Scripts 4 Play: Seduction I

by Tanya M Lee

Book Review by Ashley Lister

What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to put in your lover’s mouth?  Apart from that.  And not that either.  I’ll tell you shall I?  Words. 

One of the limiting things about having sex (so I’m told) is that it’s generally an improvisational routine.  Oh!  I know some people like the spontaneity.  And I know there are some people who enjoy having a sentient human being to talk to on the other end of their genitals.  But there are times when the whole chore would be a lot easier if you knew what was (metaphorically) coming next. 

Scripts 4 Play is the solution to all those problems.  I’m sounding a touch facetious here.  And I don’t mean this review to come across as harsh.  Tanya M Lee has produced Scripts 4 Play as a series of scripts for couples to use as a guide to help with role-playing. 

This is something of which I heartily approve.  There have been times when role-playing has been beyond me.  In those scenarios where my partner and I have been role-playing I struggle to remain focused on the sexual element of my character acting.  It’s worst in those games where my partner is the saucy secretary and I am the ruthless and tyrannical CEO.

Ashley’s Partner: CEO!  I’m glad you’re here.  I’ve been a very naughty secretary and I think you need to discipline me straight away.

Ashley: OK.  You’re fired.  Fuck off out of the building and don’t come back.

END OF GAME

Tanya M Lee’s scenarios are constructed with a lot more eloquence and they lean more toward a passionate conclusion.  Tanya has also left scope for the actors to improvise where necessary.  This is a clever idea, with a lot of potential for couples to enjoy the pleasure of role-playing when imaginative games are not usually their forte. 

That last comment is not meant to sound condescending.  From a personal point of view I know that there are times in role-play when coming up with the right words is beyond my meagre abilities – and I’m supposed to be able to make up stuff like this professionally.  Only the other night my wife suggested we swap roles for the evening.  I said, “OK.  You get pissed in front of the TV and I’ll forget how to park the car.”

As I say, I do like the idea of Scripts 4 Play, and I think the scripts are well-written.  My only issue with the concept is that it seems to be marketed at those in dysfunctional relationships.  The cartoon cover models are both pondering their partner’s fidelity: “If you’re not role-playing with him, who is?”/“If I’m not fulfilling her fantasy life, who is?”  Following this comes an introduction that encourages couples to “…communicate, connect and commit – and to be conscious of each other’s desires and feelings.” 

For some, this may be an apposite reminder of the commitment involved in being in a relationship.  For others, the didactic instructions could have overtones of the evangelical therapist. 

Ashley Lister
May-June 2009

______
© 2009 Ashley Lister. All rights reserved.

About the Author: Ashley Lister is a UK author responsible for more than two-dozen erotic novels written under a variety of pseudonyms.His most recent work, Swingers: True Confessions from Today's Modern Swinging Scene (Virgin Books; ISBN: 0753511355), a non-fiction book recounting the exploits of UK swingers, is his first title published under his own name.
Ashley’s non-fiction has appeared in a variety of magazines, including Forum, Chapter & Verse and The International Journal of Erotica. Nexus, Chimera and Silver Moon have published his full-length fiction, with shorter stories appearing in anthologies edited by Maxim Jakubowski, Rachel Kramer Bussel and Mitzi Szereto. He is very proud to be a regular contributor to ERWA.
Websites: www.ashleylister.co.uk / ashleylister.blogspot.com

  E-mail this page

Copyright © 1996 and on, Erotica Readers Association, Inc.
All Rights Reserved World Wide. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or
medium without express written permission is prohibited.