Author Interview with Pavarti K Tyler

November is upon us and so is another wonderful author interview. This month I bring you Pavarti K Tyler, award winning author of multi-cultural and transgressive literature. Her latest novel SUGAR & SALT is the first in a new erotic series that begins December 2^nd.

So let’s begin…

 

1. Let’s get to know you a bit. Where are you from, and what genre do you write?

I was born in New Jersey, raised in Virginia, studied in Massachusetts, made mistakes in New York and now live in Baltimore Maryland. I’m an East Coast Gal through and through, but have travelled the US from coast to coast, most of Europe, much of the Mediterranean, all of Scandinavia and a smidgen of Russia.  I’m dying to go to India someday and would love to be able to wake up in the morning and just GO wherever the muse takes me.

 

Usually, I write Literary Fiction.  Although Two Moons of Sera is a Fantasy/Romance, I believe it’s still rooted in Lit Fic.  Even my upcoming erotica series has shades of Literary in it!  Right now I’m working on a Sci-Fi piece which is a lot of fun

 

2. With all the risks and uncertainty around publishing, what was it that drew you to a career in writing?

There was a choice?  Well, crap!  I should have done something else! 🙂  I’ve always been an artist.  When I quit theatre and focused on my family and career, it was a hard time for me and I never felt fully myself until I began writing.  The fact that this art is something other people enjoy and get excited about and that I can make a living at is nothing short of a blessing.

 

3. With all the places you’ve travelled, has any aspect of them appeared in your novels?

Strangely no, not so far.  Unless you consider how much of a role culture takes in my books.  I’m always fascinated by the things we invent that separate people instead of bring us together.  Culture, religion and language are huge issues there.  If we can’t communicate, how can we understand each other?  These are human constructs and have nothing to do with what kind of person you are or how much love and empathy you are capable of, but they are the fundamental cause of almost every war and conflict.  I spend a lot of time in all my work breaking down the base human instincts that drive us and looking at how culture has either enhanced or perverted them.

4. How do you find writing as a career in comparison to the theatre?

Writing is an extremely solitary endeavor, which for me is great.  I’m not an introvert, but I do require a lot of alone time.  Between being an only child, always being more studious than social, and a pretty severe panic disorder, being alone is my natural resting state.  To get lost in a story has always been my passion.  That’s what I loved about theatre, to dissect and analyze stories and the cultures they came from.  In my professional career though, I spent more time in Union negotiations and worrying about payroll.  Writing is the one place I’ve found where I can really languish in the art of it.

5. Let’s talk a little about your latest project. What was the inspiration (if any) behind this story?

My newest project will be available on Dec 2nd.  You can find more information here: http://evolvedpub.com/product/sugar-salt/.  It’s my first venture into erotica and I’m really excited to get it out to readers.  The inspiration was an idea that struck me one night watching re-runs of West Wing.  I thought about how to make the idea of a brothel setting relatable.  What if the Madame goes to speed dating.  The idea set me into a fit of giggles and I knew I had to explore it.

 

6. What books (if any) have influenced you over the years?

Anais Nin’s work has always been a huge influence to me.  I am strongly drawn to her refusal to leave any stone unturned, and thought or desire unexamined.  While doing this, she always manages to find the beauty in even the most repugnant of situations, be it the turn of phrase or the emotions behind it.

 

7. Had you thought about writing an erotic piece before, or was this just out of the blue?

This is the first time an idea came to me that was fitting for the genre though.  I call myself a genre-bender and don’t like to smoosh stories into a style, but write them as they are.  So while I’ve always loved erotica, nothing has ever spoken to me like this before.  I love the idea of Sugar & Salt and hope readers do too!  I’m already working on the second book, Protecting Portia, and it’s even dirtier 🙂

8. Some authors tend to stay away from certain genre’s/categories. Myself, I can’t write YA. Is there one you know you can’t write or would have a difficult time trying to write?

I agree with you, I don’t consider myself a YA author.  However, my novel Two Moons of Sera is often called YA.  There’s a sex scene, but that doesn’t seem to matter any more for the genre.  I think what I can’t write is something that’s fade to black on sexuality/violence.  If I’m going to write it, I’m going to go for it.  So while 2MOS ended up fitting into YA I didn’t set out to write it that way.

 

9. Most writers have manuscripts that will never see the light of day. Do you have a few of those or will they eventually come out?

Oh I have a ton of manuscripts and ideas squirreled away.  DEVOUR was my first project, I had a cover and everything and rewrote it at least 4 times.  Right now I’m not feeling it, but I may come back someday.  I have one idea that has almost 30k written which I’d love to finish at some point, it’s a fantasy which I think is really different and fun. Like most authors I have a bunch of files with ideas or outlines jotted down which may or may not ever turn into anything.  I’m always finding inspiration around me, staying focused on what I’m working on can be so hard!

10. If you were given the opportunity to write a fan-fiction novel, who is the author you would choose, and what would be the book?

I actually started writing by doing fanfiction.  I rewrote the Twilight Books to make them have a different message.  I’m a steadfast WolfGirl so of course I always have Bella end up with Jacob.  I have 2 finished stories that come in at over 100k each and a number of shorter pieces and oneshots.  I would never publish my fanfiction though.  The whole point is that you immerse yourself in the world and celebrate the creations of the original author.  It’s fun, it’s meant to be because you love something so much you aren’t ready to let it go.  Publishing and making money off that is, in my opinion, unethical.  If people are interested you can find my fanfiction on fanfic.net under the name Pavarti.  Forgive all the editing and immature writing 🙂

 

 

Where to find Pavarti online:

Award-winning author of multi-cultural and transgressive literature, Pavarti K Tyler is usually found with Doc Martens strapped on over fishnets, and a girlish giggle as easy and likely as a throaty guffaw. She is an artist, wife, mother, and number cruncher. She graduated Smith College in 1999 with a degree in Theatre. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director, and Production Manager on productions both on and off Broadway. Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry at several international law firms. She now lives with her husband, two daughters, and one very large, very terrible dog. She keeps busy working with fabulous authors as the Director of Marketing at Novel Publicity, and penning her next genre-bending novel.

 

Follow her at www.PavartiKTyler.com.

Social Links:  FaceBook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest!

Book Links: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18710259-sugar-salt

Sensual Sunday: It’s all in the delivery.

So you want to write erotica. Well, I hope you have the stamina. I’m talking about the delivery, the prose, in plain English—the words.

Words have power. A good wordsmith can write things that can move you to tears, make you angry, or make you laugh. Writing erotica isn’t any different, but people think because it’s sex you can just write it down and that’s fine.

Really? Do you know they have awards for bad sex scenes?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/badsexaward

Do you really want to find yourself nominated for this kind of award? No. I didn’t think so.

Like a horror story, erotica must make the reader feel something. Like a romance, it must be organic (not forced), and like any story, it must be told in such a fluid way that the prose does not pull the reader out of the moment.

The link below will take you to a site with a list of words to help expand your erotic vocabulary.

http://www.darkerotica.net/EroticThesaurus.html 

Teaser Tuesday; The Possession of Mercy Moreau

As some of you may know, I’m working on a paranormal romance. What makes mine different than others, is that I’m trying to create it in its Gothic roots; where the paranormal is a background element, rather than a characteristic. Gothic horror always had an element of romance in it, and so does this. Only steamier.

 

This teaser introduces one of Mercy’s new lovers. Warning! Graphic Language!

Here is this Teaser Tuesday’s excerpt from The Possession of Mercy Moreau.

~~~~

The waitress picked up the menu and walked away, leaving Mercy alone again. She shifted in her seat and looked out the huge window next to her table. The light from the building front barely made it across the parking lot and the woods looked dark and eerie. She glanced skyward to the rock face that looked out over the channel. It was steep and very high. She was pretty sure the light she’d seen with the deck hand was somewhere around this area but as she shifted to get a better look at the outside, a shuffling sound along with chair legs scraping across the floor seemed a little too close, and was followed by a feeling she was being watched. The smell of engine fluid and alcohol was strong. Mercy turned back around in her chair and discovered the table directly in front of her was now occupied.

He nodded at her. His auburn hair hung down past his shoulders and looked like some of the motor oil on his clothing greased his hair back. “Ain’t seen you around here before?” He slurred his words as he played with the moustache that framed his mouth. He could barely keep his eyes open and reminded her of the bikers she’d seen riding around town in the summer.

Mercy smiled and looked away. He was trouble in more ways that one.

“What? Don’t you talk?”

“Leave her alone, Clyde,” her waitress said, coming around and placing some condiments down on Mercy’s table.  “The woman doesn’t need you bugging her. Go sit back at your own table.”

He kept his focus on Mercy. “But I wanna eat here?”

Mercy felt uncomfortable under his glare and tried to focus on something outside of the inn.

“Well I’m not serving you if you sit there.”

This got Clyde’s attention. “You better fuckin’ serve my food!”

Her waitress stepped between tables, blocking his view of Mercy. “You get off your drunken ass, you ignorant son-of-a-bitch, and walk yourself back over to the other side of the room, or I’ll call Carl out here and he’ll throw your sorry ass out.”

Clyde leaned back in his chair, almost like he couldn’t focus on her any other way. “Carl wouldn’t do that. He’s my friend.”

“Carl doesn’t give a rat’s ass about you.” She put her hands on her hips. “Now move!”

Mercy heard the chair legs scrap along the floor as Clyde stood and shuffled his way back across the room. He sat down with several other men, all dressed in the same backwoods, grease-monkey outfit.

“I don’t know what you were getting so upset about, Aggie” Clyde said, falling into a chair. “I just wanted to talk to the pretty lady.”

“Well that’s fine, but she just got here and the last thing she needs is to be bothered by the likes of you.” She put some food down in front of him. “Especially since you’ve been drinking.”

The young woman walked back into the kitchen, coming out a few moments later with a sandwich on a plate. Mercy watched her in the reflection of the window as she grabbed the coffee pot and headed back her way.

“Sorry about Clyde, here,” the waitress said and put the plate down in front of her. “I promise he won’t bother you again.”

Mercy smiled as more coffee was added to her cup.

“Clyde’s a jerk. Even more so when he’s drunk.”

Mercy nodded as she picked up her sandwich. “Thanks.”

“Not a problem.” She pointed at her nametag. “My name’s Aggie. If you need anything, feel free to come and ask. Enjoy your meal.”

Mercy nodded as her phone rang. She looked at the small blue screen before she flipped it open.

“Mrs. Macintyre, hello! I hope my call didn’t get you out of bed…Good, I was a little worried that it was too late to arrive….I’m not sure. I’m at the inn in Lennox right now… Oh good. Okay, would you like me to come now or in the morning?…Sure, not a problem. See you in a while.”

Mercy closed her phone and dropped it back into her purse. Mrs. Macintyre sounded older on the phone than her fifty-five years. From the exchange in emails the last couple of months Mercy pretty much knew the Macintyre family history off by heart. She felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she bit into her sandwich. At least she wouldn’t need to spend the night here. Maybe it was because she was sitting next to a very large window, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched.

Mercy took the occasional glance out the window, watching things in the diner through the reflection. Aggie was right about Clyde. He never came back her way again, but he did give her a really long look when he and his friends left the inn. It sent shivers through her the way he smiled at her. Like he knew she was watching him through the reflection, and liked it. Mercy looked away. She wasn’t used to men looking at her like that; like she was some piece of meat. She felt her face get warm as a knot tightened in her throat as she chewed her food. Being single, starting over; none of this was going to be easy.

She didn’t stay long after she finished her food. She left Aggie a nice tip as a thank-you for running interference with Clyde. It was the least she could do for dealing with that drunk.

The cool night air was refreshing. It wasn’t this cool back in the city. A chill ran through her again and she hurried to her car. Maybe she should have brought warmer clothing. As she keyed the lock on her car, shouts and laughter echoed in the night from somewhere across the street. Mercy froze as she saw the same drunk man standing in the parking lot of the local convenience store, standing around with his friends. Her hands trembled as he stopped joking around and looked straight at her. He wasn’t two-hundred feet away, but it felt like he was right there, on the other side of her car.

He started walking toward her. Mercy’s heart raced as she yanked open the car door and got inside. She didn’t want to look at him, but could see him coming closer from the corner of her eye; stumbling in a drunken walk as he made his way toward the road. She fumbled with her keys trying to find the one to start the car, and looking at the diner, hoping to see Aggie, but her saviour wasn’t anywhere to be seen. She keyed the ignition but the car wouldn’t start. Mercy’s eyes teared up as she tried again and again to get the car going.

The quick alarm of a police siren caused her to jump back in her seat. The black and white patrol car pulled up in front of Clyde and stopped. She watched, hunched over her steering wheel as the officer got out and pointed at the drunk. A low, muffled, and rather angry voice argued with the officer, but after more finger-pointing and the removal of handcuffs from the officer’s belt, the men got into a beat-up pickup truck. Mercy glanced quickly back at the diner. This time Aggie was standing by the entrance, her arms crossed, glaring at the scene across the street. She looked over at Mercy, smiled and nodded.

Mercy managed a weak smile back as the engine roared to life with the turn of the key. She sat and waited until the pick-up truck drove down one of the empty side streets before she put her own it in drive and pulled away. Mind you, she kept a close eye on her rear-view mirror. Just in case.

There were no street lights on the road into Hallowell. Mercy kept switching her gaze from the road ahead, to the rear-view mirror. Last think she wanted was to be alone on a stretch of highway with Clyde and his cronies behind her. She was so caught up with what might be going on behind her that she almost missed the turn off to the Macintyre’s home.

The driveway was better lit than the road with several replica gas-lamps lining the driveway up to the house. Mercy pulled up to the huge two-story Victorian home and let out a deep breath. She was beginning to feel better about being her and her anger with Thomas was just about gone. At least she was off the road.

Erotic Sunday; Has erotica gone mainstream?

I don’t think there’s a person on the planet (at least in the Western Hemisphere) who hasn’t heard in one way or another, about 50 Shades of Grey. While some consider it erotica, others don’t and I’m not about to argue its merits on it either way. Whether you like the book or not, the one thing you can’t deny, is that it brought the erotic genre out of the closet, so to speak.

For years, erotica was the forbidden genre, dominated by anonymous writers who did not want the accolades for fear of a backlash by a society that saw it as immoral and depraved. There is no doubt that people read erotica and that they always have, but it’s always been a secret sort of thing; like watching porn. You do it, but just don’t tell the neighbours.

Yet like its visual counterpart, erotica has become incredibly popular. People are admitting they not only read it, but enjoy reading it as well. Erotic writers are making themselves known and more books are including a steamier side to their love scenes.

Is this all because of one series?

In my opinion; no. As society relaxes on the old sexual taboos, I think it was bound to occur. If you know me, then you know what I think of the books, but I give credit where it’s due. The fact that 50 Shades was the catalyst will be its only contribution to the genre. I’m excited now (get your mind out of the gutter) about what will come. With writers feeling comfortable revealing what they write, and having a market with readers who are more than willing to read, I think we are on the verge of a new sexual revolution; an erotic revolution as it were.

Viva la Revolution!

Author Interview with Angela Addams.

Among the many writers I have met, I have connected with a few through our mutual love of gothic literature and culture. We love things that go bump in the night; venture into that dark part of human nature and create with the intent of scaring and tantalizing. While some shy away from this literature, we thrive in it, and it is with great pleasure that I bring you this interview with Angela Addams; author of the enovels GOING THE DISTANCE, GHOST BRIDE, and ASSASSIN.

So let’s begin…

1. Let’s get to know you a bit. Where are you from, and what genre do you write?

I’m from Southern Ontario, Canada and I write erotic romance…usually paranormal in nature (although quite recently I ventured into contemporary) and urban fantasy.

2. With all the risks and uncertainty around publishing, what was it that drew you to a career in writing?

I wouldn’t exactly call this a career, not yet anyway. I have a career (which is top secret 😉 that I love and that allows me time to write. I’ve always been a writer. From the time that I first learned how to print words, I was writing and sharing my stories. I guess I’ve always kind of considered it a hobby. Until about five years ago I hadn’t actually thought of pursuing publication…I kinda figured that was a dream for someone else, not really attainable for me. (I’ve had a very major bumps along my writing road that have impacted my confidence in ways). After finishing my first “novel” for a contest, I kind of shook free from the mistaken notion that I couldn’t have my dream and from then on have been taking it a lot more seriously. Got myself an agent (x2 –but that’s a whole other story) and have had a few stories published in that time.

3. Now that you have a few books under your belt, what’s your take on the whole process? What was the hardest part for you? What was the easiest?

The hardest part for me is getting past the opening scene. I always get the beginning rolling out in my head like a movie, so it’s super easy to write…then I realize I have to continue and I always have a mini-panic attack where I think…uh, how do I do this again? lol That’s when the plotting starts –just jot notes that are very rough –and the panic eases away so I can write.

4. Let’s talk a little about your latest project. Give us some tantalizing details.

Well, that’s a tricky question to answer. I’ve got a bunch of projects in the works right now. The one I consider “the major” project is with my agent. We’ve been working on it together for two years now. It’s an urban fantasy about a women who finds out she’s a witch because she’s being hunted by a vampire who wants her blood for more than just a snack. I’m also working on a novella and a spin off novel about a werewolf and a werewolf hunter…all of which are hot and sexy, I assure you 😉 I’ve also been experimenting with some erotica written in second person so the reader feels like they are actually there…pretty steamy stuff.

5. Let’s talk about erotica for a bit. Is there anything in particular that drew you to this genre?

What drew me to writing erotic romance was reading erotic romance. I really, really enjoyed devouring novels with lots of hot and steamy scenes and it made me mad as all hell if the author faded to black or diluted the passion. Reading erotic romance and writing it are two very different things though.

6. How do you approach writing those steamy scenes?

The first time I wrote an erotic scene it was…um…awkward. Getting the words right, making sure the actions matched the emotions and that body parts weren’t doing things they shouldn’t or couldn’t be doing was tricky. It’s gotten easier over time and with practice and I find myself exploring and experimenting more to up the erotic content of my work.

7. What does your family think of your choice for writing erotica? Have there been problems?

My family knows, but I’ve forbidden my mom and dad from reading my stuff…that’s just too creepy for me to handle. Everyone else knows and has read and thinks it’s great. It doesn’t bother them in the least that I’m writing about sex. I don’t let it be known outside of my close friends and family members though.

8. What advice would you give to a new author who wants to write erotica?

Hmmmmmm….write what you know? lol Just kidding…although it does help to have experienced some of the things you’re writing about…that and you need a vivid imagination for the things you haven’t. When it comes to erotica you have to have a lot of passion for what you’re writing; it should stir up emotions in you while you’re writing it and rereading it, otherwise I just don’t see how it will stir up emotions in your readers.

9. As a reader, what are some things that attract you to a story?

The characters…and sex…lol.
It depends on the genre, to be honest. If I’m reading urban fantasy then I am attracted to a strong female character who can kick some ass and still be super sexy. Paranormal romance…I’m looking for that delicious alpha male and and equally as strong female love interest. The story must be good, and the writing has to be better than mediocre. I think as a writer, I tend to nit-pick a little more than the average reader would so sometimes I have to put a book down that others can’t seem to get enough of.

10. Most writers have manuscripts that will never see the light of day. Do you have a few of those or will they eventually come out?

I have a few of those. I tried revisiting one, but it’s so bad that it’s really unfixable. The idea is good though…might end up reconstructing something using parts of the plot and character but otherwise starting from scratch. I have another ms that I wrote two years ago and then rewrote last year, then trunked thinking that it was just complicated for fixing. That year of rest has allowed me to come up with some ways to fix it and now I’m revising and loving it again, so we’ll see.

For fun questions.

1. If you could be any breed of dog, what would it be?
I would be a schnauzer…I freakin love their mustaches!

2. Is there one food/beverage that you can’t live without?
Yes, chocolate, rum, steak and french fries. Oh…you said one…okay, if I had to pick then it would be bacon. 🙂

3. Bungee jumping: exhilarating hobby or death wish?
I’d like to try it…at least once. I’d probably barf afterward but at least I can say I gave it a go. It’s safe right? *shrug* You only live once, better make it count, right?

4. What is your favourite movie?
Beetlejuice 😀

5. Question from Sithboy; If you were a Jedi, what colour would your lightsabre be; green, blue, yellow, red, or purple?
I pick purple. I like purple. (Does that make me evil or something? I really have no idea.)

 

Every day is Halloween for author Angela Addams. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela spends most of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations.

Well, until now, that is. Angela has recently expanded her creative repertoire to include contemporary erotica, because the written word is an amazing tool for crafting the most erotic of scenarios even if there are no werewolves in sight.

She lives in Ontario, Canada with her loving husband and children.

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about Angela Addams, please click the links below.

www.angelaaddams.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/angelaaddams

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Angela-Addams/100002825504020

Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Addams/e/B005JOTBPM

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4801196.Angela_Addams?origin=