Author Interview: Qwillia Rain

Author Name: Qwillia Rain
Year started writing for LI: 2007
Titles: Santa’s Elf
Web Page: www.freewebs.com/clubdiabloblanco


What genre do you write in, and why? :
Currently I dabble in a bit of everything. Santa’s Elf was the start of an interest in erotic romance with BDSM elements, but I’ve also written stories in the genres of Romantic Suspense, Erotica, and Paranormal/Romantic Comedy. Only Santa’s Elf has been published.
As to why? Because that’s what the characters tell me to write. LOL, I know it sounds a bit schizophrenic, but each of my characters seem to be alive in my mind and when they want their story told, they make sure I know it. I just hope the characters never stop talking.


How much time do you spend writing every week? :
It depends upon what time of the year it is. Since my day job is in education, during the school year, I only have the time before and after school to do any writing, as well as the weekends. Right now, since I’m on summer break, I can spend as much or as little time as I’d like to write. I do try to spend at least two hours a day writing and I always have multiple projects going on to keep my characters active.


What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
It was a romance novel about a kidnapped woman who escapes her captors and finds refuge on a man’s private island. I should have known then (at the age of 12) that sex would feature highly in my stories, since I had multiple sex scenes and even a mild bondage scene with the hero and heroine. LOL

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
Step one is to see if I squirm in my seat when I read it. Step two is to send it to a friend of mine, and if she tells me she and her husband were very occupied after reading the scene, then I know I’ve hit the right note.


Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
No comment


Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
Nope, not yet. (Although, I did have someone tell me once that the “virility” of my male characters were impossible)


What one word best describes your toy collection? :
Eclectic


Favourite candy while writing? :
Depends on my mood, it could be chocolate, bubble gum, chewy sweet tarts, gummi worms, or Red Vines.


Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
A folk art museum display of a doll house.


What inspires you to write? :
I have no idea. I’ve always had stories going through my head. When I didn’t like the ending of the books I read, I would write my own. According to my mom, I’ve been writing or re-writing stories since I started reading at 3.


What music inspires your writing? :
I don’t usually listen to music while I’m writing. When I’m having problems accessing the emotions of my characters during a scene, I’ll listen to different types of music to get the mood, and then turn it off.
Much like my toys, I have an eclectic mix of music from classical to acid or metal rock. Depending on the mood of the scene, I listen to Nickelback, Dio, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Ozbourne, Enya, Joan Osbourne, Rhianna, Dean Martin or any of the Rat Pack singers.

Plotter or a Pantser? :
Pantster, all the way. I usually get the pivotal scenes for a story. I type out the primary idea, the elements associated with it, and some of the dialogue in the scene. After I’ve gotten those, I’ll go back and fill in the bridging scenes and elements.

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? :
Nope. She’s learned that the computer, when I’m on it, is off limits. Now, when I’m asleep, that’s another thing entirely. LOL. She’s a bit skittish around humans, only because she was abused before I adopted her from the pound. Usually she sleeps on the chair directly across the table from where I sit when I work on the computer.


Most challenging place you've ever written a spicy scene? :
During the middle of testing at my school. Very hard to “get in the scene” when you have 52 second graders clicking away on the computer. LOL.


When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :
I go for a drive, read a book, listen to music, or watch a movie. I figure, I’m stuck because the characters need a little privacy before revealing more information to me. Distracting myself from what’s going on helps to release the characters from their own disquiet in imparting information.
(Man, am I sounding as psycho to you as I do to me? LOL—I just feel like the characters are as real as the people I meet on the street. I strive to impart that very “aliveness” to the readers so that my characters become just as real to them as they are to me. Does that make sense?)


The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
Nope, sorry, very boring past, but hey, I’m young (just turned 42) give me time!


Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :
No comment.


What kind of books do you read for fun? :
All kinds! When I’ve glutted myself of romance novels (of all sexually explicit levels), I like to read books on brain function and neurology, crime scene investigation, forensic sciences, horror (psychological rather than gore), fantasy, or young adult novels.


Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :
I wish-lol. I guess you could say I’m living vicariously through my characters and the fantasies I’ve had my characters act out.


If you were to make a bumper sticker for your car that had to relate to erotic romance, what would it say? :
You know it’s time to get a new boyfriend when it takes longer to poach an egg than for him to perform.


Soulmates? Do you believe? :
Oh yes, I’ve just never met mine yet. I have hope I will eventually.


Sex with anyone famous? :
Only in my dreams.

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? :
Cake (chocolate fudge). Forget Coke or Pepsi, give me Dr Pepper. Love the smell of coffee, but bleck on the taste. As for tea—I like chai tea and chai tea lattes, with or without caffeine.