Aww, thanks, Snappy. : )
Peggy, I'll check out your post.
I agree authenticity comes first. And I'm sure I'm making a bigger deal out of it than any reader will.
The truth is, when the material stretches me or makes me uncomfortable, I know I'm writing at the top of my ability. Playing it safe makes for boring, inauthentic writing. Following the threads of truth where they lead and being faithful to their portrayal does bring the material to life.
And the sexuality/sensuality works. It's indigenous to the story, not gratuitous. But it sure as hell surprised me!
I wanted a theme of nakedness, all levels, types, ways to be naked. My characters just took it literally in a few parts, lol!
Hope everyone's writing is going well. After this ms is done, I'm thinking around mid-April, I plan to take it easy until NaNoWriMo (minus anything involved with sold book, of course!)
Forever crossing everything for everyone! : )
Em