Guest Author Day with Liz Borino & a Contest

Give a warm welcome to author Liz Borino today.


She is giving away to one lucky reader an e-book copy of Action, upon release. All you need to do is comment on her post and make sure to leave your email address as well, just in case you are picked as the winner we have a way of contacting you.

Contest runs till June 21st. Winner to be announced on this post on June 22nd.

How long did it take to write the story? From the day you came up with the idea to the very last day of writing. 

Four months of writing and editing. I spent two of those months on the ‘rough’ draft, then—for the first time ever—I ended up adding more than 5,000 words in edits. 

Tell us about your latest release/upcoming release. Action is the first in my second series, titled Ben’s Life. Action focuses on Zack and Steve, an actor and director, respectively, who have been in a relationship for three years and are getting tired of hiding their love. Though, the one thing they’re more than happy to conceal is the Dom/sub structure in place. Unfortunately, one of the show’s producers is determined to expose them.

What made you want to write? I don’t. No, seriously, I love writing, but if I could choose another career, or even a personality in which there aren’t a minimum of two people competing for attention in my head, I would. But these characters and stories are so ingrained in who I am that I can’t be anyone else.

What authors do enjoy reading in your downtime? So many. I’m lucky in that my ‘day job’ is an editor for several publishers. Therefore, I have a wider reading reach than I might otherwise have. My favorites right now: S.E. Jakes, Mary Calmes, Catt Ford, and R. Cooper. Basically, it’s all about the characters. If I fall in love with them, and understand why they fall in love with each other, than I’m likely to enjoy the book.

How important is the beginning chapter - the opening - the first few lines? Very important. It’s the first thing readers judge you on. I spend more time editing that than anything else.

In what order do you write? For example starting beginning to end, combining parts, in random order or in development cycle? I write from beginning to end, but my ideas come in random order. Do you have any idea how irritating it is to have a really great scene pop up all developed right now to the dialogue…and not be able to write it until you’ve trudged through six other scenes? One might ask, well, why don’t I just write out of order? The answer is simple: one change in events can alter those pretty fully-formed scenes. My boys change their minds a lot.

You are called upon, at a school, to tell those interested in becoming an author, all the ins and outs of good writing skills and getting published. What are the three important elements in writing, publishing and promoting that you would give them? 1. Persistence 2. Patience 3. Promoting. You must keep writing, improving, and learning. Do your research. Love the process. Understand that overnight successes are rare, but they make for a sexier news story than ‘this author worked for hours every day to develop their talent.’ Be willing to put in the hours. And promote because those successes don’t happen if fans can’t find you. This is an amazing time in history to be an author. You can reach your fans easier than ever before. But so can everyone else, so do the work.

Do you plot out each chapter? Or are you a seat of the pants writer? Seat of the pants. I always try to follow an outline of some sort, but it doesn’t generally work out for me. Now, I’m happy to know the beginning, end, and a few plot points in the middle.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so what are your favorites Artists and or albums? Yes. I always have music on when I’m awake. I listen to Pandora and I can’t tell you my favorite artists or albums because it changes so often depending on my mood. But I love Motion City Soundtrack, All Time Low, Marianas Trench, and—for fifteen years—Hanson.

Out of all your characters which one do you identify the most with and why? Steve. He’s strong, loving (okay, Dominate) and he has no interest in children.

Out of all your books, do you have a favorite book/character(s)? What is it about that particular book/character that you enjoy so much? I can’t answer this one. Every time I write a book, I think it’s the best I’ve ever written. And in some ways, that’s true. My writing gets better each time I do it. Truth is, I love all my characters. They all serve a purpose in their books and hold a place in my heart. Yes, even the bad ones.

Do you have a book that read and you just cringe? If so, which one is it, and why? My very first novel, Choices. It’s unpublished, and will remain that way if I’m smart. Oh no…we don’t want to count on that trait. ;) Sorry, that was a ramble. Why? It’s disorganized, too long, and I’m not even sure the characters are consistent. But you know what? It’s the first one I finished, the book that ignited my drive to make a career out of writing.

What are your writing goals for the future? I’d like to continue writing books that make people beg for more. Characters that ingrain themselves in readers’ minds and hearts long after the last page. Oh, I’d like to make some more money with it.

Now a few fun questions:

How would you describe yourself using only five words? Chaotic, Creative, Caring, Passionate, and Introverted. (Sorry couldn’t keep the alliteration going.)

If you could write a warning label for yourself as a person or an author, what would it say? Person: “Will tell you the truth, whether or not you want to hear it.” Now that I think about it, that could be for my author label, too.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?  I no longer feel guilty about pleasure.

Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you. I have an unhealthy obsession with diet green tea, or diet peach Snapple. No lie, instead of roses a man brought me a case of Snapple…and he got a second date. Not sure if the two are connected.

If you could go any place in the world and to any time period, what place or time period would you choose to visit? I like the time period we’re in. Would probably visit Dublin. Why? The accents.

What is your favorite super power and why do you want it? I’d want to fly because I don’t drive.

When the bright lights and flashing cameras of Hollywood capture your every move, how can you fulfill your deepest desires? For Zack Greene, a formerly out-of-control actor, and Steve Michaels, the director who unearthed the heart of the man beneath the ego, it’s a constant struggle.

In public, Steve and Zack are the picture of professional partners. However, behind closed doors, their partnership is taken to a new level. They engage in a carefully constructed Dom/sub relationship that not only brings them pleasure, but keeps Zack from slipping back into his wild ways.

Their delicate balance is thrown askew when a producer on the show threatens to expose their lifestyle, while taking advantage of Zack in a moment of vulnerability. Will Steve be able to ease the pain and save the love they share? Or will they come apart when they need each other most?

*Warning: Light BDSM, D/s relationship, spanking, and hot m/m sex*

To find out more information about Liz Borino and her books check out lizborino.com!