Here’s an author interview from JD Holmes. Take it away, JD…
- How did you start writing erotica?
I had no idea I was writing erotica when I started this project several years ago. I really didn’t know what genre this would be classified under, but erotica with a twist is what I would like to call it. Little did I know the stories that were unfolding in my daily life would be fit for a book one day. Having shared my stories with several friends around the gym and a former college professor, I was given the motivation to press on and complete “I like your form”.
- What erotic authors do you enjoy reading?
Well, he may or may not be considered erotica but I am a fan of Howard Stern’s books. He has the ability to be honest and open up his life to the readers. I had a great deal of respect for the personal details he let out to the public and found myself doing the same when I was writing my own book.
- Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I find inspiration from daily life. Whether it be at the gym while working out or taking my dogs for a stroll, I can get inspired in the most unexpected places. Being an author, I think it’s important to be self-motivated, since the writing process is oftentimes difficult and lonely. So when something happens on any random day that I think is funny or may be interesting to someone else, I write it down. It could be useful to my next book, for my blog, or even one of these interviews.
Do you have any unusual writing rituals?
It may not be considered unusual, but I am pretty type-A in terms of scheduling my writing time. When planning my weekly schedule, I write out a detailed outline of everything I want to accomplish during those seven days. I also play some classical music in the background when I find myself having a hard time putting my words onto a page.
- Where’s your favourite place to write?
Considering I wrote most of “I like your form” between a public library and on a shitty IKEA table in my old apartment, anywhere I write these days is a step up. Most of my writing takes place in my office/gym at home.
- Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
I don’t have a tight family unit, so they don’t know much about my personal life. I don’t see a need to tell them about my writing right now. I have told many of my close friends who have all been very supportive since the release of my first book. Luckily I have some open-minded friends as the material is slightly out of the ordinary.
- What was your ideal career when you were a child?
I would say like most kids growing up in my neighborhood, I had no clue about real life and wanted to be a baseball player. I then grew up a little and shifted towards becoming a firefighter. Then I thought for a minute I wanted to be a doctor. Somehow, someway, I fell into personal training.
- How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
If I think about what life may be if I don’t take some time each day to create something, it gives me all the motivation I need to get into the mood. Even if it’s a short story or just a few lines, I know it’s all working towards something bigger and better.
- What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?
Anything you write is better than not writing at all. Courtesy of that accomplished professor I mentioned earlier.
- If you get writer’s block when you’re writing, how do you get around it?
As cliché as it may sound, I usually try to workout. Whether it be a little cardio or some weights, it seems to take my mind off what I can’t seem to put on paper. I recommend it to anyone.
- If you could bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be and why?
Well, the book is based on a true story so whether I like it or not, all of the characters really exist.
- What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on more confessions, because there were quite a few that couldn’t make it into the first book. I’m also working hard to promote “I like your form” at several book festivals throughout the US and hope to meet some of my fans.
- What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?
Finishing “I like your form” Confessions of a Personal Trainer, which is my first book. It’s something you don’t really think will happen when you go through the process. At first, it seems it’s going well and everything is going to go as planned. But shortly thereafter, you realize there is no perfect road to get to the finish line. Between all of the work and endless hours, you get to a point where you don’t think it’s going to get done. The fact that I finished and came out with a book that has been well-received is something I didn’t expect my first go-round.