As my children entered school and moved through their elementary grades I wanted to continue my involvement in their lives and school by asking permission from their teachers to come in and read stories.  In the earlier grades I looked to the Caldecott Award winners because of the illustrations.  As they moved through their grades I moved to the Newbery Award winners for the quality of writing, but eventually found a book called Sudden Fiction which led me to Sudden Fiction International, Flash Fiction, and other Short Short Anthologies.

These books were collections of wonderful, concise, literary photographs much like the classic in our house, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.  Short shorts give you a moment, a blink in time, for you to fill with characters and histories.

Now, why am I, your helpful guide to the Erotic, going on about my introduction to children’s and short short literature?  Specifically because I found a delightful volume called Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex by Rachel Kramer Bussel.  I send this to you with my love and a strong recommendation.  Read it aloud to your lover.

Do not discount the power of voice, of having your lover sit or lie quietly by as you voice small illustrations of erotic life.  How delightful to have someone listen with rapt attention, all directed at you, as they slowly become aroused, or begin to contemplate things they would like to do to/with you.  What a delightful way to point your lover or lovers to things that you enjoy, to give them hints, thoughts, and insights into who you are and how you wish to be loved.

The Eroticist