Ensemble HaremLit

Posts about this new HaremLit subgenre.

Do All Companions Need to Stay?

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

As I work on the next installments of my Ensemble HaremLit series—some of which are growing into sprawling, multi-book adventures—I keep bumping into the same question: What happens when the harem gets too big?

Or more precisely: Should every fabulous woman the protagonist meets end up staying?

When I first started writing Ensemble HaremLit, I wanted to honor the genre’s romantic wish-fulfillment while adding emotional depth and character agency. That meant giving each companion a meaningful arc, distinct relationships with both the protagonist and the other companions, and a reason to stay that made sense beyond attraction.

But here’s the thing: the deeper the world gets, the more places the protagonist visits, the more cultures he explores, and the more people he meets… the harder it is to have everyone stick around. And more importantly, I’m not sure they should.

Some companions come into the story with their own goals and needs. They might have a steamy encounter with the protagonist—something real, something tender, maybe even transformative—but their arc doesn’t point toward a long-term commitment. It points back to their own story. And sometimes, they’re content to walk away.

That’s not rejection. That’s realism.

In a long-running series, I’ve started to see how useful it is to let some companions be temporary. Not throwaway characters, not casual conquests, but fully realized people whose connection with the protagonist serves a specific narrative purpose—and then concludes. Maybe they return later. Maybe they don’t. Maybe the memory of them lingers in ways that shape later relationships.

There’s a different kind of emotional payoff in that.

The flip side, of course, is the permanent companions—the ones who anchor the ensemble. They grow with the story, deepen their bonds, and bring emotional continuity across volumes. They’re the reason readers keep coming back. But even they can’t be joined by every new woman the protagonist meets, not without losing the integrity of the story—or overwhelming the narrative with logistics.

So I’m learning to distinguish between fleeting intimacy and lasting bonds. I’m learning to ask: Does this companion need to stay? Or was her role to change something—for herself, for the protagonist, or for the story—and then move on?

It’s a balancing act. I don’t want to undercut the romance and connection that define the genre. But I also don’t want to dilute the emotional weight of what it means to stay.

So, as these series grow larger and more layered, I’m giving myself permission to let some companions leave. To honor the moment, and not the expectation. To accept that not every relationship needs to last to matter.

Because in the end, isn’t that also part of the fantasy?

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

Villains in Ensemble HaremLit

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

Every great story needs a little friction—and no, I don’t just mean the steamy kind.

In Ensemble HaremLit, where emotional arcs, companion quests, and complex relationships take center stage, it’s easy to forget how important a strong antagonist can be. But trust me: nothing tests the bonds of love, loyalty, and lust like a credible threat.

And no, I’m not talking about moustache-twirling supervillains or cackling madmen. My villains tend to be… well, people.

The Enemy with a Justifiable Goal

What makes a villain feel real in Ensemble HaremLit isn’t just their opposition to the protagonist—it’s that they often have legitimate goals of their own. Goals that might even make sense, if you weren’t so invested in the main character’s journey.

Sheik Rushdi, anyone?

In The Three Tiffanys, he isn’t evil. He’s clinging to tradition in a world galloping toward modernity. His resistance to Prince Farouz’s modernization isn’t about power for power’s sake—it’s fear, legacy, and love for a way of life that’s fading fast. You may not like him… but you might understand him.

Villains like this create emotional and ideological tension. They force my protagonists (and their companions) to reflect on their choices, question their assumptions, and occasionally, stumble.

One Villain, Many Reactions

What I love most about writing Ensemble HaremLit is how each companion responds differently to the antagonist.

Some want to fight.
Some want to negotiate.
Some sympathize with the villain.

This isn’t just good drama—it’s world-building. It reflects real diversity in thought, experience, and background. The villain isn’t just a wall to break through; they become a mirror that reflects each character’s values and fears.

I still remember writing the scenes in Prospector Finch’s Harem Adventures where Elizaveta wants to eliminate a threat quietly, while Shonali insists on honoring tribal customs, even if it means risking the mission. Same villain. Two deeply personal responses. And both are right in their own way.

Conflict Fuels Connection

A believable antagonist raises the stakes not just for the plot, but for the relationships. Because when a villain forces the protagonist to choose between love and duty—or when a companion’s loyalty is tested—you get those delightfully tense, heartbreaking, high-emotion scenes that Ensemble HaremLit is known for.

You can’t forge a bond through fire… without the fire.

Keep Your Enemies Complicated

In the end, I write villains the way I write companions: with depth, desire, and drive.

They don’t think they’re villains. They think they’re right.

That’s what makes them powerful. And dangerous. And, dare I say, a little bit sexy?

So next time you fall in love with one of my harem companions, keep an eye on the shadows behind her. Someone’s ambitions may be darker—but no less real—than our hero’s.

And isn’t that what makes the story worth telling?

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

HaremLit: What a Great Genre

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

When I started writing HaremLit, I wondered why? Did I have a new take on the formula: one great guy, multiple beautiful women who are drawn to his exceptional qualities, have lots of sex, and shape destiny. When I started reading HaremLit, this was tried-and-true approach that clearly works.

Sure, the field was much more diverse than that simple description suggests—there really is something for everyone in this magical genre. You can get more girls than you could possibly dream of, or explore “what if you could get every cute girl in Harry Potter or Game of Thrones or The Hunger Games?” There are fantastic adult fan stories, clever spoofs, and fun crossovers like “Harry Potter meets 50 Shades of Grey.” I’m sure that, like for me, not every HaremLit story is right up your alley. I tend to avoid BDSM or stories that are too gory.

So what could I possibly add to all that?

I started with my own loves: Bioware’s Mass Effect, Jade Empire, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which are celebrated for their romance options. In Jade Empire you can even end up with two women! The Dragon Age series gave us deeper and richer companion quests. The Witcher 3 in particular was an amazing story that branched in intelligent ways—it even gently mocked the idea that you could end up with both women, while still making you care deeply about each relationship. The Witcher world isn’t black and white, and the Bioware stories let you explore different moral paths.

Then there’s my love for ensemble shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, where every crew member gets their moment to shine, or Scandal with its complex web of relationships and character development. Even procedurals like Cold Case showed how multiple perspectives could deepen a story.

What I loved about all these wasn’t just the one hero doing everything with other characters gravitating around him. Sure, as a woman, I can absolutely swoon for a hunky hero, but I also wanted the women to be more than eye-candy. I wanted them to have their own goals, their own challenges, their own relationships with each other.

That’s what I decided to bring to HaremLit – that sense of multiple complex relationships where every character has their own story, motivations, and agency. Where companions have personal quests like in Dragon Age, where relationships develop over time like in Mass Effect, where moral choices aren’t always clear-cut like in The Witcher.

I called it Ensemble HaremLit: one man, fabulous harem companions, multiple points-of-view where every voice counts and every character’s journey matters. You’ll meet relatable guys who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, surrounded by fabulous women who choose to stay for their own reasons. Together they forge unbreakable bonds through shared adventures… and yes, plenty of steamy encounters😘!

I needed that name so that the readers expecting an isekai Marine repopulating a planet wouldn’t go: “Hey, what’s going on here? This is a crappy book!”

Because they would be right: my protagonists aren’t chosen ones or overpowered heroes. They become extraordinary through the connections they build, not because they started with special powers. I like to think, my companions have real agency. Each has her own relationships with the other companions, her own story arcs that matter whether or not they involve the protagonist.

And like those Bioware games, you get multiple perspectives that deepen the story. You see events through different characters’ eyes, understanding their motivations, fears, and desires. It’s like having VIP access to everyone’s inner world.


Now, after three years and more than 350,000 words across three full novels, eight novellas, and thirteen short stories, I still hope there are others who like what I like, and hopefully like what I write.

If, like me, you love companion quests and ensemble storytelling—then check out my Ensemble HaremLit and tell me if I got it right.

Don’t know where to start? Let Madame Noore lead you to your fantasy.

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

Companions Who Leave the Harem

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

One of the HaremLit rules is that no harem companion leaves for another man. I prefer for harem companions not to leave at all. However, I like diversity in the companions, so I tend to add and add. In my harem companions overview, Finch has 17 companions. Yeah, right! Does he have time for anything?

Who leaves in the Finch Trilogy?

I decided that four would leave him:

Tandarine

Tandarine ult Akorebi, the perky Simmix pilot who wants to have sex across the globe watching the sky as Finch gives it to her. There’s no sky in the Simmix underground bunkers on her home planet Trirrox.

Why does she leave? She’s so busy enjoying Earth and Finch that she almost forgets that her parents signed up for the Simmix mission dragging her along. Tandarine wants to thank them for doing so, and show them how beautiful this new planet is. She sneaks out of the house and casually finds her way back on the Simmix mothership. Only when it’s too late does she realize it was too easy. She watches how her parents tell their superiors that they knew nothing of her plans to rescue them, and wouldn’t have gone with her anyway. Stunned by this truth, she is marched to an airlock. While she drifts away, for the last time, she takes in the beauty of Earth. ”Thank you, Finch. I love you.”

Writing this down brings the same tears to my eyes as when I wrote this passage. And I knew what was coming! Too tender a heart…

Adelheid

Adelheid Kondritz, the bubbly blonde, airship engineer and pilot, leaves for very different reasons: guilt. In Star People, the aitarel she’s piloting malfunctions and crashes. Adelheid is saved when Tady-Lic presses the ejection button. While the cockpit drifts down on a parachute, Adelheid watches a huge dustcloud rise from the aitarel’s crash. When she finds Finch, he’s barely alive. Tady-Lic saving him caused a huge amount of damage to her fembot body. Adelheid can’t live with what has happened and decides to go back to her mother, a maid in the employ of Count Von Zeppelin in rural Bützow, Prussia. Through her mother’s doing is about to marry Jörg, the earnest son of the blacksmith. She accepts this, even though she designed and piloted airships for Finch. If this is her lot, so be it.

But her good friend, Gayatri, Princess of Amber, shakes her loose. I like to think I wrote an amusing telegram:

In her mother’s room, she reads it:

“ADELHEID WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING – STOP

FINCH’S OPPONENTS DON’T – STOP

MAKE SAN FRANCISCO YOUR NEXT – STOP

PRINCESS GAYATRI, EMINENT SARASWATI OF THE KINGDOM OF AMBER, DISTINGUISHED VEDANTIN AND CUSTODIAN OF THE ANCIENT SANATANA DHARMA, ILLUSTRIOUS PROTECTOR OF VEDIC ARTS AND SCIENCES”

“Who is the message from, liebling?”

I needed the full force of this passage to get Adelheid to move. I use ’stop’ not as the usual end of sentence in a telegram, but as part of a telegram. Then, I wanted the short sentences to contrast with the ridiculously long name Gayatri uses to sign it. And finally, I ended the section with her mother asking who the telegram is from. I didn’t add Adelheid’s answer, hoping that the reader who wonder: what is Adelheid going to answer?

The next time we see Adelheid, she’s being questioned by the men at the ticket office. They find it suspicious that an unmarried woman could pay for a first-class ticket.

I thought a lot about the moment where she meets with Finch again. I like to think I did a good job:

He takes out a roll of paper and spreads it across his desk. Without a word, he beckons her forward. Adelheid’s heart races as she approaches. Her eyes widen as she recognizes the adapted design of a new airship. The changes are amazing. She traces a finger along a modified strut, marveling at its elegance.

When she looks up, Finch’s eyes are on her, not the design. She opens her mouth to speak, but no words come. He embraces her, and their lips meet. In that moment, Adelheid knows she’s home.

Sarah

Sarah Riegler/Curious Psychosociologist 4, the four-hundred-year old Ilzed scientist who’s in love for the very first time, is a late addition to Finch’s harem. In a convoluted plan to board the Ilzed omniship, Finch and the team decide to fake Sarah’s death. Only the plan backfires horribly. When the Ilzed beam doesn’t take up earthlings, Sarah decides to take their place, so that she can make sure that Finch can meet her superiors. They are watching the event and in a panic shut down the beam. I cried writing how she falls:

Tady-Lic, Elizaveta, Shonali, and Finch watch as Sarah’s arms and legs bounce up after her fall. Tady-Lic, running towards her, she blames herself for not staying in the beam. She could have caught, like she did Audrey. The fembot registers multiple fractures on arms, legs, ribs, and skull, severe internal bleeding in chest and head.

Finch kneels next to Curious Psychosociologist 4.

“Finch…”

He caresses her bloody hair. “Sarah.”

She closes her eyes.

And I’m an author who likes—no, needs—happy endings to stories.

Takeko

Nakano Takeko, the Japanese samurai based on an historical figure, dies in battle just like her real world counterpart. The horrifying aspect of this death is that Takeko made her sister promise that she wouldn’t be a prize for the Japanese imperial forces. I didn’t want to go into detail, but I wanted to stay true to the original Takeko. So, I had her sister write a letter to Finch about the events and how he was always in her heart. Japanese letter-writing for the samurai is almost poetic. I hoped that if I could mimic that style, I could soften the blow.

I try to honor their sacrifice at the end of the trilogy, after Finch and his companions save the world.

In a secluded corner of Borden Hall’s gardens, Lydia created a memorial for Tandarine ult Akorebi, Nakano Takeko, and Sarah Riegler. Charlotte Huntington, Lydia Norton, Adelheid Kondritz, Constantia Philpott, Princess Gayatri, Shonali, Valentine Verne, Tady-Lic 12♥, Sifrah, Elizaveta Gagarin, Queen Şah, Miri-So-Fi, Wang Zhenyi, Eljamit ult Louki, and Emperor Norton I take a moment to commemorate those who gave their lives for others.

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

The Three Quests of Ensemble HaremLit

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

How to Create Complex and Engaging Harem Companions

In Ensemble HaremLit, the harem companions are more than just love interests – they’re fully fleshed-out characters with their own motivations, desires, and challenges. One way to create this depth is by giving each harem companion three quests: a personal challenge, a romance with the protagonist, and a challenge they face together with the protagonist. In this post, we’ll explore how to use these three quests to create complex and engaging harem companions.

The First Quest: Romance with the Protagonist

The first quest is the most obvious one: the harem companion’s romance with the protagonist. This quest can be used to explore the harem companion’s feelings, desires, and motivations. How do they meet the protagonist? What sparks their attraction? How do they navigate the complexities of a harem relationship?

The Second Quest: Personal Challenge

The second quest is a personal challenge that the harem companion faces on their own. This could be a fear, a goal, or a personal struggle that they must overcome. This quest can be used to explore the harem companion’s inner world and create opportunities for character growth and development.

The Third Quest: Challenge with the Protagonist

The third quest is a challenge that the harem companion faces together with the protagonist. This could be a external threat, a mystery to solve, or a personal struggle that they must overcome together. This quest can be used to create opportunities for teamwork, communication, and collaboration between the protagonist and the harem companion.

Benefits of the Three Quests

Using the three quests can create several benefits for your story, including:

  1. Depth and complexity: By giving each harem companion three quests, you can create depth and complexity in their characters.
  2. Character growth: The personal challenge and the challenge with the protagonist can create opportunities for character growth and development.
  3. Teamwork and collaboration: The third quest can create opportunities for teamwork and collaboration between the protagonist and the harem companion.
  4. Romance and tension: The romance with the protagonist can create tension and romance in the story.

Tips for Implementing the Three Quests

Here are some tips for implementing the three quests in your story:

  1. Make it consistent: Make sure that the three quests are consistent with the harem companion’s personality and motivations.
  2. Make it meaningful: Make sure that the three quests are meaningful and impactful on the story.
  3. Don’t overdo it: Don’t overdo it with the three quests. Make sure that each quest is well-developed and serves a purpose in the story.
  4. Use it to create tension and conflict: Use the three quests to create tension and conflict in the story. This can create opportunities for character growth and development.

By using the three quests, you can create complex and engaging harem companions that will captivate your readers. Remember to make it consistent, meaningful, and well-developed, and don’t overdo it. Good luck!

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

Behind the Scenes of The Three Tiffanys

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

Creating Authentic 1920s Arabia

A World Between Tradition and Change

A lot of readers ask me how I create the vivid world of Rakal Al Sulem, where our Three Tiffanys have their adventures. The 1920s were a fascinating time of change, especially in Arabia, where tradition met modernity in ways that created natural tension and drama.

Take the scene where Tiffany Walker first meets Farouz in the port of Ras Al Qummah. The failing pearl industry was real – the discovery of cultured pearls in Japan was devastating the natural pearl market. When W approached Farouz with those pearls, she represented both the end of an era and the beginning of new possibilities. I love how that moment captures the larger themes of tradition meeting change.

The political dynamics in the series also reflect real historical tensions. Sheik Rushdi’s resistance to Farouz’s modernization wasn’t just about power – it represented the genuine struggle many traditional leaders faced as the world changed around them. When Rushdi used the “Pearl of the Desert” to challenge Farouz, he was appealing to something deeper than just a legend. He was reaching for the comfort of familiar traditions in an increasingly unfamiliar world.

Even small details matter. When J. Tiffany brings her film camera into the palace, it’s not just a plot device – it represents how new technologies were changing how people saw themselves and their world. The scene where she films Mirina and Saqal’s betrayal isn’t just about catching villains; it’s about how modern evidence could now challenge traditional power structures.

But it’s the harem dynamics that required the most careful balance. The Three Tiffanys aren’t just “modern women in a traditional setting” – they each bring their own complicated relationship with both modernity and tradition. Tiffany Takei’s engineering mindset challenges gender roles while her Japanese heritage gives her unique insight into navigating strict social hierarchies. Tiffany Walker’s business acumen makes her independent, but her respect for local customs helps her succeed. And J. Tiffany’s artistic perspective lets her bridge worlds through storytelling.

I spent a lot of time researching how harems actually functioned in the 1920s. They weren’t the exotic fantasies of Western imagination, but complex social structures with their own hierarchies, traditions, and politics. Zarina’s role as sultana-mother shows this – she’s not just Farouz’s mother, but a powerful figure whose traditional authority helps legitimize the more progressive changes The Three Tiffanys represent.

The hardest part? Making sure the world feels authentic without getting bogged down in historical details. When Tiffany T helps install modern generators, or when W navigates the pearl markets, these moments need to feel natural within their world. The key is focusing on how these changes affect people personally – their hopes, fears, and daily lives.

My goal has always been to create a world that feels real enough that readers can imagine themselves there, whether they’re solving mysteries with the Tiffanys or falling in love with Farouz. It’s about finding that sweet spot where history and imagination meet to create something new yet familiar.

What aspects of 1920s Arabia would you like to explore more in future stories? Let me know!

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

Serializing Ensemble HaremLit

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

Next Steps For this Rich Sub-Genre

As I continue to write and publish my Ensemble HaremLit stories, I’ve been thinking a lot about the format and how I can best deliver these complex, character-driven tales to my readers. Compared to other Haremlit, Ensemble HaremLit packs a lot – multiple plot threads, complex character relationships, and a rich, detailed world to explore. That’s why I’m considering a new approach: serializing. That means writing half-length stories, similar to a 30-minute episode of your favorite TV show.

This approach will allow me to publish more often, which means you’ll get to enjoy more of my stories more frequently. I’m also considering running three or four series concurrently, which will give me the opportunity to get feedback from you, my readers, on which next episode you’d like to read next. This will help me to tailor my writing to your interests and preferences, and ensure that I’m delivering the stories you want to read.

My Ensemble HaremLit promise remains the same: to create stories with an overall narrative arc, as well as specific arcs for the main protagonist and the harem companions. This means that each episode will have its own satisfying conclusion, while also contributing to the larger story.

Some of you have asked my to follow up on the adventures of Cartographer Tremayne, and I’m happy to report that I’m considering this for one of my series. In addition, I’m excited to introduce two new series that I’ve been thinking about for a long time.

The Scholar Qian Harem Adventures are set in 19th century China and follow the journey of a young scholar as he searches for ancient objects of power to save the empire against a dark enemy. Along the way, he’ll meet fabulous women and mythical creatures, like Fox Spirits and Stone Guardians.

The Half-Prince Theodoric Harem Adventures are set in early Medieval France and follow the story of Charlemagne’s ne’er-do-well bastard son as he investigates reports of magical happenings throughout his father’s empire. He’ll encounter wonderful Wilde Sorceresses and seductive Light Faeries.

Finally, I’m also working on a new series called The Meridian, which follows the story of a wealthy playboy who buys a mysterious scientist’s silver mobile lab on a whim, only to find himself on a cross-country quest to rebuild an alien-detection device. His road trip will have him mysterious Russian spies and Midwestern farmer’s daughters.

To get you started on these new series, I’ll be publishing a collection of short stories that serve as prequels to each one, as well as a continuation of the Adventures of Cartographer Tremayne. This will give you a chance to get to know the characters and worlds before diving into the main stories.

I’ll start working the collection after I publish the final part of Prospector Finch’s Harem Adventures—halfway through chapter 3!

I hope you’ll join me on this next step in my Ensemble HaremLit journey. I’m excited to share these new stories with you, and I look forward to hearing your feedback and suggestions along the way.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

Distilling HaremLit Elements

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

A Journey of Discovery

As I prepare to embark on my new series set in mysterious China, I find myself thinking about the essential elements that make different HaremLit subgenres work. Like a master chef selecting the finest ingredients, I want to take the most compelling aspects of each genre and blend them into something fresh and exciting. Let me share my creative recipe with you.

The Art of Cultural Discovery

What makes isekai stories compelling isn’t actually the new world setting – it’s the protagonist’s journey of discovery and adaptation. In my upcoming series, I’m capturing this by having my protagonist navigate the complexities of 19th century China’s social and cultural landscape. There’s no need for him to save the world through the power of love. Instead, the challenge comes from understanding and respecting a rich, established culture while forming genuine connections.

The Poetry of Small Moments

In my new series, I’m creating intimate moments through shared discoveries, quiet conversations in historic gardens, and the excitement of exploring ancient temples together. In a way, I’m borrowing slice-of-life moments to build a bit more homey intimacy, while maintaining the exotic appeal of the setting.

The Beauty of Human Diversity

One of the most captivating aspects of fantasy romance is how it celebrates unique traits and differences. In my China series, I’m channeling this through the diverse cultures and myths of different regions. Each companion brings her own background, beliefs, and customs, creating that same sense of discovery and acceptance. And yes, some of the companions will be actual monster girls. The wonder comes the fascinating ways the companions shape our perspectives and relationships.

Adventures of an Everyday Explorer

The appeal of classic HaremLit often comes from having an everyday protagonist who grows through his experiences. I’m keeping this relatable character development while expanding the scope beyond familiar settings. My protagonist isn’t special because he’s been chosen by destiny or blessed with unique powers – he’s special because he’s genuinely interested in understanding and connecting with the people he meets during his travels.

Creating Something New

By distilling these elements down to their essence, I’m crafting a series that hopefully feels both familiar and fresh. The journey of discovery creates natural tension and growth opportunities. The intimate moments build authentic relationships. The cultural diversity drives character development and conflict. And our relatable protagonist ties it all together through his journey of discovery.

What excites me most about this approach is how it allows us to elevate the genre while staying true to what makes HaremLit engaging. We can create sophisticated, culturally rich narratives that still deliver the emotional satisfaction and romantic excitement readers crave.

Moving Forward

This is my way of growing with the genre – taking what works and reimagining it in a mature context. I believe we can create stories that respect both our readers and the cultures we’re writing about while still delivering the entertainment and emotional connection that drew us to HaremLit in the first place.

What do you think about this approach? Which elements from traditional HaremLit subgenres resonate most with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts as we explore this new frontier together.

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

Ensemble HaremLit and Holidays

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

Whose Parents to Visit?

As we approach the holiday season, many of us are faced with the daunting task of navigating complex family dynamics and relationships. So, how does a guy with a harem do this? In Ensemble HaremLit, multiple points-of-view can make this especially challenging and fun.

In The Man from G.I.N.G.E.R., James Bread, our serial seducer, ultimately finds love in the arms of Colonel Eugenie Countess von Mittrowitz Lichnowsky. His main concern is how to explain to his mother that he is dating a Police Colonel.

In the final chapter of Star People, my outline only had the ending: Finch would be abducted by the Alder and the Nanken. Not enough for 2000 words. So, I added some holiday happenings that turned out quite well, if I do say so myself.

We see Finch with Constantia and Audrey on the pier, sliding down the bannister with Tady-Lic under the stern gaze of Lydia. But we also see Shonali taking Elizaveta and Takeko to visit the mural she painted in the cave in her village. There were several other homey scenes where the ensemble was together all the time.

It’s true, I cheated. I avoided the decisions about whose parents they would celebrate Christmas with. With more than two harem companions this can quickly grown out of proportion, mathematically speaking. Not to mention the expectations parents may have about dining on specific days.

Do these dynamics matter? I like to think so. Even though HaremLit asks us to suspend our social beliefs, they still exist. For me they are part of the dynamics within the harem, and without. Of course, this goes further than the holidays. Society, for legal, practical, financial, and feminist reasons is not comfortable with a harem of a guy with several women. Nor the reverse harem. Even the term polyamory, is struggling for acceptance.

Should we care? Yes. Love is unique in that it multiplies when it is shared. There is enough cake for everyone, because everyone makes the cake grow.

For Merchant Zayed’s Harem Adventures and The Three Tiffanys, the setting is one where a harem is acceptable and maybe even conventional. In Prospector Finch’s Harem Adventures, on the other hand, the setting is more traditional. This is why I’m finding ways to have Finch marry all the companions who want this, even if it can’t be a conventional marriage. I’ll let you know in Part 3 if I’ve succeeded. Better yet, you will let me know if I’ve succeeded.

For now, I danced around whose parents to visit by having Finch slide down a bannister 😘

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany

World-Building in Ensemble HaremLit

Ensemble HaremLit
~ J. Tiffany Noore

Crafting Immersive and Historical Settings

Is it important to be historically accurate in Ensemble HaremLit? That depends 😘

I like the feel of real history for my stories. How historic events are part of them, or how specific details hint at a location. Let me to give you a few examples:

In Merchant Zayed’s Harem Adventures there is no real history. I use the 1001 Nights as inspiration. That means that the story takes place in Persia at around 1000 AD. I try to calculate distances to get a feel of how long voyages take. The names of the places are real. Even the dynasty that Atossa belongs to is historical. The sweet Sekanjabin syrup is an actual drink from that period and from that region. Somehow, I believe that these details make my worlds come to life.

In The Valentine Empress, I’ve created an entirely new world. The look and feel, I was aiming for is late medieval Europe. The period when magic and science mix and there are first traces of Enlightenment. The story is set in the Plyterre Dominion. I wanted it to be like France and Great Britain with its court intrigues. I modeled the Autradian Dynasty on a combination of Austria and Hungary. The ambassador’s name Lumnije Juhász is supposed to give an East European feel. Walchelin Baron Venrock has ancestry in the Belgirian Kingdom, which I thought would sound like Belgium. For such a short stoy, I think I have too many characters, but I needed them all for the mystery/court intrigue.

Prospector Finch’s Harem Adventures is even more ambitious. In it, I made an even deeper mix of history, fiction and science fiction. Readers have told me that it is a tough read. I guess they’re right. It’s more of a science fiction story with steamy bits than the more accessible HaremLit stories. Although I try to stay true to the actual historical occurrences, I fiddle with some dates.  For example, in Belleville, Finch and Adelheid attend a reading of Five Weeks in a Balloon by the author Jules Verne. That story was written a few years later. I was writing about airships so, I introduced this fantastic author as an inspiration. There are more liberties in the dates, but I tried to stay as close as I can to the actual history.

What I loved doing is trying to find ways so that Finch can marry the harem companions who want to. In a fictional setting, it wouldn’t be a problem, but I wanted the social rules to apply. Charlotte, Adelheid and Gayatri all have a real wedding. I speculated that a small announcement in a newspaper in Germany wouldn’t reach the US. Even a grand wedding in one of the kingdoms in India wouldn’t attract attention. So, I felt those were safe to do. Once Finch wants to marry Lydia or Constantia, their ties to San Francisco will make that challenging to hide. In the final part of Prospector Finch’s Harem Adventures, I hope to find clever ways to make it possible anyway. I hope you will like them.

For me, the world building is about historic events, specific details, and interesting customs. They all help transport you, my readers, into the narrative and help you feel the story come alive with depth and authenticity.

Ensemble HaremLit Musings

Kisses, Tiffany
Kisses,
–Tiffany