Archive for the 'Interview' Category

Sometimes you meet someone and you just click. I will meeting Del in person in a few weeks and I am so excited about it! We’re going to be roommates at the Ellora’s Cave Conference. That’s right, party in our room. *does a snoopy dance*

Today, Del has graciously agreed to let me interview her. Welcome Del!

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

I can’t recall a specific inspiration; I just don’t think it ever occurred to me to not write. I was always an avid reader, and from the time I was twelve or so I used writing as my natural response to things I’d read. And later to things I’d seen, like movies or TV shows. Missing scenes, what-if scenarios, next-generation stories. I loved picking apart the stories, and especially getting into the characters’ heads. I was into fan fiction decades before I even knew it was a thing. And that just naturally led, for me, to creating my own characters and narratives.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I hop to another scene (sometimes even to another project), and if that doesn’t work I go back to my outline, or my original brainstormed batch of notes and “snippets”. I try to get a new perspective and regain sight of the big picture, the overall story and where I want the characters to be at the end.

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

One of my “back burner” stories is built on a series of wine-fueled conversations I had with some close girlfriends, about what our very worst – and sometimes just plain funniest – sexual experiences had been. There were some real doozies in there. I won’t get specific, but suffice it to say that one chapter may be titled “Drumstick Dick”. And also, I will never look at a glass thermometer the same way again! I’d still love to collaborate with those two ladies, both of whom are good writers and neither of whom is published.

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

Jack Benedict, from When in Rio. Forget supper, I would just take him to a hotel and have my wicked way with him. Or rather, let him have his wicked way with me. I’m sure my husband wouldn’t mind. Since Jack is fictional, and all.

Or I might go play some World of Warcraft with Seth and Allison from How to Tell a Lie, because I am geeky like that. And, if anybody reading this is geeky like that: Alliance, resto Druid. Off-spec is feral DPS but I suck at it. I have over fifty mounts but I’m still not satisfied because none of them is Ashes of Al’ar!

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

Yes! Historicals! I love reading a really good, well-researched historical by somebody who has a feel for the language and cultural differences. But whenever I consider writing one, I am daunted by the idea because I know myself and I know how easily I could get sidetracked by the period details. Probably at the expense of the story. But it’s on my to-do list.

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

I think I would sit down with Margaret Mitchell, get her to read that “Scarlett” book, and then ask her for her uncensored opinion about it.

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

Do you know somebody who is giving away minions? Because I really could use one. I’d set my lackey to cleaning my house, so I would never have to clean it myself again! This would leave me plenty of time to write books, and perhaps even take over the world! Muwahahaha!

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

If it is legible, I will read it. I don’t see why people feel the need to choose one over the other. I like both form factors. Most of the time I read fiction on my iPhone, non-fiction stuff like news and blogs on the computer. I’d like a Kindle or other dedicated e-reader at some point, just because it’s a little bigger, but it isn’t a huge priority. But I was SO excited when I actually held my first print book in my hand for the very first time! And glancing immediately to my left I can see my latest “treeware” library book (Terry Pratchett, Unseen Academicals, if anybody’s curious). All books are welcome in the House of Dryden!

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

Oh, but I already have a superpower. It is “Lightning Sarcasm”! I haven’t thought up a name yet, but I’m considering “Snark Girl”. Or possibly “Sarcastibitch”! (hat tip: Drew Carey).

What project are you working on next?

I just finished up two books for my “Truth & Lies” series, so I’m trying to settle on the next thing. I’ve been playing around with the fourth series book (it has shinbari in it! I’ve been trying to convince the hubster to tie me up for research, but so far we’ve only tested out about three different ties. It’s really hard to do complicated bondage in a smallish house with two young kids in it. Meh, every job has its frustrations, right?). But to get a little distance from the series, I’m also working on something very different – a zombie romance! It’s post-apocalyptic smut! The world-building is proceeding nicely, and it’s also a nice change of pace to work on merging my erotica writing mindset with my science-fiction writing mindset.

How can readers find out more about you?

Readers can visit my website, http://www.delphinedryden.com, for more info and links to purchase my books. Also excerpts, trailers, any contest I might be running, and all that good stuff! I’m on LinkedIn, but not Facebook. Folks can also follow me on my favorite social medium, Twitter, where I am @deldryden.

Hello everyone! It’s very exciting for me to have visiting my blog today, Lucy Felthouse. I met Lucy via Twitter and I’m pleased as anything she was able to join me here today. Lucy is also the founder of the new site Erotica For All.

Welcome Lucy!

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

I’ve always written, as long as I can remember. I’ve just always loved reading and writing. When I was little I used to produce reams and reams of writing – I wish I could churn out that many words now! I started writing erotica in my first year at University. Somebody dared me to write a smutty story – and so I did! I showed it to the person that dared me, and a few others and they were all pretty impressed. I realised I had a knack for erotica, and I’ve never looked back!

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

Oooh, I love so many books that I can’t really say. How about the one that’s still earning tons of royalties?

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

Have a skive for a few minutes… or sometimes more than a few. I’ll see if there’s anything going on Twitter or Facebook, or maybe play a computer game for a little while. I try to take my mind off the story, because I find if I force myself to write, it comes out as complete trash.

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

I’d say the dare (see above)!

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

Probably Dane. He’s a vampire that stars in my short story Shattered Resistance, recently published in Fang Bangers, by Ravenous Romance. He’s a very, very sexy guy, pretty sarcastic but a nice guy at the same time. I have much longer work planned which includes him – I can’t wait to reveal more about him. It wouldn’t matter where I take him for supper – he’s a vampire after all – it’d be more what we did afterwards!

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

Most of my short stories have been pure erotica, rather than erotic romance. I would like to work more on the romance element because I think it lends itself much better to longer pieces of writing. I’m not scared of it, per se, but I’m used to pure erotica, so I just hope I can do a good, and convincing job of writing in some romance too!

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

To be honest, I have the utmost respect for any author who can write firstly, a novel, then a series of novels all on the same topic, with the same characters. Writers like J. K. Rowling, Charlaine Harris, Rachel Caine, Richelle Mead and many, many more have written several books in the same world, with the same characters. Yet, instead of running out of things to say about them, or the books becoming dull – more and more layers appear in the characters, new situations arise and must be dealt with, and it gets to the stage that you really care about the characters and can’t wait to see what happens next!

Basically, I’d sit down with any, or all, or the above and ask how on earth they do it! How do they keep track of who said or did what, and make sure they stay consistent throughout many books?! Please teach me!

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

I’d send them to work for me, so I could stay home and write. Then I’d get them to do the ironing and the housework, freeing up yet more writing time. It’d be great! When can they start?

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

A year ago, I’d have turned my nose up at eBooks. The UK is way behind the US in terms of adopting eBooks and eBook Readers, so the main option was the read eBooks on a computer screen, which I really dislike. It’s a personal thing, but I don’t like reading reams of text on a computer. However, when I got an iPhone, I discovered that you could download the Kindle App, amongst others, which was a much more comfortable option for reading in bed (where I do most of my reading), despite the smaller screen.

Since then, I’ve embraced eBooks and realised they’re no better or worse than print books. They’re just different. From a writer’s perspective, eBooks increase your chances of getting work published, and the payment rates are better. From a reader’s perspective, the choice is wider, particularly when it comes to erotica. I’ve finally succumbed and ordered an Amazon Kindle, recently made available in the UK. I’ve got a few weeks to wait until it arrives, but I think its release, and the creation of the UK Kindle store is going to be a game changer in the UK. It’s a huge step forward, and hopefully one that will make the market mature and catch up with the US.

In terms of preference, I don’t really have one. I can see pros and cons for both. Naturally, it means I’ll be able to more easily read books which are only available as eBooks, but I’ll never stop buying print books either. I think in my life, certainly, the two will live very happily alongside one another, steadily draining my bank balance dry.

What project are you working on next?

I’m working on a few calls for submissions from various editors. I’m also working on editing an anthology myself. I’ve wanted to edit one for some time but have never been given the opportunity through a publisher, but thought what the hell – and am doing it myself! The call is for an erotic uniform anthology – find out more here (http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/index.php/call-for-submissions-uniform-behaviour/)

If you could have supper with any character, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

It would probably be Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. Failing that, Anne Rice’s Lestat. They’re both very sexy. Supper would be negligible, but I’m sure we could find something fun to do!

What story types/characters are you sick to death of seeing?

I should probably be sick of vampire stuff by now, but I’m not. Rather than getting bored with it, I keep stumbling across more and more authors that have written vampire stories, whether erotic ones or not, and I just read them all. I can’t get enough! I guess if I want to write more of that kind of thing, it’s great research!

How excited do you get when you find out a new book by your favorite author is coming out soon? What do you do?

I’ve read such a silly amount of books that I couldn’t possibly name a favourite author, though I do have lots that I really like. I get fairly excited – then put the book on pre-order and hope that I’ve finished what I’m currently reading when it arrives!

OMG if I see another author promo of “celebrity” autobiographies I’m going to scream! Why?

The autobiographies of so-called celebrities are just trash filling the shelves. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not all bad, like the ones of genuine celebrities. But it’s all the crap from people like Jordan/Katie Price and Kerry Katona. They don’t have anything interesting to tell us, they’re hungry for fame and aiming to make a quick buck, at the expense of proper writers whose books could, and should, be on those shelves.

I know it will never change, but there’s too much emphasis placed on these kinds of books because they’re pretty much guaranteed sellers, as opposed to quality writing from genuine people who are doing it because it what’s they love.

How can readers find out more about you?

I have my own website, which is http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk. I’m also often rambling about various things on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/cw1985) and I also have a page on Facebook (http://fb.me/lucyfelthousewriter) – hope to see some of you around!

Thank you for joining me here today! *does a snoopy dance*

Hello everyone! As part of a new weekly feature, I am interviewing authors, readers, reviewers…pretty much anyone who is willing to sit and chat with me for a bit!

For my first interview, I am pleased to have Lauren Hammond joining me on my blog today. Lauren, thank you so much for coming out to chat with me today.

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

Well I’ve writing pretty much all of my life but, I didn’t make the initial move to write my first book until 2006. In July of 2006, one of my best friends died in a house fire along with her three young daughters. I was determined to write the novel, dedicate it her and her children, and start a scholarship in her name.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

Soren Kierkegaard’s  The Seducer’s Diary. It’s hauntingly beautiful, seductive, and poetic. I personally think it describes how exquisite infatuation can for the opposite sex can be. It takes over your mind, body, and soul. I would have liked to have been a part of such a heart-felt yet, heart-wrenching piece.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I never hit stumbling blocks. Never have so far, and hopefully never will.

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

Well for my most currently released novel, Love Sucks, I kept getting this vivid image of a young, beautiful, girl, punching her fist through the lid of her coffin. I knew right away when the image came, I had to write it down.

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

Cara Jones, the main character in my novel, Love Sucks. I’d take her to the local hospital so she could have a nice, tasty, blood bag.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

I can honestly say, I’m not terrified to write anything. The world of writing is vast, and I’d like to tackle all genres.

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

Bram Stroker. I’d want to know how he came up with Dracula. I know it is based on the life of Vlad The Implaler but, how did he turn those facts into fiction? That’s something  I’ve always been curious about.

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

I really can’t answer this accurately. I like to do mostly everything myself so is someone gave me a minion, I don’t think there would be anything for them to do.

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I don’t really have a preference. Ebooks I think, are a genius idea but, for me, nothing beats sitting on your couch with a good old paperback in hand.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

I’d be the Laurenator and I’d be able to read people’s thoughts and shoot laser beams out of my eyes.

What project are you working on next?

I have several projects that I’m working on. Right now, I’m working on the sequel for Love Sucks called, A Sucker For Love. I have three more novels in the works as well as a bio-pic screenplay I’m working on with a co writer.

How can readers find out more about you?

Blog: http://laurenhammondnovelist.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @NovelistLauren

Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LaurenHammond/100755776636370?ref=ts

Or www.punkinbooks.com

And now for some reader-type questions. What are some of the things that draw you to an author?

You know that you are reading a good book when the author pulls you in from page one. You become involved in the story and it make you want to continue reading.

What favorite book of yours would you love to see be made into a movie? Why?

Right now, The Crimson Petal And The White. I guess my dreams are coming true because I recently heard they are making it a mini-series.

If you could ask your favorite author to do something for you, what would it be?

To let me pick their brain. Sometimes I like to know what’s going on in other people’s heads.

Thanks once again to Lauren for joining us today. To show my appreciation, you get the semi famous Christine…

*snoopy dance*

I love my blog…and I love that I can do whatever I want with it. I’ve always loved hearing from other people, both writers and readers alike. Starting in September I would like to start posting interviews from both writers and readers alike!

Yes, I want to hear from everyone.

If you are interested in being interviewed, please email me at christine.dabo@gmail.com. Provide me with your name, email and if you are a reader or a writer. I can’t promise everyone will get a spot right away, but I would love to see as many people as I can.