Hello once again my Darling Ones,
Well today is the final day for Blood, Lust and Erotica to host Erzabet Bishop but that doesn't mean it is the end of the Virtual Book Tour though. Click on this
link to find a list of the wonderful hosts who have already had or are still to have Erzabet on their sites.
Today we are interviewing Erzabet Bishop, author of Belane Fires, the first book in the new line of books from Naughty Nights Press, The Erotic Pagan Series.
So sit back, make yourself comfortable and welcome Erzabet to the fold.
***
Thank you Erzabet for taking the time to answer our
questions.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background?
I am a long time reader of dark fiction and grew up clutching
romance novels in between my school books. (Yes, I even got in trouble for reading
in math class a few times. It was way more fun than integers, believe me!)
Finding that job at the bookstore in high school was the first
step to falling even more head over heels in love with books than I already
was. Years later, I am still in the book business and loving every second of
it.
What was your first book and how long did it take to get it published?
My first book project is still half written on my computer, to
be honest. I have a strong interest in the YA genre and have two manuscripts in
the works. My first story was a zombie short for the Coming Together: Hungry
for Love anthology.
When did you start writing erotica? What is it about this genre that interested
you the most?
A few years ago, I went through a phase of reading erotica and
then I went back to my YA books. 50
Shades came along and being the book store girl that I am, I had to find out what the craze was about,
so I used my penny jars full of spare change and downloaded them to my
e-reader. As I read, there were elements in the story that electrified me and
some that make me think “I could do that…” So I did. I bought the wonderful
book by M. Christian about how the erotica business works and found ERWA. I
haven’t looked back since.
What do I love most about the genre? That is a good question.
I love to be able to connect with readers in a truly visceral way. The feeling
you get when you read a good book and really connect with the story. That is
what I love. Usually, I find it in BDSM, f/f, m/f or witchy stories.
How long did it take you to get published? How many books have you
written thus far?
I have been writing since I was a kid. It was only last year
after I found ERWA and started working on the anthology calls that things began
to happen. I found that I needed the short story market to help grow my craft.
It has worked very well.
My list of anthologies so far: Smut by the Sea Volume 2,
Coming Together: Hungry for Love, Milk & Cookies & Handcuffs, Hell
Whore 2 (coming out this summer from Horrified Press) and Dirty Little Numbers
(Go Deeper Press-upcoming).
The Erotic Pagans: Beltane Fires is my first solo book.
Do you write full time?
No. I balance my life in creative ways. I am a full time
bookstore manager, dog mom to a furry band of mischief making dogs, music reviewer
and blogger. Oh, and I occasionally clean house.
Looking back was there something
in particular that helped you to decide to become a writer? Did you choose it
or did the profession choose you?
I think the passion
and profession chose me .
On a typical writing day, how
would you spend your time?
Wake up time on a day
off from work is at 7am. I get up, feed the horde and have my really LARGE
coffee and cereal. Right after that, I am on both computers (one right next to
the other) working on things for both personas. I write YA and horror under my
real name and of course the erotica under my pen name.
Do you write right through or do
you revise as you go along?
I revise the whole way
through. When something doesn’t feel right, I read it out loud and try to see
how I can make it better.
When it comes to plotting, do
you write freely or plan everything in advance?
Both. I write a
general outline and let the story take me where it is going. I have tried it
both ways and middle ground works better for me. Too much in either direction
and it’s a mess.
What kind of research do you do
before and during a new book?
The internet is great.
With my limited time, I make use of it a lot, but there are some things that
you just have to get up close to and feel if you are going to write about them
with feeling. Like how a hair brush feels when it cracks across your bottom, or
a chilled whisk that has been sitting in the fridge.
How much of yourself and the
people you know manifest into your characters? How do you
approach development of your characters? Where do you draw the line?
Everyone in my life
should be warned-you too could be in my next book in some form or fashion. I
collect names. People I see at work with a unique name or a situation will pop
into my head and there I am, plotting some kind of story or another. There is a
line regarding my private home life that I will not cross. I respect my
husband’s wishes and leave what is private, private.
How long does it take for you to
complete a book you would allow someone to read?
It has to be in a
close to finished state before I let anyone take a look at it.
Writers often go on about
writer’s block. Do you ever suffer from it, and what measures do you take to
get past it?
I used to. Trying to
start cold turkey on a novel length piece when I wasn’t ready for it years ago
was a huge mistake. Working on my skills as a writer with short stories and as
a music reviewer has kept me on a tight schedule and I don’t have time to get
bogged down. I am always writing and I don’t let myself fall into the dual
traps of lethargy and self- doubt. If something isn’t working, I kill it and
find a way to make it, or I start again.
When someone reads one of your
books for the first time, what do you hope they gain, feel or experience?
I hope they find joy
in the experience, no matter the subject.
Can you share three things
you’ve learned about the business of writing since your first publication?
First and foremost,
keep writing.
Make time for fun and
the people in your life.
Plot line while you do
mundane things to manage your time wisely.
Keep your mind always
moving. Think about the next story, or chapter.
When you get rejected,
it hurts-think about how you can change the story up to work somewhere else.
If you aren’t sure you
are ready for a novel length piece, do short stories until you find your voice.
(And even after. They are a whole lot of fun.)
Short stories will add
credibility to your resume.
Does the title of a book you’re writing come to you as you’re writing
it, or does it come before you even begin the first sentence?
It comes before the first sentence is written.
How would you describe your sense of humor? Who and what makes you laugh?
Snarky. Everything.
What are you working on
now?
5 short stories
that are all due in a week. I may not be sleeping in the very near future.
No seriously…I am
working on the second book to the Erotic Pagan Series: Samhain Shadows and a
continuation of Herne and Ceri’s story from the first book.
What was the best piece of
advice you've received with respect to the art of writing? How did you
implement it into your work?
Yes. If you are
worried about echoing your own words, read what you have written out loud. It
works.
Writing is obviously not just how you make your
living, but your life-style as well. What do you do to keep the creative
"spark" alive - both in your work and out of it?
I am always planning ahead for the next
story. Even as I am walking the sales floor at work, I am getting ideas and
making notes. I do hope one day to make a living with my writing, but to do
that I will be working on more full length novels.
What kind of books do you like
to read?
I enjoy BDSM erotica,
paranormal stories, urban fantasy, women’s fiction, alternative spirituality
books and the occasional knitting or crochet book.
If you weren’t a writer what
would you be?
Well, since I am in
the book business, I really can’t think of anyplace else I would rather be,
except maybe camping out at my desk for weeks at a time, drafting up something
fun.
Where did you get the idea for the stories you write?
Daydreams mostly. I look at things and think about how they
would roll into a story. Some are from actual dreams and I write them down.
When it comes to the covers of your books, do you get much say in how it
will appear, design, location etc?
Some.
Aside from writing, what else do
you enjoy doing?
I love crocheting,
knitting, baking, reading, watching horror movies with my husband and furry
kids and driving to the ice cream store with my puppy Taddy in my lap. (Husband
driving…)
Any special projects coming out soon we should watch for?
Yes, you will have to check out the next book in the Erotic
Pagan Series. I am currently working on Samhain Shadows and an untitled Yule
story. There will also be a continuation with Herne and Ceri.
New writers are always trying to
glean advice from those with more experience. What suggestions do you have for
new writers?
No matter what, don’t
give up.
Keep writing. Even
when you feel like everything you write is a pile of crap. (I was reading
another site called The Horror Tree that does horror antho calls and there was
a series of writing tips from the late and very great Ray Bradbury. He
suggested writing one short story a week. After all, how many bad stories can
you write in a row before you start to improve and write some good ones?)
Talk with other
writers. If you are not a writer, you don’t understand the driving need to be
chained to a computer for hours on end, working on a manuscript that could
either be really great, totally awful or somewhere in between. It is easy to
doubt yourself. Talk with other writers. They understand and in doing so, it
won’t seem like you are alone in the universe.
What future projects do you have in the works?
I have two teen books I would like to see
finished and a long erotic novel that fits into the Erotic Pagans Series.
Can you please tell us where we can find you on the Internet?
Could you please share your favorite excerpt(s)
from one of more of your stories with us?
"I've never danced a Maypole dance before." Ceri
watched as some young men emerged from the surrounding woods carrying a long
slender tree trunk. They wound ribbons around the top and carefully slid the
trunk into the hole, letting the ribbons fly free in the afternoon breeze.
Looking at the fields beyond the festival site, Ceri noticed
it was full of different varieties of flowers. The heady scent of their bouquet
wafted toward her on the breeze and as the wind brushed her face, she felt a
tingle run down her back. All of her teachings came back to her and she felt
the pull of the earth reach up and tether her to this place. She had never felt
anything like it.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Marilyn smiled and
pointed in the direction of the flower fields. "My family has farmed this
land for generations. Here, surrounded by the woods, we have been able to hold
on to the old customs and keep our traditions strong. Beltane is one of my
favorite Sabbats. Celebrating life and all it has to offer is what it's all about,
after all."
"Sounds like a good idea to me." Ceri let her gaze
travel across the young men and women gathering in front of the pole that was
now firmly lodged in the ground. She sent up a silent prayer to the Goddess
that there would be someone for her when twilight took over and the fires wove
their seductive magic.
"Come, we must get seated. It's almost time for the
festivities to begin."
A gathering of young men with fiddles began to play a
smoldering tune and the crowd began to rally around the Maypole. Ceri smiled
and let the rhythm of the stirring music settle into her bones.
Marilyn handed her a cup of spiced wine from the table
nearby and they made their way to the action.
If you would like to read another excerpt from Beltane Fires, check out the hot little piece from Tuesday's post.
Read about Beltane Fires more
here.
You can purchase Beltane Fires from the following eBook Stores.
I would like to thank Erzabet for coming today and sharing her wonderful thoughts and words, it has been a blast having her.
If you wish to purchase a book published through Naughty Nights Press (NNP), then visit there eStore. There is a lot of wonderful ebooks available by some of the most excellent authors out today. All forms of erotica are covered from LGBT to BDSM, along with Paranormal, Romance, Erotic Pagans and don't forget the anthologies.I recommend you read Spontaneous Liaisons because a certain soon to be absent blogger (ME!) has a story in it.
