Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but “Eyes of Ice” is my first book! It’s definitely been a learning experience from start to finish. I’m really excited about the finished product, though, and so pleased that the early readers that I’m hearing from are also enjoying what I’ve written.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new novel is an erotic romance called “Eyes of Ice.” I’ve always been one of those readers (especially of romance and erotica) that would groan and think “I could do better than this.” I often felt like such genres alienated the reader by refusing to respect their intelligence and needs, and eventually I became so frustrated that I decided to write my take on the vampire romance genre. That writing developed into “Eyes of Ice.” Though “Eyes of Ice” was accepted by numerous publishers such as Ellora’s Cave, many took issue with the conflicted nature of the heroine. In “Eyes of Ice,” the young protagonist, Cecelia, struggles with her own sexual awakening and budding romance in contrast to the imperatives of her career. The aforementioned publishers informed me that they would love to publish the novel, if only I reworked Cecelia’s narrative to end on a formulaic “Happily Ever After.” Suddenly, I saw how so many writers did fall into the traps that I’d been reading for the past few years, and I knew that I should do all I could to avoid such repression. I discarded the opportunities offered by these publishers, refused to compromise Cecelia’s story, and published “Eyes of Ice” on Amazon myself.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t write without a mug of peppermint tea; if I run out, it throws my entire writing schedule out of whack and results in an angry trip to the grocery store.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Obviously, since “Eyes of Ice” is in the vampire novel genre, I’ve been influenced by the vampire popularity of recent years. But I remember Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” as a very important book to me at a young age, too. Like so many others, I’m constantly drawn to the dramatic tension and symbolism provided by the vampire romance novel, where the danger of sexuality is frequently written as indistinguishable from a danger of darkness and monstrosity.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the sequel to “Eyes of Ice,” and an as-yet untitled erotic romance about a medical student’s brush with the escort industry.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve been promoting all over, but I think the most helpful promotion tools have been the reviews and comments of my readers. I appreciate them so much.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep working at it and don’t get discouraged! Practically anyone you ask will say that they want to write a novel some day — but they don’t right? This demonstrates that if writing was easy, then EVERYONE would have followed through and written something substantial. So, remember that even if you enjoy it (and I do) writing will still feel like a lot of work. During these times, when writing or promoting your book feels like a slog, remember that you’ll get that enjoyment back through your readers.
I mean, this is all what I keep telling myself, anyway!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I don’t know that it’s advice, but there’s a Henri Matisse quote that I think of frequently: “Creativity takes courage.” Look at me; I’m writing within a VERY well-defined genre (erotica, vampire romance), a genre so well-defined that publishers wanted me to adhere more to its homogenizing standards. This all means that my creativity takes a very large amount of courage. I think it’s worth it!
What are you reading now?
“Lady Chatterley’s Lover”! What a classic, right?
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m still trying to promote myself, create a fan base, and reach as many discerning readers as possible. I’m hoping that as “Eyes of Ice” gains in further popularity, I that can learn even more about what it is that readers appreciate and what they would like to see more of. And, of course, I’m working on those two books that I plan to release before April!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Robinson Crusoe, of course! It’s like a Desert Island Survival DIY! All right, humor aside, I’d also bring Allende’s “The House of the Spirits,” and George Orwell’s “Down and Out in Paris and London.” I find myself able to return to Allende again and again and find different things each time, and I always feel as if I can learn from Orwell’s cleverness.
Author Websites and Profiles
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