Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.
Today we have Erotica Romance author, Ann Mayburn here with us. If you have ever wanted to know what goes inside an erotica authors head, then today is your lucky day! After reading this guest post, don't forget to visit Ann's website
here.
A Smutty Research Nerd
The other day I was talking with a reader about one of my books, Sodom and the Phoenix, in which I did a rather creative scene involving some heavy virtual reality role playing in a BDSM themed virtual zoo. She asked me in a very excited whisper if I'd ever been to a real zoo like that. I could tell by her expression that she was hoping the answer was yes, and that I'd let her know where it was so she could attend. Sadly I had to break the news that I'd never been to a real zoo like that, but not wanting to crush her dreams I assured her that somewhere there probably was such a place.
I was extremely flattered that she asked me this question because it told me that I had written that book well enough that she actually believed it was real and that I had visited there. For an author that is a huge compliment. We want you to feel like not only are you living that book, but that it such a fantastical place could actually exists. For those that have read my work you know I write just about every genre of romance there is, from historical to sci-fi. One over lapping theme to all of these stories is that I try to make the characters as realistic as possible, have them be living people who you can identify with no matter how strange and new the world they live in is to you.
My readers trust me to bring them a good story no matter what the genre or sexual pairing is. That trust is something hard earned and I do my very best to make sure that each and every book I put out is not only entertaining, but that the characters act in a realistic manner. I'm not saying that there isn't a ton of fantasy and suspension of disbelief, but everything that I write is based on a great deal of research.
Way, way back in the day, shortly after the dinosaurs died off and before the Internet we were stuck doing our research at the local library which was pretty hit or miss. I can remember having to go to two or three different libraries trying to find the books that I needed for some school project or another. I loved it, the smell of the books, the comforting quiet, and all that knowledge just waiting for my eyes to give it new life. Knowledge fascinated me, life fascinated me, and it still does. I was the kid that wanted to learn karate, tennis, swimming, cross stitching, glass blowing, singing, acting, chess, drawing, pottery, poetry, etc. I was ADD before there was ADD.
With the advent of the Internet and Lord Google I can now spend hours, days even looking up anything that catches my fancy. There is a website for everything under the sun, some good, some bad. If you trust me enough to try something you've never read before, like M/M romance, I don't want to let you down. When I decided to write my first M/M romance I threw myself into the world of gay men from reading blogs, to browsing discussion forums, to watching lots of M/M porn.
Lots. ;)
Now I'm not saying that most M/M porn is good romance fodder, but it certainly helps with figuring out the mechanics. And not all M/M porn is the baw chica baw baw style. There are some really good armature movies made by committed couples who enjoy being watched. Beyond the actual physical sex acts, it interested me to see what storylines were popular and who the star actors were and why. I'm a people watcher, always have been always will be, and in watching some of the better M/M scenes I learned a great deal about how men that truly desire one another interact. There is just a different feel to two men interacting with each other in a sexual situation compaired to a M/F pairing. And let me tell 'ya, when you have two gorgeous men who are totally into each other sharing their love on the screen it is hot. Smoking, scorching hot.
Thank you for taking the time to take a peek into my odd little head. I'd like to offer one lucky reader a book of their choice from my backlist. I hope you'll pick something you've been interested in but have never read before. ;)
Did you hear that, Maidens? Ann Mayburn is giving away winner's choice from her backlist. Open to everyone. Good luck!
To enter, please:
1. Be a follower
2.Leave a comment for Ann
