Here’s an author interview with Alcamia Payne.
Take it away, Alcamia…
- How did you start writing erotica?
I’ve been writing since I was a child but I don’t know how the erotica came along to be honest. I’ve just always loved all aspects of human nature and sexuality and I adore the writing of Anais Nin. Suddenly one day, I decided I wanted to spice up my romances and I quickly got the bug. I realised hot romance was then the thing for me.
- What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?
This is a really difficult question, as they’re all so different. I enjoy writing both M/M, lesbian and traditional romance. I do have a soft spot for the paranormal for that reason I love my latest book ‘Sinful Treasure.’ It’s not out until November but it’s had quite a bit of critical acclaim. I guess my current favourite though, is my new release ‘Devotion.’ I set out wanting to write a gay novel as a saga, with something inside which would appeal to every guy out there; you know, adventure, a bit of paranormal, a pinch of history and of course a powerful love story with plenty of passion.
- What erotic authors do you enjoy reading?
I used to read all the erotica I could get my hands on and some of it was awful, some brilliant. I adore Anais Nin as I expect you can guess – but I have heaps of favourite modern authors. Without mentioning any names…lots of them you might be familiar with, through this site.
- Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Generally I like to call it divine intervention. I’ll be on a long walk along the beach or meditating and along comes a seed of an idea. I do carry a notebook as well. When I’m travelling I often hear snippets of conversation or see something which starts me off. I also have to owe a lot of my inspiration to a hard life. I’ve really learned a lot from everything life’s thrown at me and the wonderful people that I’ve met.
- Do you have any unusual writing rituals?
Not really. It does work best for me keeping a schedule of writing and I like to be neat and tidy.
- Where’s your favourite place to write?
I have the house up for sale at the moment. But I’m one of those sad people who have to have it quiet. I’d love to live in an isolated house in the country. I generally write away from people in my bedroom. I’m rather spiritual so I like to be surrounded by my aromatherapy candles and crystals.
- Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?
I adore both Tristan and Astor from Devotion as they’re so well rounded and I got very fond of them whilst writing the book. I also love the demon lover, Bem Hazari from ‘Sinful Treasure,’ he’s so sexy, the ideal lover for me if he wasn’t so naughty.
- Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
My mum knew about my ideas from the first moment and was amazing. She always knew I wanted to write erotica and was very open minded about the whole thing. As for new boyfriends well I don’t tend to tell them straight away. It seems to be that guys like the thrill of dating an erotic writer and I prefer to keep that one under my hat until I know them better. Of course I tell them I’m a writer, I’m so proud of what I’ve managed to achieve, but I think it pays to be slightly cautious at first. Most of my old work colleagues now know and they’ve all been utterly amazing. Sex is becoming so much more open and women tell me they’ve been secretly reading hot stuff for ages. I have had one or two people tackle me on it. I don’t think they realise erotica is not about pornography but can be very tasteful. You just have to realise everyone has an opinion though.
- What was your ideal career when you were a child?
I never wanted to be anything other than a writer or failing that an artist or maybe a vet. I loved animals. I was pushed into other things though and had to suffer as a hobbyist writer for many years. It was so difficult.
- How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
I don’t. This is my job and I know I have to do it. If I’m desperate beautiful music is sure to get me motivated. Or, I have this whopping list of motivational sayings and that’s good.
- What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?
Never give up.
- If you get writer’s block, how do you get around it?
I think you have to realise you’re going to have off days. Writing is not always fun and like any other job you have to plug away. I try to blast through writer’s block. I generally have three or four projects on the go at the same time and that works well. If I get stuck or overcome with one, I loosen up by writing another. I also tend to do a business email or something if I’m really bogged down or if I’m desperate I’ll go for a walk or listen to some music.
- If you could bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be and why?
I’m working on a new science fiction novel about sentience, I’d love to meet an alien like my lead character. He’s scheming, but warm and exciting.
- Which author, erotic or otherwise would you love to meet and why?
I have two. I’d most like to meet Nin for her beautiful style. And Stephen King, just because he always comes up with such stunning plots and mammoth storylines
- What’s your favourite genre within erotica and why?
I don’t have one. One day I love one thing and the next something else. I’m just a romantic soul and I love exploring emotions and personalities, sex and love no matter whether a person is straight or gay. If pushed I’d always say that with my spiritual and mystical background I do love the paranormal, but I’m fully hooked into real life too.
- What are you working on at the moment?
I have loads on the go at the moment. I’m currently researching book two of ‘The Perfect Slave,’ trilogy but I’m also finishing a science fiction offering, doing a sequel to my short ‘A Pinch of Snuff, penning a romance set in the 1920’s and a horror erotica novel.
- What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve ever taken on? Did you succeed?
My biggest challenge was a short story which an editor liked and told me to turn into a novel. It was the first long thing I’d ever written. Until that point I’d been petrified of writing something that long for publication. It couldn’t have been a better way of doing things because it happened quickly and I didn’t have time to think.
- What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?
All my stories are big achievements. To get where I am today required huge sacrifice. I sacrificed a great career for my creativity and had to overcome illness and many personal difficulties in my life. It’s amazing what you’ll do for the love of the craft though.
Devotion – Book one in The Perfect Slave trilogy
Tristan Lorde is catapulted into a clandestine world of elite BDSM and a system of slavery whose goal is ultimate sexual Nirvana. It is called the jeu, and was brought back by Astor Kopalski’s Russian forebears from the crusades century ago.
Astor has never recovered from the death of his enigmatic young lover Vedic, the perfect slave, and love to him is meaningless in his world of rapture and sexual experimentation through lust. Conspiracy is afoot as Astor tries to release his half-sister from the clutches of her ruthless crook husband and get her out of the country to his secret Russian retreat, Bryanska.
Caught in this web of intrigue and danger, can Tristan become Astor’s perfect slave and prove that love conquers all?
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