I'm so stoked to release this interview into the wild. The fantastical Brenda Cothern has graced us with her presence. I asked my friend and fellow author Adelaide Cooper to describe our friend and here's what she said, "...definitely humorous, warm, friendly, bit saucy and sassy." I totally agree. Without further ado fantasy, paranormal and erotic fiction author, Brenda Cothern!
How did you get your start/what made you decide to become a writer of erotica?
The story just flowed and I had not even realized what I had written until after the chapter was finished and I re-read it. Sometimes the erotic nature of a scene is just as surprising to me as it may be to a first time fan!
*Why must she share our bedchamber details?* Indearn grumbles.
*Shhh, let her talk, love,* Zarkina places a calming hand on Indearn's arm.
From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories?
*Oh boy, this could be a loaded question!*
Brenda looks for the source of the comment before bringing her attention back to Evan.
Sorry, they sometimes can't keep their comments to themselves. Anyway, I do not get inspired to write stories but instead my characters inspire me to write their tales. What I mean by this is that I don't see a building or hear a line in a song and become inspired to write a story.
It works almost the opposite for me. My characters come to me, sometimes in dreams or in stray thoughts, and show me scenes from their story. It can be a one time visit, like a fly-by 'hey look at me,' or the character can show me different scenes. It is
usually these characters… the persistent ones
*she's talking about us, you know*
… who end up with a book. The only way I can get them to shut up is to write their story and get it out of my head!
*tsk, she still hasn't learned*
I know, I know… they probably make meds for this type of thing but, hey, at least I am never lonely and fans get some great stories!
*how can you be lonely with us around?*
I have always been a huge fantasy fan. I knew I wanted to write fantasy and put the last 30 years of gaming experience to use!
Yeah, I am an old school D&D gamer-geek-girl. Then came along the recent craze with paranormal books and I was itching for something to write about while Fates was being edited. Kira showed up in my head one night and at first I thought she was a vampire...
*Really? A vampire?* Kira grins and shakes her head in disbelief.... of course that wasn't the case though.
*Of course not. How could confuse my love with one of us?* Alec wraps his arm around Kira.
Brenda stares at the couple. Guys, please. I am trying to do an interview here!
Sorry about that. Where was I? Oh yes, She kicked off the Shadows series and the second book, When Beasts Bite…
*hey Jord, that's our story* Nick gives his best friend a playful punch.
*shhh* Jordy replies.
…added male/male to my male/female erotica list. Book three, Barely Restrained, took things to another level by introducing ménage & BDSM.
Brenda glances over at Zac and gives a silent nod of thanks that he has Roni & Hunter too preoccupied to interrupt the interview.
I don't think I so much as chose the genre fantasy or paranormal erotica as it chose me.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently writing the sequel and finale to Fates.
*and t'is bout time!*
Dwitt fought not to say anything more under Indearn's hard stare. Fans have been asking for the rest of Zarkina's story since last April and I have set the deadline for it to be available in print, and e-pub too, by June 1st.
Do you find it difficult to keep sex scenes fresh and interesting?
*He doesn't know her well at all, Jord.*
The soft warning growl of a panther is heard coming from Jordy as he looks at Nick.
*Quiet Nick, or we are leaving.*
No, not at all. I think that there are a zillion ways to be creative in the bedroom…
*Or the garage.* Zac bows his head to Brenda.
… and a zillion ways to write just one of those creative acts.
*Garage? What's he got in his garage, Jord? What's Roni not telling us?*
*I warned you Nick* Jordy takes one grinning step closer to Nick and Nick shifts to his wolf form. *Better run* Jordy leaps forward, in mid-air changes to his panther form, and chases Nick from the room.
What's your process? Do you enjoy listening to music or do you need quiet?
My process for writing is usually the same. Get away from my PC, get out of my house, and turn off my damn cell phone. I write all my books on legal pads. Yeah, it's old school but there are just too many distractions for me to write from scratch at my PC. Even transcribing what I have already written on paper is a challenge.
*She isn't kidding there. How long have we been stuck on that notepad in chapter five?*
Zarkina asks Indearn & Dwitt.
If I am at my favorite writing haunt, The Body Shop, then I usually have my i-Pod on just to drown out the bar noises but most of the time I don't even realize what I am listening to. Other times, I need to listen to a certain type of music to understand the character more.
Take Jordy for instance… okay, well you can't take him now because he's out chasing Nick… but anyway, he listens to classic rock. AC/DC. Billy Squire. But when he is working at Shadows, he is stuck listening to club hip-hop. So, for me the character or the scene sometimes dictates what, if anything, I listen to.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
The toughest criticism has to be that I need better editing. Commas always trip me up and some grammar rules that I don't even remember learning tend to be totally forgotten. I was always strong in college English… straight A's and all that but acing research papers is a totally different writing style than novels.
Editing is one of the biggest hurdles for anyone going the self publish route. One of the best compliments has to be that I write like Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake,Vampire Hunter series). I had no idea who this was when I was given the compliment but I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to be compared to her once I read her stories.
What has been the best compliment?
Overall, the absolute best compliments for me are when readers want to know more about my characters or when fans stalk me for information on when the next book(s) will be out.
*They only think they know how to stalk* Crucia sneers.
Do family and friends know you write erotica if so, how have they reacted?
Yes. My family knows and my dad is actually one of my beta readers. Which, truth be told, is a little weird but I don't mind if he doesn't. All of my friends know what I write. They have to know because I never stop promoting.
Everyone that knows me is not surprised that I write erotica. New people that I meet are sometimes surprised and I think that is kind of funny since I know I don't look like an innocent goodie two shoes.
Who/what do you enjoy reading in your spare time?
I read three to four novels a week and it really depends on my mood or if I am waiting for a release. For example, I am always waiting for the next Black Dagger Brotherhood (J.R.Ward), Night Keepers (Jessica Andersen), or Dark Soul (Aleksandr Voinov) novel.
Well, when it comes to Aleks, I am usually waiting for his next novel period, regardless of the series. Since I read so much, the only way to really see what I am currently reading is to check my Goodreads page.
How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best?
I market is all sorts of ways. Through the internet by blog appearances such as this and also by posting comments to other's blogs. I use my "book name," Brenda Cothern Books or BCothern Books for every thing I do online. Every profile I make has my website URL attached.
I market on Facebook, goggle+, & twitter. I am on Smashwords and Amazon, though I do not really care for Amazon from an author's perspective.I do online radio and pod cast interviews as well as attend conventions where I sit on writer panels. I am in forums groups at Goodreads & Fetlife and I get involved with charity and fundraisers that put out calls for local artists. Personal appearances work best for me. I have attended sci-fi events/conventions and still sold books.
*That is because you are beautiful, my dear* Brice smiles.
Brenda barely glances at the Lord of Sapphire Tower.
People will buy something from someone they feel they have connected with and since I am a 'people person' I tend to connect a lot.
*I know that feeling* Lady Sapphire grins. *You do too, Zek*
What’s your favorite food?
You just had to ask a hard question, didn't you? I love just about anything! It is easier just to tell you what I don't like. No raw clams, oysters, muscles etc. but conch is okay and so is sushi. No turtle or snake but gator is good. Oh, and Thai is out. I love it but it doesn't love me! Not a big fan of olives, peas, or oranges. That about covers it I think.
If you could pick one place in the world to retire to, where would it be?
I am not really sure. There are several places I would like to visit (London, Edinburgh, Russia, New Zealand) but I already live where most want to retire. Sunny Florida. I suppose it really wouldn't matter since my characters will go with me regardless of where I end up.
If you have a sexual bucket list, share with us one or two things on your list.
My bucket list for sex is practically nonexistent. I crossed off most of the things I wanted to try years ago. I think the only one left is f/m/m ménage where they guys aren't actually scared to be intimate.
Nothing ruins a good ménage if the same sex's are worried about the smallest touch. Aside from that, cupping looked interesting but I really haven't added it to my bucket list so I don't think it counts.
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Thanks for having me! It was a blast!
ReplyDeleteHey B! Yes it was. =)
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