Step Something, and renumbering...

helen

The latest chapter of Step Something is stand-alone and doesn't fit in the earlier system of "sequences" with a conclusion. Since the numbering looked weird I dropped the idea of "sequences", but the numbering still shows multiple chapters in a sequence, except for this new one, chapter 5. The next will also be stand-alone. And I don't promise that I won't change the numbering again at some point...

Anyway, this one's a Ben story, but you-know-who is behind the scenes. I hope you enjoy it.

oldfan

Loose Ends: nice, even when re-reading. But I don't get the "ivy" remark at the end.

helen

Probably because it's no longer Christmas...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxD6QLEzsu8

helen

Chapter 6 is up. I've been working on this for a long time. I finally decided that I preferred for it to be shorter than my original intention. Again, it doesn't fit in the "sequence" system. It's Sophie, this time. Rose seems to have become a partner-in-crime to both of the principals. I don't have any plans for her to become a main protagonist, but she does seem to like being the center of attention.

I still find this one of my favorite sections: (from Step-Something 3-1, Party Favors)

Rose stepped back, then turned back toward her chair. Sophie idly watched her backside, and something about her purposeful steps seemed familiar. Well, not just the walk. She realized that her face and features had a vague but nagging familiarity. It was the walk that brought it out though, and Sophie could hardly ask why she recognized Rose's butt.

On the other hand... "Hey, Rose?"

"Hmm?"

"Why do I recognize your butt?"

fmerommel

Now I'm curious about how Sophie recognized her butt. If you have more story to tell I would not complain about more Rose haha

helen

It's not actually her butt that Sophie recognizes. It's her walk. She remembers Rose's purposeful walk when she first met her as a waitress whom Ben had bribed to bring non-alcoholic beer. She explains it to Heather:

"How do you know Rose?" she asked.

"She's a waitress at a place I visit sometimes," Heather replied.

"At the golf club?"

"Right! How did you know that? Oh, right," she added, and there was a sharp edge to her tone. "You recognized Rose's ass."

"I recognized her walk, actually." Sophie countered, then added, "Though I guess I was staring at her ass at the time."

There was a moments pause. Then Heather laughed, and it sounded like genuine amusement.

https://www.fantasiesofseduction.org/stories/steps/6

fmerommel

I love this! I need to reread Step Something looking for these small details. Its so cool seeing how your writing has evolved where secondary characters start to show personality. Another example I like is Margot from Breakout. If you ever did a part 2 to that it would be interesting to explore the dynamic between Tiff and Margot.

helen

I doubt there'll ever be a part 2. I'm not good with sequels. I don't write multi-part stories, I write stories that get too long to be manageable and I have to divide them into parts 🙂. Except for Step-Something, which remains an experiment.

I did have fun with Margot. Especially with the idea that both Margot and Emma's loud and obviously very enjoyable sex was so casual neither had paid any attention to the other's name, and Tiff was the only one who did. It might be fun to write a part two about Margot, where Tiff and Emma just made an appearance. I'll think about it. Actually, since Margot's clearly a no-commitment girl it could be fun to trip her up.

helen

@fmerommel So I have an idea to tie together a couple of story ideas here, and I'm not sure if that would be a bit twee or even pretentious. I already linked "Step-Something" to the world of "Bonds of Friendship." But I guess I'm still a little disappointed that I left Heather in limbo. Things were definitely looking up for her, but she's an interesting girl, and I feel like I could write more about her.

Except that the idea I have would link into yet another story, which could seem very artificial. Can I have multiple independent threads of stories set in the same time and place without it seeming trite?

I'm also wondering about a sequel to "The End of Summer" from way back in 2004. It seems like I'm stealing all the worst ideas from Hollywood.

Maybe I'll write a time-travel story next.

fmerommel

Yes do it! It's like you are creating Helen's Literary Erotic universe with multiple stories existing in the same timeline and sharing similar characters. I'm obviously a big Marvel fan and their interconnected cinematic universe (and now TV shows). So its super cool to see this shared universe concept from a literary perspective.

helen

I don't think the situations are quite the same 🙂 but I take the point. And haven't the TV shows been great? I think WandaVision may be the best thing I've seen since Babylon 5, and Loki wasn't far behind.

"But what is grief, if not love persevering?"

helen

There will be another part to this sequence of Step-Something, but I decided not to wait until I've finished it before posting this one. Also this one (7-1) is only lightly proofread. I'll check it over again soon but feel free to report problems.

fmerommel

Yes I loved WandaVision! And Loki also had a good line (albeit more cynical) about love “Love is a dagger. It’s a weapon to be wielded far away or up close. You can see yourself in it. It’s beautiful until it makes you bleed. But ultimately, when you reach for it…It isn’t real” hahaha...about to read the new entry!

fmerommel

And that may be one of my fav installments of Step Something (Blossoming is another fav). Wow. Like I knew what
Sophie was planning, and it still blew me away. Especially that super hot edging/BJ scene. I was halfway through reading it would check the slider bar on the right every now and then to see how much story was left cause I didn't want it to end. Great stuff as always 😀

helen

@fmerommel Oh yeah, there were some great lines in Loki. I'm wondering how they can possibly keep his character interesting in Season 2.

helen

7-2 Interlude now up. I will try to return to the story in a month or two.

fmerommel

Loved the latest interlude! Looking forward to the upcoming sections, and any new stories coming down the pipe 🙂