Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Larissa Lyons

Interview with Larissa Lyons:

Hi Larissa. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)

Next to doing stand up comedy, which I tried about ten years ago, writing is the hardest thing I've ever done. It also happens to be so addictive and so satisfying that I can't imagine doing anything else!

On the home front, I've been married for sixteen years and my husband and I love watching science fiction television (Farscape & Babylon 5 are favorites and influence a lot of my futuristic writing). Interest-wise, I focus much of my attention on the holistic, nutritional, and alternative realms. My degree is in Ag-Business/Economics, so eventually I'll get around to writing some stories with sexy cowboys.

What does your husband think of your writing?

Hold on, I'll ask him. *chuckle*
"Dear, what do you think of my writing?" I inquire, yelling across the house as he chops potatoes.
"Um, it's very sexy."
"Anything else?" I ask with a smile.
"And I think you'll be very successful."
Heck, with support like that, I can't be anything else.

- Do you ever ask him for advice?

All of the time. Fortunately, I have learned to discuss most of my plot questions with my critique partner, which has saved my husband from hours of conversation he'd probably choose not to have. Instead, he is wonderful whenever I have a question about a word choice or character decision. He also researches most of my star- and sky-related questions, and he reads my completed manuscripts, looking for typos, each time I finish a story.

- What are some of your favorite things to do?

I love to talk. You'll be able to tell by my upcoming detailed answers!
Other things I would put at the top of my favorites list include:
- snuggling with my cats
- snuggling with my husband
- driving, especially long, quiet stretches, or on new roads I haven't traversed before
- eating chocolate
- baking things with chocolate
- licking the bowls of things baked with chocolate (yes, there seems to be a pattern here)

- Fill in the blank favorites -

Dessert: Chocolate-covered peanuts from Wal-Mart. Go Zachary's!
City: None, I'm a country girl at heart!
State: I like the desert Southwest..New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, West Texas.
Season: Anything above 60° and I'm a happy camper. (But I love the "feel" that pervades the air around Christmastime.)
Hero: One I believe. I don't care if he's the nerdiest guy in town, or a hot bad-ass on a motorcycle, if I can believe his motivation and why he's the way he is, and more importantly why the heroine is drawn to him, then it's a book I won't want to put down.
Heroine: This one is tougher...I enjoy reading women I can relate to, especially when they are thrown into a completely new or unexpected situation and are instantly drawn to the hero, whether they think they should be or not.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

The best way is to subscribe to my free online ezine, Wicked Escapes. Every month, I talk about my writing and what I'm working on, and also feature a new excerpt from my current release. Each issue includes an "escape"--a hot, short piece of flash erotic fiction written by a guest author and also a longer, complete short story, written by myself or my critique partner, Alyssa Brooks. We also include our contest announcements and have three other authors, in addition to ourselves, that write monthly columns ranging on topics from men to vacation spots to writing tips and everything in between.
The current issue can always be found at www.wickedescapesezine.com.
Of course, all of the information about my books (including my free stories!) is available at my website: www.LarissaLyons.com.

- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?

YES! I will share an email I received earlier this year...

"I just wanted to write to you to Thank You for putting Innocent Corruption in the short story spot this month!! That is one STEAMY piece of work!..I could definitely see that one selling as a full out book!..So many options! Can't wait for the next regency tale!"

This wonderful reader, Stephanie, wrote me in response to one of my short stories in Wicked Escapes. I was positively delighted by her e-mail and...{see the answer to your next question.}

- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

They do! In the e-mail referenced above, Stephanie suggested an idea that would expand this short story into a book (I omitted her suggestion, since I want the final outcome to be a surprise!). But I've decided she had a great idea and it's something I hope to work on later this year.

- What is your writing routine once you start a book?

I love to get the rough draft out as soon as possible. I write by longhand first, typically in a spiral notebook. I've had problems with carpal tunnel, so I'm careful to limit my computer time, and especially my typing. I input my rough draft into the computer using dictation software. Thank goodness for advanced technology! I've been using this stuff for over ten years, and it has finally reached the point where it actually works. >^..^<

Once I make sure that what I've dictated is readable (some of the misrecognitions are hilarious), I shoot a copy off to my critique partner, for what we call a "content read." This is where she tells me if the scene and story are working, or if my character motivations need to be stronger, etc.

With her feedback in mind, which she gives me over the phone, I begin the revision process. This stage of writing definitely takes me the longest and it's also the hardest. Each of my stories goes through several rough drafts, a couple on the computer, and several in print. It seems that every time I think I'm finished with a story, I see word choices that need to be changed, in order to avoid repetition, or paragraphs or scenes that should be made stronger. If I start to get lazy with my writing, my critique partner is quick to point it out! We both keep each other on our toes.

- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

It seems like my characters don't know when to shut up! :-) Almost every time I start out to write a specific length, I end up over target, which means the final product takes longer than I originally planned. One thing I love about e-publishing is the fluidity on word counts and ultimate book length.

My speed is a lot slower than most authors and I try not to let that get me down. I have one friend that can write 10,000 words in two or three days, instead of the weeks it takes me. If I'm in my groove, I can write 15-20,000 words in a month, polished. It takes me a lot longer to self-edit and revise my work than it does to do the rough drafts. My best rough draft to date took me one month and it was 30,000 words. I stopped there, because I'm hoping the finished product will be around 55K, and I was afraid if I wrote anymore initially, the book might go on forever!

- What kind of research do you do?

Detailed! From researching whether a word was in existence during the time my story takes place, to learning about realistic astronomical phenomenon or a character's job or hobby, I spend a lot of time researching things either through the vast amount of books lining my writing-room walls, online, or by contacting someone that specializes in the field of study I'm writing about.

- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?

One of my absolute favorite things about e-publishing is the freedom an author has to write in any genre imaginable. I currently have stories published that are contemporary, set in 1800s Ireland, and set in a futuristic world I created (talk about endless possibilities!). I've also used both fantasy and paranormal elements. In addition, most of my current works-in-progress are erotic Regencies, both traditional and paranormal. I have two series with shapeshifting felines; one is lighter in tone, and a little more humorous, while the other is darker. I can't wait to write more in each.

- How many books have you written, how many have been published?

Let's see...I've completed a total of seven, I think. Two are with publishers now, awaiting acceptance, three have been published, and the other two are very close to being finished, but are still in my self-editing phase. In addition, I have written numerous short erotic stories that are available to read at my website and I have good starts on about four to six other manuscripts.

- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and/or read it?

Definitely. I don't know if other authors do this, but I have found myself reading my own work a number of times. I enjoy it. :-) After so many years of mentally thinking "I could never write a book. I don't know how. It would take too much effort. I'm not smart enough, or talented enough, etc.," it's such a mental pick-me-up to actually hold in my hands a completed story, knowing that it came out of my mind, knowing that I can do it. It's a wonderful feeling.

- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?

For over a year, my favorite author has been Sabrina Jeffries. I discovered her in an anthology and thought her story was by far the best, even though I'd never heard of her when I purchased the book. Since then, I have located her backlist and continue to slowly work my way through it. I'm almost afraid to read her books too quickly, because I enjoy them so much. I have learned a ton about writing by studying her work and also reading the articles and information posted on her website.

The favorite book question is much more difficult to answer. I find that many of my favorites from ten years ago no longer hold my interest now, as writing styles have definitely undergone a change. I have several former boot boxes under my bed, now holding my "favorites"...too many to list.

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to talk about myself and my writing. I have really enjoyed responding to your interview questions. >^..^< Larissa
>^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^<
Larissa Lyons, author of Luscious Tales of Lust & Love!

Thank you very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

Larissa Lyons Wicked Escapes Ezine Reviews
Buy Larissa's Books At Amber Quill's Amber Heat