Here’s an author interview with Ellen March. Take it away, Ellen…
- How did you start writing erotica?
My transition into erotica developed over a period of time. I’ve always loved romance, my favourite authors then, Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwiss, her epic Ashes in the Wind remains a favourite of mine. However I became increasingly frustrated at the closed door. Wanted more, and discovered a host of exceptional books and authors of erotica. And I was hooked.
- What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?
Currently, I have three books published by Ravenous Romance. I’m awaiting the launch of Promises on the 1st March by Fanny Press, followed by several more this year.
My favourite out of these with Ravenous, without doubt, has to be Escorting Sydney. She is so not your usual heroine. Sydney is clumsy, overweight, has no style, and is hilarious. She’s also red hot in the bedroom, a character that someone, somewhere can relate to, and I love her.
- What erotic authors do you enjoy reading?
My favourite erotic authors, in no particular order, jeez I sound like a beauty queen judge LOL. Katy Evans, Shayla Black, Maya Banks, Roni Loren and K D Grace. One day I hope to be as good as any one of these ladies, they’re awesome.
- Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Hmmmm inspiration, that’s a tricky one, I’m a people watcher. Anything can trigger an idea, sometimes it’s the weather, a stormy evening, maybe a scorching hot day, and it evokes all kinds of concepts. Other times it’s simply a random thought that smashes in, where it flutters and grows.
- Do you have any unusual writing rituals?
Not really, unless it’s a glass of vodka close to hand LOL I believe in stimulation.
- Where’s your favourite place to write?
My favourite place to write is most definitely the kitchen surrounded by my dogs. I’m fortunate it’s the biggest room in my cottage.
- Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?
Now that’s hard, I love all my main characters. With the male MC’s it’s close between Solomon, my hunk from Promises, enigmatic Jago who features in Love on the Menu, and the sexy Roman from His Girl Friday, both to be released later this year with Fanny Press. But think it has to be Solomon, he’s the dream guy every woman would want, he’s really got it all, but it’s his sweetness that does it for me. He’s got a personality to die for.
- Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
Yes my nearest and dearest all know and they’re really proud of what I write. A while ago I was in a pub, yes I know a strange place to find me. The landlord wanted to know how my books were going. A little old woman asked what I wrote. And without hesitating, I told her erotica, because I’m proud of what I write. Anyway she pencilled my name in her diary LOL
- What was your ideal career when you were a child?
As a child I’d always wanted to become a vet, but knew I wouldn’t cope with the emotional side of it. To put an animal down, to witness the distress of the owners? Sorry I’m selfish, couldn’t do it. I’d end up going to the Samaritans Xmas party, I’d be there so much. Plus I didn’t have the intelligence, but we’ll skip over that bit.
- How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
I’ve never had to get into the mood for writing, I’m fortunate, I just sit down and the words tumble out, I’m always in the mood. For writing that is.
- What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?
Best tip has to be don’t give up, accept rejections because they’re going to come, trust me, I’ve had enough, and learn from them. I’m constantly on line looking for ways to improve my writing. Whether it’s downloading articles or reading erotic books. The day I stop learning is the day I stop writing.
- If you get writer’s block, how do you get around it?
Again I’m fortunate, I’ve never suffered from writers block, there’s always something going around in my scrambled brain. I’m a typical Welsh girl, I’ve always got something to say. LOL
- If you could bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be and why?
Think this would be Libby out of Forty Something, another Fanny Press book. She’s the housekeeper from hell, doesn’t cook, useless at cleaning, chain smokes, and drinks. And above all hysterical, I cried laughing at her antics. A wild nutty woman. Maybe a bit of me has snuck into her personality. This has got to be the funniest, sexiest book I’ve written. Okay, my opinion LOL.
- Which author, erotic or otherwise would you love to meet and why?
I’d love to meet Shayla Black because she has such a sinful way with words. The stories she’s generated are amazing. From the first line, I sink into the book. One day, I hope to have the same effect, her characters jump out at you, and as you can tell, I love her.
- What’s your favourite genre within erotica and why?
Think my favourite genre within erotica has to be supernatural. I’ve always been interested in life after death and despite the fact we’ll all discover the answer at one point, I find the subject fascinating. From an early age I’ve dabbled in the psychic undertones, read and devoured all I could on the dead, and contacting them. I also enjoy the fantasy aspect, creating new worlds and merging the two.
- What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve got two that I’m working on. The first about a straight talking detective forced to work undercover with a partner he detests. One that he met, screwed and left several years ago. She’s Miss Perfect, whilst he’s rough, crude, and hard. A tattooed lump of muscled testosterone. She takes a wicked satisfaction that this assignment means he has to masquerade as a gay drag artist. So not his style. The other about my favourite genre the supernatural. This one very much WIP in its infancy stage. Where three couples are dropped onto a deserted island. Their mission to discover what haunts it. The prize, a contract that is worth millions. At stake their life. And they discover that voodoo is very real.
- What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve ever taken on? Did you succeed?
My biggest challenge has to be my paranormal vampire trilogy Wolfsong. It’s incredibly intricate, trying to keep up with all the twists and time scales is a major nightmare. And yes I’ve succeeded. I think. Finally the three complete. I adore these books, all I need now is someone, like a publisher to agree with me.
- What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?
Biggest writing achievement, has to be getting published. Why? Because there are so many fantastic writers out there, their talent is amazing. I’m still in shock to key in my name on line or Amazon and see it come up. Do I deserve it? Probably not, but hell I love this writing business, even though it comes with a huge surge of pain when you’re rejected. A massive high when you’re accepted, and then the real work starts. This is what I’ve discovered. And then you just need to sell it. Simple? Not, LOL. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Guess it’s called business.