Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Riptide - Day Three

Good Morning.


Please enjoy this interview with Brita Adams.


Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What is your occupation outside of writing?

Hm. About me – well, I grew up in upstate New York, but I've lived in the deep south for many years. Quite a difference in culture, weather and food, to say the least.

Writing is what I do. We've raised our family, all of whom live nearby and now I spend most every day writing, something I put on the back burner while my children were younger.

My husband is retired and we do enjoy traveling, but writing is something I love and do it at least five days a week.

What are your favorite books to read?

My preferences change. Right now, I am reading a lot of male/male erotic romance, but I am crazy about Lisa Kleypas and Mary Balogh as well. I love historical romance, which is also what I write.

My love of history is long-standing. I devour history books, particularly American and British, which is why most of my novels are set in England.

Because I write time-specific historicals, research is a must, but for me, that is no problem. I love learning new things and seem to with each bit of research I do.

Aside from your successes in the writing industry, what in your life has given you the greatest sense of accomplishment?

Well, my husband and I have raised a daughter (now an adult), who was born with a physical disability. She can't bend her arms or legs. That has never kept her from accomplishing what she set her mind to, as she was born with a healthy dose of determination. That's not to say we've been without our challenges associated with her disability, mainly, how to raise two other children with the same sense of normalcy they'd had before. They are much older – 14 and 10 years older, so they'd enjoyed years of what we all thought of as a "normal" life.

We determined early on, not to adjust our world to her handicap, any more than need be, but rather, to have her adjust to living in a non-handicapped world. She had to clean her room and do certain chores (she loved to wash dishes). She always took her schoolwork seriously, which is probably why she graduated from college, then went back for another round. She has always felt nurtured and cared for, of course, but is now grateful for the lack of concessions. She's quite independent, something the doctors warned us she'd never be.

To see her as the happy, smart and lovely young woman she is, there isn't anything else I've ever done that can match that.

She's a writer too, with her first book available at Decadent Publishing. Can we say "bursting with pride?" BTW – Her name is Lindsay Marene Ordone and her book is called Most Eligible. It's a sweet romance about a guy, a writer, who's roped into a TV reality bachelor-type show. There is humor and angst, and a very, very, good story.

You write in the erotica genre. How did you decide this was the best genre fit for you?
I write mostly, erotic romance, which differs greatly from erotica. Erotic romance fits because I enjoy reading it. There really wasn't anything magical about choosing the genre, it kind of chose me. I did a fair amount of research into what readers wanted and erotic romance was hands down the genre favored, so, there you are.

I want to write what readers enjoy reading and write it well. I love romance and the telling of a romantic story.

My Romeo Club stories are pure unadulterated, unapologetic erotica. They are five to six thousand words long, nice for a lunch or bedtime read, and are hot, sexy, and fun. They are intended to turn the reader on, not engross them in a romantic tale. This is something new to me as a writer, and won't be all I ever write going forward, but they are fun to write.

When you’re painting an erotic scene in your novels, how do you keep your ideas fresh and different from what everyone else writes?

That's a great question and one my husband asks all the time. I think it helps that I plot each scene in my head – actually walk the characters through the scene. I hear them talking to each other, see their hand touch the other's face, watch their eyes lock.

With each book, the characters are very different, in temperament, of course, looks and demeanor. That helps make each erotic scene different as well. The historical aspect aids to some extent, as the words are much more genteel, in some ways, yet as earthy when called for.

I think of my characters as residents of all-time – with wants and needs that have existed since man was created. They all go about getting what they want in different ways, and as an author, it's my job to describe those many ways. Certainly, the goal is always the same, but there are millions of paths to bring you to that point.

How many books have you written and how many of those are published? (Please list the names of your books here). And any exciting publishing plans for the New Year?

I've written about a dozen full novels, of which six are published, under two names.

For Noble Romance Publishing, I have written my Sapphire Club series, Serenity's Dream, Lord Decadent's Obsession and Chocolate, Tea and the Duchess, a menage, all erotic historicals, steeped in BDSM and romance. They've appeared on category best selling lists on All Romance E-books, Amazon and Bookstrand.

Also for Noble, I wrote my sensual historical, Her Timeless Obsession under the name Tina Ordone. It involves thought travel and my love for genealogy. It tells the story of how a romance affected several generations. I love the story and it is very close to my heart.

I have my male/male historical vampire BDSM novel, Love Immortal through Silver Publishing, as is Splendid Captivity, a menage.

There is a great story about Splendid – it actually started out with the characters from Serenity's Dream, but somehow it wasn't the story those particular characters were meant for, and Serenity's Dream was born, putting Splendid on the back burner. I wrote the Sapphire Club series, then went back to Splendid. It is now alive and well, and a fun story.

This year has been a busy one. I wrote The Rogue's Salvation, at het erotic romance for Noble, as well as two novellas for the Noble Timeless Desire Blog Tour in November. One of those stories is A Minute After Midnight, a male/male erotic love story of love lost and then An Evening at the Starlight, which has a very 1940's noir feel to it. It's the first story I've written with no sex in it at all. There are illusions to it, but all out romping doesn't fit the story.

My first contemporaries, Free Me and its sequel, In His Arms are at Amber Allure and then I've written three installments of the Romeo Club collection for Riptide Publishing.

It's been a busy year!

If you have a new release coming out, tell us about it. (a short synopsis)

My current newest release is Romeo Club #1: Surprises, a short, unapologetic bit of erotica. Here is a blurb:

Are you willing to put yourself in our hands?

Smart, successful, handsome, and thoroughly sick of the club scene, Don ventures into a popular upscale dating service. Aroused and intrigued by the boldfaced sexual queries on the Romeo Club’s application, he finds himself embellishing one answer after the next. Don thinks he’s taking control of his fate, but when he’s done, he ends up turning over a lot more than just his questionnaire to the dominant Adonis who runs the service.

In a private back room, beneath the snick of handcuffs, the slide of silk over his eyes, and not one hot mouth but two upon his skin, Don learns just how much more than matchmaking the Romeo Club has to offer a guy who doesn’t mind a few surprises.

This title is #1 of the Romeo Club series. Surprises can be purchased at Riptide Publishing http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/surprises-romeo-club-1

The second story, Rubbed the Right Way will be released on December 5.

How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants) ?

I always have my main characters set before I start writing. I have the opening scene in my head and the direction the story will go. I am a pantser for the most part, but I start with a germ of the story and I give it its head.

Many times, the muse takes me in directions I don't expect. I love those moments when I realize the story unfolding before me. I often refer to that as "the story wrote itself," because that's the way it feels. The characters know where they want to go and they simply need me to set down the map.

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you?

I usually write in the morning and into the afternoon. Our home is quiet and that is the way I like it. I don't have the television on or any music playing and the quiet is wonderful for my imagination. I try to write every day, but there are those times when I can't. I try to make up for it and if I can get in two or three hours on those days, I feel that it has a been a productive day.

Fingers crossed, the muse has never deserted me. I seem to have to opposite problem – two or three different stories tend to clamor about in my head, each wanting prominence.

If you could give one piece of advice to writers trying to get published, what would that advice be?

Don't write with the express purpose of getting published. If you write because your creativity has called you to it, you will produce a much better story. Sit down and write because you love the craft and have something worthwhile to say.

Where can we read more about you and your work? (websites, blogs, facebook, twitter, fan email address, etc)

I love visitors, so I invite everyone to stop by and say hi.

Email address: britaaddams@gmail.com

Website URL: http://www.britaaddams.info

Blog URL: http://www.britaaddams.com

Twitter: @britaaddams

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/britaaddams

Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4093476.Brita_Addams

Thank you so much for having me. It's been fun.

*Remember to comment to win Anything from Brita's backlist

10 comments:

Debby said...

I loved the story of your daughter. We have a daughter who is am amputee. She has had to have numerous surgeries on her leg but she never gives up. Kids re wonderfully resilient if we allow them to be.
debby236 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Hi Debby,

I'm glad you enjoyed reading about my girl. She's a special person and an inspiration in my life for sure. Sharp as a tack and outspoken. Mmm, gotta love her.

Yay, for your daughter! You know what I'm talking about. Their daily struggles make ours seems like petty change, don't they?

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs to you!

Thank you Michael for having me today. Love the blog.

Best always,
Brita

Aija said...

Thank you for the great interview! And I, too, loved the story of your daughter. Makes me proud to be of the same species as you (I know this sounds weird. LOL)!

japoki at inbox dot lv

Unknown said...

Thank you Aija. LOL.

booklover0226 said...

Hi, Brita.

I enjoyed the interview; it was a great read. Romeo Club is on my must have list.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

The Scarf Princess said...

Great interview. As a quadriplegic my parents raised me the same way you did your daughter. I made sure to adapt to my surroundings since my surroundings weren't going to change. And it is hard on the siblings. A lot of time gets devoted to the disabled child and the others do end up short changed. Thank heavens me and my siblings seem pretty close. I'll definitely look into your daughter's book and you're definitely allowed to talk her up. It's a great accomplishment for anyone to get published!

joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

Sarah said...

Hi Britta

Loved the first story really looking forward to your new releases

Sarah S
Sarahs7836(at)gmail(dot)com

Bookwyrm369 said...

Great post! Thanks for sharing :-) Can't wait to read Surprises.

smaccall AT comcast.net

Brita Addams said...

Thank you all for stopping by and thank you Michael for having me.

Big hugs,
Brita

-Maria- said...

Great interview.
Sure you've done the best with your daughter.