Erotic writing, sensual snacks

Eating L.A. departed from the usual menu of restaurants and restaurant news to try something a little different this weekend: An erotic writing class complete with delicious snacks to help the creativity flow. I took a Saturday afternoon workshop in Erotic Freewriting with Marilyn Friedman, who runs the Writing Pad in her pristine, modern Silver Lake duplex. Not only is Marilyn really skilled at facilitating freewriting, but her friend Susan Yoon makes a mean cupcake. The assembled writers -- two guys and about six women -- got to know each other over grilled zucchini crostini with ricotta, mint and manchego cheese. On the side was a shooter of watermelon gazpacho with a proscuitto chip -- yum! We then read some erotic poems out loud, worked on autobiographies and other exercises which gradually and effectively took the writers deeper into a frame of mind where we could write longer pieces and then read them aloud with positive feedback. Well, except for my last piece, which I was too embarrassed to read as I was already blushing while I was writing it. During a break, we had Susan's wonderful deep chocolate cupcakes with mascarpone frosting and raspberries -- dubbed "Aphrodite's Nipples" to match the theme of the class.

Marilyn offers several other freewriting workshops, including one for screenwriters, so if erotic writing doesn't turn you on, there's other ways to get a really satisfying mental workout with creative snacks that get the juices flowing. If you feel like you'd like to write but just aren't sure how to begin, freewriting is a great way to start putting something down on paper. And no, I won't show you my stories.