Monday, May 16, 2011

Unicorns, a Horny Subject

I don't think it ever reached fetish status, but I loved unicorns as a young girl. I had a unicorn necklace, a unicorn sculpture, a unicorn music box, a book on the history of unicorns with famous images of them, and assorted other collectibles decorating my room. These creatures were romantic figures that symbolized hope, magic and love to me. The picture to the left is of a unicorn statue in Salzburg at Mirabell Garden.

I've considered writing about unicorns in one my next books. Mythology links them with the virgin, the pure woman who lures the beast to the touch of her hand or to lie down to place its head on her lap; a surefire way to capture one. But I write erotic romance, and there is a dearth of virgins in my stories. This leaves me in a quandary.


So, to follow the ever-popular trend of twisting current mythologies and fables, I'll have to turn the story of the unicorn on its head. Let's play what if.

What if one singular unicorn (let's make him a shape shifting unicorn because I don't want to end up writing about bestiality) was born different? Instead of being attracted to virgins like the rest of his fellow horned clan, he was attracted to, shall we say, women of the night. Sex workers. Whores, if one insists on using a less attractive word. I prefer sex workers. And what if this brings him a lot of shame?

And what if a woman he meets and to whom he is deeply attracted (one of these sex workers), a person forced into her employment by circumstance, is also ashamed of her path in life? But it turns out she is the most spiritual, holy, fascinating, magical, intelligent, evolved woman he has ever known. She has no idea of it, lacking the perspective on herself. And what if their story is the journey for them to accept themselves, purge the shame, and love themselves for who they are while falling in love with each other? Somehow this twist feels appropriate. Even convents (those notorious abodes of virginal women) were appropriated by the church from pagan institutions in their campaign to make Catholicism familiar to the masses. Virgins were not always the holy ideal. Why not sex workers. Sex magic anyone?



The above is a bit of writerly brainstorming, fresh off the gray matter. Do you think you would want to read a story about a shape shifting unicorn attracted to a sex worker if I promise you there will also be an engaging external plot? Did you love unicorns as a child? What about them did you love? Not the virgin part I hope.


This final picture to the left is of a unicorn gargoyle in Linlithgow castle in Scotland. I happen to like the chains. Not because I like the idea of a captured unicorn, but because I like chains. I do write BDSM erotic romance ya know.

In summary, I'll take a leap and insist that unicorns are the perfect fodder for an erotic romance. Just look at the horn. Phallic anyone?


4 comments:

Wynter said...

I love unicorns, too. If you need any inspirations, check out Ke$ha's video for Blow;-)

Anonymous said...

Yes!! I love unicorns, Michelle! I loved them as a child and still do! For our anniversary least year my husband bought me the DVD and novel of "The Last Unicorn". It is one of my absolute favorite movies. And the book was just as wonderful! Have you ever seen it?

To me, unicorns represent the purity of magic. They're beautiful, strong, mystic and the reflection of all that's good in this world. Your idea for a book? Maybe this will tell you what I think about it...I wish I'da thought of it myself! LOL! I love the twist. You write it, I'm going to be one of the first ones to buy it! *sigh* You've just made me want to go look at "The Last Unicorn" again...

Michelle Polaris said...

Wynter, I'll head over and check out the KeSha video. I can always use inspiration.

Naima, The Last Unicorn was one of the first fantasy novels to which I was exposed and it hooked me on magic. My fifth grade teacher read it to the class. I'm glad you like the story idea. Now I hope I ever get to the darn thing.

Paige Tyler said...

Love unicorns! They're so graceful and beautiful!

I haven't seen Ke$ha's video yet, but I love that song!

*hugs*
Paige