Today, I have an interview with Natalie Gibson. Natalie writes horror and erotica but today the interview is focusing more on erotica. There is of course a hot excerpt for you to enjoy too :).
Welcome, Natalie!
How did you get started writing?
I started as an actress. Then I read a couple of books by David Mamet and realized that the words are everything. The actor is just the vessel. I have always loved reading but I didn’t have much time for it during college. After college I literally tripped over a display of Christine Feehan’s Dark Series and fell in love with paranormal romance as a genre. Ishtar Bound was my first (and third and fourth with all of the total rewrites) and it was born of a few sex scenes I had in my head.
What made you choose erotica?
I wrote my own sexy scenes as gifts, a kind of foreplay – writing to get laid. Then I decided mine were as good as any professionals’, so I went for it.
What was the best piece of writing advice you received?
I didn’t really join the writing community until after I had written a whole lot. I didn’t get much advice. I would say “Keep writing” and “Write a little every day” are the best.
What do you think makes good erotica?
I like my erotica with a purpose. It can be the personal growth of the main character or the development of a love story. I also enjoy reading the dirty talking as much as the actions. I want to be able to identify with the characters, empathize with them, picture myself in their shoes.
You also write horror. Do you ever find it difficult to switch from writing one genre to the other?
Oh, my, YES. It is difficult to switch gears.
Have you ever crossed the genres and written erotic horror?
Hateful Burden originally had a few erotic scenes but my husband (my beta reader) and editor agreed that it was better without them. I left a bit of it in, though, because I couldn’t bear to delete them entirely. I think they give the book a uniquely Victorian feel. Other than that, no. I have read some erotic horror (where the vampires are evil but have some effect on libido) and I think my upcoming vampire horror will have a bit of that, though it won’t be romance.
Where do you get your ideas and your characters from?
Some come to me in dreams. Some come from reading other books and watching movies. Even the bad stuff can stimulate the imagination. I pull from what I know. The characters are always me, just in a different situation. I think that comes from being an actress. It is easy for me to imagine being a variety of different people responding to varying stimuli.
Following on from that, where did you get the idea for Ishtar Bound (Book 1 of Sinnis) from?
It started out as a contemporary romance loosely based on me meeting my husband. Then I made some changes and added the paranormal aspect. Before that the main character, Maeve, thought she had powers but it was more in the abstract, poser way. It really solidified in the second book and I went back and rewrote the whole thing, first page to last.
What do you think makes a good sex scene?
Anticipation is key, for me. It needs to build from nothing into something. Contrasting characters make for good scenes, sex or otherwise. The not knowing what the characters are going to do until they do it and then understanding completely why they would certainly act that way. I also like when they just jump right into it IF the author can capture that fluttery stomach feeling of being with a stranger.
Do you have a writing routine? Do you need absolute quiet to write or background music/noise?
I write best in the evening and that’s good because I work a regular 9-5. I try to get an hour every day and then see how I feel. If it was like pulling teeth, I give it a rest. If it is going well, I work as long as I can. I do need quiet from my 5 year old. I like to listen to music during the planning and plotting but I need silence to do the actual putting words on paper.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and if so, how do you get over it?
I do. Mostly I suffer from self doubt. I get over it by reading. I either see that ‘my stuff is just as good as this’ or ‘maybe I could try to be a little more like ____’ A good show or movie where my mind just shuts off sometimes works wonders, especially if I am just pushing myself too hard to meet a deadline.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Plotter. Trying to wing it gives me indigestion.
What do you like most about being a writer?
Exploring fantasy. Exercising violence. Writing is the best part of being a writer. Through my characters I can live a dozen completely uninhibited lives.
Out of all your books, do you think you could pick a favourite and why?
My favorite is Transit of Ishtar (Book 2 of Sinnis). It is quite action packed with unexpected twists and turns and quite a bit of the specifics I find sexy and fun. It also was the easiest to write. It just poured out. My favorite erotica is Claire Cover to Cover (A BDSM Mount Haven Quickie). Everything in that one does it for me. I was a little worried that it was too tailor made for me to be marketable but it seems to be doing fine.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I am a mortgage loan processor. I help make home loans for 8 hours a day. When I’m not writing or working, I love to travel, but then who doesn’t. I like crafts, though they never come out as good as they look in my head. I read a LOT. I watch movies and am addicted to Netflix. My daughter and husband are my favorite people in the world and I am stingy about my time with them.
What’s next for you?
The first draft of Wretched Blood, the sequel to Hateful Burden, is DONE! It is with my beta reader and when he is done, I will begin revisions. Then it will be on to the editor and my official design company, Blue Harvest Creative.
I am working on the next Sinnis Short story for my website. It is about Elle from Ishtar Bound and involves a budding D/s relationship between her and her newly freed Nephilim. It is different than anything I have written before because it is BDSM with a female Dominatrix.
Next out will be a new Mount Haven Quickie centering on a retired teacher and his adult ex-student after they happen upon each other at a singles event.
After that I’ll be working on a short story about a stalker and a full length stand alone vampire book. It will be more horror than romance, or at least that’s how it is in my head currently.
Thanks for having me Liv. It was fun.
You’re welcome. It was a pleasure to have you visit :). Now here’s that hot excerpt I promised you :).
Blurb:
Claire is in control of every aspect of her life and she is bored out of her mind. After catching her assistant absorbed in a book, she goes in search of that escape. Nathaniel sees something in her immediately and wants it for himself. He knows what she needs is less control, less escape. Will she follow him or continue on her vanilla path?
Buying Links:
Excerpt:
Nathaniel’s apartment was the second story of the books shop building. He stopped her on the stairs. “I’m going to open that door and if you come inside, it means you agree to follow house rules. I’m in charge inside those four walls. Rule 1: I say and you do. Without question.”
“Wait, you’re a dominant? But in the books Doms are all rich and powerful and controlling. I kind of thought you would want me to…”
“The books are fantasy. In reality, most that I have met keep their regular life and their sexual life separate and they are exact opposites. You are in control of every little part of your life. You need to submit, to give up that control and just ride the wave. I am certain this is going to thrill you. That is the mark of a good Dom, they can identify a good sub. I go with the flow in life but I get off on having a really powerful in control woman totally submit to my desires. If you come through that door I am going to wear you out. I will use you like a sexual toy and fuck you in any way I want.”
Nathaniel wrapped his strong arm around her waist and pulled her up to the step he stood on. Their legs intertwined, he kissed her passionately. His mouth was hard and demanding and hers naturally became soft and pliant in response. He broke the kiss but kept his face near hers. “See how easy it is to give me what I want.” He turned, leaving her gripping the banister, and bound up the remaining steps.
“I don’t like pain. I won’t be whipped.” She barely heard herself speak.
“I don’t either, Claire. I’m not a sadist, just a dom, but I would warn you against taking something off the table that you’ve never tried. Having something you’re frightened of hanging over your head can be very erotic. For tonight, no whipping, okay?”
He waited for her to nod before unlocking the door. He left her standing in the stairwell to make her decision. It was hers to make. He wanted her to make the choice to give herself to him. It was an easy choice. Her panties were already soaked from the short conversation and even shorter kiss.
She took one step and then two more and she was inside the apartment. She closed the door behind her.
Here is the link to read Natalie’s bio – http://www.authornataliegibson.com/about_and_contact.html
