Wednesday, September 23, 2009

2+1=3

Threesomes - the more the merrier? It depends on who you ask. Threesomes are one of those topics that readers seem to have distinct opinions about. Some love them, some really don't care for them. I find them intriguing. By adding one more to the mix, the dynamics increase exponentially. The relationship dynamics, the conflict potential, and don't forget about jealousy issues. I think people in general are wired to pair up, not trio-up. But on the other hand, given the right mix of personalities, the right combination of strengths/weaknesses and needs/wants, I believe a threesome could work...at least in a fictional world.

I'm not talking about a 'throw an extra into the mix for a night of fun' type of threesome. Rather, a solid, long-term m/m/m relationship. Maybe it's just that I love sex and angst, but a m/m/m makes me giddy at the prospect of all that conflict that's waiting to be mined. And, well, if two hot men are mighty fine, then three.... *G*

In case you're wondering why I have three hot guys on the brain tonight, it's because I'm toying with the idea of writing one. I foresee it being fun to write, but also a challenge. Am I up to it? We'll have to see. I also have a m/m/m/f WIP that's been languishing, but I put menages with a chick in a different category than no-chick menages. Maybe it's because the chick has girly bits the guys don't have. Whatever the reason, I view them differently than a m/m/m. I have opinions about them as well, but that's for another post.

So how about you? What do you think of m/m/m books?




23 comments:

  1. A m/m/m??? Hmmmm....

    Well, hoenstly, the first "threesome" story I ever read was Sam Kane's At Loves Command. Dear heavens, talk about breaking a sweat. I had to read certain scenes more than once just to get straight who did what with who and where, lmao! I loved that book!

    Anyhow, that m/m/m/f...I'll definitely be reading. I'd better keep a fan and some ice water handy ;)

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  2. BTW, love the hottie!!!

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  3. You already know how I feel about menages.

    But the eye candy is sweet!

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  4. Hi Barbara!! The who did what to whom gets even more complicated when all the characters are a 'he'. LOL. I love Sam Kane's BIAs series. Great stuff!

    Hey Shawn - He is quite nice, isn't he? ;)

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  5. I love M/M/M but not menages with women in them because they tend to change the dynamics; the women are usually in the books as baby machines or find a way to have the focus of the story shift entirely to them and their issues. But I find M/M/M intriguing. One of my favourite books is 9-1-1 by Chris Owen. I won't be reading the M/M/M/F book but if you ever write the M/M/M menage let me know.:)

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  6. I've also got a m/m/m on my back burner - It's on the schedule to be written this winter for next year...I've thought long and hard about how and when I can make this happen...cuz I can't stand menages not well thought out or so unrealistic that.... oh well.

    Also, I hate the chick in the midst, unless you're talking two bisexual guys...

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  7. Hi Wave - Thanks for the rec - I'll have to check out 911. I like m/m/f books, but I'm very picky about them because of what you mentioned - the chick can totally change the dynamics and have all the attention shift to her. I saw one recently where the chick was prego on the cover - yeah, I didn't pick up that one.

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  8. Hey Lynn - you're going to write a m/m/m? Cool!! I love your books and I'll be all over that one when it comes out. I know what you mean about having to give a menage a lot of thought. I've been mulling one over for a while now. I don't want it to come across as just an excuse for a 3-guy pile up (not that 3-guy pile ups can't be fun or anything...), but to hopefully seem like a somewhat realistic relationship.

    Totally talking bi-guys. I don't like m/f/m at all. I accidentally bought one once (I thought it was a m/f/m) and I kept shouting at the book - 'kiss him, damn you!!!!'. Very frustrating read. lol

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  9. I like m/m/m a lot and I wish more authors would write it.

    If I'm being truly honest I'll tell you I prefer just a few fun scenes rather than a LTR, but they're both just fine with me.

    I like pretty much all pairings--m/f, m/f/m, m/m/f, f/f, f/f/m, f/m/f, m/m/m, etc. Variety is the spice of life. :D

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  10. I don't think three can really work in a relationship. Too much jealousy and hurt feelings and someone always feeling left out. As a romance, for me anyway, it fails. As a piece of erotica it's fine.

    Sandy

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  11. Hey Ava,

    Here's the short version of my opinion, I have a tendency to get very passionate about this topic.

    Looks like Shawn and I will be standing on our own on this issue. I won't read menages, M/M/M, M/M/F or otherwise. Period. I believe in a committed relationship between two people. Too me, that's what makes it romance, add another to the mix and it's just sex.

    I still love you, Ava, even if you're going to write one of those horrid things! LOL

    MUAH!

    Shayne ;-)

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  12. Hey Ava,

    I see Shayne lets you have a break from writing every once in a while. lol.

    I'm going to agree with Shayne and Shawn. I don't like them. I've tried to read them on and off throughout the past couple of years, and they just don't interest or really work for me.

    My question is: Are authors pressured to write these types of books? Especially when they've not been known to write them before.

    I won't waste money on them anymore either. I don't read romance for the sex (okay maybe I do SOME) basically I'm a romantic at heart. Threesomes and menages aren't romance to me. It's just sex with a lot of complications.

    Ava you're not considering adding a third or Vincent and Oliver are you? That would break my heart!

    Great discussion even if we all don't agree ;-)

    Jack

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  13. Hey Ava! Love your blog and the eye candy! Whew:)

    Say it ain't so! Are you really considering writing a menage or threesome book? I know that many people love them, unfortunately I'm not one of them.

    Like Jack, I've tried to read them on and off and they never do anything for me. I have a feeling that either people love them or hate them, there's not really an inbetween.

    Good luck and have fun writing it though.:)

    Shell

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  14. Very interesting topic Ava, and as you said, people feel very definitely one way or the other on it!

    I do think that there can be a HFN involving a threesome or possibly more, but a HEA might be a bit of a stretch. That said, I do like angst, and there are all sorts of ways to torture three. And the sex can be fun (so I've read, ahem).

    From the other angle, I think that writing a threesome presents some difficulties in characterization, POV time and descriptions; especially in hot scenes, you'll have to keep using the names over and over just to be able to keep track of who's doing what, lol!

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  15. Oh, please don't hold back, Shay. LOL. But I had a feeling you'd feel that way - you have the soul of a true romantic, my friend. I still love ya, too, and yeah, I probably will write one of those horrid things next year, in addition to m/m books. Not sure yet which menage, but expect some sort of pile up in 2010. LMAO

    Yes, Jack, Shay lets me take a couple breaks a day, otherwise I'm chained securely to my laptop, typing furiously, and ducking to avoid the snap of Shay's whip. LOL. You asked if authors feel pressured to write menages - well, I can only speak for myself, and I don't get any pressure from any of my editors to write one thing over another. I write what I want to write, and cross my fingers my editors will take it if I write a book before it's contracted.

    Oh and NO - no third for Oliver and Vincent. Oliver wouldn't stand for it. None of the pairs in my released books would be suited to adding a 3rd, not even for 1 night of fun. So no worries there. The m/m/m and m/m/m/f books would have all new characters. They have to be people who would fit and thrive in that sort of relationship, so in my mind, a hero who would work in a m/m wouldn't work in a menage, if that makes sense.

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  16. Hey Shellie - Thanks, glad you like the blog and the man-candy. He is quite yummy!

    Yes, I'm really considering it. The first erotic book I started to write was actually the m/m/m/f, that was since put on the backburner to work on Henry and Arsen, then Oliver and Vincent, then the other m/m books. I'm hoping (fingers crossed) it might appeal to some of you who don't care for menages, because most of the book is focused on the relationship of the m/m and m/f pairs, and it does end with them as very friendly pairs. As for the m/m/m, I just find the idea of writing such a book very interesting, and a challenge. But don't worry, I don't foresee myself abandoning the m/m books for menages all together. I love m/m books too much.

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  17. Hi Devon - Oh yes, I foresee a bit of a challenge ahead of me when writing menage sex scenes. Plus, I don't want anyone to feel like a 3rd wheel. Gotta keep them all happy and busy, right? LOL

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  18. Hey JenB, Sandy and Victoria - thanks for stopping by! It is really interesting to see everyone's opinions on menages, and the reasons behind them.

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  19. OMG, you're too sweet, and you know why.

    You know you now get free blogger layout designs for life now, right? ;)

    ((big hug))

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  20. Hey Barbara! :D Anything for you, girlie ;)

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  21. Menages can be difficult and I've found that it depends on the writing. It *is* rather difficult to believe that all feel a deep, true and abiding love for each other. And adding a female to the mix doesn't always seem to be smooth. But given the right scenario, I truly enjoy them. Regardless, I've discovered your writing and will read whatever you publish :-)

    Am looking forward to the sequels as well. Have thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and am ridiculously curious as to how they're doing!! Thank you!

    Sherry F (from the Midwest)

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  22. Hi Sherry!

    Thanks!!! :D I could satisfy your curiousity and just tell you how all the guys are doing, but that would spoil all the fun. LOL.

    As for menages, I'm with you on how it depends on the writing. I've read a few that I've really enjoyed, and while a HEA for a real life menage is hard to believe, I can suspend disbelief for a romance if the author pulls me into the story and the characters.

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Barbara