Erotic Authors - What Makes them Tick? Revisited #1

Hi, I’m back with a new group of Erotic Authors and fresh new interviews. You may remember a year ago when I interviewed several authors of eXtasy Books. Well this time I’m interviewing the fabulous authors of Midnight Seductions. Shall we begin?

Erotic Authors - What Makes Them Tick?

Dear reader,

As a consumer of erotica, have you ever wondered how the writers of those titillating stories, which make us wet or hard, come up with their wild scenarios. Are they writing from experience? Do they have fantasies? Have they indulged themselves or are they all talk and no show? (like me.)

I’m Dee Dawning and I’m going to put these kinds of questions to some of the top Erotic Authors in the business.

I don’t care what they eat. I want to know who they would like to eat or ate! What motivates them? What gets them going?

Shall we find out?

This week’s person of interest is highly acclaimed author Tess MacKall.

Welcome Tess, seeing how we are trying to get a feel for the sensuous writer, my questions may be a little pointed, so if you have a problem with a question, just go to the next one.

First question:

How did you start writing erotica?

Well I had done a lot of different things in my life. Worked for a newspaper, as a speech writer, marketing. Even ran a construction company for years. Then one day I came to a cross roads in my life in which I decided it was time to live out a dream. That dream was to write. So I sat down at my computer and did a little research and discovered erotic romance and was instantly intrigued by the market’s trend in that direction. And I was right. All of a sudden the major NYC publishers were adding erotic lines.

How long have you been writing erotica and would you prefer to write anything else?

I’ve been writing strictly erotica and erotic romance for two years. But I have no preference in what I write, it simply decides for me. I do however want to write in the more “mainstream” realm of publishing. I can honestly say though, that a great many of my wip’s have a very “mainstream” plot line. I love including today’s headlines in my work somehow.

Do you feel you offer anything special to your readers?

I’ve been told my author voice is a bit different. And I see that in my erotica mostly. I like twists and turns. Love to surprise the reader. In my erotic romance selections I’m rather mainstream in so far as erotic romance is concerned that is, lol but again, I love plot lines, so my readers can always count on an element that is a bit different—another twist if you will.

What are your writing goals?

To write the best damn books I can write! To keep honing my skills. Those of course are general goals. As far as future goals? Well I’m like everyone else—headed for the NYTimes Bestseller list! lol

Do you have a favorite erotica or erotic romance author or authors?

Oh God. There are so many. They are all fantastic in our neck of the woods. Especially, Dee Dawning! You know that. And I have so many friends who write erotica/erotic romance I just can’t start naming. I’m afraid I’d leave someone out! lol How about I give you a few of those authors who are NY Times Best Sellers whom I love to read? Grisham, Iiles, Cromwell, Clancy, Brown, Kellerman, Baldacci, etc. I love thrillers to tell you the truth. That may be why I have plot lines that twist and turn in my own work. I admire authors who can weave those elements.

Writing erotica and erotic romance, you are assumed to be a sexual person. Do you have any sexual hang-ups?

Well I wouldn’t call them hang ups, but there are certain things I would not do. I’m not into BDSM at all. I love my lovin’ with a spoonful of sugar, honey. Otherwise, to me it’s just not lovin’. lol But in so far as being a sexual person is concerned, we all our creatures of sex and therefore have the potential to tap into that part of ourselves. Those who don’t are bound by external forces—environmental. As in the way they were raised or maybe even religious restrictions. In so far as what goes on in the bedroom between two consenting adults is concerned, everyone should keep in mind sex is what got you here! And quite frankly, If we weren’t meant to enjoy that moment of orgasmic bliss, then why else did God give it to us? That orgasm is what encourages us to procreate. It only seems natural to experiment and find new and exciting ways to do it.

As an erotic writer and a sexual person, do you have any sexual fantasies?

I’m quite fond of the forced seduction fantasy. I’ve blogged about that on my Sensual Secrets blog. http://sensualnsecret.blogspot.com/2008/05/make-me-love-you.html
It’s probably the number one fantasy of all women. Not to be confused, of course, with an actual rape. There is a big difference as you will see in my blog post. There are two different blog posts actually. The link I’ve given you involves forced seduction and through that post you’ll find the one in which I talk about women who need our help and understanding. But personally I love the idea of being overwhelmed by a man. And the fact that he is a stranger adds an element of danger and intrigue. There again, danger and intrigue are things I write about.

Have you acted out your fantasy? If you haven’t would you consider living out your fantasy?

I haven’t acted out the forced seduction fantasy. As we explored on my Sensual Secrets blog, acting out a fantasy involves not only the cooperation of your partner, but a good deal of trust. Not everyone is willing to reveal their fantasies at the drop of a hat. Some fantasies come easier than others. Light bondage, for instance, being tied up with silk scarves seems more and more to be the norm rather than something taboo. Presently, I am exploring some things with a wonderful man whom I’ve known for quite some time now and looking forward to sharing some of my fantasies with him. He knows about my forced seduction fantasy and as a matter of fact wrote the fantasy for me that I posted on my blog. We haven’t had the opportunity to put it in action, just yet. Give us time. lol

From where do you get your main characters?

Main characters pop into my head and then evolve over the course of my story. I do tend to favor characters from the south. I write what I know in that respect. And trust me, there are a wealth of characters in my arsenal. For the most part though, a story line is my first goal when writing a story. Characters are secondary. For me, characters are easy. They fit the story. I have to be careful in my writing though. In erotica, stories are more character driven—of course more sex, lol but the focus is on the character and sex.

As you can see in my Gabriel’s Ride Series from Freya’s Bower, the setting is not important, or really the origin of the characters—just the here and now, the characters and sex. In my mainstream erotic romance work, the plot comes more into play and I work very hard to keep a balance between characters, plot, and sex, adding the flavor of backdrop. I’ve had manuscripts rejected by publishers because they don’t think I have enough sex. I’m always told my sex is really hot, but I don’t write enough of it. Their loss. lol I’m afraid I don’t exactly fit into a cookie cutter mold at times. And quite frankly don’t believe a reader wants to open up a book and BAM, there is sex staring right back at them. Unless of course they are reading erotica—even then, sex should fit where it is called for—not just for the sake of sales. Unfortunately, I see a lot of sex just for the sake of sales. But there is plenty of the hot stuff in my erotica. I do see the need for it there, of course. Just not so much in the more romantic stuff I write. Open door sex with all the bells and whistles, yes, but I swear, I can’t just start from page one with fucking.

What is your preferred style, when writing erotica, ie. m/f, f/f, m/m, mfm, bdsm, etc?

I prefer m/f. It’s what I know. I do so admire those female authors who are now writing m/m. I am, at present, however, working on a f/f scene for one of my manuscripts. I try different things from time to time. Pushing the envelope, so to speak.

What do you personally look for in a sexual partner?

Oh God. I don’t look at men in so far as potential sexual partners, but companions and possible soul mates. For me, sex without emotion is not what it’s cracked up to be. That’s why I write romance, Dee. lol But what I look for in a man is a great sense of humor, intelligence, warmth, compassion. Someone I can grow to trust and share with. Physically? Silver hair, blue eyes, husky build. Great smile. I know him already. lol (mentioned above)

Have you ever crossed any sexual taboos, ie. sex in a public place?

Do you have the password to my comp? Been peaking into my memoir file? lol Well yes, I have. I’m a bit of an exhibitionist. In my college days, of course. No, I was never on
“Girls Gone Wild”. lol hmmm…which brings me back to your sexual fantasies question.
That’s another thing I’ve talked about with Mark (that’s his name). A bit of exhibitionism thrown into the mix. So that is being discussed along with the forced seduction fantasy. But there again, trust and timing too. We’re not quite there yet and really have not had the opportunity.

If so, did you regret it? Or maybe found it exhilarating?

I don’t have too many regrets in my life. The only regrets I have involve a loss of temper and words coming out of my mouth that were unintended. Hurting someone I truly love is not something I live with well. Hasn’t happened often, but as with all people it does. Sex is not something I regret. Sex with certain men? Hell yeah. There are several I’d throw back in a heartbeat. Not worth the effort at all. 20/20 hindsight of course.

Which celebrities or other well known individuals, if any, do you drool over?

I honestly don’t drool over celebrities. I love my men real. As real as they come. I even like men with tummies. I think a man with a tummy shows passion. lol Yeah, well I’m southern and we southern gals like to feed our men. And if he likes to eat, well it just stands to reason he likes to eat.

Do you sometimes get turned on by your own erotic writing?

At first I did. Drove me insane. lol But after a while it gets kind of mechanical. At least for me, others might say different.

If so, do you do anything about it?

Kiss my ass, Dee. lol Ok, ok. Sure. Self gratification and grabbing that available tool for my need. lol Up the charts with a Bullet! LMAO Which reminds me of something. Couples who read erotic romance together get it! They know how much of a turn on it can be and use all our steamy stories as a part of their bedroom repertoire.

Have you ever participated in any of the wild scenarios of which you have written?

My scenarios aren’t wild as in I don’t write orgies or multiple partners usually. My scenes are hot and put you in that moment. So I don’t subscribe to the theory that I must write about something “taboo” or not necessarily considered the “norm”. Abandonment of all inhibitions so my characters are IN THAT MOMENT is what I write. Handcuffs, spanking, light bondage. Sex outdoors, exhibitionism that is within the realm of possibility. I think about what flies and what doesn’t actually. So far… lol So yes, I’ve participated in most of the m/f sex scenes I depict in my writing.

In your estimation, what is the sexiest book/story you have written? Do you have a sexy passage that you would share with us?

The sexiest book I have written is not ready to be showcased yet. It will be a year or more before I will submit it anywhere. It’s a novel with a lot in it. But I can share a little something with you from one of my favorite wip’s. Just a snippet though. This one is entitled Gypsy’s Choice.

“How’s my pretty Gypsy tonight? Needing a little of Jake’s TLC?” He shrugged out of his black leather bombers jacket and tossed it on the sofa.

Gypsy stared at the solid wall of muscle standing in front of her, the eager expression on his face almost comical. The man spent four hours a day at the gym and it showed. And he’d spend all night eating her out if that’s what she asked. Not tonight. Tonight she only wanted a quickie– something to calm her nerves.

“I’m tense. Move your ass.” The thing about Jake was that he liked taking orders from a woman. Liked being a lap dog.

“How does my pretty Gypsy want it? We going to the bedroom or right here?”
For a moment she considered the suite behind her office. After all that was one of the reasons it was there. Sex when she needed it, sleep as her body demanded… and other things. She shook her head. If they made it to the bed he’d expect to fuck her and she’d be hard pressed to turn him down. Gypsy had grown very fond of Jake. A sucker thought– and she tried to keep those down to slim and none.

“No. Here’s fine and open the door. I want to listen to the band.” She stood and hitched the tight mocha-colored skirt above her hips, displaying her black garter belt and hairless pussy. Fuck panties, they were a waste of time. The vicious vibrations of the hard driving rock from the band below settled on her hot center, teasing the slick, wet slit with its rhythm. Jake gripped her small waist and hoisted her up on the desk.

“Wanna slow ride tonight, baby.”

“No. Just give it to me hard and fast. You know the way I like it, Big Guy.”
She laid back on the surface of the desk, letting her head dangle from the edge. Jake spread her legs wide and as a good lap dog, went right to work. His tongue lashed with hard, wild strokes and sent her straight to the realm of her need. He lifted her ass with his big bear hands, angling for better access. Gypsy relaxed in his grip and allowed him to do all the work, exactly why he made the big bucks.

The pad of his tongue flattened against her clit, rubbing it up and down, sending tight arcs of heat through her body. She splayed her hands over her breasts and lightly circled the tips of her rigid nipples through the silk of her blouse. The strains of the bass guitar filtered through the room and poured over her body like a windless summer night. Hot and wet. Down and dirty. Hard and sexy.

“Enough of the tongue. Suck me!”

His mouth scooped in her clit, giving it the friction she craved. The wet suction of his mouth torched her sex and set her on fire. Her hands balled into fists and beat the smooth lacquered surface of the desk. Pumping her sodden folds into his face, she released one long, violent spasm, ridding herself of all the tension. She floated down, allowing herself to feel the burn and savor its intensity, welcoming the residual tremors created by the dogged persistence of his lips.

“All right Big Guy. That’s enough.” (Was that enough for you, Dee?)

That was super, Tess.

What is your most current release? Please post a short blurb or tell us about it.

My most current release, due to publisher closings etc, –don’t get me started on all that! lol
is Book I of my Gabriel’s Ride Series. In the first volume I have two stories. A prequel and then Book I. I just found out that the next installment will be a stand-alone release. So looks like Gabriel is going to have a total of five more stories until I put him to bed. Gabriel is an unforgettable character. A man who comes out of the blue and changes a woman. For good or bad? Well that’s up to the reader. Here is the blurb for Gabriel’s Gun.

Someone has taken a shot at movie idol, Jillian Traynor, and she’s pissed as hell to find herself in hiding before a major premiere. But one look at Gabriel sets her body aflame, and the term bodyguard takes on new meaning. http://freyasbower.com

Lastly, just for fun. What are some of your favorite words or descriptions (even off color) for various male and female private parts or what can be done to them?

Hells Bells, Dee. Let’s see. I like to talk dirty in bed, so I use the word “cock” a lot. Men love that. lol And for female body parts I usually refer to that as “my stuff”. I can’t really see myself calling “my stuff” “pussy or cunt”. Now some women find the word “cunt” demeaning. But I think it’s all about how the person saying it means it. So if a man says that word to me in bed, I’m all ears. I’m a little devil in the bedroom. lol

Thank you Tess for being this week’s guinea… ah er, guest and sharing with your fans. I hope you have found our questions… umm, stimulating. Remember Tess MacKall and do check out the Gabriel series at Freya’s Bower.

Thanks so much for the opportunity, Dee. I did find your questions stimulating. Certainly not your average interview! And thanks to everyone who reads as well. Big Hug!