author Interview: Viki Lyn

Author Name: Viki Lyn
Year started writing for LI: 2009
Titles: The Tiger Within
Web Page: www.vikilyn.com


What genre do you write in, and why? : M/M Romance. This is a new genre for me. My past books have been historical romances but with edgier characters that live on the outside of society. My WWII Trilogy featured a gay triangle and was a strong secondary subplot, so writing M/M wasn't a difficult transition.


How much time do you spend writing every week? : I'm really a sporadic writer! I'm disciplined when I have deadlines, but other than that, I write at all times of the day. I don't have a set schedule so maybe if I did, I'd be able to write more. I average 3 hours a day, including weekends.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :

A short fan fiction piece in 2000. From there, I wrote numerous fan fics before attempting original short stories. My first novel was a fantasy that I never had published. Sometimes I think about going back and rewriting the darn thing. Some of the characters are worth resurrecting, but once my stories are completed, I like to move on to something new.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :

If I get turned on by reading them, then I've succeeded!

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy?:

Well since they are M/M sex scenes, no, but I do have a gay friend who reads for accuracy. And the more I write hot sex scenes between two men, the more comfortable I become in knowing what can be done. In the beginning, I went to the local adult bookstore and bought two gay sex manuals for references. They were a big help!

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :

No, but then, my sex scenes are not that 'way out' (not yet, anyway!) - and my characters don't use a lot of sex toys - LOL - that will be next...

What one word best describes your toy collection? :

Oh boy, boring! The usual shapes and sizes!

Favourite candy while writing?: Ice cream (to cool down!)

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :

From my imagination, and my interest in the occult, mythology and ancient spiritual philosophies.

What inspires you to write? :

My muse is fickle. I used to create abstract mixed media works of art before writing, so maybe some day I'll go back to my art. Writing fits my personality, because it's mutable. No two stories are alike and the possibilities are endless.


What music inspires your writing? :

I listen to my iPod which has a very eclectic mix from The Pet Shop Boys to Loreena McKennitt.


Plotter or a Panster? :

When I begin a story I'm a panster but once I get into it I mutate into a plotter.


Most challenging place you've ever written a spicy scene? :

Oh, I am boring...because none of my sex scenes seemed too challenging. I guess for my next book I'll have to change that. Maybe sex under water?

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :

Sometimes I need to take a break from writing. When I do, I try not to beat myself up with self-guilt. To get back into a writing mode, I just sit in front of my laptop and type, even if it's junk.


The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?

None I want to put down on paper!

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :

Golf course at night.

What was the most romantic meal you've eaten? :

A picnic in the middle of a rushing river as we lounged on granite boulders warmed by the sun.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :

Mysteries! I devour them.

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :

No...and no!

Soulmates? Do you believe? :

Sure, I believe in soul mates and they can be either gender. I don't believe a soul mate has to be between a man and woman exclusively. I have two very wonderful girlfriends that are my soul mates.

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? :

Pie, Pepsi, and most definitely coffee!