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Cinderfella - Kayla Jameth

12/27/2012

Today it’s my pleasure to host, Kayla Jameth. Kayla's first novel, "Alexios’ Fate" was set in ancient Greece. Being a student of history, she took great care to ensure all aspects of that story were as accurate as possible. Her "Next Big Thing" "Cinderfella" is scheduled for release on January 4th .

What is the working title of your book?

From the Ashes is a Cinderfella set in 16th century France. A Cinderfella is an m/m version of the classic Cinderella story.Cendres is the French word for ashes and is the root word for Cinderella, little ash girl. Since Cinderella comes from the ashes, it seemed like the perfect title for my tale of how Cinder rises from the ashes.

Where did the idea come from?

A friend told me about a submission call for m/m fairy tales. I've always loved fairy tales. The romance, the grand gestures, the happily ever after, not to mention the fantastical settings and descriptions. It's all so much bigger than life.

So I tried to come up with a logical, probable explanation of why Cinder would be dressed as a servant girl in his own home. So Dame Constancia was born, a greedy, grasping cold-hearted harridan of a stepmother who would stop at nothing to steal Cinder's inheritance from him.

Thus Cinder finds himself forced into his stepsister's cast offs at the tender age of 8 and renamed Cinderella. Cinder is approaching maturity, but because of a poor diet, he still doesn't look like a young man. Delayed puberty has kept him small, his voice from changing, and hair from sprouting in inconvenient places. But even that won't hide his stepmother's subterfuge much longer because the changes are starting to occur in his body.

What genre does your book fall under?

From the Ashes is an m/m historical erotic romance. It's mostly historical, but Cinder does still have a fairy godmother. It's not really a paranormal either. Maybe I should just stick to calling it an m/m erotic romance. Like Cinder, From the Ashes defies description.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

Dougray Scott is not only Drew Berrymore's Prince Charming; he's who I modeled Prince Henri on.

As for Cinder? I think the lovely young model on the cover of From the Ashes is perfect. If I could tell you his name, I would but he's only listed as "a stylish teenager". <Sigh...> He's obviously a young man, but you can see how long hair, a dress, and a known history of being a girl could lead one to overlook the obvious and believe the "fact" that he is a young woman instead.

What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?

Cinder never thought that he could rise from the ashes of his life, but an unexpected encounter with a woman claiming to be his fairy godmother may be just what he needs to send him off to meet his Prince Charming.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

From the Ashes is with Breathless Press and will be available January 4, 2013. They have all my published works.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The first rough draft of From the Ashes took approximately a week to write and was only about 10K long. I reworked it and the second draft was 15K long. By the time I finished all my beta readers' suggestions, From the Ashes was over 20K.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I'm not sure I can answer that. I haven't read anything similar in the "genre". Whatever its true genre is. M/M erotic romance is a little too broad and the other stories in the category have very little in common with From the Ashes. I haven't even read any Cinderfella slash to compare it to. From the Ashes is a twisted fairy tale.

I have read some fantasy stories by SA Payne, Emily Veinglory, and Ann Somerville, but the fantasy genre was the extent of the similarities.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

Linda Reilly was originally responsible for the inception of From the Ashes. She was the first of Cinder's godmothers. Rebecca Leigh liked the story and suggested that I go ahead and submit it, but the submission call had closed by that time. She is the second of Cinder's godmothers. Deanna Wadsworth kept pushing me to submit From the Ashes somewhere. She played a large role in finally convincing me and in adding layers and expanding scenes until I had more that the basic form of the tale. Deanna is the last of Cinder's godmothers.

What else about your book might interest the reader?

I think From the Ashes biggest draw is the traditional fairy tale happily ever after. It's nice to know that good people who are treated shabbily can still rise above all that and win the ultimate prize.

The setting, 16th century France, is somewhat exotic and full of interesting tidbits. I try to give you a taste of Cinder's world without drowning the reader in details. As it is a fairy tale, it is told in Cinder's voice, i.e. in the vernacular. From the Ashes doesn't read as a Regency Era novel, mainly because it predates that era.

I guess for me, the most important thing is that Cinder's godmothers love From the Ashes. I hope everyone else does as well.

Thanks, Kayla. I'm really looking forward to seeing the final product. I remember reading a very early draft and look forward to reading the full story. Why don't you give readers a taste of what to expect.

Cinder never thought that he could rise from the ashes of his life, but an unexpected encounter with a woman claiming to be his fairy godmother may be just what he needs. Finding himself flung into his very own fairy tale, she sends him off to meet his Prince Charming. But was the gown really necessary?

Excerpt:

Cinder glanced around. Paper lanterns floated in the trees, lined the walks, and graced the gazebo near the reflecting pool, giving the grounds a mystical air. Their warm glow caught the dancing jets of the fountain splashing merrily to his right. The musical, crystalline tones carried on the night wind’s breath. He was reminded of the enchanted gardens in the fairy tales his father had read to him when he was a child. What would happen to him if he dared walk there?

Henri led him toward the gazebo. Soon he would find out.

The cool breeze caressed his uncovered neck. Cinder shivered at the ethereal touch. Henri turned to him, the question clear in his eyes, but he didn’t know how to answer. Instead he breathed in the tangible scent of rich earth and flowing water, hoping to calm his bounding heart.

Henri lightly stroked his arm. Cinder’s breath caught at the silky brush of the other man’s fingers. He drew another shaky breath. Henri may have meant to soothe him; instead his touch set Cinder’s wayward body aflame.

They left the last of the courtiers behind as they entered the dim interior of the fanciful pavilion. Vines climbed its intricately carved posts, perfuming the air within. The music and voices of the aristocrats faded away. Only a single intrepid nightingale could be heard over the cheerful burbling of the fountain. Hidden from the rest of the court, an unworldly sense of peace filled him. Was his very own fairy tale about to come true?

Bespelled and bemused, he could feel the magic in every beat of his heart, in every trembling breath he drew.

Once inside the bower, Henri reached to cup Cinder's cheek. Unused to being touched, he nearly flinched away but managed to still, heart pounding, before giving himself away. The older man's thumb slid across his cheekbone and came to rest lightly on his mouth. Why did he want to lean into that caress?

The other man's warm, slightly musky scent filled his nostrils, drowning his senses.

Henri's other hand wrapped around his waist and drew him close. He leaned closer while tipping Cinder's face upwards. Cinder's breath left him in a rush, stirring the noble’s hair. Henri was all that he could see, his mouth slowly, carefully descending toward Cinder’s. If he allowed this, the other man might discover his deception. He couldn’t risk that, so why then did he ache to feel Henri’s kiss? Their lips brushed, light as thistle down.

Surprisingly, Henri's mouth was soft and warm upon his own. After a moment, it pressed more firmly against his. Something fluttered in his chest, trying to get out.

Cinder didn't think to pull away until he felt Henri's tongue seeking entrance. The hand on his face slipped to his nape and held firm. He froze in shock, not even daring to breathe, as flames rushed through his body. The very beat of his heart betrayed him.

The questing tongue stroked his lips and pushed between them. It slid over his teeth, seeking to enter. When he protested, Henri swept in and began a lazy, sensuous exploration that left him breathless.

Soon he found himself returning the caress. Henri responded to his fledgling attempts by pulling him closer and moaning into his mouth. He had never experienced anything so sensual and erotic. He fed his own needy pleas to the other man one at a time.

Finally they separated slightly, Cinder panting heavily, trying to catch his breath. Was Henri as affected by their kiss as he was? A quick glance confirmed Cinder was not alone in his arousal. Flushed and gasping, Henri gazed at him with eyes full of wonder and something unnamed smoldering in their depths.

A knight and a former princess, Kayla Jameth now spends her time writing m/m romance. A true Renaissance woman, she has done everything from cross stitch like a proper lady to welding with the best of them. An eclectic life has left her with a unique understanding of the world inhabited by men and an appreciation for the difficulties faced by men in m/m relationships. It is her devout wish that her experiences translate into a richer telling of such tales.

You can find her here:

Blog: http://kaylajameth.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Author.Kayla.Jameth
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaylaJameth

Kayla is giving away an ebook copy of From the Ashes. Please comment below to enter.

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Grilling Jane Davitt about BDSM

12/19/2012

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Recently, I invited a few of my fave BDSM authors to answer the same set of questions about the genre. Here is the first from Jane Davitt who writes BDSM with her long time collaborator, Alexa Snow. You can read another interview I did with Jane, here.

AB: What do you look for when you read BDSM?

JD: A solid, loving connection between the characters and something different. I've read so many that I want something fresh, not the same old, same old.

AB: What do you try to convey when you write BDSM?

JD: That what's happening is based on deep trust and understanding, needs being met on both sides.

AB: Why do you think "Fifty Shades of Grey" appeals to readers who aren't in the scene and have no wish to get into the scene?

JD: Ack, I loathe that series so much that when I try to discuss it, I end up ranting incoherently. Not that I've read it beyond snippets but the betrayal of fandom cuts too deeply for me to be fair. To be honest, I think it's mildly naughty for most of the readers but sanctioned and made safe by its popularity. They’re titillated without really getting what it's about and without wanting it for themselves except in a watered-down way.

AB: Has "Fifty Shades of Grey" helped the BDSM genre or harmed it? Is kink coming out of the closet?

JD: I suppose it's good that it's opened eyes and legitimized the genre somewhat but couldn't it have been a better book that did it? And one that didn't have such a skewed portrayal of BDSM? Sheesh.

AB: BDSM usually gets classified as erotica or porn regardless of the amount of sex present. Do you think this is fair?

JD: No, but it's a fact that there aren't many BDSM books out there that are sex-free. I'd love to write one about an everyday BDSM couple with no actual sex, just the framework of their relationship coloring their day-to-day life subtly.

AB: How do you research for your BDSM books?

JD: Online for the most part. It's a treasure trove with many people sharing their experiences with incredible frankness and courage.

AB: Is there something you feel is taboo for BDSM books? Anything you wish wasn't as taboo?

JD: Umm, I'd like to see Doms who didn't care about their subs as much. Okay, that came out all wrong. Strong Doms. Ones who were matched with subs who genuinely felt that what their Dom wanted and needed came first and they got fulfillment through making that happen. Selfless submission.

Yes, I'm contradicting myself from earlier, I know. I don't mean arrogant assholes and doormats, just a whole different dynamic. I dipped my toes in it once with a short story that fizzled on me. Maybe one day I'll get back to it.

AB: Please give me some details about your next book.

JD: Next one to be published comes out on Dec 18, the sequel to Room at the Top. It's from Loose Id, co-written with Alexa Snow, and it's called "Room at the Edge". She's the best co-writer I could imagine working with. Such an inspiration. We’re working on the sequel to “The Square Peg” now and I have a solo project or two that I'm noodling with.

AB: What do you think of the proliferation of abuse fiction doing the rounds (ie Flesh Cartel) that gets perceived to be BDSM? Do you see that as a problem?

JD: I've read that series and I don't think it's BDSM yet, though it might turn into it down the road. The authors don't consider it to be; I think they describe it as a psycho-sexual thriller. Labels can be tricky. It’s dark and intense but to someone who cut her teeth on fanfic that goes way further than most published works can, it didn't disturb me. I was really annoyed when Amazon banned it. Totally ridiculous decision.

AB: Why do you choose to make BDSM the focus of your stories? What draws you to that as opposed to writing a story in which the characters are just kinky or even if steeped in the lifestyle it's just a part of who they are?

JD: I write many stories that don't feature BDSM so that's hard to say. I just write the plot that comes with the characters and it's who they are that dictates things. Karl in "Truthful Change" wouldn't think of himself as a Dom, Ben in "The Square Peg" wouldn't either, whereas Owen in "Bound and Determined" would.

AB: Thanks for participating, Jane. Now tell us some more about “Room at the Edge” your latest collaboration with Alexa.

JD: My pleasure and thanks for the interesting questions!

“Room at the Edge” now available from LooseId.

Three sexy men, one hot relationship. In "Room at the Top", devoted sub couple Jay and Austin went looking for a no-strings attached Dom and ended up falling for Liam, who, much to his surprise, turned out to be the Dom of their dreams. But their happy ending was only the beginning of their story.

Now Jay is begging Liam to turn up the heat with fire play and Austin wants them all under one roof, no matter what people might think. Caught up in the difficulties and pleasures of their new relationship, it's easy to miss the way they're moving dangerously close to the edge of falling apart, not deeper in love.

My thanks to Jane Davitt for co-operating and being so generous with her time.

Down the track, I hope to get the same set of questions answered by another great BDSM writer, Kim Dare. Stay tuned!

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An Interview with Christopher Koehler

12/13/2012

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Thanks for agreeing to an interview, Chris or is it Christopher?

CK: Chris is fine. I reserve Christopher for book covers, legal documents, and overly familiar salespeople.

It was interesting reading “Rocking the Boat” as so many of the aspects felt familiar and reminded me of “Red+Blue”: being on the water, the getting fit and being forced back into the closet to keep a job.

I’ve only rowed a couple of times (apart from hours spent mucking around in a tinny as a kid) but I do see the boats out on the water when I’m in my kayak. I loved your analogy of the baby-sitting coach in his boat, keeping an eye on them and screaming out instructions through his megaphone. I see that a lot because the Como Boatshed for the St George Rowing Club is directly opposite one of the launching spots.

Photo by Sarah Ivey

When you’re out on the water before daylight and a mist hangs just above the surface, it’s an eerie sight to see an eight or even a single boat silently swish past. Luckily we can see them before they see us.

I think that “going backwards” thing is something that turned me off rowing, even though I apparently have the build and reach for it, and my Dad was in a Varsity crew.

There were so many facets of RTB I could relate to, the blisters, the importance of technique, having to train in less than ideal conditions. I think that’s why I enjoyed reading it so much. Thank you for writing the series.

I’m interested in reading more and understand that you have a new one coming out soon and are in the middle of writing the fourth. So, to kick things off, why don’t you tell me a bit about the new one out.

Click on photo to buy.

CK: The new one, Burning It Down, wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s an outgrowth of a scene in Tipping The Balance, one in which Brad Sundstrom and Owen Douglas, a hot firefighter, make out. That scene is in none of my notes for TTB, either. There was something about Owen that just begged to have his story told, and that short scene in TTB wasn’t enough. So instead of writing Stuart Cochrane’s story, I wrote Owen’s.

Newly promoted Owen has always been the hook-up and never the boyfriend, and he’s ready for that to change, even before he’s almost snuffed by an on the job accident. As part of his rehab, he ends up in an adaptive rowing program run by the former coach at California Pacific, Nick Bedford. There Owen meets Adam Lennox, who has some hidden secrets. To find out more, of course, you’ll have to read it yourself.

AB: I make it a practice of connecting with gay men who write m/m. I think that they have something special to add to the genre. Yes, women can and do write good m/m but when I read books that I know are written by men, invariably I read something that sets a lightbulb off in my head.

I made some notes when reading “Rocking the Boat” and would like to quiz you on them if I may.

CK: I can’t wait to see where this lands!

First off, though, I need to mention that one thing that concerns me when I read reviews from readers of male written m/m books, there is sometimes a dismissal of something that happens in the book along the lines of “gay men wouldn’t say or do that” or even worse they use the word “shouldn’t.” I won’t go into the quagmire of expectations of monogamy after the first kiss. However, one aspect did intrigue me. (Spoilers here if you haven’t read “Rocking the Boat”) On the first night Nick and Morgan are together, they kiss but basically just cuddle in bed when Morgan stays the night.

Why did you do this?Was that for the female m/m reader? Did/do you consciously censor or adapt your books to suit their sensibilities?

CK: That was strictly plot driven. As I recall (I haven't read RTB since it was published) Morgan needed some reassurance so that's what they did. Also, as a gay man, my own experience has been to defer sex until there’s an emotional bond so that's what I write.

As for censoring or adapting, I'll say that I don't consciously do it, but also that based on what I've seen and experienced in this little community of ours, I'm probably more prudish than some of my readers.

AB: When I read, I mark paragraphs or sentiments that offer me something fresh (eg terminal sperm poisoning). In this case, I loved the description of the party Morgan went to… the cruising. I’d never seen it depicted so well before. The signals. Wow. Is that common knowledge? How do guys learn the language?

CK: Beats me. :-) I’m horrible at it, absolutely horrible. I don’t recognize anything until it reaches the point of vulgarity, at which point I recoil in utter aesthetic horror. When I was an undergraduate at university, I dragged female friends to parties with me because they recognized it almost immediately and usually put a stop to it.

I do remember at one bar some nelly thing exclaiming as my cousin and I walked by, “How Americana.”

So what Morgan experienced? I basically pulled it out of my ass as an idealized version of what cruising was like when I was his age. I’m 42; he’s half my age. But I’ve also spoken to a number of younger men, and their worlds are much different that the one I experienced back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when I came out. It occurs to me that people Morgan’s age might not bother with cruising. For all I know, they just approach each other, saying, “Wanna fuck?”

AB: But another paragraph that really stood out for me was the one describing the final race as they pull ahead in the closing stages. Beautifully written. I could feel it, hear it, identify with it.

CK:Racing’s like that, or at least good racing is when you’ve got a lot invested in it, and yes, I’ve seen people puking over the gunwales of their shells. I’ve never done it myself, which I guess means I wasn’t pulling hard enough.

AB: I loved the way you described that empty feeling post sex, when there was no emotional connection. I gather from your remarks above and the fact that you’ve been married for nearly twenty years that this is important to you. Were you always this way or did you go through the slutty horn dog stage? What made you change?

CK: I married my first steady boyfriend, so for me sex and emotions have always been linked. Also, I used my first boyfriend ever for sex and it was really bad sex—did you know you can fall asleep when someone’s blowing you? twice?—so I certainly learned my lesson. That said, in a relationship as long as the one as I’m in, there’s plenty of room for bad sex, or hurtful sex, or sex that leaves you feel alone afterward, really the whole gamut of nasty feelings.

I kind of wish I’d gone through a slutty stage, if only so I had a better idea of what I like before I settled down, but then, I’m not sure I’m capable of that kind of thing, either.

Anyway, I suppose this is where I have to plead guilty to writing to please my market. In some ways, this genre isn’t about physical eroticism at all. It’s actually about the emotional kind, and part of my outlining process is making sure I’ve accounted for genuine emotional responses to various situations, including physical intimacy.

AB: Reading your books also made me think about why we read. As a writer and reading reviews of mine and other books, I’ve come to the understanding that people read for different reasons so it’s impossible to please everyone. Some like following the slow build of a relationship, some like the sex or just want see the “love” while not being as interested in other aspects such as building respect and understanding, others like the ability to step into someone else’s shoes to see what they’re like. That’s what it was like for me, reading RTB. Yet these shoes were familiar enough to feel comfortable from the start.

What have you learnt about readers since you started writing?

CK: I’ve only been contacted by a relative handful of readers, and all they’ve really said is they like what I write. Not all that illuminating, I suppose. I’ve noticed more of the differences you describe among the publishers. I write primarily for Dreamspinner, and the relationship is definitely a part of it, along with the all-important Happily Ever After. DSP’s readers like the sex, but I’ve seen varying level of physicality in stories and no one bats an eye. On the other hand, I wrote a short story for MLR and thought it was a fine, perfectly lovely and sentimental story, only to have my editor demand dick. As this was a Christmas story, I was a bit nonplussed, but she bought it, and if she wanted a sex scene, then that’s what she’d get.

AB: When did you start writing? What made you venture into m/m romance rather than, say, gay fiction?

CK: I started writing before I was literate, filling notebooks with the swoopy spiral children think cursive writing looks like. I really got into after watching “Clash of the Titans” in the early 80s, one of many occasions I’ve thought, “Damn. Is that all the higher the bar is?”

After grad school, I spent a decade or so unlearning my academic writing style while working on both fantasy and manners comedies. They all lacked something, and that something was emotion. When I stumbled upon m/m romances, one of my first thoughts was, “Aha!” This genre helped me correct what was at the time the major flaw in my writing.

I read a few m/m romances that were wonderful, moving books, and I read a few that made me think, “Is that all the higher the bar is? I can do that.” So that’s what I set out to do, and the result was Rocking the Boat. In some ways, it makes me cringe now. I would write it differently now, but it was the best book I had in me at the time.

Hmmm, m/m vs gay fiction. It’s not a distinction I’ve considered much. Maybe it’s because gay fiction doesn’t seem to speak to my life (sorry, but most of us aren’t NYC sophisticates), but I can usually find something to identify with in most m/m romances.

AB: I’ve also read, and loved, “First Impressions”. It’s inspired by “Pride and Prejudice” I understand. Would you prefer to see it referred to as m/m romance or gay fiction?

CK: FI is a funny book, I think. I started the original manuscript over a decade ago when I was a member of Sacramento Frontrunners/Frontwalkers (see the dedication). I realized one day on the way to a run that my life was very much like that of an Austen character: I was part of a very small community; we all knew each others business, and we furthermore knew each other’s mating habits; life was a series of dances and parties with one goal in mind, specifically finding a husband; and finally, our little society was a shark tank in that we all waited for someone to make a single wrong move before the feeding frenzy of gossip and social ruination began. Since I was in a stable relationship, I suppose my husband and I were the Gardiners, a bit above all the backstabbing and gossip, but not too far. I certainly did my share of social disciplining.

When I rewrote it, I rewrote it as a m/m romance, but is it gay fiction? To be honest, I don’t have that firm a grasp on what “gay fiction” is. FI has two gay male protagonists who end up in love. It’s written by a gay man. Into which pigeonhole should it go?

AB: What do you think about the m/m romance genre as a whole? Are there aspects you’d like to see change?

CK: I think the m/m romance genre is for the most part a friendly and welcoming one, with a space for anyone who wants for wants or needs it. I’ve met a lot of interesting people, and made some lifelong friends.

What would I like to see changed? I am sick to fucking death about the debate about women writing m/m romance. Sick. Of. It. I refuse to read anything more about it. All it does is get me riled up, which is rather rude, really.

From a purely practical standpoint, this genre wouldn’t exist without our many fine women authors. From an artistic standpoint, women have written better novels than I ever will. Who cares about the gender of the mind that produced it, so long as the story is good?

AB: I gather you’re a house-husband, have a nine year old child and elderly parents to take care of, do you find it difficult to find time to clear your head well enough to write? Why do you write? Is there an aspect of trying to show the real side of m/m relationships?

CK: Fortunately my parents aren’t quite to the elderly stage. I’ll give them another decade at most, however, and yes, I have a nine year old with ADHD and oppositional-defiant disorder. On top of all that, I have major depressive disorder (sometimes, two types of depression at the same time! Wheee!). Quite frankly, sometimes I can’t clear my mind to write.

When I do sit down to write—and I try to write for at least a few hours every day, including weekends—there’s at least a good 45 minutes or so of social media and music through headphones to isolate me from my life. Now that I think about it, my mother’s getting bad about calling me on my cell phone for the most trivial of reasons when I’m writing. I’ll have to put a stop to that.

I write because I have to, because I must escape a life I find at times quite intolerable.As for showing the real side of m/m relationships, oh God no.Who’d want to read that?

People read fiction because it interests them, because it takes them to places they’ve never been or would never go to, but most of life is quite boring. Someone (Hemingway?) once said something along the lines that fiction is just like real life, only with all the boring parts cut out. Most of life is far from romantic, and I think our readers are only too aware of that. We’d all like life to be a bit gentler, a bit kinder, a bit more gracious, than it is. Also, a lot hotter. We all know it’s not. We’re not stupid or delusional. I’m surprised by the number of damaged people I’ve met in this business, including myself, and if m/m or any kind of romance or science fiction or fantasy provides us a bit of shelter, then so much the better and I’m glad to help.

AB: I’m an online writing course junky. How have you developed your craft?

CK: I just keep writing. There’s no rest, no vacation. I never stop.

AB: What is the best piece of writing advice you ever got and what is the most useful thing you could pass on to would-be writers?

CK: I’m going to steal from Hemmingway again, which is odd because I hate reading his books. Throw out your first million words.

Also, read as much as you can. If you don’t read, you can’t write. Lots of authors have said this and there’s a reason for it.

AB: As a writer, what comes easier to you? The plot or the characters?

CK: The plot. The characters tell me who they are only gradually.

AB: “First Impressions” had some brilliant witty and catty dialogue. Does that come easy to you?

CK: Oh my, yes.

AB: Tell me a bit more about what made you write “First Impressions”.

CK: I guess I’ve covered that a bit above. But I tried not to hew too closely to the plot of P&P because I wasn’t trying to write a gay Pride and Prejudice. I was trying to tell a story somewhere between what I’d realized about my life at a certain point in time and Austen’s keen insights into human behaviour. Likewise, while there are some obvious parallels in characters, none of them in FI is too obviously one to one, and there are certainly far fewer in FI than in P&P.

AB: Are any other remakes planned?

CK: No, but that said, I’ve got a wonderful book of Restoration comedies that no one’s read in a century or so. If I run out of ideas…

AB: The books had some great secondary characters: Thad, Van, Desmond. Is there any hope of a spin-off for these three?

CK: No. They drove me crazy at times. Darren Jessup, on the other hand? Maybe…

AB: What would you see as your strengths as a writer and what do you need to work on?

CK:One strength is my rather meticulous outlining. By the time my first draft is done, it’s almost ready to be submitted. Because I work so much out ahead of time, I rarely have to delete large chunks of text.

What might I need to work on? I tend to be sparse on description. In part, this is deliberate. I want the reader to fill the blanks with her imagination, what she thinks a given scene should look like. With a few exceptions, I even try to be vague about race. Ideally, I’d like a reader to be able to fill in her own race with her imagination. I’m not sure how often I’m successful at that, but as I writer I’m rather a coward at writing cultures or races other than my own. I don’t want to offend anyone with an inaccurate or oafish portrayal.

AB: Okay, let’s get back to your next release, and your current WIP which I gather is about the eight’s cox, Stuart. How real do you try to make your books? Do your draw on real life for your characters and their trials and tribulations?

CK: I try to make the books as real as I can, so I do draw on real life, yes. So for example, Stuart’s starting medical school at the UC Davis Medical School. I’ve bookmarked the curriculum page for the school, I’ve read it carefully, and what Stuart will be taking his first quarter is what medical students at UC Davis take. As for the scene depicting one of his first days of school, my husband (a physician specializing in internal medicine) kindly told me all about his first days of med school at the Medical College of Georgia. It keeps changing its name, so I’m not sure it’s called that anymore, but whatever.

I’m also a vulture when it comes to scavenging people’s experiences. I don’t say a lot in social situations, and that’s because I’m listening intently to what people say, even in other conversations.

But I also remember that I write fiction, and sometimes it’s enjoyable to make things better than they are. I’m indulging in a bit of that with my WIP, Settling The Score.

AB: I’m happy to post an excerpt, and it doesn’t have to be a sex scene. Give me a taste of what ‘Burning it Down” is all about. (Edited slightly for context)

Adam wasn’t just a pretty face, plus whatever he was packing under those workout clothes. He must’ve handled their boat like a pro, because Brad hadn’t said anything about it, and yet somehow Adam had managed to keep up a steady stream of low-voiced corrections that had kept Brad from riding him too hard. Owen adjusted his semi. He’d had one all day. Okay, not all day, not like get to the ER now all day, just when he thought about Adam and rowing. Mostly Adam.

Adam.

From the moment they started rowing, the two of them had been involved in an extended flirtation. No, he corrected, something stronger than that. More of a slow-burning seduction, like they’d both known what the outcome would be, but they had plenty of time to get to there and they didn’t feel like bothering Brad or anyone else with the details.

Then they touched for the first time thanks to Owen’s bum leg, and stars had exploded in his head. Something about the way Adam had said, “You’re safe.” He’d known instinctively that he truly was. He’d relaxed as soon as he’d heard Adam say that, deeply, almost totally. Sure, he could’ve been seriously hurt by a fall, but then there was Adam before he’d barely done more than wobble. He hadn’t even had time to get pumped up on adrenaline before Adam had swooped in to save him.

Then Adam had helped him down the ramp to their boat. It felt so nice under Adam’s arm, so protected. So intimate. He never wanted that to end, and okay, sure, he’d hadn’t really needed any more help after getting down the ramp on the dock, but he hadn’t wanted to leave that shelter where his broken body didn’t matter. He never wanted to leave that shelter.

That wasn’t to say he hadn’t been perving on his pair-partner, although to be fair, Adam had been macking right back. Holeeee shit, Adam helping him into the boat? He’d had lovers who’d caressed him less intimately than Adam had. He hoped his hard-on hadn’t been too obvious, because it had been nearly instantaneous. Sure, it had been an accident, but the one time Adam had grazed his nipple? OMG. He hadn’t groaned, had he?

AB: Thanks, Chris, for agreeing to be grilled by me. If your next book is anywhere near as good as others in the series or “First Impressions”, we’re in for a great read.

CK: My pleasure.

All of Chris's books are available at Dreamspinner Press and why not visit his webpage here

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The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

12/5/2012

9 Comments

Recently, fellow author, Clare London, invited me to participate in this blog hop. Clare's contribution can be found here. The concept is that a series of writers answer the same questions about their books. So here goes!

What is the working title of your book?

“Leather+Lace” is the second in my “Opposites Attract” series.

The plus symbol is not just an “and” - it’s more showing that the final result is the sum of the two. Both people contribute to something new.
I don't have a cover yet, but here's what I cobbled together for my Pinterest board.

While the characters in this book are different, they exist in the same universe as the series opener: “Red+Blue” and one minor character links in. It also links to “Caught” a novella I wrote for Dreamspinner Press a couple of years ago. The two heroes from there, “Nat and Danny” feature in “L+L” and ultimately I will write another novella with them called “Bound” so that will become “Caught+Bound.”

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Interview here

I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of BDSM. Not so much the mechanics of it, but the mindset and why people would become involved. Over time, I’ve read a lot of good and bad stories.

On the good side have been writers like Jane Davitt with “Room at the Top” and Syd McGinley whose Dr Fell has to be one of the best written Dominants around.

Interview here

I also loved the way Kim Dare showed that the Dom also serves his slave in her book Duck.

But one day I had a conversation with a writer who had lived the scene and had a very distressing Master/slave relationship. That made me think about the flip side. Since then, I have discovered others whose experiences with BDSM have not always been positive.

Reviewed here and interviewed here

Mind you, some BDSM books show scenarios where that happens without the writer realizing it. They depict narcissistic Doms, subs who should be in therapy and scenarios where my gut churns at the manipulation going on.

That is why I appreciate it when books such as “Chaos Magic” by Jay Lygon and the other two in the series show what happens when the line is crossed into abuse. Jay addresses that in the Gods and Chaos series which needs to be read in entirety to get the point.

Reviewed here

I also find the concept of Drag fascinating. We have some great drag artists in Sydney, and I’ve been to a few shows. For the most part, Australian artists tend to be the over-the-top caricatures of females, real ball-busters, but some work hard to be as glamorous as possible and some of these, in real life, are decidedly masculine.

So, being me, I was intrigued as to what would happen if the two met and mixed. One who, by convention, flouts rules, and the other who continually expounds them.

What genre does your book fall under?

I would call it an m/m romance. But probably because it involves BDSM, it will get filed in the erotica section. However the actual physical nature of BDSM is only a minor part of the book, it’s more about BDSM: its strengths and weaknesses, the misconceptions that take place and what can happen through ignorance. So those fearing to read it because of expectations of pain and humiliation and lots of “Please hurt me, Sir.” can rest assured that they’re more likely to read “Don’t call me boy!”

Reviewed here

This is a book more about respect, trust, honesty and love. I took great pains to ensure it is respectful of the scene, by reading books by people such as Guy Baldwin and Joseph Bean. I’ve also had three people in the scene read it, and all have been more than happy with the final product. This isn’t a “how to” book or even a “how not to” book, it’s just that the main characters happen to be in the scene and it explores what that means for them as individuals.

Reviewed here.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

The incomparable Stevie Nicks

Even though I know it’s something writers are meant to do, I hesitate to answer this one because as soon as I do, a reader’s attitude to those actors would color how they saw Steve and Don. Physically, they are both small – under five nine.

One is described as more of a bulldog, strong, compact and a determined tenacious attitude. The other is able to impersonate the petite Stevie Nicks, but don’t let that fact fool you into thinking he’s the gay, femme type.

Here are a couple of photos of a local Perfomance Artist, Dallas Dellaforce, who shows that you don’t have to look feminine to play feminine. In fact, beef him up a bit more, and he could play both roles.

Bo Ladashevska
Mr International Leather 2006

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A drag performer struggles to overcome past hurt and prejudices as his life and future become entangled with a man steeped in the traditions of the Old Guard, the original leathermen of BDSM.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I’m both pleased and honored that the book will be published by Dreamspinner Press in March or April 2013.

The team at Dreamspinner have always supported and encouraged my writing.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The initial draft was written during 2011 Nanowrimo and posted in my Live Journal as I went. Subsequent revisions over the next seven months made it grow from the original 55,000 words into just over 100,000. I realized I’d left out a whole chunk in the middle, and my first draft had a lot of “told” scenes that needed to be converted into “shown” ones.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I’m not sure it’s like any. As said before, some of the premise is covered in “Chaos Magic” but I handle it differently. It’s told purely from the first person perspective of Steve, the drag performer whose past is gradually revealed as the story progresses. I haven’t consciously tried to mimic any book. If anything, I’d prefer to list books that this story rebuts or at least takes a totally different approach to but that might get me into trouble.

I find most BDSM books have submissives who seem to have no trouble in handing over all their power to masters who don’t inspire me with any confidence (other than their own belief) that they deserve it. Few of the submissives struggle with or even think about what they’re doing or why. Being told they are submissive by a Dom doesn’t count in my way of thinking. I also don’t like books where the proponents are willingly complicit one minute, then despise what they do the next.

The whole topic of kink, its place in society and whether it’s healthy is addressed - the fine line between brain-washing, co-dependency and the reality of trying to live the lifestyle 24/7.

Review here

Books like John Preston’s “Mr Benson” and david stein’s “Carried Away” with their concept of putting yourself completely into another’s hands intrigue me.
I read every book I could find on the Old Guard and the traditions of BDSM by those in the scene to ensure that I captured both the best aspects of what true submission and mastery can mean while also showing what can happen if care is not taken to treat the scene with respect.

Review here

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

The conversation with the author and hearing about his ongoing problems. I was accused by someone in the scene that I’d never be able to get it right because I’m not a participant, but thanks to the internet and the ability to listen to lectures on the subject, and the above books that I used for research, I think I came pretty close. According to the betas (one a current slave and one who has been) I succeeded, remembering that there is no single right way to do anything and every relationship is different.

In the end, I thought about normal heterosexual marriages and the dynamics within them. You don’t have to be involved in BDSM or a Master/slave relationship to understand the mental games that can be played between two people who may not even be aware of what they’re doing. The major difference is that in BDSM, when properly executed, the participants consciously play out scenarios restricting freedoms, imposing discipline (physical and mental) and rewarding different behaviors appropriately and, ideally, while doing so communicating about what is working and what isn't.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Motor cycles play a big role. Polished chrome always adds a glint to any story!

Sir and boy, Master and slave, Dominant and submissive, husband and wife are all just labels depicting two people forming a deep bond which will become a prison without mutual love and respect. I think people in the scene and even those who aren’t will enjoy “Leather+Lace”. I’ve made it sound all very serious, but in reality these aspects are hidden in a sometimes amusing tale.

At this point, I'd like to acknowledge a few people. Once again Kate and Don helped me over a few hurdles and Jess proved to be a welcome addition to my team of hand holders. I was also very grateful for pointers from Dusk Peterson who has been in a real life D/s relationship and writes great BDSM stories.

Once it was complete, having betas say they stayed up until 6.30am is the best sort of feedback I can get.

By the time I sent it off to Dreamspinner, I still loved Steve and Don, if anything more than I did at the start. For a writer, that’s a good sign….

(I know I was supposed to pass the baton onto five more writers, but most of my friends are participating already. But you can read an interview I did with Clare London some time ago here.)

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Cinderfella - Kayla Jameth

Grilling Jane Davitt about BDSM

An Interview with Christopher Koehler

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

A.B.Gayle

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