I was interviewed for Cupcake’s Book Cupboard!
Welcome to Anna Ellis to CARPE LIBROS!
Anna’s latest book, Wives (from the Husbands & Wives series), is currently on a blog tour, and to help promote it, she stopped by the blog and answered a few questions.
What about this story motivated you to write it?
I had written part of a novel called The Key Party a few years ago, but never finished it because I got stuck at what happened after the key party. It wasn’t erotica – doors were closed after keys were picked, but when I was thinking about writing an erotic novel, I kept coming back to the idea, mainly because there wasn’t a lot of books out there on the subject. There are tons on BDSM, billionaire bad boys and bikers, but not so much on happily married couples having fun. And that interested me, since I’m happily married.
What sort of – um – research did you do?
LOL! I suppose many people think erotic writers have an amazing sex life, but it’s just like if I wrote horror or murder mysteries. I’m not going to go out and kill people for research. I did read a lot of books – at least part of a lot of books! There is so much out there, on anything you can imagine! My Kindle – let’s just say I hope my kids NEVER stumble across it!!!
What would you like your readers to understand about swinging and polyamory?
It’s a lot more common than you’d think! And it wasn’t just a 70s thing. There are parties and clubs and ads and communities – probably right around the corner from you, and you never suspect it! These people are happily married and looking for a little extra excitement in their marriage, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but so many couples divorce because one or more are looking for something extra – what might happen if they tried this lifestyle? I wonder if some marriages could be saved.
Describe the process of designing or selecting your cover art. How much input did you have?
I contacted Donna Chabot, an amazing graphic artist who I found through my hubby, about doing some covers for me. I didn’t want the regular covers with the scantily clad women/men locked in a heated embrace and Donna came up with something different for me. I gave her my ideas and she went with it, which is a good thing because I’m not an arty person!
When did you know you wanted to be a writer? What challenges have you faced in this career?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write. The main challenges are finding the time to both write, and lately, promote my books. Life gets in the way a lot, but I’ve really become more motivated lately, which helps.
What do you like most and least about Jacey? What about Dominic? And Joe?
I’m not sure if I dislike anything about Jacey. I wrote her to be a little rude and blunt and not very socially savvy, so that’s what I really like about her. Jacey’s backstory is that she suffered from postpartum depression after Hannah was born and ended up cheating on Dominic with his best friend and never told him, so I don’t really like that she kept it from him.
Dominic – I love his easy-goingness, and his acceptance with Jacey’s adventures. He’s just the best husband!
Joe – I like that there’s so many layers with him. He seems like just your average unemotional guy, but when you find out why, you understand him better. I don’t like that he makes Jacey wait so long. Oh, wait, maybe that’s my fault!
To what degree did other romance novel heroes play a part in your creation of Dominic and Joe?
Neither one are your classic romance novel heroes. Dom is just an every-guy – fun and loving and loyal and really good in bed. I picture Sean Bean when I write Joe – the honest and stoic type; part Ned Stark(Game of Thrones) and part Boromir(Lord of the Rings) and neither one are really romantic heroes. But in my books, there’s no stereotype hero and heroine, like the shy virgin or the brooding bad boy. I tried to create real people, with real problems (if they were involved in a swinging lifestyle!)
What are your favorite parts of the writing process?
Planning it out. The time just before you sit down at the computer and start to write, where the story and the characters seem so vivid and real in your mind and all you want to do is make them real for the readers. Or when I come up with ideas for characters and get so excited that I can’t wait to get it down. I love that I’m so exciting to be able to write. I hope that never changes.
What do you look for in a romance (erotica) novel?
Something a little different, whether it’s the characters or the story or the sex scenes. And I have to like the characters – just like any other book.
What can we expect from you next?
I’m working on book four of the Husbands and Wives series and it should be out July 1. Also, I’m planning novellas telling adventures of both Paige and Wendy like I did for Melissa. Paige should be out soon.
Anna Ellis 