Friday Interview with Afton Locke

Please welcome author Afton Locke today tot eh Love Romances & More Blog...

To get us started can you tell us a little about what you are working on or have coming out?

I have extra reasons to celebrate the holidays this year with the following upcoming releases from Ellora’s Cave:

Under Holly’s Stockings, a quickie holiday erotic romance, releases on 11 December.

Entrance to Ecstasy, a paranormal erotic romance (print) anthology, releases on 24 December.

Stripper With Spice, a contemporary, is coming soon.

I’m also excited to be part of the Tall, Dark & Alpha boxed set with 9 other authors. It will release in March 2014. My goal last January was to increase my writing output this year, and I’ve accomplished that.

Which of your books has been the easiest to write?  The hardest?  The most fun? 

The short ones, such as Under Holly’s Stockings, are the easiest to write. I literally wrote it in three days, and it didn’t need major revisions by me or the editor. The long ones, such as Stripper With Spice, require hard work and a lot of time. I can’t say it’s always fun, but I do feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I’m done.

When I write a book, I like to go deep into my characters and the world I’ve created, so they tend to be long. My strategy is to mix up the short ones and long ones so I can get more books out to readers. The story I’m writing for the boxed set will be short, so I hope it’s a quick, easy process. It’s the first time I’ve had a deadline for something I haven’t written yet, so this experience will raise the bar for me.

Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

Usually, the setting comes first, followed by the hero. The poor heroine is usually last. What can I say? I love men. I also get inspired when I travel. My last trip, a cruise to Jamaica and Grand Cayman, inspired two books. The first book it inspired was an interracial contemporary about a reggae singer set in Jamaica. I just finished it and submitted it, so my fingers are crossed.

The second was inspired by the cruise itself. I ended up with mal de debarquement syndrome from being at sea, but I decided to turn lemons into lemonade and create a romantic, paranormal fantasy out of it. The result will be Rock My Boat, the story I’m writing for the boxed set.

What part of a book has been the easiest to write?  The hardest?

The rough draft is the easiest and most fun to write. At that stage, I’m dealing with emotions, ideas, plot, and dialogue. It’s also a fun adventure because I write by the seat of my pants. Then comes the hard part, polishing and layering in the details such as setting, clothing, mannerisms, consistency, and character depth.

Sex scenes can go either way. Sometimes I nail them during the rough draft, but other times they’re a little too rushed and short. During revisions, I focus on the scene and build it up. I end up adding 5 - 10K words on the longer books. My goal is to do more planning before I start the rough draft, but I have a feeling the “pantser” in me refuses to go down without a fight.

If you could go anywhere in the world to write, where would it be and why?

I would go to as many places as I could, as long as they were reasonably safe for my physical well-being. I write best at home, but I get my inspiration when I’m away from home. When I went to San Antonio for a writer’s conference, I’d just finished the rough draft for Stripper With Spice. The hero in that book is Hispanic, and being in a city with so much Hispanic culture was perfect timing.

Some future spots I want to visit include Alaska, South America, and more of Europe. Some spots on my European list include England, Ireland, Germany, Spain and Portugal. I wouldn’t mind returning to Scotland, France, and Italy either. There’s never enough time to see it all. Alas, I will not be taking any more cruises. Jamaica is calling me back for a sequel to my reggae story, but next time I’ll fly.

What books are currently on your nightstand or e-reader that you are itching to read?

I’m always reading, and I cycle through the following types of books: non-fiction for research or marketing, classics, print romances by bestselling authors I haven’t read yet, and ebook romances in the genres I’m targeting. Recently, I just read Facebook for Dummies, Dracula, Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley, and some books by my boxed set co-authors--before I got invited to join. I must be psychic!

Anything you would like to add?

Under Holly’s Stockings

ebook buy link:  http://www.ellorascave.com/under-holly-s-stockings.html

blog tour: http://www.aftonlocke.com/HollyTour.html

Blurb

After being stood up at the altar last Christmas, Michael dreads the holiday. When a woman wearing sexy red stockings on the subway propositions him with a day of sex, seems there’s no time like the present to get back into the spirit of the season!

Having just lost her mother, Holly will do anything to avoid being alone on Christmas. But when Michael arrives, nothing goes as planned. Despite the joy of exploring each other’s bodies with all the holiday trimmings, her emotions get in the way.

When Michael realizes the way to get under Holly’s stockings is through her heart, he’ll have to put the ghosts of his Christmas past to rest.

Entrance to Ecstasy, print buy link: http://www.ellorascave.com/entrance-to-ecstasy.html

Stripper With Spice, http://www.aftonlocke.com/Spice.html

Blurb

Getting back on her feet after unemployment, Janice Sullivan, a financial analyst, treats herself to an erotic romance convention. Winning a two-hour fantasy date with Carlos Aguilar, a young Mexican-American stripper, she decides to have a one-time fantasy fling.

When Carlos entices her back to the bedroom—and a few public places—for more sizzling sex, he unleashes her passions, including a secret desire to be a chef. Janice learns there’s more to this heartthrob than a hot body, but job security comes first.

To convince her he’s more than a fantasy, he teaches her trust with his body. But when that trust is finally tested to the limit, will she cling to safety or take a chance on a whole new life?

Tall, Dark & Alpha

Blurb

He makes your heart pound and melts your resistance away. He promises you a world of passion and you find it impossible to resist his dark charm. When he catches your eye across the room, you know he means business. He could be an executive, cop, shape shifter, or a bad boy looking for a little fun. Once he has you in his sights, you can't get away—and after one sizzling night in his arms, you won't want to. He’s Tall, Dark & Alpha. The alpha male is the ultimate indulgence…the richest dark chocolate…and we’re offering him to you in abundance.

Delve into the sensual worlds of award-winning authors: Randi Alexander, Koko Brown, Sam Cheever, Delaney Diamond, Eve Langlais, Afton Locke, Dawn Montgomery, Farrah Rochon, Paige Tyler, and Eve Vaughn. Immerse yourself in the alpha male experience.

Where readers can find me

Web site: http://www.aftonlocke.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afton.locke

Twitter: http://twitter.com/aftonlocke

Newsletter - The Love Chronicle: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thelovechronicle/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Afton_Locke

Taking Time With Afton Locke

How would you describe yourself using only five words?

 

creative, private, introspective, analytical, self-starter

(Eek, I sound like a resume!)

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

 

LOTS! I like chocolate, a glass of wine after a weekend day of writing, and I occasionally might glance at a picture or two of the Ellora’s Cavemen on Facebook.

Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you.

 

I could name a few. None that I want to tell, however. Okay, here’s one. My birth only cost $5. (My parents had great insurance.)

How do you get yourself in the mood to write?

 

Discipline because often I’m not in the mood at first. Music and sticking to a writing schedule help too.

If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why?

 

Plucking the Pearl because it’s the first book in my series and my best achievement at that time. It’s a meaty book with rich details a reader can really sink her teeth into. My current release, Rose, Exposed, is the sequel. Although it can stand alone, it will be more enjoyable if the previous book is read first.

 

 

Rose, Exposed