Bren Ryder

Traditionally, November has been one of my worst months out of the year. Bad things happen, mood is low, and it feels like a very long month. December I like. It’s a time to kick back, party with friends and family, look back over the year and make plans for the new one.

This November I’m going to take on a few projects that I’m hoping will make November a better month.

November is novel writing month (NaNoWriMo) so I’m taking this opportunity to try my hand at writing again. I wrote for the Three-Day Novel writing contest which was super fun. My goal early this year was to write my Porn Manifesto. So, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Along side with writing this manifesto, I’m going to document – journal style – all the things I do this month related to creating porn and running my website, GoodDykePorn.com. So, whether this month turns out great or not I’m hoping that writing about it will make it interesting, anyway.

Earlier this year I made a list of 101 Things To Do. And there is still plenty on that list that I still need to do.
I have a huge TO DO list and I’m going to tackle as much as I can in November. That way, I have something to write about, a limited time frame to push myself and hopefully an alignment between my vision (manifesto) and my actions (journal).

Here is where we’re starting:
This past week has been November-esque in the sense that I have lost (more like misplaced) a lot of media that I need for the website. Specifically the footage that I intended to post on the site this past weekend. I’m hoping that by the end of this week I’ll have it all worked out and be done with “unfortunate luck” for a little while.
[To see the live performance version of the upcoming scene - go to the Updates Page on GoodDykePorn.com.]

Also, we’re essentially starting from nowhere. I haven’t been writing on this blog for a while and the website has only just begun the new updates. So, writing the Manifesto is going to be about the vision of Good Dyke Porn™ and the documentation of Bren Ryder working GoodDykePorn.com is going to show my attempt to put that vision into action.

I’ll keep you updated on my writing progress and work activities for the month of November. To get the latest updates and excerpts from the upcoming Manifesto, subscribe to this blog or follow me on Twitter.

Wish me luck!

Of course, by “we” I mean me. I managed to get all the articles back online with the help of my Facebook imported notes. I still have a lot of work to do here – redo pictures, add bloggers to the blogroll, affiliate friends – but the content is up and that’s what’s important (if you’re into read words, that is).

September is back-to-work-month so new updates will be appearing at GoodDykePorn.com and new and fascinating blog articles will be showing up right here.

Enjoy.

I’ll have everything back to normal by the end of the day (hopefully).
And then I’ll be back to regular blogging.

Thanks for stopping by!
Check out GoodDykePorn.com to see my work.

Love!

My Good Dyke Porn™ business soul mate, that is.

I’ve decided I want a partner. I’m feeling ready to share my toys with others and see what happens when more that one person works at creating an impact on a porno revolution. Of course, I haven’t been the only one creating the work of GoodDykePorn.com. There are many models, a few camera operators, volunteers, a graphic designer, a composer and an investor. But the day-to-day work is done entirely by me. I love doing it on my own, but I’m feeling open to finding the right person to share the work, the joy and, the money.

I use the term “soul mate” because I feel as though the right person for the job is going to be someone who is a lot more than just skilled in one area or another. The right person is going to click with me another level. Now, I love clicking with people. I click all the time. But, this click needs to be special. This isn’t love, this is business, but it’s gotta be magic.

I think the greatest benefit of having a partner is that we can motivate each other. We can inspire each other. And, we can impose deadlines on each other. I see us getting together for a business meeting once a week, doing some brainstorming and planning, and then assigning a few tasks for each of us to complete for the next week. Due to the fact that this meeting is very important I am currently only looking for someone who lives in Vancouver, BC. If you live in the Lower Mainland and want to commute into Vancouver for the meetings then you may also apply.

Our financial arrangements will be discussed later, however, considering the current status of the website (paused), there will be no payment for work done for at least the first 3 to 6 months. Currently, all incoming revenue is being reinvested into the website – which is why I had to get a day job again (I’m really liking it though. It’s getting me out of the house and I enjoy doing something completely different from running the porn biz for part of my time). So, you must have a day job and the will to work Good Dyke Porn in your spare time.

Here are a few things that come to mind regarding what I’m seeking in a partner:

* I’m looking for someone who has a variety of skills or has an ability to learn new things quickly.
* Computer skills are essential and an up-to-date computer is preferred.
* Film and video experience isn’t necessary and film industry experience is really unnecessary and maybe even a drawback. Depends.
* Knowledge of business, accounting, marketing, video editing, graphic design, webmastery, or camera operation are all wonderful, but not required. I taught myself everything and perhaps you can do the same.
* Maybe you’d like to be in the public eye.
* Maybe you’d rather work behind the scenes.
* You are passionate, but not overbearing.
* You are easy-going, but not aloof.
* You live in Vancouver.
* You are queer.
What else?

I’m open to hearing why you think you’d like to work at Good Dyke Porn™.
It’s amazingly rewarding work and together we can make it Great and even make some money.

Send me an email. Tell me about yourself, your schedule, your experience and why you’d like to be my GDP Soul Mate.
To: bren@gooddykeporn.com

Love,
Bren Ryder

More than writing this upcoming manifesto, I am living the manifesto. In fact, I haven’t written anything yet. So far, I am witnessing. I’m waiting to see what emerges as a clear philosophy for revolutionizing porn.

I have a general idea about what I want to create. I want to create good dyke porn, thus the name of the website is GoodDykePorn.com. And we’ve all been working intuitively to figure out what exactly good dyke porn consists of. The way I figured it is if we start to have genuine sexual encounters on camera between women who love women then we should be on the right path.

Whenever I talk about the website – my vision for the future, what we create and what we’re hoping to achieve – I become extremely verbose. After my second cup of coffee with someone who’s interested in learning about what I do, I start to passionately express the positive effects good dyke porn has on society, the fantasy of a changed world, and human experience of de-grossifying pornography.

But, whenever I think about writing a manifesto I get a little overwhelmed and can’t think of anything to write. I think I’m over thinking it. I was rereading my Steve Pavlina book yesterday and in the chapter on careers I was reminded that what I’m trying achieve with this website/my business is what I’m trying to achieve for my own life.

A few months back (probably when I was reading the Steve P. book for the first time) I came up my purpose in life. It was a matter of breaking down everything I feel like I want into something that can’t be broken down anymore. Plus it needs to be something that resonates with me.

Here’s what I came up with for my life purpose:

* Love Truthfully
* Empower and Inspire
* Experience Life Fully

Everything I do in life needs to align with one or more of those points. So, this seems like a good place to start for the Good Dyke Porn™ Manifesto. After all, my work should be in alignment with my personal manifesto.

And it is.

I made a decision to hit the pause button on my porn website, GoodDykePorn.com. I’m referring to content updates. After I add an additional part to my solo scene there won’t be anymore updates for a few months. This was a difficult decision, but my primary concern is to create a valuable product to my customers. Currently, I’m having some trouble keeping up to the very modest update schedule of one new scene per month.

I was worried about this decision because I don’t want people to think that I’ve given up or that Good Dyke Porn is on it’s way out. On the contrary, I feel like the next couple of months are going to contribute to its longevity. I run the site on my own and I like it that way. My intention is to continue to do so, but in a way that will keep the quality of the website consistent and allow the site to run at least for the next 10 years. That’s what I’m looking ahead to.

When I chose to start this site, I just did it. I didn’t spend much time doing market research or perfecting my business plan or honing my business and technical skills. Considering the amount of work and expertise that’s required to make this website run smoothly, I could have spent years in preparation. For me, it was important to just get started. Personally, I learn by doing. As I started to film the scenes I learned what was required to make it look good and what was unnecessary. As I started to edit the scenes I referred to online tutorials of Final Cut Pro and became more and more comfortable as every new hot scene passed before my eyes. At tax time I was forced to get my accounts organized. Everyday I learn new skills: webmastery, inventory, customer service, marketing and promotion. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Initially, I set up the foundation of the website and hoped that from there I could simply add content and promote. As always, there’s much more to it than first meets the eye. Now is the time to revisit that foundation and make it even stronger. Over the next couple of months I’m going to be completing plenty of important tasks and creating some more material to be released on a consistent basis when updates begin again. Besides that, I’ll be figuring out the best way to make this work over the years. Whether it’s task, time or personnel management it will be solved.

We aren’t going anywhere, though, so please continue to visit the site as often as you like. If you buy a membership then you will have access for the entire time that we are “paused”. If you have a membership right now then your access will also be extended. (Message me if I haven’t successfully reached you by email: bren@gooddykeporn.com)

I’m very excited about the upcoming changes and I feel in my heart that this “break” is extremely necessary to the future of Good Dyke Porn. Here are some changes that you can expect to see:

• Updated community features in the members area.
• Model profiles and pages.
• Redesigned navigation for easy of use.
• Limited # of free or discounted memberships available for application.
• User submissions from all over the world.
• More frequent and consistent updates.
• Commissions paid to all participating models.

Let me know what you want to see different for your money. I’m going to be busy, but I always have time to talk to you. Together we can continue to make Good Dyke Porn a place for beautiful, quality images of real queer sexuality that we can all be proud of.

As I mentioned in my last post I’m working on building this business and maintaining it mostly on my own. The exception to my solitude comes on shooting days where I’m filming the models and sometimes I get help from another camera operator to film the scene.

This blog is meant to give you an idea of what it’s like for a self-taught pornographer to run a business and attempt to make an impact on the porn industry and visual depictions of queer female sexuality. So, to give a glimpse into my life I am here to offer my list of 101 things-to-do starting in January 2009.

It’s actually a list of 17 projects that need to get completed and all the tasks that need to get done to make some headway on each one of these tasks.

I’m a little nervous about publishing my list. It makes me feel very vulnerable. Sure, I can take my clothes off and let you watch me have sex with a woman. Any judgements of my body or my sex will only reveal your own insecurity, but this is business. And, what if my way of doing business is wrong or doesn’t serve the queer porn revolution appropriately. Oh well, I can let that go. Just like everyone’s body and sexuality is unique so is my work life and my business contribution to the world. This is how I do it. Feel free to watch.

The List:

1. Schedule New Scenes
2. *Send out email to all the single models to plan get together. (20 min)
3. *Contact C regarding doing a scene. (10 min)
4. *Email S about doing a scene with L. (10 min)
5. *Schedule party to hook people up and brainstorm ideas. (20 min)
6. Update Enter Page
7. *Move review banners/buttons to front page. (40 min)
8. *Add quotes from various sources. (1 hour)
9. *Research appropriate child protection links and banners and memberships available. (1 hour)
10. *Add banners and links to child protection websites (30 min)
11. *Create an affiliate report. (1 hour)
12. *Add affiliate links and banners. (1 hour)
13. *Sign up as an affiliate for CyberDyke.com (20 min)
14. *Look into Monica’s Reviews – renew membership if necessary (1 hour)
15. Create a tour
16. *Create a static page (tour1) describing who we are and what we do. (2 hours)
17. *Create a compilation video of interview responses (8 hours)
18. *Embed a video clip on tour1 of a compilation of interview responses. (30 min)
19. *Create a static page (tour2) showing images and videos of Good Dyke Porn. (4 hours)
20. *Create a static page (tour3) showcasing the BrenRyder and GDP blogs, the forum and community. (2 hours)
21. *Create a static page (tour4) describing the payment options, Verotel, cancellations, free applications and costs (2 hours)
22. *Proof-read all of the tour pages and add the Sign-up Link to all the pages. (2 hours)
23. Update index page
24. *Add slideshow to index page showing latest addition, community update, tour link, $ign up page$ (6 hours)
25. *Create a button for The Tour. (2 hours)
26. *Add link to The Tour on the index page. (20 min)
27. Update public area
28. *Create a press area – add links and quotes from all press that gdp’s been in (4 hours)
29. *Create a review area – add links and quotes from all reviews that been done (4 hours)
30. *Review performance of affiliates on link page (2 hours)
31. *Update links page – remove inappropriate affiliates (2 hours)
32. *Update VOD page – flash it up a bit, promote HotMovies (2 hours)
33. *Update About Us page. (2 hours)
34. *Update distributor information on the website. (10 min)
35. Update BrenRyder.com
36. *Write a blog about affiliate reports. (3 hours)
37. *Redo categories on BrenRyder.com (20 min)
38. Update Members Area
39. *Convert all video files to wmv. (2 days)
40. *Add wmv link to all scene items. (4 hours)
41. *Create a newsletter to send out to paying members. (4 hours)
42. *Add categories to the videos. (2 hours)
43. Update Community Area
44. *Download Joomla Community and install in members area. (4 hours)
45. *Change gender fields on profile (2 hours)
46. *Redo AlexCravenGeneva preview files. (30 min)
47. *Email models about getting on the forum and creating their own profiles. (30 min)
48. *Create a model profile area. (6 hours)
49. Revive Forum
50. *Start a new thread or two (20 min)
51. *Move into members area. (1 hour)
52. Catch-up on Administrative Tasks
53. *Refurbish battery and get wireless card for laptop.* (2 hours)
54. *Update accounts on business software. (2 days)
55. *Do taxes 2008 (3 days)
56. *Go over domain registrations and renew only those which are necessary. (1 hour)
57. *Decide whether to make a few new sites that point back to GoodDykePorn (30 min)
58. *Reserve new domain. (10 min)
59. *Contact adult stores across US about Babeland distributing GDP. (2 hours)
60. *Add wmv files to Clips.com (2 hours)
61. Prepare Promotion Tools
62. *Make new banners for promotion – according to industry standard (2 days)
63. *Create an animated banner. (4 hours)
64. *Add preview clips to PornHub. (1.5 hours)
65. *Look into the possibility of putting clips on other tube sites. (1 hour)
66. *Put together promotional package to send to magazines and other media. (2 days)
67. *Create Photo Galleries for promotion and video clips to TGP’s on Verotel. (4 hours)
68. *Contact magazines and blogs about participating as a writer. (2 hours)
69. *Research all possible awards for 2010. (1 hour)
70. *Advertise on the Xtra online directory. (20 min)
71. Update Members Database
72. *Add complete contact information to contacts list. (6 hours)
73. *Add members to the Map. (8 hours)
74. *Add I to the members area. (10 min)
75. Start Free Membership Community
76. *Create a form for applications for free memberships. (4 hours)
77. *Create static page with rules and information regarding free memberships. (2 hours)
78. *Send out an email to all members announcing this opportunity. (2 hours)
79. *Create a newsletter to send out to community members, paying members, and free members. (6 hours)
80. *Set up a donation button to include in free members email communication. (1 hour)
81. Update AEBN Account
82. *Create a “DVD cover” for every scene currently online. (2.5 hours)
83. *Work out cover details with AEBN. (30 min)
84. *Burn more scenes onto a DVD to send into AEBN. (4 hours)
85. *Write scene descriptions and include photos and model I.D.’s into new content package. (4 hours)
86. *Update the appearance of the VOD library. (2 hours)
87. *Send in new content to AEBN. (1 hour)
88. Rework Business Plan
89. *Find and print all past business plan documents. (30 min)
90. *Read E-Myth Mastery Business Plan chapter. (2 hours)
91. *Make outline for new business plan. (8 hours)
92. Make a new short film.
93. *Read through documentary book (4 hours)
94. *Plan the story and what to shoot (4 hours)
95. *Shoot it (4 days)
96. *Edit it (8 days)
97. *Recruit musician to submit their music (4 hours)
98. Start Accepting Submissions
99. *Write guidelines for user submissions. (4 hours)
100. *Create a button and link for Accepting Submissions! (3 hours)
101. *Meet with lawyer for new contract. (2 hours)

More To Come:

1. Make a plan for creating merchandise.
2. Publish Volume 2 DVD.
3. Schedule writing time for the manifesto.

I love this time of year. When the new year approaches I always take time to look back at the past year and make goals and plans and resolutions for the new year. I’m not too concerned about the resolutions. They consist of the usual fair – eat better, exercise more. But, it’s not my goal to follow my resolutions all year long. They’ll naturally fluctuate throughout the year and I’m perfectly happy with that.

I don’t even remember what my resolutions were last year. Probably similar health habits and work habits. Looking back at 2008, I did make a major change in my exercise habits and began going to the gym 5 times a week first thing in the morning. December has been a bit of a write-off but September to November was amazing.

Looking back at Good Dyke Porn™ there have been a lot of accomplishments.

The website was only (a)live for 6 months at the beginning of 2008. The film festival film made a nice circuit in 2007 and the film went to Australia and Paris and Israel in 2008.

*I started this blog – BrenRyder.com

*I received a Feminist Porn Award: The Golden Beaver Award for Canadian Content.

*I published the first DVD – The Best of GoodDykePorn.com Volume 1

- Canadian Distributor for the DVD – Come As You Are
- US Distributor – Babeland
- The DVD available on three VOD websites.
(all new income)

…my favorite accomplishment:
*I lived off the earning from my business for 6 months out of the year. (And learned how to live on very little.)

Besides these physical accomplishments there have been many new connections made with queer revolutionaries, new models, supportive fans, and porn allies. Not to mention the incredible new fucking sex scenes that we’ve accumulated over the past year.

Now I have a huge list of goals for the new year, but I don’t want to get too crazy about trying to do too much because look at all the incredible things that can happen in a year – and that’s just a small business summary. Looking at blogs, the one piece of advice that I found is to come up with One Personal Goal and One Business Goal. So, out of my huge list of goals for the coming year I need to figure out which ONE is most important. If I could only accomplish that ONE goal what would it be? For 2008, that goal was definitely publishing our first DVD. And we did it!

Coming up with only one goal to focus on is not as easy as it looks, but it’s a perfect strategy for lazy easily distracted people like myself.

ONE GOAL – well, two really – one personal, one business. I’ll be back with what that is as soon as I figure it out.

In the forum, a discussion has started asking the same question, “Do Men Belong in Dyke Porn? ” It’s not an easy question to answer.  My first instinct is to think, no, men do not belong in dyke porn. If there’s anywhere in the world that men don’t belong, surely, it is dyke porn.

I am fairly conscious of male privilage and I tend to notice the public display of differences between men and women. Even the little things stand out: in a room full of women, when a man is speaking the room tends to fall silent to listen, in print ads the older, wiser, gentleman is seen standing tall over the women, presumably teaching her something, and even space is taken up differently by a man.

I think I’m conscious of these things because I resemble a man to some people, but upon closer interaction I’m clearly a woman. This has put me in a grey zone and I notice things that other people might not notice.

The trans-movement has changed the way lesbians look at men. Your best friend is now a man, or your girlfriend is now a man. Most people are politically correct enough to accept that – now a days. And if you accept that your friend is now a fully a man, then your thoughts about men and male privilage will change too. Male privilage doesn’t go away you are just a lot more conscious that your five-foot-nothing furry faced friends need your support in finding their place in the world. And if that means loving men more, so be it. More love: the collatoral damage of changing identities.

In my reply to whether I think men belong in dyke porn or not I said that I was comfortable with men being in a few rare scenes as long as its primary objective was to serve the dyke fantasy (something like that). We’re always hearing about how dykes love to watch gay-boy porn so they can’t be too offended by the penis.

I am making plans to hook up with a transguy and his bio-guy boyfriend to talk about shooting a scene. It seems to me to be an appropriate scene to shoot for dyke porn. Transguys form a large part of the dyke/queer community so that’s a natural fit for me and dykes like to watch gay porn so there you go… gay/trans/dyke porn.

In my opinion, the queer community is such a diverse place that our porn should reflect that diversity. Transguys and their boyfriends are a part of my world. I think there’s definitely room for that specific genre to be expanded and websites created just for this degree of gender or that degree of sexual orientation, but this is dyke porn, so come watch us dykes queer it up the best way we know how – with the people of our community.

Bottom-line, any queer individual who feels comfortable participating in the dyke porn movement is welcome to join us.

I am living my dream by making my life and my business all about creating dyke porn that women love. When I first created the name, “Good Dyke Porn™” for the outlet of creating this porn I thought I was going to hear a few comments like, “nice try, porn yes, good no” or “an attempt at something good, but…”

I think most of us women who are following dreams and making things happen tend to have an imposter syndrome and sometimes doubt our worthiness of compliments or praise or even certain leadership roles. Since this is a job like anything else there are days that are easier than others and sometimes I have days where I feel discouraged, like I’m spinning my wheels or work feels pointless.

To combat those days I’ve compiled a document that I refer to whenever I need some encouragement. It’s a file that has quotes from reviews and emails from people who have incredibly wonderful things to say.

I’m so grateful to receive such comments. Not only do I actually get to create “my” work, but people actually love it! What more could I ask for? Below is a sample of the comments that I get to look at whenever I want to. They aren’t credited. For a look at a complete review check out some recent glowing reviews by:

Essin’Em: “Bren Ryder has really done both the adult and queer communities justice with Good Dyke Porn. and
Scarlet Lotus Sexgeek: “I think Good Dyke Porn is an amazing site full of wonderful videos enjoyable to everyone even remotely queer (and in my world that’s just about everyone)..”

This is a small sample of my inspirational list of compliments:
(Ain’t life grand?)

• I never get turned on by porn (the usual made by a man for a man porn) but your production is great and I was turned on.
• My butch boi and I had an interesting night afterwards *cheers to you*.
• I am happy to be a straight man discovering all this amazing dyke porn. The stuff I watched of yours has this real and earnestness about it. I’ve never seen anything like it in porn I’ve consumed.
• I have to say I’m a major fan of Good Dyke Porn, and yours was definitely the hottest of all the screenings! I enjoyed the panel talk afterwards, too, everyone raised some really interesting points.
• I just wanted to say thanks for making such delicious feminist porn, that reflects a colourful spectrum of sexualities, all of which are hot in their own way. You’ve obviously worked really hard to do what you do, and I think everyone benefits from your work. It’s amazing.
• Congratulations on creating the best, most authentic site on the web.
• I just want to say that your site is absolutely amazing . . . from what I can see of preview videos and just your general attitude, I can already tell it’s wonderful.
• I love sights like yours, that have a unique personal vision…please keep up the good work.
• Good to finally see some decent porn on the web.
• just saw your site for the first time and have to say it looks awesome.
• I appreciate your art!! Brave. And incredibly sexy I might add…
• Good for you.
• Just thought I’d drop you a line to say congrats on your site. It’s VERY nice :0)
• Thanks for your work!
• I believe you offer lesbians a valuable product, and I admire your ambition, your skills, and your ability to convince attractive women to have sex on film for public consumption.
• Just for the record, I think what you do is awesome

Keep sending me encouraging messages. I appreciate every single one of them.