Here the 3rd Author interview for the UnMasqued Author interviews here at the Masque.
This month's interview is with libertyelyot who you may know as the author of a very exciting story 1888. I caught up with her recently and she answered questions about her writing and thoughts on writing genreally please enjoy.
When do you recall your first interest in writing? What age?
Pretty much as soon as I was able to form the letters, I think. We used to have to write these little diaries at school about what we did at the weekend, and I remember my entries being pages and pages long. The teacher must have rolled her eyes every week.
Do you remember the first piece you wrote for fun and not for assignment?
When I was ten I wrote a novel – at least, I thought of it as a novel, but I think it was only about 20 pages of a spiral-bound notebook – called Edward’s Gang. It was all about the adventures of the people from my Fisher-Price toys and how they defeated the evil Playmobil gang. I was sure it would be a publishing sensation!
How did you get started writing erotica? Is it the only genre you write in?
I had an idea for a fanfic that would feature a strange BDSM-style contract between two of the characters – so I knew I wanted it to be erotic. The idea of writing a sex scene was terrifying at first, though – I took about twenty chapters to work up to it, but once I started, it all came flooding out and I couldn’t stop. I have written some non-erotica short fanfic pieces, and some of my longer stories (like 1888) have more plot than sex, but at the moment I’m loving the erotica so I’ll stick with it for now.
What are some of the greatest challenges you face when writing erotica?
Number one for me is vocabulary. It is difficult sometimes to find different ways of describing the same acts, and I’m always conscious of having used particular images or descriptive phrases before. I found myself using forms of the verb ‘to mash’ three times in a few paragraphs recently, for instance. Thank the gods for the online thesaurus!Another thing I try to watch out for is keeping the mood right – sometimes I can go over the top with humour, and one duff phrase can tip a scene from hot to absurd. I think erotica is actually very difficult to write well, compared to most other forms of genre fiction because you have to turn your readers on if you don’t want to lose them.
How do you set your environment for writing, i.e. do you have to have a quiet room, can you be in public, soft music, candles?
I used to be able to write anywhere at all (especially in Physics lessons, I seem to remember) but now I need as close to complete silence as I can get. There is no way I could write in a café, like JK Rowling, for instance. I think that’s because of the nature of the material, though – erotica requires a particular level of focus that, for me, is best achieved in private. Ahem.
Do you ever write long hand and transcribe or you type as you go?
Not since the awful fortnight my hard drive died on me. Never again, I hope!
Do you scribble or jot down notes regarding current future stories whenever/wherever the muse hits?
If I’m near the computer, yes. I have a Word document with all my story ideas and bits and bobs on it.
Do you have to be “in the mood for love” to write?
No! That would be highly counterproductive for me. I have to get myself ‘in the mood’ by writing – that’s how I know something is good.
How often a day to you commit to your craft?
I try to write 1000 words a day minimum.
Do you outline, or let the story flow as it grows?
A bit of both. My longer stories are very character-driven, and will sometimes veer off in directions that surprise me, though I have an idea how I want things to end. Having said that, the book I have just finished writing has a completely different ending than the one I expected.
Do you have to like a character to write him effectively?
No, not really. In 1888 I have a character who is a bit of a cad, very selfish and self-involved and rather heartless. I love writing him though! In fact, I enjoy it so much that I’ve decided I might offer him a chance of redemption.
How do you develop your characters?
They seem to flesh themselves out as the story unfolds. The narrator of my book started out as just a smart, open-minded, confident girl who likes sex, with a sideline in amateur photography. As the book went on, she acquired all sorts of other character traits and beliefs and opinions – hopefully sitting consistently with my original vision of her.
What is your favorite work of your own?
I don’t think I have a favourite, to be honest. I’m pretty fond of my book, On Demand, at the moment, but that’s probably because I’ve just finished writing it so I’m quite close to it all. I like them all in different ways. My favourite short is the one I’ve just written as well – it’s called Hot in the City and will hopefully turn up in an anthology at some point, if anyone wants to buy it.
What’s your favorite book or story by another writer?
I couldn’t even begin to list them, I’m afraid! If we’re sticking to erotica, though, I must say that, flawed as it is, The Story of O has several scenes that never fail to thrill. Another book I’ve read a few times is Asking for Trouble by Kristina Lloyd. She commented on my blog the other day and I was like, NO WAY!!! IS THIS A DREAM? Good novel-length BDSM writing can be relatively hard to find, but a story called Shell Game by Listener42 on adultfanfiction.net is absolutely excellent and I hope it will find a publisher. There are many, many more as well.
Who has most influenced your writing and style?
I really don’t know! That sounds lame, doesn’t it? I’m sure pretty much everything I’ve read and liked has had an influence, but it seeps into my brain in a very subtle way, so I can’t name any one person. I think my loyal reviewers have had a massive influence, though – they built up my confidence as a writer to the point where I was able to make the jump from fanfic to original stories. I don’t think that would have happened without their feedback and support and I’m very conscious of how much I owe them.
What kind of advice you have for someone trying to write?
Just sit down and do it. Don’t procrastinate, don’t write and delete a million opening sentences. Just force yourself to take that time, every day. Write what’s on your mind – it doesn’t have to be in the right final order. If you have a blinding idea for a sex scene, write the sex scene – you can do the build-up later.
What do you avoid when writing?
Answering the phone.
Are you “out” to your friends and family as a writer?
No, only to my husband and one real-life friend. Most of my celebrating and commiserating is done online, with the friends I’ve made through writing.
What story out there do you wish you’d written?
Oh, gosh, there are so many stories I love, but I don’t think I want to take them away from their writers. I would feel like a baby-snatcher! Lol!
There we are. A huge Thank you for liberty lot for agreeing to be interviewed for this feature.
'Til next time enjoy all.And if you have a favourite writer or gallery contributor interviewed please feel free to drop me a line.
Andy (andone)
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