Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My recently released novel “Unbound” is my second full length novel and the first in a planned series of erotic mysteries. Writing has been a passion for me all my life, be it poetry, pose, or random thoughts that will likely never see the light of day.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Unbound” is an erotic mystery that follows the life of Lieutenant Ellison Frost as she investigates the murder of a high-profile socialite. As the case pushes into the reaches of the victim’s sexually deviant lifestyle, Frost must battle exposing her own private life and the duality it has become.
The book dives into the BDSM subculture and dominant/submissive relationship in a way I feel it deserves to be portrayed. After reading some very popular books on the subject matter, I felt that the true nature of this relationship was not properly explored and set out to do so.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on the strict timeline of “when I feel like it” and luckily I enjoy the process thoroughly so those times come often. While I do spend time on initial planning and research much of my plot and character development is done while writing my initial draft. This makes for some difficult reworking as I move forward but I’ve found that it is the best way for me to get my thoughts out before really digging in and making the story what it deserves to be.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t know that I have any true influences but there are a number of authors I enjoy. My original novel was a fantasy and while I have a number of fantasy authors that I admire (Tolkien, Martin, Eddings) my own style is quite different. My novels tend to be character driven, I often struggle with action, however I find great joy in delving into a character’s motivation and pathos. While this style can often slow the pace of a book, I feel it give my readers a chance to explore the depth and complexity of the individuals I am creating.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on “Honor Bound” the second book in the “Bound” series of erotic mysteries. I am very early in the first draft but have a solid outline and hope to have the project ready for release in the Spring of 2016.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
With my newest title now on the shelves and some tepid marketing leading up to the launch it’s time to put the marketing plan into full force. A daunting process but an exciting one at the same time.
In the past, marketing has been “work” for me. Something that had to be done but never felt joyful and creative. It lacked the passion, creativity and freedom of the other publishing processes but with this latest release things have changed. I now have an extremely supportive and brilliant ‘publicist’ helping me through the process and the ideas she has provided me are not only unique but creative and fun. They put me in a much more familiar and comfortable mindset and I find myself looking forward to the implementation process.
It’s interesting how easily a slight change in process and some unique concepts can completely change one’s view-point and help to shift the mindset. As much as I’d love to be locked away pounding out the first draft of ‘Honor Bound’ (my upcoming Ellison Frost sequel), I find myself not only content but excited to step away from it for a short time and delve into the new marketing plan for ‘Unbound’.
I remind myself not to turn away from new ideas and a fresh perspective. They can bring you a new joy in tasks that have never provided it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write! It’s really as simple as that first step. Don’t worry about editing, cleaning it up, or making it marketable until you’ve hit that stage of the process. Just let the story flow and get it all down. Your first draft may be a complete mess but that mess will be the perfect starting point to begin molding the words into a solid piece.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was once told that withholding the creative spirit would cause unneeded stress on the body and mind. This is exactly how I feel about writing. There is nothing as relaxing as getting the words out of the mind and onto paper.
What are you reading now?
I have just started “Twist Me” by Anna Zaires. It is a dark and disturbing piece but I am taken by how the author has owned her characters for what they are. She does not attempt to convince the readers that their actions are anything but what she portrays. Thus far, it is a wonderful and engaging read.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to continue the “Bound” series as I have a few plotlines already brewing. I am also writing a series of erotic shorts for literotica which have stemmed from the series itself. The “Unbound Outtakes” will focus on scenes I was unable to add to the novel due to flow, timing and point of view. I recently posted the Prologue to Unbound on the site and have been getting fantastic feedback so this felt like the logical next step.
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?
My old dog-eared copy of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None”, the entire “grey” series for fire-starter (the best use I can think of) and couple empty journals. With all that time on my hands I’d have plenty to publish if I ever returned.
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R. C. Butler Website
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