An Interview with Anna Ellis

Here’s an author interview with Anna Ellis. Take it away, Anna…

• How did you start writing erotica?

I really have to give Fifty Shades of Grey credit for this. I was already writing when the books came out, and I had noticed certain scenes I wrote were becoming a little spicier than what might be expected in women’s fiction. I read E.L. James’ books and thought – why not?

• What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?

I have a soft spot for my Husbands and Wives series, which is the first series I wrote. They’re based on fact – I’m very friendly with a group of my neighbours and my hubby and I often host get-togethers. But that’s where the similarities lie!  In the books, Tia hosts good old fashioned key parties for her neighbours. Out of the five books in the series (and short stories as well) my favourite would have to be the third book, The Wives. I think I really came up with some good stuff in that one!

• Where do you draw your inspiration from?

And that is the question everyone asks me! My erotica is quite tame compared to some of it out there – no whips or chains, shapeshifting, tentacles, things like that. I write about regular people, often married, who enjoy having a lot of sex. I start with what I find exciting, and go from there.

• Do you have any unusual writing rituals?

I wouldn’t say they are unusual – I require constant cups of tea and non-stop music. And I can’t write a sex scene if my kids are in the house!!

• Where’s your favourite place to write?

My computer is in my living room, next to a big window. It’s often cold there in the winter but it looks over the garden. It also faces the street so I can look out the window at watch my neighbours walking by and devise scenarios about them!

• Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?

Probably Melissa, from the Husbands and Wives series. Or Joe.

• Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?

Hubby knows and he’s all for it! My parents know and aren’t allowed to read anything. And my friends thought it was a big joke until I showed them a royalty check!

• What was your ideal career when you were a child?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer so this is really my dream job!

• What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?

Stephen King said something about how if you want to be a writer, you have to read a lot and write a lot. Makes sense

• If you could bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be and why?

This one is tough! I think I’d have to pick Callie Champlain from the Office Plays books because she is so fun! And I could get lots of stories from her!

• Which author, erotic or otherwise would you love to meet and why?

Apologies to all the erotic authors out there, but I’d have to go with Mr. King, just to get any insight on his success. Plus, to find out how he writes such wicked s*%t!

• What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on my Touch series.  It’s about a woman who falls in love with a married couple. It was intended to be a trilogy, told from Kenna’s POV. Then I had the brain wave to come up with the story from the couple’s POV so now I’m retelling Touch from Iliya’s view and then Del’s! I’m about halfway through Iliya’s story now.

• What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve ever taken on? Did you succeed?

Making the Touch series nine books instead of three! I’ll let you know how it goes!

• What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?

Writing full time. It’s always been my dream and I still have to pinch myself that I really get to do it!