or our loved ones. No one has manipulated us into spending the week locked in a room with two gorgeous sexual trainers or have our minds blown away by new sensual adventures. Instead, we plod along at our jobs and our relationships. Life easily becomes stale unless we breathe life into it. And sometimes fear closes us down. Fear of change, fear of being different, fear of the sacrifices we would be forced to make if we consider the world from a different perspective. We can all use a little help to consider moving safely in new directions. And a book is a perfect vehicle for that help. Isn’t the mind our most important sexual organ? Well, at least for women (grin).

I suspect that too often we are afraid of our sexual fantasies. A passage from an erotic romance might be the perfect means to explore a new idea or just find validation for a favorite daydream of ours. Heck, book marking a scene and sharing it with a partner or lover is a fine and dandy way to introduce a new possibility into a sexual relationship. Especially if it’s too hard to start a discussion about it another way. Although I am a big advocate of finding a way to talk about sex with your partner.

Rarely does anyone mention reading erotic romance as a vehicle for life altering change. But I must admit that when I came upon a story that resonated with a fantasy I remember having as an adolescent, I experienced an “ah ha” moment. So that’s what was going on for me, I mused. Again, very validating. And totally unexpected when I first considered reading this genre.

You never know what may happen if you pick up an erotic romance or an erotica. At the very least, you could have a rockin’ good time and rev your engines through a sexy, intense story. But maybe you’ll find more for yourself than just a hot tale. A new zing to your own sexual relationship. A better way to understand your fantasies. New fantasies that you never knew you had. And possibly, find a way to be less afraid of non-traditional, non-mainstream ideas of what is acceptable sexuality. Both for yourself and for others.

If even one of my readers finds something personal for themselves inside the pages of my story, I’ll know I succeeded in one of my goals. But in the meantime, I’ll be thrilled to death if readers simply have a grand old arousing and enjoyable time with my book.

The year is 2067. An alpha cowboy diplomat…the sexual Dominant team hired to train him…a world self-destructing. Three hearts search for salvation on their Bound Odyssey.

If you’d like to read more about me or my novel, Bound Odyssey, check out www.michellepolaris.com or my blog at: www.michellepolarisblog.wordpress.com.

Pleasant dreams,

Michelle