Author Interview: Koko Brown

Author Name: Koko Brown
Year started writing for LI: 2008
Titles: Frozen in Time
Web Page: http://www.kokobrown.net

What genre do you write in, and why? :
Even though I’m a huge fan of historicals, I seem to mainly write paranormals, which feature an interracial/multicultural relationship. The reason for this is because the genre is really underrepresented and with paranormals you’re pretty free to do anything. And I need that since my stories tend to be really over the top!


What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
The first story I ever wrote was an 80,000 word historical set in during the Harlem Renaissance completed over six months in ‘04. The story focuses on the interracial relationship between a beautiful cabaret singer and an Italian mobster.
I shopped this one around a bit, garnered some interest from several publishers, but alas no contract.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
I know this may sound naughty, but if the scene turns me on then I know I’ve done my job.

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
Not really, but I will admit that I did a have a muse who indulged me with his wild escapades every now and then. One of his experiments turned up in my debut novel Charmed.

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
Heck no! Usually its where did you learn that!

What one word best describes your toy collection? :
Incomplete.

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
My most unusual plot idea came from a Chinese folk tale about an incubus. I turned the tale into an erotic kabuki play the main characters are watching. It’s used as a turning point between the hero and the heroine where she finally decides to forgive him.

What music inspires your writing? :
I know this may sound strange but it’s only one song – Ice Box – by Omarion, an R& B singer formerly of the teennie bopper group B2K. Featured on his second album 21, this song is the driving force behind every single story I’ve written.

I think the song provides so much inspiration for me because the lyrics talk about a young man's earnest plea to his lady love to forgive him for all the troubles in their relationship which are brought on by his inability to trust. His memories of a past ruinous relationship keep interfering in his present relationship. And although he tries to let the past go, he can’t but think if he opens up to her, she'll break his heart like the last woman.

Plotter or a Pantser? :
I’m a partial plotter and a hardcore pantser all rolled into one. I plot out the chapters with a brief paragraph summarizing what has to happen in that chapter before moving onto the next. But as far as how it happens is always up in the air.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :
Haven’t had any and I doubt I will, since nothing seems to embarrass me anymore. After my mother’s death in 2003, I learned not to care about what other people think. Mortality seems to put a lot of things into perspective.

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
Plenty…but I won’t kiss and tell because my past lovers are my past and they should stay there.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :
The floor of a record store.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :
This is one of my biggest regrets since becoming a published author. I find it really hard to read anything to completion. I always draw myself out of an otherwise great book, due to it sparking a plot idea.

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :
I wish. Who wouldn’t want to be seduced by a vampire, a Viking or a Victorian Earl?

Soulmates? Do you believe? :
I feel everyone is destined to have a soul mate, possibly even more than one. According to a psychic reading, I haven’t met mine, yet. Thank goodness for small blessings!

Sex with anyone famous? :
No and I like that way because I think it would probably be a let down…well maybe not if it’s Gerard Butler!