Right now I'm working on a dark fiction novella for an anthology where the tension of time is the theme. It'll probably be about 20k; I was striving for 25 but it ends where it ends. I'm not sure as this moment if the tension is there; but this is the first draft. Once rewrites begin, I can zero in on what sort of elements can really keep the reader anxious to know what happens next. There are some graphic scenes of non-consensual sex and death that I believe is contextual with the premise of the story (end of the world!) I Have to submit by the end of the month so I hope there's enough time to get it read and critiqued before I send it away!!!
I'm also working on a dark fantasy/dark romance novel. This is the longest word count I've ever tried to wrangle! It's getting done, though! I feel like I'm in a love affair and my poor boyfriend and he just has to deal, particularly since I'm gunning to write it in a month. If it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen... but it will! And I know I'm crazy to do this during the holidays. But please, Santa, that's all I want for Xmas!
@Reservoir Angel -- Of course a male prostitute works! How seriously your reader takes the character depends on how you portray him. As a reader, I'd be more than intrigued to read about a character like that. Although, based on my own experience, who they service might be where the realism gets a little tricky. Gay male escorts, for example, might have more business than a hetero. Also, male prostitutes don't always just have sex (depending on clientele). I will second a reference to Kushiel's Dart, where Phedre was a high-class submissive. Your prostitute can be a date for older women, and thus have access to information he may need. Or he could be a male dominant who doesn't have sex with clients. Or he could be running an agency of prostitutes who gather intel from clients. Don't let the prostitute angle limit you!
