Author Interview: Bobby Michaels

Author Name: Bobby Michaels
Year started writing for LI: 2007
Titles: Jock Dorm One, Jock Dorm Two, Second Time Around, The Veteran, Red Heart Bowl, For The Love Of The Corps

What genre do you write in, and why? :
I write contemporary male-male romance and because first of all I am a gay male. Second of all, because most of my books contain characters who are currently serving or former members of the United States Marine Corps. This is because I have many and varied experiences with the USMC including one who was my second lover. I started out writing on another website that was exclusively for gay Males but was encouraged by friends who were Loose Id authors to publish my work.

How much time do you spend writing every week? :
Because of a recent stroke, and the loss of the use of one of my hands, I have had to cut back a great deal on my writing as I am learning to use a voice recognition program.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
I cant even remember the name of it. I was 15 at the time and it was about a young male who goes off to war in Vietnam and is killed leaving behind his high school sweetheart who he had married before shipping out. It became the first in a series of romance stories that I wrote for a number of romance magazines like True Confession, True Divorce, etc..


How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
Very simply, if they get me excited, they’re effective.

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
Don’t need to, I’ve already done them.

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
No, I figure this happens to female authors.

What one word best describes your toy collection? :
Nonexistent. If it ain’t a real, it ain’t worth it.

Favourite candy while writing? : Popcorn

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
I am no damn idea in the world. Things just pop into my head.

What inspires you to write? : An overactive sex drive

What music inspires your writing? : Usually Andres Segovia

Plotter or a Pantser? : Definitely Pantser

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? : No cat.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :
I haven't really had one yet.

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :
I reread the story from the beginning.

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
Far too many to recount here. And I’ve had sex with more than 10,000 men in my life.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? : In a church, behind the altar.

What was the most romantic meal you've eaten? :
Hot dogs in bed with my Marine lover.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :
Paranormal romance (especially were wolves), mysteries, and military history and tactics.

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :
My real life is nothing like my stories. My stories are my fantasies.

If you were to make a bumper sticker for your car that had to relate to erotic romance, what would it say? :
I write because I’m horny

Soulmates? Do you believe? : Absolutely.

Sex with anyone famous? : Two NFL quarterbacks and a rock star.


Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? : Chocolate cake AND black bottom pie, Coke Zero, Tea AND coffee.

An Old Shoe

Ever have a pair of shoes that were just so comfy, such a good fit, that you just couldn’t bear to part with them? Maybe you don’t even wear them often but when you do, they make you feel special?

Shoes aren’t the only thing that can be like that. An old sweater. A jacket. A shirt that you can’t bear to make a rag.

So can books. A book you love can be like a old shoe. It fits you and you go for it when you need it. The Lady’s Tutor by Robin Schone is definitely my comfort read. So is the Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning and Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

A food can be that. Italian. Chinese. Hamburgers. Chocolate and peanut butter (my comfort food).

I just got back from the Outer Banks of North Carolina. And I told my husband, “It’s like an old shoe.” I go there and it’s comfortable. It suits me. I fit in there. I love it there. I don’t go terribly often but when I do, it’s like coming back home. And I miss it when I don’t go there for a while.

The Outer Banks is more than a comfortable place. It gets my muse in gear. Always has. It’s where I decided that fateful approximately six years ago, after reading four romances in a weekend, that I could write those. That trip led me on a journey that has culminated in my doing what I love to do.

And for me, that’s the biggest comfort thing of all. Writing. I miss it when I’m not doing it. I think about plots when I’m not writing. It’s my career and it’s also my most comfortable old shoe. It’s something I’ve always returned to and am unhappy when I’m not doing it.

So, what’s your most comfortable old shoe?

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany Of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

If it's Thursday it Must be Adrien

I just realized I have a blog due here today at Loose Id. This would not ordinarily be an unpleasant surprise, but I'm in the home stretch of completing Death of a Pirate King, the fourth book in the Adrien English mystery series about a gay bookseller and sometimes amateur sleuth, and his on-again off-again romance with a closeted LAPD homicide detective.

This is not a new story idea -- although when I first came up with it ten years ago, it was. And I have to say, I've reached the point where even I am bored with the number of amateur sleuths paired with closeted cops floating out there. So I thought I would do a post on Things I'm Tired of Reading in M/M Fiction. Feel free to join in on the comment section below

So here's a couple of the things I'm tired of reading in M/M Fiction.

1) Men who spend waaaaay too much time sitting around thinking about how they're feeling -- and worrying about how the other guy might be feeling. I mean, not that guys don't have feelings, and not that guys aren't self-analytical, but...Honest. To. God. I'd be worried about adolescent girls who spent this much time brooding over their love affairs.

Never mind whether it's realistic or not, it's BORING.

2) Men who can only swear to convey deep emotion. Since when did masculine become synonymous with Neanderthal? Not every guy has to turn into Brutus addressing the mob, but how about occasionally allowing for a little coherency on the part of your male protag. I mean...fuck...

3) Falling in love at first sight. This bores me in any and all romantic fiction. Lust is one thing. I think we've all experienced lust at first sight, but generally we know the difference, right? I get so bored by characters who are bowled over by each other at first sight -- a romance is an adventure story, and the journey is supposed to take up most of the story -- it's really the fun part -- NOT the scooping up the treasure troove of jewels at the end. So if there's no conflict, no journey, no story...what's the point?.

So, that's all I can think of at the moment -- Adrien is calling to me.

Agree Disagree? How about sharing some of your top peeves in M/M fiction?

Kidnapped by Jade James Available Now at Loose ID!

Sierra Rand is trying desperately to move on with her life. But an invitation to Fantasy Island to meet Van and Trance has her running. She intends to stay hidden for a while. But Van kidnaps her and it becomes a losing battle when Van and Roman both use their sex appeal to enslave her.

Van Merck is angry that Sierra decided to run before giving them a chance. His domineering attitude takes over, and instead of taking her departure as a sign that Sierra wants nothing to do with him nor Roman, he kidnaps her. Sparks fly as they first meet, and he's willing to do anything to make sure Sierra ends up a permanent part of their lives.

Roman Trance goes along with Van's idea of kidnapping Sierra. The immense attraction he feels toward her equals the lust he has for Van. And he's intent on wooing her with his gentle patience because he has no intention of choosing between Van or Sierra.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual situations, ménage (m/m/f).

Excerpt

As she stepped outside and turned to close the front door behind her, an unusual wave of heat brushed her back, causing her stomach to dip with nerves. The feeling of being watched returned full force, and Sierra quickly shifted her body. But it was too late.

A hand slapped against her mouth, sealing off her cry of surprise as an arm wrapped around her waist. She was lifted off her feet, and she screamed, but the sound only came out muffled. She kicked her legs against the ones behind her, fear causing adrenaline to pound through her blood.

“Easy,” a voice growled into her ear.

Easy? She was probably about to be raped -- or worse, killed -- and her captor tells her to be easy? Sierra redoubled her efforts and finally connected her heel with her captor’s shin. He grunted but didn’t release her. He carried her inside her home, and Sierra heard the door shut.

There had to be something she could do. He wasn’t going to hold her like this forever. He had to make a move, and she was going to be ready when he did. Her captor walked them into the living room and placed her on her feet in the center. When he released her, she whirled around, taking two steps back.

She froze in shock. The pale gray eyes that met her own were probably the last ones she wanted to see. Van resembled his photograph, but up close his presence was larger than she’d thought. He looked to be over six feet, his physique hard with muscles.

She tightened her hand on her purse while swallowing tightly. Panicking was not an option. “What are you doing here?”

He took a step closer to her. “We had an appointment.”

She licked her lips, realizing that the scheduled meeting was still about two hours away. He couldn’t know she wasn’t going to show up unless he’d been following her. So was he the one who’d been trailing her for a while now? Who would have thought Van, the leader of the Covenant, was a bit of a stalker? Another reason on her list to look for a quick escape. “I wasn’t intending to keep it. That should’ve given you a clue.”

“And I’m here to convince you our meeting could end in happiness if you only give it a chance.”

“I don’t think so.”

Sierra did the only thing she could think of. She threw her purse at his face. She caught his surprise as he brought his arms up instinctively to catch it. But that was all she saw, because she ran past him, heading to the foyer again. If she could get out of the house, then maybe she had a slim chance of outrunning him. She was only human, and no match for a vampire’s speed. Still, she at least had to try.

Sierra screamed as her ankle unexpectedly tilted to the side, causing her to stumble. She brought her arms up as she realized that she was going to hit the wood floor hard. But with a speed that astounded her, Van suddenly managed to land in front of her. He couldn’t stop her from falling, but he took the weight of her body, and the brunt of her fall. The momentum knocked him backward, and she instinctively put her hands out, landing right on top of him. How in the hell did he do that when he was supposed to be behind her? Shit! He must be a speed demon, she thought hysterically.

She felt his arms wrap around her waist as she tried to control her breathing. Adrenaline was still pumping through her blood. Van’s hand moved to the back of her neck and before she could come up with a refusal, he pulled her head down, capturing her lips in a hot kiss. Almost against her will, she parted her lips, accepting his tongue, inhaling his spicy scent.

She couldn’t resist him, but in the back recesses of her mind, Sierra knew this wasn’t what she needed in her life now. This kiss would just prove she wasn’t attracted to him.

But he tangled his tongue with hers, sucking on it, and that thought just fled out of her mind. She moaned at the realization that his hard cock was pressed against her stomach. She felt it all -- the solidity of his chest smashing against her breasts, her pussy suddenly tingling and wet with desire. She had never felt such yearning for anyone, and she savored it, but a voice broke into her thoughts, forcing her to end the kiss.

“You two weren’t planning to get busy without me?” a voice from above asked.

She turned her head, surprised to see a dark-haired man standing beside them.

Roman.

Her breath hitched as she realized it was him -- Van’s lover. She lifted herself off of Van, scrambling to her feet. Roman was a couple of inches shorter than Van, and thicker, more heavily muscled. His eyes were as dark as the black hair on his head. Sierra couldn’t help but notice what a sexy contrast he was to Van. Both men were gorgeous, and she imagined them to be almost like an angel and a devil. “Actually, I was just trying to escape him.”

Roman smiled. “It didn’t look like that to me.”

To read another excerpt CLICK HERE

Author Interview: Amanda Young

Author Name: Amanda Young

Year started writing for LI: My first contract was signed in 2006

Titles: Candy Man, Eye Candy, GWM Wanted, Man Candy, Pyromancer, Secrets & Lies, Something More, and the upcoming Reckless Seduction.

Web Page: www.AmandaYoung.org

What genre do you write in, and why? : I write mostly M/M romance these days, but I also have a ménage title out and two paranormal romances. When it comes right down to it, I write whatever strikes my whimsy. It just so happens that I’m more interesting in men, than women lately. ;)

How much time do you spend writing every week? :
I work a lot. I really couldn't break it down into hours. I think my husband gets tired of seeing the laptop glued to my thighs.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
The first story I wrote, when I was about fourteen or fifteen, was a very warped drama about a girl who was kidnapped and tortured by her stepbrother. What can I say? I was reading a lot of VC Andrews at the time.


How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
Well… If it makes me squirm, then it’s a keeper.


Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
Some of them. I don’t have the right anatomy for a lot of what I write, but thankfully I’m married to someone who does.


Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
Actually, no. I have a very vivid dirty imagination, and what I can’t imagine can usually be found online.


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


Favourite candy while writing? :
None. I’d be the size of a house if I snacked all day while puttering around on the computer. I usually stick to coffee or diet soda.

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
A Nickelback song.

What inspires you to write? :
I’ve been inspired by movies, music, television, random things people say or do… the list goes on and on.

What music inspires your writing? :
Pretty much anything I listen to. The more emotion behind the song, the more it makes my mind spin. I’ve been listening to a lot of grunge lately, so I’ve been tempted into writing darker, more angst-ridden stories. Who knows what it’ll be next month.

Plotter or a Pantser? :
Pantser. I write an outline for each manuscript, but I very rarely stick to it. Half the fun is seeing how things will end.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :
Oh, man, it was definitely when my mother-in-law asked to read a copy of my first book. She’s in her late sixties, and a real product of her generation. I was really worried about her reading my stuff.


When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :
Research, research, research. I love my job. ;)


The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
Of course I have, but I’ll never tell.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :
Hmm, I think I’ll keep this one to myself too. I’d hate to see the looks I’d get otherwise. I did some wild things when I was a teenager.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :
M/M romance, what else? Actually, I also read a lot of horror novels. I always say that if a book doesn’t have blood, guts, or sex, (or one of the three) I’m not interested. That pretty much goes for movies too.

Is your real life anything like your stories? :
Not at all. My life if horrendously boring compared to my stories. I like it that way.

If you were to make a bumper sticker for your car that had to relate to erotic romance, what would it say? :
Real women do it like men. *laughing*

Soulmates? Do you believe? :
Definitely. I felt drawn to my husband from the moment I saw him. Of course, that could have because he's so cute.

Sex with anyone famous? :
Nope.

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? :
Cake, Diet Coke, & Coffee.

The Flavor of Summer now available!

There is something quite wonderful about e-publishing that I'd never considered before my first book was published -- the instant release factor.

At around midnight on your release date, like magic, you hit the refresh button and there's your new book, for all the world to see.

Last night I stayed up late to wait for that moment. The kids were asleep; my husband was still at work. The bad cat was out roaming the streets, and the good cat was snuggled up with my daughter. Just me, sitting in the dark, playing Freecell and tapping the refresh button ... and then, finally, there it was!

I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of this particular thrill -- even if it does mean I stagger around my Clark Kent job all the next day. It's absolutely worth it.

The Flavor of Summer is something brand new for me -- a BDSM contemporary novella about the way a really great high school reunion should turn out:

After 10 years, David has one chance to claim his dream girl. Ariel wants to be dominated: bound, spanked, teased, screwed. To keep her happy, he’ll have to learn fast and give up vanilla sex forever.

Come find out more!

Lyra Marlowe

The Magic of Three

When I wrote Broken Pentacle, now available from Loose Id , I had a constant sense of the magic of a triad, not just in the heat of the ménage, but how each character brought something unique to the mix.

First, here’s a blurb for Broken Pentacle, my multicultural witch paranormal ménage: A brutal attack left Sky wounded, body and spirit. Her body's recovered, but her soul and her magic need healing before she can face her ex. The cure lies in sexual bonding with another witch. She's not expecting two.

From the start, Sky and Alec wrapped their way around my heart in a stranglehold because they’d been hurt, had made mistakes, and had such fierce determination to get things right. I’m a huge believer in second chances, especially where love is concerned.

The big surprise for me was how Zach exploded onto the scene, capturing Sky’s attention from the first instant she met him and reawakening Alec’s affection and desire. Oh wow, that sexy ex-cop, kick-ass witch of a bodyguard with a hawk tattoo on his shoulder and attitude to spare brought so much passion to the trio of witches that he took my breath away.

When I wound the three of them together, weaving their hearts and loyalties, it raised the stakes in every moment of danger they faced, and every risk they took. In Zach’s words, “…the three of us can only walk out of this if we join together so tight, there’s no room for failure. Bound together so close that each of us would sooner die than see harm come to another of the three.”

As for the heat factor, here’s a little taste of the sexual magic the threesome works together:

Alec grabbed Sky around the middle and pulled her up against his body. We’re okay. Just got knocked loose by the surplus of power. He lay panting on his side, stretched out on the blanket. Before she had a chance to sink further into panic, her vision cleared, and she stared up at Zach’s concerned face hovering over them.

Come back? Brushing up against his mind like a starving kitten, she shivered with relief when he completed the connection.

I’m here.

Back in contact with both of them, she felt more solid. Safer. The circle flared around them like the Aurora Borealis on crack, and with her shattered sense of equilibrium, the floor felt more like the rolling deck of a ship than wood anchored to earth. But with Zach and Alec close, she felt secure. Cherished.

Alec slid his hand down her stomach, coming to rest over her pubic mound, and her body answered with a feral urge so strong, it left her reeling. With Zach and Alec close, and her body hell-bent on a one-way mission to close the remaining distance between them, she felt like the wolf and the rabbit, all wrapped into one.

Rather than the wild free-for-all she’d feared, the men moved with caution and sensitivity, careful not to spook her as they pressed skin to skin. Zach pressed his hand just below her breast, and her heart hammered against his palm.

“Boys first, then. Hate to make you wait, Sky, but I’m not going to touch you until you’re calmer. Less frightened.” With that, Zach clasped her hand but leaned down to kiss Alec, long and wet and hot enough to singe the hairs along the back of her neck.

To see the book trailer for Broken Pentacle, click here.

Happy reading!

Eden
www.edenrivers.com

Hot Topic: Masturbation scenes

Today's Topic:

Can masturbation scenes be meaningful in romance novels, or are they useless, titillating fluff?

The Season of Learning Something New

It’s only mid-August, but the weather here in Ohio has already changed from ‘all the windows open all the fans running’ to ‘close the windows at sundown’. Stores are full of back-to-school sales, and in the afternoon the breeze brings the sounds of marching bands and football practice.

I hate winter, but I love autumn. For me, it’s always full of new beginnings. Of course schools take a long summer break, but it seems like even the grown-up world slows down and relaxes over the summer. The new television shows begin in the fall. Companies roll out their new initiatives. Churches start their new programs. The pace of the world changes. And it’s time to learn new things.

This fall, in addition to whatever they learn in school, my oldest child will learn to drive a car (hopefully) and my youngest will learn to ride a two-wheeled bike (hopefully). My middle child will probably learn how to really kiss a girl. (Yeeeek!)

My new book, The Flavor of Summer, is coming out this Tuesday, and it’s all about learning new things, too. David Green is a college-educated tax accountant who owns his own business. But his sexual experience has been limited to…well, vanilla. At his high school reunion, he gets reacquainted with his dream girl, Ariel. Since the first time he saw her, David has known that Ariel was a sexual adventurer. Now, to his astonishment, she wants him to join her adventures. He desperately wants to be with her. But to make Ariel truly happy, he’s going to have to learn how to be her Master. And more, he’s going to have to learn to let go of his inhibitions and admit how much he truly loves the BDSM lifestyle.

And then, he’ll have to teach Ariel how to balance her checkbook.

Now that David and Ariel are out in the world, I’ve turned to writing something new – a ghost story. Like any writing project, it’s teaching me many new things. What does a phantom look like when he first appears? What are the rules for ghosts in my world? Who can see them? Are they trapped here, or can they cross over as they please? If they can leave, why do some chose to stay? And what lessons on life and love do they have to offer my brave, heartbroken young hero?

It’s fall. Time to learn something new. What are you learning about? Share, share!

Author Interview: Lynn Lorenz

Author Name: Lynn Lorenz
Year started writing for LI: 2008
Titles: The Mercenary’s Tale, Jackson’s Pride
Web Page: www.lynnlorenz.com


What genre do you write in, and why? :
Currently, I’m writing historical m/m and contemporary m/m erotic romance. Why? Gay sex is HOT! I love writing historicals, both erotic and non, and I enjoy writing contemporary. Not so much research needed.

How much time do you spend writing every week? :
On average, 20 hrs.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
The Avalon Patrol. Fantasy/paranormal/detectives. A blend of my three favorite genres.

New Concepts offered for it, but then that sort of fell apart. Ahem. Now, I have a query out for it at Crescent Moon Press. Fingers crossed. It’s my first baby and I really love it.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
I use what I can the “squirm factor” – if, while I’m writing it, I’m wiggling in my chair, sort of getting aroused, then it’s good. If I read it to my husband and he wants to do me…that’s even better. If a friend reads it and she wants to do me, then I know I’ve got it right. LOL!

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
When I was younger? But, since some of my stuff is m/m, I don’t have all the equipment, but I am adventurous, so I’ve probably done most of it. And I do research – I watch bi and gay porn. So hot.

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
No. Most of the time I hear, uh…do we have to know that? My bad. I have a tendency to get too graphic, but I usually know how it’s done.

What one word best describes your toy collection? :
Battery-operated.

Favourite candy while writing? :
Chocolate Hershey kisses with cherry cordial filling….OMG better than sex….

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
Corporate America…. In Warriors at Heart, the vampire government was straight out of corporate America, even down to forms, regulations and diversity and inclusion issues.

What inspires you to write? :
I have stories that I need to tell and my husband won’t listen to me anymore.

What music inspires your writing? :
Country music, it’s so full of angst and feelings and passion. There’s nothing like a good ‘he done me wrong’ song to get me going.

Plotter or a Panster? :
Pantser

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? :
No cats, but my dog watches me from the bed.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :
Listening to the founder of RT expound on why certain erotica editors were even allowed to attend a conference….and then telling her why. Oops, my bad.

Most challenging place you've ever written a spicy scene? :
Usually I write them at my computer in my bedroom while my kids play Kingdom of Hearts on the Playstation. LOL. (I really do know what you mean)

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :
After I’ve run thru all the things I do to procrastinate, I just sit down and start writing. Sometimes, it’s not the next scene, it may be the ending, or a scene or two later on, but I write it down. Then, I go back and fill in.

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
According to my parents, all of them.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :
Like that famous game show answer….in the butt?

What was the most romantic meal you've eaten? :
A first date dinner at Arnaud’s in New Orleans. Oh yeah, baby, he got lucky.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :
Murder mysteries, detectives, my daughter’s writings

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :
My real life is nothing like my stories, except the parts where everything goes horribly wrong. Now, my fantasies are my stories.

If you were to make a bumper sticker for your car that had to relate to erotic romance, what would it say? :
Here? In Katy, Tx? Are you kidding? Romance writers do it with their minds?

Soulmates? Do you believe? :
Since I write about them, you’d think I would, but I believe that in each part of our lives there are people we could be happy with, but I’m not sure that our soulmates are necessarily our partner/spouses. Sometimes, your soulmate could be your best friend. It’s that one person that really gets you.

Sex with anyone famous? :
Yes, that would be great. Could I fuck Ben Afleck, too?

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? :
Pie, always. Coke, but Barq’s in a bottle over all. Tea, but only good southern sweet tea, thank you ma’am.

A Man to Believe In: Writing Realistic Male Characters

In mainstream fiction, we don’t need to like a protagonist. We merely
need to find him believable and interesting enough to follow for three
hundred and twenty pages. In heterosexual romance fiction, the female
protagonist is often just a placeholder for the reader. But in M/M
romantic fiction, we not only need to believe in and care about the main
character, we need to fall in love with him. Chances are you’re already in
love with your protagonist. Unfortunately, you love everyone you create,
so you’re no judge.


You need to think objectively about why readers would want to spend
time with your brainchild instead of someone else’s. What is it about your
main character that will engage a potential reader’s heart and mind?
Traditional — cynical — wisdom is that men look for beauty and women
look for earning potential. I don’t think that’s true. I think humans,
being human, are equally attracted to success, and equally susceptible
to good looks — and both of those things are pretty much de rigueur
in romance novels. Your characters must be attractive (at least to each
other) and they must be successful in a way recognized by readers (even
if not by themselves). But hopefully it goes without saying that your
main characters need to be more than their physical descriptions and
their carefully researched professions.

The demands of the plot may well determine that your protagonist
be a mage or a cop or a fur trapper or an artist or a prostitute or a CEO
or a nurse or a geologist. But if you haven’t figured out what he does for
a living, think long and hard. In fiction, at least, people are what they do.
Give your character something interesting to do, something that tells us
about him, something that gives the potential for subplots.

What does he like to wear? His clothes should say something about his
personality. What does he like to eat? Does he have to think about his
weight? What music does he listen to? Are his parents alive? Is he allergic
to dogs? Does he have his tonsils? Does he sleep in the nude? (No, all
guys do not sleep in the nude.) Does he believe in God? Does he have
any hobbies? Any particular skills?

One useful tool is the character interview. There are a lot of versions
of this floating around. I think it’s best to make up your own questions,
focusing on the stuff that’s of most interest to you, and then answer
the questions in your character’s voice. Start with the obvious stuff like
where he was born and keep digging until you feel like you know this guy
inside out.

A typical character interview question is: what do you fear most in the world?
It’s good to know what your characters fear most, because they should be
coming face to face with it in your story.
A well-written character — no matter how handsome — is not necessarily
the same thing as a lovable character. Remember that.

Now, what do you find lovable? We’re talking personality and character
now, so put down that copy of Men’s Health and focus for a minute.
Think about the qualities you prize in a lover. Not that! We’re talking
about disposition, individuality. What would you look for in a mate? What
are the traits you value most highly in friends? What do you think your
own strengths are as a person? Are you loyal? Conscientious? Are you
imaginative? Good at duck calls? We all know that traditional romance
novel protagonists are supposed to be brave and über-competent, but
M/M fiction allows us more versatility. Take advantage of that. Pick
three qualities you really admire or look for in a lover and gift them,
good fairy-like, on your still damp protagonist. Let these be his defining
characteristics.

Beware the test tube baby — the perfect protagonist. You know him;
he’s cloned from the traditional heterosexual romance hero. Handsome,
brave, generous, successful, charming, honest, self-controlled… He’s
got it all. Even his faults are society-approved: he’s too take-charge, too
masterful, too brave, too driven to succeed, too…whatever. Okay, maybe
he has a secret tragedy in his distant past, but that just makes him more
interesting and attractive. He laughs at danger, he scoffs at vicissitude,
he’s really annoying.

Sure, you want your protagonist to fulfill the role of hero, but these
paragons aren’t fantasy so much as chimera. Maybe they’re attractive.
They have many attractive qualities, but they’re not real. They don’t even
vaguely resemble real men, and, as such, they aren’t lovable. Readers don’t
love perfection. They don’t identify with it. They know instinctively it
would be unpleasant to live with.

Readers love characters they can identify with, and in order for readers to
identify with a character, the character must be multi-dimensional, fully realized,
human — and, therefore, flawed.

Yes, flawed. To go along with all those virtues there’s got to be a chink
in the armor, an Achilles heel, a weak spot. You don’t have to make him
a miser or a kleptomaniac, but a few moments of insecurity, of jealousy,
of failure will make your protag more appealing, not less.

The difficulty is our egos are often tied up in our fictional creations; it
can be difficult to permit imperfection and ugliness in the embodiment
of our romantic ideals. Even if you manage to come up with a few minor
flaws — jealousy or possessiveness being the most popular — they don’t
add any depth to the characterization. Remember, growth of characters
usually comes via their flaws.

Tea Time in San Francisco

This is the Samovar Tea Room where some of us Loose Id authors met for high tea. Actually, we ended up having a meal here, and it was terrific! Thanks again to the Loose Id staff for the treat.

I had a blast at RWA, mostly due to the people I met. Yeah, there were workshops, but I got more out of talking to people and placing faces to names than any class I attended. I also came home with a TON of books. Holy crap! The new Christine Feehan, the one I'd been waiting for forever to come out, Turbulent Seas, was there for free. I even got her to sign it to me! What a thrill!

I met a bunch of Loose Id authors and management, experienced the west coast in a way I never had before, and spent time with two crazy roommates I'd bonded with at RT a year ago. All in all, I'd term RWA a success.

People often ask what the benefit is to attending an RWA National event. It's more professional than RT, less reader friendly and more author oriented, obviously. You network and meet tons of people. If you're like my roommate, a professed book-whore (her word, not mine), you get a ton of free books. Heck, I mailed home 3 boxes of them. They more than make up for the huge conference fee.

And that's the major drawback that I can see. The cost. The conference itself was nearly $500. Then there was transportation (in my case, air fare) and the hotel fee split three ways, only because I had roommates. Add in dining in San Francisco and you have another huge fee. It's not an inexpensive venture, but it satisfied my need to check out Nationals and San Francisco. Not sure if I'll go next year or not, but I'm glad I went in 2008.

Marie
www.marieharte.com

Hot Topic: What turns you on?

Today's Topic:

Visual vs. Mental: What turns you on?

When it comes to sexual aides, some people are inspired by visual scenery and some by words. Some people may prefer to read a dirty story, while others find a film to be more enticing.

I'm sure I read somewhere that women are more mental, while men are more visually turned on, but I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule. If you were forced to choose only one thing to help get your motor running, what would it be?

Comfort Zone

Hopefully my blog will show up on Sunday when its due. I'm writing on Sat because my dh and I are heading for our mountain cabin and won't be back for several days. We tried to hang out there earlier in the week, but the smoke from California's fires followed us up the mountain. I love summer but the fires that stalk the west until fall rains are a constant reminder of how little we humans can control about our world.

My rant about fires is a backdoor way of getting into what's on my mind today. Earlier I was emailing my editor about a novella called Midnight Soldier which I'm working on for Loose ID and the conversation turned to comfort zones. (And no, I'm not comfortable about the thought of a lightning strike hitting the trees that surround our cabin) The hero in Midnight Soldier (which is part of a military-themed series) dies in Iraq but is given a second chance at life thanks to the woman who comes to the VA cemetery where he's just been buried. I live a stone's throw from the cemetery in the story. To me, it's a peaceful, reflective place often decorated with thousands of American flags. On Veterans Day six military jets scream overhead and every year I cry thinking about what it takes for this country to remain free. That's what I'm hoping to impart into my erotica, that pride and gratefulness.

When my editor read my outline, she wanted to make sure my heroine was going to be having sex with a viable and vibrant male and none of that 'sex with the dead' that makes me shiver just thinking about it. So our conversation roamed from sex with the dead to other areas of the writing world that are within or without our respective comfort zones. I've never done male/male or female/female, not so much because those elements are beyond my comfort zone but because I can't put myself there. Erotica is intensely personal and emotional. Writing it calls for a writer going deep inside herself and pulling out all her secrets, strengths, and fears. I can't give personal honesty to anything except m/f sex and know attempting otherwise would show in the writing. I can and do write capture/bdsm which is beyond the comfort zone of some writers who shine at m/m or f/f or both.

We all have our writing strengths which I suspect carries a parallel to comfort zones. I've tried writing horror but there's the whole gross-out thing and before long I gave up. But comfort zones go beyond gross-out. Example: I'd never attempt fiction with a political or high-tech or fantasy or science fiction theme because my creativity refuses to go to those places. I admire writers who pen great thrillers played out on the world stage. I can't do that. I can't world build or give credibility to a police procedural.

What about you all out there? What's beyond your personal comfort level?

Vonna

http://www.vonnaharper.com/

Author Interview: Lyra Marlowe

Author Name: Lyra Marlowe
Year started writing for LI: 2007
Titles: Thirteen Silver Moons
Web Page: www.LyraMarlowe.com


What genre do you write in, and why? :
My first book was fantasy; my WIP is contemporary D/s. After that, I have a paranormal in mind. I’m still trying things out, and I doubt I’ll ever stop. What they all have in common, though, is people learning about love, sexuality, and each other.

How much time do you spend writing every week? :
In a good week, maybe 20 hours. In a bad week, none at all. I try not to obsess about it.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
A book that won regionals in The Young Authors Conference. At least, I’m pretty sure that’s what it won. I went to some other school and read it to a bunch of kids from different schools. I think it was called, “Spring is …” It was a very long time ago. But they told me I could write, and I completely believed them.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
If I really, really don’t want to stop writing until the scene it over, it usually turns out well.

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
Can I just say yes, blush, and leave it at that?

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
Yes. In precisely those words, actually. And also, “Oh, man, do you know how much that would hurt?”

What one word best describes your toy collection? :
Non-existent. But I have a nice collection of books and a great imagination.

Favourite candy while writing? :
Bridge mix. I like the element of surprise.

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
From my DH. He comes up with great ideas, but by his own admission doesn’t have the passion to sit down and flesh them out.

What inspires you to write? :
I think it’s a compulsion more than an inspiration. I have to write. I become sullen and miserable without it. Once I’ve got a story started, the characters inspire me to come back and finish their story – I want to see how they turn out!

What music inspires your writing? :
I have a hard time listening to music while I write, especially if it has words. Too distracting. But there are musical soundtracks that get me in the write frame of mind. Les Miz for when I need my characters to be noble and brave, for example. Or Sweeney Todd when I need them to be bitter and vengeful.

Plotter or a Panster? :
Plotter, but not a detailed one. I usually decide a rough outline in my head, then pants my way between major points and smooth the whole thing out when I’m done.

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? :
No, but if it’s about to get very cold she will insist on sitting on my lap between me and the desk.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :
Realizing that my 12-year-old was reading over my shoulder as I wrote.

Most challenging place you've ever written a spicy scene? :
At a table in a McDonald’s PlayPlace. It’s not the noise so much as the quiet fear that you’ll get caught. “But Officer, you don‘t understand, I’m an artist!”

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :
My best trick is to skip ahead to a scene that I know in my head. This usually leads to the current scene making sense, and it takes the desperate feeling of “I can’t write!” out of the equation. Sometimes I read older stories until I find myself going, “Hey, that’s not half bad!” and get my confidence back.

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
When we were dating, my BF and I once had fairly loud sex in his apartment, which was three rooms in a boarding house on a resort island. When we quieted down, we heard voices outside the open window – where the house owner was having a family reunion picnic. Judging from the applause, they’d all gotten an earful.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :
On my father-in-law’s desk, after hours. (Hi, Pa!)

What was the most romantic meal you've eaten? :
On a docks ship in Toronto harbor on the first night of our honeymoon. Low lights, white tablecloth, waiter in a tux. Until we tried to order dessert and he looked at my plate and said, archly, “There is something wrong with madam’s carrots?” and took the dessert menus away until I finished them.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :
Lots of fantasy, some sci-fi, anything I can steal from my DH. I love Charles de Lint and Terry Prachett, Spider Robinson and Douglas Adams. Also Robert Parker, Del Shannon and Raymond Chandler.

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :
Not really. My writing and fantasies are more escape from the grind of domestic life.

If you were to make a bumper sticker for your car that had to relate to erotic romance, what would it say? :
“If you can’t stand the heat, don’t read over my shoulder!”

Soulmates? Do you believe? :
Yes. My DH and I have a ridiculous number of things in common. Our mothers are both nurses and were born days apart. Our parents’ anniversaries are two days apart. And we think alike on a wide variety of subjects.

Sex with anyone famous? :
Nooooo … but I one made out with a guy who went on to be the stage manager for a very famous male ballet dancer. (Yeah, that one!) Hi, Joe!

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? :
Cake, preferably chocolate. Or double or triple chocolate. Coke, because it has more bite. Coffee, black and dark, except after 6, when tea will do.

Loose Ends: Wallbangers

Wallbangers. No, not the Harvey type :)

Today's topic is short and sweet:
What makes a book a wallbanger for you?

And if you've a taste for the alcoholic kind here's the recipe:

.5cl (3 parts) Vodka
1.5cl (1 part) Vanilla Galliano
9cl (6 parts) Fresh orange juice
Preparation: Mix the vodka and orange juice in the glass, then float the Vanilla Galliano on top. Garnish and serve.

Author Interview: Jessica Freely

Author Name: Jessica Freely
Year started writing for LI: 2008
Titles: Virgin
Web Page: http://friskbiskit.com/


What genre do you write in, and why? :
M/M: because I love romance, and I hate heterosexual power dynamics.

How much time do you spend writing every week? :
I spend about twenty hours a week fingers to keyboard. The rest of my workday is spent on business correspondence, promotion, and teaching.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
When I was about six I wrote a story about a fairy that lived underneath the ice-skating rink my dad made in our backyard. My sister still has it.

Favourite candy while writing? :
Chocolate!

What inspires you to write? :
My characters. They get inside my head and won’t let me rest until I tell their story.

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? :
Ha! No, but my Italian greyhound tries to get in my lap all the time. He’s incredibly jealous of my laptop.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :
When my (grown) nephew joined my Yahoo group.


When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :
I sit back, relax, close my eyes and just type whatever comes into my head, as fast as I can, no stopping. I call it the Queen Victoria Method.

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
I was polyamorous for three whirlwind months in the summer of ’92. It was great fun, but I didn’t get any work done.


What kind of books do you read for fun? :
M/M of course! I particularly love romantic stories with a strong hurt/comfort element. Anybody got any recs?

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