Riptide Day Nine LA Witt

Our day nine guest is an author I look up to as with all the writers that have graced our site these past few days. However, LA I admire not only for her writing talent but her knack to pit out such great work at lightening speed!

WOW!

Here is a virtual interview. Please give her you undivided attention!

What made you decide that you wanted to put yourself out there to publish?  

I’ve always wanted to be a published author. Not sure what the catalyst was, or what specific thing made me realize I wanted my name on the cover of a book. It’s been a goal for as long as I can remember.

Before you started, had you done any fanfiction? If so, what fandom?

I never wrote fanfiction, no.

Are you in agreement that writing fanfiction is a great way to practice ones craft, why or why not?

You know, I used to be really opposed to it. My thought was, “make your own characters, dammit!”  But…I’ve since changed my tune. For one thing, people weren’t trying to pass off their fiction as original. It’s totally on the up-and-up that, no, these characters do not belong to the writer, and they acknowledge all copyrights where they belong.  And for that matter, fandom can get really brutal when it comes to getting the characters and canon correct, which can result in very attentive, thorough analyses of characters, relationships, story lines, etc., before writing the story. And in some cases, the writing itself improves with time. As an example, author Misa Buckley is a friend of mine who started out writing fanfic. While I’ve always kind of turned up my nose at it, I agreed to read one of hers, and…it was good. It was really good. The writing and the characterization were spot-on. As she branched into original fiction, her grasp of the craft and her ability to freaking nail characterization carried over.  So, I can definitely see the benefit of writing fanfiction, and have changed my opinion on it.

What is your favorite subgenre to write?

 I don’t think I could pick one if I tried. I’ve recently discovered both steampunk and cyberpunk, and have had a blast with both. I love writing BDSM, but usually have to take a break and write a few vanilla books between kink books. They can get pretty emotionally intense.

Is there one that you haven’t tried that you see yourself doing in the future?

Probably historical. There are a few eras/places that fascinate me, but I haven’t quite worked up the nerve to try writing about them.

Would you ever write a hetero romance? Why or why not? 

I have indeed, and have published several books under the name Lauren Gallagher. I actually started out writing hetero, and although I write mostly M/M these days, I still like M/F.

What is your opinion on the “chicks with dicks” analogy? In your opinion, is it wrong for your males to be emotional or romantic? 

The “chicks with dicks” analogy annoys the hell out of me for several reasons now that I’ve had an education in gender issues and such from author M Jules Aedin.  I won’t get into all of them, but basically, even though it isn’t intended to do so, it takes a swipe at trans women, not to mention implying that showing emotion is a negative thing for men. I could go on for pages, but I won’t. Bottom line: the analogy really, really bugs me.  Now, with the actual phrasing aside, it’s referring to men who show a lot of emotion. Particularly those who cry or are romantic. I do find it a bit unrealistic—and irritating—when a guy is being over-the-top emotional, bursting into tears over every little thing, etc. I feel the same way when female characters do it.  When it starts getting melodramatic, it’s annoying.  If someone is crying every two pages, it loses its significance. When an otherwise stoic character – male, female, or otherwise – breaks down, I’m almost always on the verge of breaking down with them (which says a lot, because I don’t cry). So no, I have absolutely no problem with men being emotional or romantic. I just have a problem with ANY character being melodramatic to the point I want to medicate them.

Your first published book?

My first ever published book was an erotica novel – not a romance! – called Between Brothers, published by Carnal Passions in 2009, under my hetero pseudonym Lauren Gallagher. My first M/M followed a few months later, and that was Rules of Engagement, published by Dreamspinner Press.

I’m of the opinion that erotica doesn’t have to be real all the time to make a good story, what are your thoughts? 

I don’t think it necessarily has to be real, but there’s a very fine line between fantasy and WTF. I’ll buy that a couple might get it on in a place where most people wouldn’t dream of it, but when your guy is instantly rock hard and ready to go again thirty seconds after an orgasm? Not so much.  Also, if they start getting into positions that make me think less “Ooh, that’s innovative” and more “OMG, that sounds excruciating”, then…no.

When creating your characters, do you have models in mind or are they totally fictional?

Physically, they have models. I need a face to go with the name. As far as their personalities, though, they are totally fictional. For example, I might use a photo of someone who I know is bubbly and touchy-feely, but the character will be more aloof and reserved.

If you write gay romance or erotica, just how descriptive are your in their sex scenes?

Depends on the scene and what I’m trying to accomplish with it. I do everything from fading to black to down-to-the-last-drop-of-sweat detailed. I’m not squeamish at all about being graphic, but some scenes (and stories) work better with less detail.

As a gay fiction writer, do you feel that the trend is changing where it is becoming more mainstream?  

Yes and no. I think it’s gradually getting harder for people to ignore the fact that gay fiction exists, but mainstream? Well, let’s put it this way: online, I rarely run into people who don’t realize gay romance is insanely popular. When I meet people face to face, they’re nearly always stunned to not only learn that I write gay romance, but that there’s even a demand for it.  The trend is changing, but it’s got a long way to go.

What is your opinion as to why publishers only want to group all manlove stories under erotica? Do you feel this is a hindrance to our genre?

It irritates me. If it’s erotica, call it erotica. If the only reason it qualifies as erotica is that the two main characters are male, then…I mean, come ON, people.  There’s enough of a taboo on both gay fiction and erotic fiction. Putting all gay fiction into the erotica category is like deliberately giving it a double stigma. (Plus it makes it really difficult for readers to tell if the book they’re buying is truly erotic or if it’s just called that because it has men in it)

Do you think it’s time for publishers to begin calling gay fiction/erotica what it is instead of m/m? Why or why not?

The bottom line is that the genre of a book tells a reader what they’re getting. That’s all it should do, and it should do it effectively. If a book is gay erotica, call it gay erotica. If it’s gay romance, call it gay romance. If it’s fantasy with a couple of gay characters and some romantic overtones, then call it fantasy, not gay erotica.  We’re not going to see gay fiction get anywhere near the mainstream market if we keep hiding it all a genre that a) not all readers of gay fiction wish to read and b) doesn’t apply to all books with gay characters in them.

Recently, a writer sabotaged her career by answering a bad review on a blog. How would you have handled this and do you think authors should answer their reviews?

When I was a fledgling author, there was one piece of advice I heard over and over, and it’s always stuck with me: Never respond to a negative review unless it’s to say “thank you for taking the time to review my book.” That’s how I would have handled the situation if I were the author. That said, while she certainly behaved inappropriately, the dog-piling of dozens of readers and authors alike was a bit excessive. The point was made, but the dead horse was beaten way longer than it needed to be.

As a fellow fem in the genre, what is your stance on the difference between male and female gay writers? 

The gender of the writer doesn’t make a difference to me.  The important thing is writing our characters respectfully: without relying on stereotypes, not making the experiences of (for example) real gay men invisible by portraying ALL of our fictional gay men as having perfect lives that don’t include homophobia or discrimination, things like that.  That’s not to say romance novels need to be political statements, but these are things we as authors should be aware of and sensitive to no matter what gender or orientation we write.

What are your thoughts on the fact that some gay male writers discriminate against women?

It’s their prerogative. I don’t agree with it, and I think it’s unfair to paint all female writers as committing the sins that some have, but I can empathize with those who’ve become jaded. I don’t argue that some female writers of M/M have, intentionally or otherwise, reinforced negative stereotypes and portrayed characters in ways that are insensitive and oblivious to the experiences of real life gay men. (I haven’t read enough male authors to be able to comment one way or the other on them; not for lack of desire to read them, I’m just that far behind on my TBR list) So, I can see both sides of it: yes, it bugs me, but…once bitten, right? 

What is the major difference between male and female writers?

Chromosomes.

Riptide specific questions

Tell me what made you decide to hop on board with this brand new publisher? I have a lot of respect for Rachel and Aleks, the supervillains behind the whole operation, and I think they’ve got a good, solid approach to putting their business together. When they approached me about joining the Riptide revolution, I didn’t hesitate. I suppose it didn’t hurt that Rachel had a cattle prod in her hand and Aleks was standing beside a DieHard battery with a set of jumper cables at the ready. They’re very…persuasive…

What is your release that you have coming out with them? 

A Chip In His Shoulder, which is a vampire/cyberpunk novella about an assassin who starts out with an ax to grind and winds up in a bit of a pickle with his intended victim.

In your opinion, what is the difference between Riptide and any other publisher that has just started?  

Ballgags and jackboots, mostly.

Where do you see the publisher in the next 5 to 10 years?

In a giant citadel from which they will lord over the dystopian society that remains after the Great Tech War of 2028 – wait, you said 5 to 10 years?  Hmm. Never mind…

Name two male celebs that you’d like to see in a hot make out session? 

Jared Leto and Robert Downey Jr.

Your favorite gay tv show or movie? 

What I’ve seen of Bedrooms & Hallways (still need to get that DVD so I can watch the whole thing). 

Do you feel that celebs who are gay or bi should come out the closet? 

I think they do the LGBT community as a whole a huge favor when they do come out. More visibility, more role models for kids and adults alike who may be afraid to come out. That said, I can’t say they should come out. It’s a personal decision, and one that has more repercussions for the individual coming out than anyone else. I mean, Chely Wright’s career took a huge hit when she came out, and I seem to recall she even received death threats over it. I could never presume to tell someone, especially someone who lives in a fishbowl already, that they owe it to anyone to broadcast something so personal. Basically, I applaud those who come out and support those who don’t.

For the men in your books, commando or underwear?

Depends on the guy. A lot of them seem to like boxers, some like briefs. Some don’t keep their clothes on long enough for me or anyone else to know.

Have you attended a pride parade? If so, where you inspired when doing so?  

I have not, but I fully intend to when I return to the States this year.

Here's the blurb from Chip in His Shoulder:

“Contract killer” is a fitting job for a vampire, and it suits Liam just fine. Cast down from the wealth and status of the Sky for taking a human lover, Liam lurks in the poor and pollution-choked Gutter, killing to survive. Between his natural strengths and his Cybernetix mods, no mark has ever escaped him.

Liam’s ex-lover Daniel is the heir to Cybernetix—and its greatest threat. Horrified by people less man than machine and the exploitation of Gutter factory workers, he’d rather destroy Cybernetix than inherit it . . . if his father doesn’t destroy him first.

Years of anger and a heap of mods have kept Daniel and Liam apart. When Liam is hired to slaughter a man in his glass Sky tower, he walks right into a Daniel-shaped trap. Daniel’s father has betrayed them both, and only by working together can Daniel and Liam survive the coming day. They have no reason to trust each other, but as the dawn looms, a bargain that began with the simple urge to live soon reminds them of the love they once shared. Can they find each other again, or will the Cybernetix assassins find them first?

Chip was released on November 14. You can purchase at: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/chip-his-shoulder

Here's where readers can find me:

Author Name: L. A. Witt (Lori Witt)

Email address: thethinker42@gmail.com

Website URL: http://www.loriawitt.com

Blog URL: http://gallagherwitt.blogspot.com

Twitter: GallagherWitt

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/L-A-Witt-MM-Fiction/187063289526

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Great interview LA the giveaway is anything from her backlist of the winners choice.

Taboo Tens: Day Twenty Five Reader Post Sheila Gallagher!

Good Morning!


Welcome to day Twenty Five of the Taboo Tens!


Today, I have another fan blog from a lady I love. She or Sheila has been one of my biggest supporters. She’s commented on my blogs wherever I went and supported my guests when they’ve done guest posts here and at Rawiya’s.


She is quite the sweetheart, and here she is doing a guest blog.


We’re also giving away a copy of LA Witt’s AJ’s Angel!


Take it away Sheila!


****


I read most genres and do not limit or censor what I read. As long as the story hooks me I’ll read it. So why do I read male/male romance? I’m a relative newcomer to male/male literature. It started at RT 2008 in Pittsburgh. This was the first time I saw what was available outside traditional male/female stories. I got a few free books and met a few authors at RT and, being the book whore I am, I decided to try them. What I found is a wonderful genre with lots of undiscovered authors and books. The sex was hotter but the stories had the same things as traditional romance. It had the meeting of the couple, the conflict, the resolution of the conflict, and either the HEA or HFN. I was hooked. There are differences: no unplanned pregnancies or pressure to get married.




Authors of m/m or ménage romance come across as being more comfortable writing sex. Unless the traditional romance is erotic the traditional authors are not always comfortable writing sex scenes and I can pick that up while reading. The euphemisms drive me crazy. I’m not in high school anymore. I can handle the real words or slang. Being realistic enhances the story.




Coming from a family where certain things are not discussed alternate lifestyle literature has helped me to understand the lifestyle better. With a sister who is lesbian and a brother who is transgendered discovering male/male, female/female, transgendered, and ménage novels have shown me what people go through. Not being gay I often am oblivious to what they go through with others, the prejudice they face, the anger and hatred of others. The big news stories are what I see and I shake my head and wonder how people can be so hateful but I was unaware of the little things. Reading your novels opened my eyes to the small things those living an alternate lifestyle contend with daily.




Your novels have also opened my mind and caused me to consciously think of what my values are, of my tolerance and acceptance levels towards others who live differently than I. While you may have thought you wrote only to entertain me, each time I open one of your books and invite you into my world, as you invite my into your world, a piece of me changes because of your words. I may change my mind about what I thought I knew. I may lose a prejudice. I may learn of something new that causes me to do some research. I may understand the fights you fight and side with you. I have done these things and probably more.




So the flippant answer to why I read m/m romance is it’s taboo and forbidden in the mainstream society where I reside so that makes it hotter. But the thoughtful answer is that I am taught things I would never wonder about. Another world is opened to me and I have to challenge my beliefs about what I thought I knew about life. That’s not a bad idea if it brings acceptance and tolerance to the world.

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Wow. What a blog. OMG. 

That is such a fantastic post. 

She gave so many reasons as to why us writers write and read gay romances and did it so eloquently. Wow, Sheila, you sure you aren't a writer? LOL

Awesome post. I hope all of you enjoyed that...

Here now is a blurb from the book we're giving away from the talented LA Witt!

Taken from Goodreads.

Buylink - http://store.samhainpublishing.com/ajs-angel-p-6325.html

Luke Emerson is the last person Sebastian Wakefield expects to see strolling into his tattoo shop. But Luke’s not back after four years to take up where they left off. Not even to apologize for the cheating that broke them up.

Luke wants a custom tattoo, a memorial for someone known only as “A.J.”. Much as Seb would love to tell Luke to take this ink and shove it, he’s a professional. Plus, he’s reluctant to admit, he wouldn’t mind getting his hands on Luke again. Even if it’s just business.

Once Luke’s in the tattoo chair, though, Seb finds himself struggling with all the anger and resentment he thought he’d left behind—and those aren’t the only feelings reignited. Their relationship may have been turbulent, but it was also passionate. Four years clearly hasn’t been long enough for the embers of that fire to go cold.

A few subtle hints from Luke is all it takes to make Seb consider indulging in some of that physical passion. It shouldn’t be that tough to keep his emotions from getting tangled up in sweaty sheets.

After all, it’s not like he’s in love with Luke anymore. Right?

Warning: Contains two exes who shouldn’t want each other like this, steamy ex-sex they shouldn’t be having, and a whole lot of ink.

Welcome LA Witt!

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing someone that has become one of my writing heroes. She writes all the time, puts out books constantly, and she writes about rock and roll in her latest book, With the Band. WOW!

I see her tweets when she says, did 10K on so and so, and I am jealous! ;)

*j/k*

She is very talented and I'm honored to have her here today. LA Witt.

Thank you for joining us today.

LA Witt: Thanks for having me. I promise I won’t cause too much trouble. And I’m not the one who dumped the cup of paper umbrellas on the floor behind the bar. Just saying.

MM: So tell me, how long have you been writing?

LA Witt: Since I could hold a pen upright. I’ve tinkered with writing since I was a kid, studied the craft since I was a teenager, and decided to buckle down and get serious in late 2008. That was also when I switched from attempted epic fantasy to erotic romance, which turned out to be my niche.

MM: What is your favorite subgenre to write?

LA Witt: Well, in the last year or so, I’ve been dabbling in different subgenres, and I haven’t decided what my favorite is. I’m rather enjoying urban fantasy; I’m finishing my second right now, and my first, Static, is due out from Amber Allure in June. I’ve also been getting into BDSM, and suspense/thrillers, plus I’m working on a collaborative steampunk project, which is something new. If I absolutely had to pick a favorite subgenre, and I’m not even sure if this one counts, I’d probably say ménage, whether it’s BDSM or vanilla. Relationship dynamics are always fun to play with, and when you add a third person to the mix, things get really interesting.

MM: Is there one that you haven’t tried that you see yourself doing in the future?

LA Witt: I’ve been itching to write something in the fantasy genre. Not just urban fantasy, but straight-up fantasy. (With lots of sex and romance, of course) I miss that genre from my still-cutting-my-teeth days, and I’d like to revisit it. That or some hardcore sci-fi. (Interpret “hardcore” however you please…)

MM: I’m of the opinion that erotica doesn’t have to be real all the time to make a good story, what are your thoughts?

LA Witt: It doesn’t have to be real ALL the time, but certain things will take me right out of the scene because they’re ridiculous, squicky, or downright painful. I don’t care if the two hot guys are horny as hell, in the middle of nowhere, and don’t have access to a bottle of AstroGlide…they’d better come up with some sort of lubricant if they’re going to engage in any anal action. If they’re having sex on the beach, at least some kind of anti-sand precaution. For the record, I can’t watch that scene in From Here to Eternity without imagining someone getting a wave-full of sand or a slimy wad of kelp in a place sand and kelp don’t belong.

But for the most part, no, it doesn’t have to be 100% real 100% of the time.

MM: Who are the authors that you look up to?

LA Witt: Far, far too many to list. I work with Aislinn Kerry and Anitra Lynn McLeod a lot, so I look up to them as mentors, colleagues, and writing buddies. They rock…and they put up with me on a regular basis, so they have the patience of saints. M Jules Aedin has also been a huge influence in terms of my understanding of—and writing about—gender issues, sexuality, etc. So, I would definitely say I look up to all three of them.

MM: Tell me about your latest release, With the Band?

LA Witt: This is a story about a couple of ambitious musicians who really shouldn’t be involved with each other, but can’t resist, and the effect that has on them, their relationship, and the band as a whole. It was a fun one to write because I had a tight-knit group of characters to play with, all of whom were snarky and bantery. And…I admit it. I love Bastian. I just do.

Also, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Lia Wolff, who wrote the lyrics to the song (Un)Fading, which plays a significant role in the book. I had a total author-fail moment and didn’t mention her in the dedication, and I feel like a complete and utter tool for that oversight. So, thank you, Lia!

The book is currently available from Loose Id, LLC.

MM: Me and my muses are big fans of stories with rock stars. Are there any you would personally recommend besides yours?

LA Witt: To be honest, most of my TBR list for the last year or so has been BDSM, steampunk, and urban fantasy. I just sat here for ten minutes trying to remember if I’d read anything with a rock band in it, and I could swear I did, but for the life of me, the title’s escaped me.

MM: What are you working on now?

LA Witt: At the moment, I’m about 2/3 of the way through The Given & The Taken, which is my first foray into the world of vampires and werewolves. It’s been quite a ride, and it’s very likely this will be the start of a series. There will be at least one sequel, that much I know. Assuming these boys don’t completely fry my brain…

After that, I’ve got a F/F/M contemporary in the offing, a M/M/F contemporary, a couple of steampunk stories, at least one M/M novella, and possibly third books in both the Light Switch (written as Lauren Gallagher) and Cover Me series. Needless to say, I have plenty to keep me busy.

MM: When I noticed how many new books you have coming out, I was astounded. What is your writing schedule like?

LA Witt: Haha yeah, this year has been kind of crazy as far as releases go. Between my two pseudonyms (I also write hetero as Lauren Gallagher), I have at least 9 more releases between now and the end of the year. It’s been a little busy lately. LOL

My schedule pretty much consists of get out of bed around 8ish. I check e-mails, screw off on the internet, blog, chat with writing buddies, eat breakfast, and update my website for a while, and I start writing no later than noon. I write until midnight or I hit my daily quota (5,000 words). If I hit my quota really early on, sometimes I’ll aim for more, other times I’ll take the evening off to work on my webcomic or spend time with that man who lives in my house and shares my last name. Throughout the day, I’ll take little breaks here and there to go to the gym or eat dinner and watch a little TV, but it’s pretty more or less nose-to-the-grindstone until I’m done.

The weekends are a little more lax, but I’m a workaholic, so I’m usually working then too.

MM: When creating your characters, do you have models in mind or are they totally fictional?

LA Witt: I use photos to put a face with the name. Sometimes actors, sometimes just random people. I find having a face gives me a good jumping off point for figuring the character out, and from there, they kind of run off and become their own person. I can’t tell you how many times a story has started just by putting two (or three) pictures together and giving them names. By the time I’m done, the characters are completely separate in my head from whoever I based them on, so the resemblance is entirely physical.

MM: As an M/M writer, do you feel that the trend is changing where it is becoming more mainstream?

LA Witt: Yes and no. From the way M/M fiction is received online, and how popular it is, it certainly appears to be becoming more mainstream. Times have definitely changed.

That said, when I tell people face-to-face that I write M/M, and I get the “you do what, now?” reaction, followed by “people actually read that??”, I’m inclined to believe we have a long way to go before I’d call M/M mainstream.

MM: Recently, a writer sabotaged her career by answering a bad review on a blog. How would you have handled this and do you think authors should answer their reviews?

LA Witt: Wow, what a debacle. I think there was a lot to be learned from that whole fiasco. An author should, IMHO, never respond negatively to a review. Just…don’t. If I see a review of one of my books, whether it’s positive or negative, I’ll usually leave a comment thanking them for taking the time to review it. I mean, whether or not I agree with the review, they’ve put in the time to read my book and post something about it. I appreciate that either way.

I also had to cringe a bit at the response to the author. After a few people had responded, ripping into her for her lack of professionalism, the point was made. After a few dozen more, the point had been driven into the ground. When it was post after post after post of people dog-piling her, I…kinda thought that was a wee bit of overkill. If the best thing for an author is to ignore a negative review, then perhaps the best thing for the rest of us to do is ignore authors who don’t leave well enough alone…especially after we’ve been beaten to the punch by a few dozen others.

MM: As a fellow fem in the genre, what is your stance on the difference between male and female gay writers?

LA Witt: This is actually something I ranted about on my personal blog a few months ago, so I’ll spare you the entire lengthy tirade. Personally, I don’t care about the gender of the writer, I care about how they approach their characters. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with women writing about gay men.

That said, when there is backlash against female M/M writers, and accusations that we’re fetishizing gay men, it would behoove us to stop and make sure that’s not what we’re doing. I think we as authors need to be sensitive to the people we’re portraying. There’s more to being gay than just being attracted to the same sex, and this is something I’ve discussed at length with M Jules Aedin.

We live in a heteronormative society that views homosexuality, bisexuality, etc., as “other.” It’s “different”, and those air quotes frequently imply a certain sense of disgust, discomfort, even hostility. For someone in that “different” category, they don’t just skate through life without ever thinking twice about it. When any person who finds out what you are could respond negatively, and that negative response could be anything from a slight wrinkle of the nose to an act of violence, that awareness is always in the back of your mind.

Does that mean every book should be full of characters constantly looking over their shoulders, encountering homophobia, and generally being unnerved by every person they meet? No, of course not. But it also means when we receive criticism for what we write, it wouldn’t hurt to stop and look objectively at what we’re writing. Are we, for the sake of writing our own fantasies, completely ignoring something that a gay man can’t ignore? Are we, in effect, erasing their very real and very serious struggles for our own enjoyment? I’ve been guilty of it myself, and the more this backlash has made me aware of it, the more I’ve tried to steer in the opposite direction.

So, in short, I think women are just as capable as anyone else of writing M/M fiction, erotic or otherwise, but we owe it to the gay community to do so respectfully. Write ABOUT people, not OVER them.

MM: I read a blog about M/M writer’s losing their imagination because they are writing the same subjects repeatedly, what are your thoughts? http //www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/?p=42883

LA Witt: Oh, I think authors of every genre are guilty of that to a degree. Is it a bigger problem in M/M than elsewhere? Hard to say. And really, I think most of those subjects, even those that have been done to death, can be written in a new, fresh way. So, I’m hesitant to say “yeah, we should all avoid this or that” because someone may have some really cool spin to put on it.

That said, one of the things mentioned in that article is rape. That’s something that bothers me in any erotic fiction, particularly BDSM. It’s actually what got me writing about BDSM in the first place, because I saw so much rape showing up and being labeled as kink. I can’t think of ANY situation where I can forgive a “hero” who rapes the heroine/other hero. I just…I can’t.

And I absolutely can’t forgive an author who writes about a “hero” raping someone, and tries to make me believe it’s not rape for some incredibly twisted, squicky reason. Like “well, in his mind, he really was enjoying it, and even though the guy doing the raping couldn’t possibly KNOW THAT, it makes it okay”. GROSS. That’s right up there with “he didn’t stop because he knew she actually liked it.” I tried to read one book a year or so ago in which the two male main characters each raped the other within the first three chapters. I don’t know what happened in the fourth chapter or beyond because I was too busy bleaching my ereader and taking the hottest shower I could.

(Can you tell this is a soapbox issue for me?)

MM: What is it about M/M that pleasures you to write it?

LA Witt: Same thing as hetero, F/F, etc: sex and relationships are fascinating. A lot of people say sex is overrated and it isn’t important, but if it was, people wouldn’t go to such lengths (so to speak) to get it. I think it’s a very significant part of the human condition, and same goes for love (and yes, I believe you can have one without the other…sex without love, love without sex). So, I like exploring how it can affect individuals, couples, etc., regardless of gender. That, and it’s hot…again, regardless of gender. (And yes, I am writing some F/F too)

MM: Where can we find you on the web?

LA Witt: Pretty much everywhere! :D

Website – http://www.loriawitt.com

Blog – http://gallagherwitt.blogspot.com (also my personal and decidedly less professional blog, http://navywifeadventures.blogspot.com )

Twitter – GallagherWitt

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Gallagher-Romance-Author/187999894436#!/pages/L-A-Witt-MM-Fiction/187063289526
Also as Lauren Gallagher: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Gallagher-Romance-Author/187999894436

I even have a webcomic now, because I’m insane: http://marginallyunhinged.blogspot.com

MM: Thank you for taking the time to spend with us today LA Witt and continued success on your work.

LA Witt: Thanks for having me! I’ll send in the cleanup crew…

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Taken from the Loose ID site:

Buylink

ISBN: 978-1-60737-978-2 Genre: LGBT Contemporary Length: Novel Plus

Hard rock band Schadenfreude is finally on the verge of the success that’s eluded them for the last several years. With Aaron McClure as their new lead singer, nothing’s going to stop them…except maybe a steamy, secret relationship between Aaron and bassist Bastian Koehler. Aaron knows all too well what can happen when band members get involved with each other. After all, his last band was a casualty of his last relationship, and Schadenfreude forbids band members from dating for that very reason. But Bastian is too hot to resist, and besides, it’s just sex, so what’s the harm?

Bastian has just gotten out of a long relationship with his volatile ex-fiancée when Aaron catches his eye. The sexy singer is irresistible, and in spite of the potential for strife within the band if this comes out, Bastian can’t help himself.

Their passion in the bedroom is rivaled only by their ambition as musicians, though, and pretty soon, it's going to tear them, and Schadenfreude apart, if they can't get back to playing with the band.

****

What a great interview! I cannot wait to read this book! The gals, (Rawiya and BL) love the stories of gay male stars just as much as I do. LA, I don't mind you getting on your soapbox. I do it all the time at IRM! Continued success dearie and I look forward to all of your release. LOL

:)

If you're looking for today's Sip by Michael, it's at Rawiya's

Next up on our guest list, fab author GA Hauser! Until then...