Here’s an author interview from Rebecca Chase. Take it away, Rebecca…
How did you start writing erotica?
It began when I used to go on websites where I could read stories for free. I would read new stories every day, some good, some bad, and it helped me learn what I wanted to write. After that I began online dating and so sexting ensued. Unexpectedly that helped me hone my skills for creating scenes and scenarios.
What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?
My favourite work, so far, is Fight For Me. It’s a story that I’d wanted to write for a long time. It brought together my love of uniforms, funny men, alleged unrequited love and getting the guy you’ve always wanted. It is a bit sweet and romantic and I am proud of it for that and many reasons. It is also something I feel I could expand into a much bigger story or even a film. My imagination and ambition never stop.
What erotic authors do you enjoy reading?
Although not a standard erotic author I love the work of Karen Rose. The way she weaves life issues, crime, suspense and sexual attraction together throughout her stories until the protagonists can’t do anything but be with each other gets me every time.
I enjoy Helena Hunting’s books, especially The Librarian Principle. I am attracted to characters who seduce each other with their teasing humour as well as their romantic gestures and gorgeous bodies.
There are lots of other books by fantastic authors, British and American, on my kindle that have given me plenty of happy memories.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from my daily life, including my experiences online dating and day job. I meet people living with a variety of life issues regularly. Life and its problems can get in the way of who we are and what we want to achieve but it doesn’t stop us being attracted to people; feeling lust, love and everything in between.
Frequently I struggle to sleep and to help I play out stories in my mind until I drop off. I love romance and sex and so those are the stories I create. My imagination is a gift and a curse!
Do you have any unusual writing rituals?
Not that I know of. I do plan a lot before handwriting my first drafts. I know it takes up way too much time but for now it works for me. I do get frustrated by the process though.
Where’s your favourite place to write?
I mostly write my first drafts in coffee shops and pubs. I’m one of those random writers that doesn’t drink hot drinks but it’s still my favourite place to write. I enjoy being surrounded by a variety of people that each have fascinating personal stories and coming up with stories for them. However, the beauty of a public coffee shop or pub is that I can lose myself in a room of strangers too.
Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?
It would be a man called Josh. He features in a current work in progress. He isn’t your typical male protagonist. There isn’t anything alpha male about him, partly due to the sociopath that’s brought him up. Sometimes I want to hug him, other times I want to lambast him. Either way he needs someone to listen to him, care about him and then tell him what to do with his life. It helps that he has no idea how hot he is too. He’s keen to learn about sex and how best to pleasure a woman. I think it’s becoming obvious why he’s my favourite!
Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
Some of them do. My sisters, a couple of friends and boyfriend have read some of my stories. Rumours have gone round other friends regarding the content of my books but I try to keep my writing life separate from everything else. Those who have found out by accident were a little shocked. I used to be a stereotypical good girl, with a somewhat filthy mouth at times, I was the last person anyone expected to write the things I do.
What was your ideal career when you were a child?
At the age of five I wanted to be a Head Cheerleader and I had many girls following me around. I even created routines for them.
After that, for many years, I was keen on being an actress. I think my actor training has helped me in my writing. Frequently I act out the scenes of my stories in my head, sometimes even mouthing the words, to help me understand the reactions to the drama and the way my characters might be feeling.
How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
Writing is generally something I have to fit into my daily life. The day job and other things usually get in the way so it’s not really a case of getting in the mood, more shoe-horning it in when I can. Going to a coffee shop or a pub where I don’t know anyone tends to help though.
What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?
Show don’t tell. I am a victim of too much telling and I have to be reminded regularly by my beta readers that I need to show! I think it is invaluable advice though.
If you get writer’s block, how do you get around it?
I go on long, never ending walks. While doing this I think through ideas, concepts and storylines. When I came up with the concept for the sci-fi erotic romance, Before the Slaughter, I walked for about eight hours one day. I only intended to go out for thirty minutes. But I had a time deadline to meet and so walked until I came up with an idea I liked. By the time I got home I had sore feet but a brain ready to write!
I also have a friend that I can talk ideas through with. All I have to do is explain an idea to her and then suddenly it makes more sense. She’s invaluable.
What’s your favourite genre within erotica and why?
It’s the romance for me, every time. I love the idea of two people falling in love and consummating it with some hot sex or letting the sex lead them into a position of love while learning about themselves. It’s a bit cheesy, I know, but I love it!
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve got a couple of things in progress. My first novel, a rugby based erotic romance, is with my editor. It’s called The Scarlet Figure. Although it’s a standalone novel I envisage it being part of a rugby series, not that you have to understand rugby to enjoy it. While writing it two other characters jumped out at me, begging to have their story told, so I wrote that one too. That has been sent to my beta readers.
I have also just finished a short story that is with my beta readers. I got the idea for this story from hearing someone talk at Eroticon in 2016. The speaker explained that there were too few stories telling the story of mothers, ladies over the age of forty who were trying to have sex but had to deal with kids getting in the way.
What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve ever taken on? Did you succeed?
To write my first novel while recovering from glandular fever. I didn’t know if I could write a novel, especially as at the time I hadn’t written many erotic romance short stories. But I really wanted to tell this particular story. I wrote nearly every day after my day job, editing for hours on end, and just pushing through. Once I had written and edited it I gave it to my beta reader. The feedback she gave me resulted in two more months of editing but eventually I did it. I was proud I succeeded. Within a year I had got over glandular fever, which I believe was helped by the joy I felt from writing, and had completed my first novel. I can’t wait to release it in 2017.
What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?
Having my short story, Before the Slaughter, published by Sexy Little Pages. Sometimes you need that validation and encouragement from people who know writing and understand readers. Especially if that story idea took you eight miles of walking to come up with!