Thrall

[Robert_Moriyama]

Joe Arechavala returns with a story that answers the burning question: Why, exactly, would you WANT to be human servant to a vampire?

This is flash fiction, nice and short. It takes some skill to write a story with so few words. You’ll become a better writer if you participate in flash fiction contests (like Nate’s), so if you want to hone your craft, I highly recommend doing so.

One spelling error though:
"Do you understand what is happening?" she whispers into my year and I shiver with pleasure.

Other than that, it was well written. Good job!

Really? Lesbian soft porn? - Fellow Aphelionites, is this what life has come to? Really?

[Lester Curtis]

Thanks, BD. I didn't want to be the first to say that.

Really? Lesbian soft porn? - Fellow Aphelionites, is this what life has come to? Really?

That made me laugh. However, I will say that the lesbian relationship is actually integral to the plot. Men are more easily enticed by sex, ergo it would make more sense for the head vampire to use a woman to seduce her food supply. It's not sex for the sake of sex. And the sexuality of vampires is a common attribute of the undead parasites, albeit it could be argued that the trope has long become trite.

That said, I don't have any issues with homosexuality. I don't want to get into a political or religious debate, but for the sake of the writing itself, I think it would be a disservice to the writer to chalk this up as soft porn.

I have no disagreement with homosexuality - but this is just soft porn. "Oh mistress, yes my wicked wicked mistress." Come on! There are no new thoughts being conveyed here. This is just some guy writing about what turns him on - better to put this in the letters section of playboy than in a for-real magazine. Okay, okay - playboy has articles. I think Aphelion can do better than porn.

This is just some guy writing about what turns him on - better to put this in the letters section of playboy than in a for-real magazine. Okay, okay - playboy has articles. I think Aphelion can do better than porn.

Being a tad nasty, aren't you? You do realize that throughout the mythology and history of vampires, there is a strong sexual undercurrent. This is not a modern take by any means. I could understand your stance--maybe-- if he wrote erotica about Old Mother Hubbard. But including sexuality in a vampire story, if anything, is hackneyed. And don't get me started about unicorns.

My second issue with your comment is about what Aphelion should or should not publish. That's starting to creep toward censorship. I may be offended or appalled by some things that have been published on this ezine. I'm not afraid of pointing out to a writer if I feel something is offensive. But I'll never tell Aphelion what should or should not be published. I don't feel it's right for me to push my morals on someone unless they happen to be my children.

Speaking of children... I had a children's story I submitted a while back rejected because this site, apparently, is only for adults. I still haven't forgiven Robert for that.

(Just kidding, Robert... I'm not mad... not really).

[Lester Curtis]

You do realize that throughout the mythology and history of vampires, there is a strong sexual undercurrent.

That's only because they're universally known to suck . . .

Oh, and BD -- Playboy has been known to publish some excellent SF . . .