Here’s an author interview from Daryl Devore.
Take it away, Daryl…
- How did you start writing erotica?
I wrote a short romance story and it was suggested that I turn the heat up. I’d never written anything in this genre. I wrote a few chapters and sent it off to my critique group. Luckily, there was a published erotic writer in the group and he helped.
- What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?
I only have three stories out so far and each of them appeals to me for a different reason. I’d say I like Black Dorn best. It is an erotic historical and I had fun creating a foreign land, in a different era. I also created new terminology to fit the period. There is a scene with the hero, Malack, where he has to fight to protect his castle and his love and that is one of my favourite scenes.
- What erotic authors do you enjoy reading?
Patricia Green, Jenna Jaxon, Dee Dawning and fellow Canadian Brenda Dyer.
- Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Anywhere and everywhere. My publisher dropped by a blog I was being interviewed at and made a comment about how he thought Black Dorn was borderline erotic fantasy. Next thing I knew, I had dragons flying around in my head and a new story was brewing.
- Do you have any unusual writing rituals?
I write better in the car when I’m driving somewhere. Yes, I know it’s a driving hazard. And bad, bad me for being this way, but I can’t help it. It just happens. I can plot out a scene or fix a problem I’m having. I’ve been known to have great conversations with characters as I drive down the 401 at 100k an hr. Other than that, when I sit down to write I have to be alone. No one in the room. I can’t focus otherwise.
- Where’s your favourite place to write?
My fantasy place would be in a 5 star hotel all by myself so I could focus and write all day and not have to do real world things like feed the cats or make supper. Where I write is nestled in a corner. To my left is window overlooking the fields – I live in the country. I can glance out and watch geese fly by or see a herd of deer cross or in the summer watch the corn grow. Across the room is a 150 gallon saltwater tank where I can zone out watching the fish swim. It’s very calming.
- Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?
I think Chopper from Sexy Red Hood is my favourite. Sexy Red Hood is a twisted version of Little Red Riding Hood, so that makes Chopper the woodsman. He’s a bumbling character and was fun to write.
- Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
My husband knows, but not my daughter. She knows I write but not that it’s erotic. Husband thought it was great. He’s super supportive. Our best friends know. They think it’s cool, but I don’t think they’ve gotten past wondering if I’m writing about my sex life. And no, my parents only know that I write.
- What was your ideal career when you were a child?
I wanted to be a cowboy but then I discovered you had to be a boy to be a cowboy. And live on a ranch, not in a city. Who knew?
- How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
There is no “getting in the mood”. If the words are flowing, it’s impossible to keep me away from my laptop.
- What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?
Gee, I really can’t think of one. I’ve been given a million – not an exaggeration, I just don’t know which was the best one.
- If you get writer’s block when you’re writing, how do you get around it?
I just went through a long bout of this. I’ve never had it happen before. The words just dried up. I critiqued other people’s work and threw myself into promo. I pulled out old stories and worked on them. I would try and write a chapter of a new work, but it was so stilted I’d delete it as fast as I wrote it. I just kept going back and putting fingers to key board.
- If you could bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be and why?
I’d be concerned about bringing them to life. Afraid they yell at me for getting them into such messes. I guess maybe Malack, from Black Dorn. He came from an age when people didn’t giggle or blush when someone said the word sex. He’s a noble man, willing to fight and die for what is just. And under all that toughness is a passionate caring man. Who has a really big sword.
- Which author, erotic or otherwise would you love to meet and why?
I love to meet any of the authors I mentioned above. It’d be fun to sit down with them and discuss what we do and how writing has affecting their lives.
- What’s your favourite genre within erotica and why?
I’m enjoying erotic historical at the moment. But that may have something to do with History was my minor at University.
- What are you working on at the moment?
I am working on 2 WIPs at the moment. Capri’s Fate, an erotic fantasy, and another which actually hasn’t got a title yet, but it’s an erotic historical fantasy.
- What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve ever taken on? Did you succeed?
Surviving the edits of my second book. That was a shock. I’d run through the story a hundred times, put it through the critique group and then did more rewrites. Sent it in, confident that it was better than the first book I’d submitted and then it came back with over 700 changes. I don’t think there were 2 consecutive lines of manuscript that didn’t have changes. I was horrified and completely demoralized. But an author friend and my publisher talked me through it and Sexy Red Hood is published.
- What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?
It’s really a little thing and it’s what made me feel like an author. I was at a live chat interview. One of the guests said she’d read Black Dorn and although she doesn’t read that genre she loved it. She was my first fan. I have tried to verbalize before why this was so important to me, but I failed woefully. And I may have offended someone from my critique group in the process. But to me, that fan was someone not involved in the writing world I’ve become immersed in. See, I still can’t explain it. My toughest critics are in my writing group, or my editor or book reviewers. At some point they all said they liked my work, but it was Mel B who took the time to find me on a chat and say hi and that she liked my work. I’m just going to give up now. Maybe someone reading this can help me explain it.
Thanks for giving me the chance to visit Erotica for All.
Brenda says
Wow, this interview is awesome–seriously. I love your interviews, Daryl–they always sound like we are sitting on a comfy couch, drinking coffee and chatting.
I hope one day we get the chance to meet–that would make me so happy!
So, let me take a stab at how Mel B made ya feel. Let me know if I got this right or am way off in left field, making daisy chains.
The fact that Mel B took the time to find you means so much to you and makes you feel like a real author–and a good one is because she is a stranger with no reason to be nice to you or stroke your ego, or say anything to you at all. But your story touched her so much, that she felt she wanted to touch base with you and tell you–like a REAL fan! She didn’t have to buy your book, she didn’t have to like it–but she did buy it and she did like it all while being a total stranger.
Am I close?
Daryl Devore says
Yes – you’ve got it.
And yes – we have to live in a smaller country so we can live closer and go for coffee!
Brenda says
YAY!
Courtney J. Hall says
Great interview! I think I understand what you mean about Mel B. (is it weird that I’m picturing Scary Spice?) – and I think Brenda nailed it. What a great feeling that must have been.
Daryl Devore says
Yes – it was a great feeling.
And Yes that’s why I mentioned she’s not a Spice Girl. At least I don’t think she is?!?!?!
D'Ann says
Great interview!
Holy crap! Over 700 changes? My gosh, I would have been devastated. Good for you, sucking it up and getting it done.
Daryl Devore says
It took a while to get through them.
Sheri Fredricks says
First, hats off to this uber cool blogsite! This California girl likes it! Next, I’m with Brenda. Your interviews are so relaxed and fun, they don’t feel like stilted conversations. I just purchased Brenda Dyer’s paperback and have read Jenna Jaxon’s work. Agreement that both those authors rock. Knuckle-bump on a great interview!!
Daryl Devore says
Knuckle bump back at ‘cha.
Jennifer Lowery (Kamptner) says
Awesome interview! A cowboy, huh? Well, at least you can write about them 🙂
Daryl Devore says
A cowboy!
Melissa Limoges says
Daryl, you are such an awesome lady and I think you are very talented. I see only good things in your future, chicklette. Great interview, ladies. Always love to read what you have to say, Daryl.
Daryl Devore says
Aw thanks Melissa. You’re always so supportive.
Jenna Jaxon says
Fantastic interview, Daryl! I always find out something new about you. A History minor, huh? I’m with you 100% History rocks! And I understand about Mel B. That sounds like an awesome moment in the life of an author. May you have many more!
Daryl Devore says
Thanks Jenna. Now I just have to get off my butt and write more. SO I can have more of those moments.
Krystal Shannan says
Loved the interview!
I totally get the Mel B thing. As writers, even in critic mode, we look for the positives and the negatives, but we always try to encourage. Some one outside of that community having positive comments is validating because they aren’t in your circle of supporters already. She was a complete stranger who felt moved enough by your work to seek you out and compliment it.
Way to go, Chica!
Hugs,
Krystal
Daryl Devore says
Thanks for stopping by and helping out with the explanation.