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The Wicked Edge of Romance
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Shayla Black writes on “The Wicked Edge of Romance”…and are her readers glad!
Hi, Shayla, and welcome to The Examiner. Your Doomsday Brethren series is very popular. Please tell us what prompted the idea for these stories.
The series came about from a melding of different ideas. I saw Marrok’s book (TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS) and Caden’s book (SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW), but in my head they weren’t connected. Both were missing plot elements, but I couldn’t figure out what. One day it occurred to me that maybe I should link them. Caden’s book included the diary, so by threading it into Marrok’s I was able plot more. Once I added the Doomsday Brethren, the ideas and characters just exploded in my head and the series was born.
That must have been an exciting feeling…to have the series fall into place. Please tell us about the latest book.
POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT is the 3rd book in the Doomsday Brethren series. Here’s the official blurb:
As a mysterious spell drains the life of her beloved brother, Bram, Sabelle Rion can think of little else. Still, every time she's with Ice Rykard, her body aches for the sexy warrior. Their attraction is explosive—and forbidden. As dangerous as he is unpredictable, Ice is her brother's sworn enemy. But as Bram weakens, a sinister force gains power. Evil Mathias and his ruthless Anarki army are on a bloodthirsty hunt for the Doomsday Diary. Sabelle must guard the book with her life—and Ice vows to protect the beautiful witch with his. Duty demands that Sabelle deny his fiery call of possession and mate with a man who can sway the magical Council against the impending rebellion. With the fate of magickind at stake, will she forsake her burning desires or turn her back on her people for the courageous man she can't resist?
Do you consider yourself a born storyteller or is writing something you’ve had to work hard at?
The desire to tell stories is intrinsic, but it’s often hard mental work to make all the characters and story elements come together. Nothing is just simple, but that urge to write fiction keeps me going.
How hot are your books?
That depends. No matter what I write, the sex is about the emotions, the relationship and the experience, not the sex itself. That said, my Doomsday Brethren paranormal romances are steamy, but not erotic romance. I don’t “fade to black” or close the door with these love scenes; they are fully depicted scenes, but in a more traditional way.
My Wicked Lovers erotic romances, on the other hand, are very erotic—BDSM, ménage (and more), voyeurism/exhibitionism. If it works for the characters and the story, I’m not shy about including it.
What books or writers have most influenced your life?
I’ve been somewhat inspired by Dara Joy, JR Ward, Lora Leigh and others. But I’m primarily influenced by music. I’ve made some fabulous finds in the last few years—The Fray, Lifehouse, Switchfoot, Hinder, Linkin Park, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus—that have really helped me to shape characters, storylines and emotions. I’m very auditory.
Music can be a wonderful influence. So have you noticed any particular theme in your work—something that carries over from book to book?
No. Every book, every set of characters, every conflict they face is different. I’m conscious of not working the same elements twice, particularly in the same series. I like to keep thing fresh for myself and readers.
And you succeed at that very well. Do you focus on one story at a time or do you juggle?
The nature of my schedule means I’m often juggling. I’d prefer to work on one story at a time, but I’ll often be writing something, then pulled away to work on edits or copyedits of another project. At the same time, I might be actively promoting another book and developing the one I’ll be writing next. It keeps me on my toes!
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Plotter, definitely. In fact, I teach storyboarding classes once or twice a year. It’s a system of pre-plotting that’s worked well for me over the years.
Is there anything of you in the characters you create?
Sometimes, but not often. Because characters are the heartbeat of any story for me, they just appear in my head and tell me who they are and what their issues are. I don’t really know where they came from, and often I’m writing about people who think and process as I never would…but that’s what makes writing fiction fun.
What is your favorite reality TV show?
I’m a big fan of American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance…but I’ll admit to having characters influenced by people I’ve seen on Survivor and The Bachelorette. One of those adages of fiction is that character reveals itself in stressful situations, and I think that’s true.
Describe your typical writing day.
I’m usually at the computer by 8:30 or so, after seeing the family off and drop-offs at school. I work until the bus drops off at 4:30 or so, then I become the homework helper and cook at my house. After a bit of family and TV time, I’m usually back at the computer at 9 for a few hours. Weekends are a crapshoot. I never know what’s going to happen…
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Read, write, listen to feedback. And be PERSISTENT.
Do you have a message for your readers?
Thanks to everyone who’s written me, supported me and spread the word. Some readers have been with me for a decade. I don’t take a single fan for granted. I hope you continue to enjoy my books!
Photo courtesy of Shayla Black
Shayla Black: http://www.shaylablack.com/
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