Here’s an author interview with Raven J. Spencer. Take it away, Raven…
- How did you start writing erotica?
Curiosity. I love to explore various characters and storylines, and some lend themselves more to a certain genre than others. It’s provocative and a bit voyeuristic not to leave your characters at the bedroom door, and of course, fun.
- What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?
At the moment, I have only one published work, A Perfect Dream, so that’s got to be my favorite! It’s sexy, with a bit of humor, and some thought-provoking aspects, a story with various layers. There’s more to come though, in that particular universe and others.
- What erotic authors do you enjoy reading?
I recently discovered Chloe Thurlow. You (Lucy Felthouse) are actually next on my list! I’ve seen your books on Pinterest and can’t wait to try. Both my fiction and real life are F/F, but I like to read widely. If it’s a character I’m interested, or the story sounds intriguing to me, I’ll go with it.
- Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I spend more time on Pinterest than I should, but I find it extremely inspiring! I want my erotica to be sensual and romantic, and there I find many images that get my imagination going. Reading and music can also spark ideas.
- Do you have any unusual writing rituals?
Not that I can think of. Once the idea is there, I try to get it out, on the laptop, sometimes pen and paper, but there’s nothing unusual about it.
- Where’s your favourite place to write?
Where no one can look over my shoulder…Just kidding. If it’s a comfortable place where I can sit for a while, it works.
- Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?
I love my two main characters in A Perfect Dream, because they manage to learn from each other…and of course, they have a lot of fun together in ways that made for interesting research.
- Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
My nearest and dearest (my wife) did know right from the start. Those are the kind of things you share, don’t you? It wasn’t a big surprise.
- What was your ideal career when you were a child?
A writer or a flight attendant. I soon leaned towards the former.
- How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
Sit down and write. It’s the only way.
- What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?
Write your story–don’t wait for anyone’s permission or blessing.
- If you get writer’s block when you’re writing, how do you get around it?
Pinterest…it’s my favorte method of procrastination, but it helps, too. I try to keep writing, but honestly it makes me miserable. On the bright side, it always goes away eventually. I’ve been writing enough to figure that out.
- If you could bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be and why?
Maybe Piper. Since she has visited A Perfect Dream parties before, she has the most stories to tell. In fact one of the next books will be her story, when she goes to another party and meets some interesting new characters.
- What’s your favourite genre within erotica and why?
Obviously, lesbian erotica is what appeals most to me, and within that, I enjoy a bit of romance and kink mixed together. I’m fascinated by the genre in general, readers and writers’ perceptions, expectations and preferences.
- What are you working on at the moment?
I plan to publish more stories, some within the A Perfect Dream universe, plus there’s a longer novel to edit. The latter is a lot darker than my other works.
- What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?
Getting out there. It’s not always easy to determine when to let a story go, but at some time, you have to get over yourself and do it.