Geared for Pleasure - Rachel Grace RBRS* STEERING COMMITTEE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2012

DRAFT MINUTES

Committee Members Present: Elizabeth, karen, Ceridwen, Allison, mark
Committee Members Absent: Joel, Jen, Bazi

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1. Introductions

2. Review/Approve Draft Agenda for "Geared for Pleasure" - VOTE
The meeting was called to order at Sexy O'Clock by Co-Chairs (CC) Ceridwen and Elizabeth. Council Member (CM) Allison stated that she did not vote for this novel, and sighed. Quorum was established (barely) and the agenda was approved by consensus.

3. Review/Approve Draft Minutes for past agenda "The Bone Palace" - VOTE
Committees discussed several sexy puns that could be considered for "The Bone Palace". Minutes were approved by consensus.

4. Announcements
CC Ceridwen announced the upcoming agenda for "The Dirty Girls Book Club". No eyes were rolled and all faces remained straight.

5. Public Comment
No public was present for this very private and sexy meeting.

6. Bodice-Ripping Needs Assessment Update - VOTE
CCs Elizabeth and Ceridwen reviewed their findings. CC Ceridwen noted the novel's success at engaging with dominance and submission. CC Elizabeth rolled her eyes while pointing out the heroine's surprise orgasm. CM mark gave her a sympathetic glance. CM karen noted her appreciation of the love scenes as "hot" while underlining her ongoing concerns with hygiene and urinary tract infections. CM Allison agreed that the sex scenes were "hot" and also "badass". CM mark hemmed and hawed a bit per usual, agreed with the presence of bodice-ripping, and finally admitted to ever so slightly enjoying these elements of the novel. When asked to explain in further detail, CM mark explained that he found the heroine to be rather whiny and clueless and breathless, which created a barrier to fully enjoying the ripping of bodices etc in the novel's first half. However he did enjoy the dominatrix-thief cat-woman protagonist of the novel's second half because "who doesn't enjoy a dominatrix-thief cat-woman". He did not particularly notice the novel's play with dominance and submission due to this theme being a regular part of his fantasy life, but stated that he appreciated CC Ceridwen's comments as "illuminating". CC Ceridwen rolled her eyes. CM karen moved to accept the needs of Bodice-Ripping as fully assessed and was seconded by CC Ceridwen. Motion passed 4-1.

7. Steampunk Needs Assessment Update - VOTE
CC Ceridwen and CM mark reviewed their findings. CC Ceridwen provided an overview of steampunk wardrobes and accessories, and then noted that although such elements were present in the novel, they turned out to be on the whole minimal. CM mark - who amusingly fancies himself to be a well-read novice in the field of steampunk - found the inclusion of steampunk in the novel to be enjoyable but rather light, and determined that the novel itself could not be considered as "Steampunk" due to the haphazard use of steampunk motifs. CM mark also expressed frustration with the novel's title, which he felt promised much steampunk but instead delivered slightly tweaked, steampunk-y science fantasy instead. CC Elizabeth stated that she found the steampunk elements to be acceptable. CM karen made a small comment regarding steampunk that shall go unrecorded. CM Allison remained silent on the topic. CM mark moved that Geared for Pleasure not be considered as a Steampunk novel. Motion failed 1-0 with 4 abstentions.

8. Gender and Characterization Report
CC Ceridwen noted that her findings on gender in Geared for Pleasure were included in agenda item 6. CM karen stated her appreciation of the characterization, with the exception of the alpha male "Bodhan". CC Elizabeth discussed the idea that some authors are too close to their characters and thus those characters never truly feel in danger. She also noted, in a sarcastic voice, that some bodies are always surprised at their capacity for pleasure. CM mark concurred with all perspectives per usual and then discussed his favorite character, the dominatrix-thief cat-woman. He discussed this character at extreme length, including the idea of a dominatrix turning into a submissive for just the right person, until it became mortifyingly clear that this character type represents an apparently regular source of ongoing fantasy activities for CM mark. An uncomfortable silence ensued. Finally, CM mark quickly stated that he thought the characterization was serviceable: "Shallow but who cares, they were fun. I mean, look at the cover. I'm not expecting Dostoevsky. And that dominatrix-thief cat-woman, wow...". CM Allison stared at CM mark incredulously but remained silent. A silence which spoke volumes.

9. Writing Ability Report
Still noticeably uncomfortable, committee members quietly shuffled papers and exchanged meaningful glances. Eventually, CC Ceridwen stated that "there were some interesting things going on." CM karen noted her appreciation of the lack of trite vernacular for sexual organs. CC Elizabeth reiterated that some authors may be too close to their characters. CM Allsion stated flatly that the writing was horrible. CM mark rambled "Er, well, I sorta thought the writing was fine. No real complaints. I liked the world-building. Overall it was fun and sexy and light and even interesting at times too, I really had a lot of fun reading this one, seriously. And I will definitely be reading the sequels whenever they come out! I mean, aren't you guys going to read them? Aren't you??" His fellow committee members proceeded to study the ceiling.

10. Meeting Adjourned


*Random Bodice Ripper Society