Ask the Author: Al Daltrey
Answered Questions (5)
Al Daltrey
I have noticed that too! I think the concept of a safeword has always existed, but the actual term has become much more commonly used in the past decade. In my experience, even if a sub wasn't using a "safeword" in the old days, a good Dom/mme knew when she reached a limit. There was always communication, just maybe not the use of a term. So, I think safe sane and consensual always existed. Another example is the word "collar" versus "owned". Twenty years ago everyone said a sub was "collared", but that term seems (somewhat) replaced.
Al Daltrey
I have a blog which is all about real life bdsm. www.eroticabdsm.com. Normally, when I've answered questions, I've done so in the form of a blog post. This way, I can provide a more in-depth answer (to your point) and it can be seen by many. I find that time management is the biggest challenge - between, life, work, writing, and then promoting my books. Facebook especially takes up an enormous amount of time. That said, email me: al.daltrey@outlook.com if you have a specific question. If I think I have a decent answer, I will write a blog post about it (but never mention your name of course).
Al Daltrey
Hello Jennifer. I assume you're referring to the hype around the 50 Shades movie. To my view, the broader acceptance of BDSM is good. It's a little less in the closet now. I've noticed people in my office joking around about how sexy spanking is, and stuff like that. Most of my life, I had to be VERY discreet about my lifestyle choice, so I welcome this new openness. Is it portrayed accurately? Well - I've always believed, and been a huge advocate that - there is no 'one way' to enjoy BDSM. Some people want a TPE. Some people reserve it for the bedroom only. Some simply dabble in it. I think everyone should have the freedom to enjoy BDSM on their terms, in their way, to the mutual preferences of the Dom and sub. To each his/her own. My own personal view is that all this attention helps (not hinders). It begins a dialogue. Those who live the lifestyle openly don't look as "odd" anymore...hopefully, their lifestyle choice will be more accepted by the mainstream. I've never read 50 Shades (no interest in doing so) - so I can't comment on how that specific novel reflects the lifestyle, I don't know. I hope this answer somewhat answered your question. (Last point: my own book - 'Testing the Submissive' is NOT an accurate portrayal of the lifestyle either. Not at all! It's pure fiction, for entertainment only, that pushes the boundaries, the same way any Hollywood action movie does. It is certainly not meant to be a true reflection of the lifestyle.)
Al Daltrey
Hello M. Thank you so much for saying that. My gameplan is to write 2 other books before a sequel to 'Testing'. The next one will be called 'A Condo with Two Views'...it will be written from the perspective of the Dom, and then the sub - going back and forth. So, both of them will be telling the same story, but from two different perspectives. Of course, it will be a all-bdsm, just like 'Testing'. By the way, do I know you from Facebook?
Al Daltrey
I've always had an inherent interest in bdsm, and have been involved in the lifestyle for a couple of decades now. In particular, I think it's intensely erotic when a submissive is being interviewed by her Master (or dominant). My original title was in fact, 'Interview with a Submissive', which I changed because of similarity to another popular book in the genre. For most people, the idea of being interviewed is a bit nerve-wracking, whether it be a job interview, press interview - or a sexual interview, as is the case in this book. I wanted to capture that tension, especially from the point of view of the person under the spotlight. I started one day, and it seemed to grow and grow.
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