Hello, my lovelies!
To start, I want to thank Ursula Shand (http://blog.ursularenee.
1) What am I working on?
The more accurate question is, what am I NOT working on? Hopefully this answer will explain why my poor, little blog has been so ignored lately. I am currently writing four stories–one of which I just finished last week (squee!). I’m writing the novella (Wicked Shot) that prequels my erotic suspense, Wicked Exposure (which I am also currently writing) all the while plotting the second novel in the series.
These are the most important of my tasks to finish because the deadlines are rapidly approaching. However, on top of the Wicked Exposure series, I am also currently writing my first New Adult novel and finishing up another erotic romance novella.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I’m asked this question a lot and I never quite know how to properly answer. There are so many fabulous erotic romances out there and while there are some key things that are needed to qualify them as such, I find all of them to be unique.
I think that perhaps the biggest difference within what I write is that even though I usually have touches of BDSM within my books, it’s more about self-discovery than anything else. My stories specifically tend to feature sassy, strong female leads who are faced with equally snarky heroes. In most cases, there’s a touch of power play–a struggle for dominance, where who ‘wins’ the dominant role isn’t always who you expect.
3) Why do I write what I do?
I think to answer this, it begins with the question: Why do I write? And that answer is simple. Because when I’m not writing, I want to be. I would say 75% of the time that I’m not in front of my laptop, spilling words onto the page, I wish I was. Of course, then sometimes I get in front of my computer and stare listlessly, but that’s a whole other issue, huh?
Now, as for the question: Why do I write erotic romance? That’s another tough question. It’s like asking, Why do you read erotic romance? It’s a hard question to answer, right? Similar to, Why do you like pizza? Ummmm, because it’s delicious! So, why do I read/write erotic romances? Because they are delicious! I connect to sensual stories with heart the most. There’s a realness and a rawness to these stories that I connect to.
Also, they’re fun. A lot of fun.
4) How does your writing process work?
I’m a plotter. I like to have a skeleton to work from with any story–otherwise, that evil little thing called writer’s block infiltrates my brain and takes over. But if I have a story mapped out already, I can curb that block and find a side road to get to my destination.
As many of you probably know, most writers have day jobs. I’m so lucky in that I’m a self-employed photographer. I can make my own hours and calculate my deadlines so that I’m not slammed with photography stuff during those weeks. That being said…my process tends to go a little something like this:
-A brilliant novel idea comes to mind in a dream (ha!)
-That morning, I open a new document and write 1-3 paragraphs summarizing the story
-In the same document, I breakdown each scene/chapter so that I have a detailed summary outline of the whole book
-Begin writing the story.
I also write chronologically–meaning, I start with chapter one and go in sequence until the book is done. I find it very difficult to skip around scene to scene. My daily schedule begins with me doing morning business things (emailing, blogging, photography business). Then after lunch, I usually go to a coffee shop or set up on my couch to write. Typically, it takes me 15 minutes of staring at my blank page and revisiting what I worked on the previous day before I get into the groove. I aim to write 2,000 words daily. Some days, I far surpass that–other days, those 2k words are like pulling teeth. But I stay with my butt in chair until I finish those 2k words…even if they don’t turn out all that well.
Well, I believe that is all for now! Be sure to check out next week’s writer’s who will be continuing this blog chain. My two amazing friends and equally amazing writers, Alyssa Cole and Suzan Colón.
Alyssa Cole is a Brooklyn-based romance writer; she hosts a Romance Book Club and teaches romance writing at the Jefferson Market Library in NYC. www.alyssacole.com
Suzan Colón, a former senior editor at O, the Oprah Magazine, is the author of the inspirational memoir CHERRIES IN WINTER and the novel BEACH GLASS. http://suzancolon.net/blog/
