the erotic as power

a virtual erotica writing workshop on 02/20 with read aurore

the erotic has often been misnamed by men and used against women. it has been made into the confused, the trivial, the psychotic, the plasticized sensation. for this reason, we have often turned away from the exploration and consideration of the erotic as a source of power and information, confusing it with its opposite, the pornographic. but pornography is a direct denial of the power of the erotic, for it represents the suppression of true feeling. pornography emphasizes sensation without feeling.

the erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings. it is an internal sense of satisfaction to which, once we have experienced it, we know we can aspire.

― audre lorde, uses of the erotic: the erotic as power

i vividly remember read audre lorde for the first time in high school; since then, i’ve been more conscious of our relationship with the erotic as a life force. for that reason, i’m excited to announce that my literary salon for creative writers is co-hosting a virtual erotica writing workshop with aurore on feb. 20th!

about the workshop:

you’ve felt the spark—the idea that flirts at the edges of your mind, the draft you can’t quite bring to climax, the story that lingers on your lips. now what?

join us for foreplay, a 70-minute virtual erotic writing workshop with aurore where we’ll explore the art of creating anticipation, teasing the senses, and subverting the everyday to craft desire-driven narratives.

through guided writing prompts, visualization exercises, and contemplations of evocative texts, you’ll tap into the essence of foreplay: the build-up, the tease, the beginning. whether you’re looking to break new ground in your writing or deepen your relationship with the erotic, this workshop will help you push past inhibitions and into possibility.

bring your curiosity, your courage, and maybe that idea you’ve been toying with. because great erotica begins with foreplay.

about aurore:

aurore is a digital space for real erotica, written by and for women and lgbtq+ individuals.

how to attend this virtual event:

anyone (experienced writer or not) is welcome to join by purchasing a ticket for $20—every contribution helps us continue offering events like this at an accessible price. simply register, and the zoom link will be emailed to you the morning of the event. we can’t wait to see you there!