Here’s an author interview with SJ Smith. Take it away, SJ…
- How did you start writing erotica?
I’ve been writing as a hobby for many years, and my stories always seemed to end up having a lot of sexual situations in them. I decided that if I was ever going to become a proper writer I had to either cut out the sex scenes and try and write seriously, or else go over the top with the sex scenes and be proud to write erotica. I chose the latter.
- What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?
It has to be Peeper, as it’s my first work to come out in actual book form, and I’m hugely proud of it. Everything came together really well; I found a great publisher and editor in Lisa Jenkins at Sinful Press, and the lady who did the cover artwork did an absolutely stunning job.
- Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?
Veronica Tailor, the femme fatale from Peeper. She’s wonderfully scheming and manipulative, as well as being entirely irresistible. While I was half way through writing the book I had a dream where I actually met her. That was kind of weird.
- How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
Lots of pacing up and down and muttering. Sometimes sitting down to write is like going into battle, and I have to psyche myself up for it, especially if things aren’t flowing easily.
- Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
My family know exactly what I do. I don’t think they’re surprised in the least that this is what I ended up doing. I’ve always had a filthy streak a mile wide.
- What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve ever taken on? Did you succeed?
The book I’m currently working on is proving very challenging, and six months in I still haven’t finished the first draft or decided for sure how it’s going to end. I guess I’ll know in a couple of years whether I succeeded or not, but right now the whole thing feels a little overwhelming, like maybe I bit off more than I can chew.