Monday, May 12, 2014

The Maid in the Cupboard by Storm Chase

Genre:
Consensual Heterosexual / Exhibitionism

 Amazon Book Description:
When Master Byron makes a pass at Charlotte the housemaid, and some unexpected visitors turn up, the cupboard beckons. A sweet erotica romance short story.

My Review:
While it should have been obvious from the title, I was pleasantly surprised when The Maid in the Cupboard had some distinctly exhibitionist elements to it. I have to admit that I am a bit of an exhibitionist myself, and so it was especially exciting for me to read this short story, in part because I don't often see this theme in erotica. This story has several naughty threads in addition to the exhibitionist elements including crossing social lines, evading parents, and violating valuable antiques. This short acts as a teaser, leaving you looking forward to the next stories indirectly promised at the end of this one.

Author Interview:

 What made you want to write erotica?
I’m a syndicated columnist and feature writer in my day job so I was looking to experiment.  Also, as it’s a habit for me to sell my work, and to think of it in terms of contributing to the rent, I was also looking at what genres would be most likely to generate extra revenue.

I couldn’t make up my mind between romance and crime so I started with a romance, Wildcat in Moscow, and then I started writing romance erotica.  I’ve now completed several novels, novellas and short stories that span the range of straight romance to dark erotica. (I’ve begun writing dark novels: The Bonus by AJ Adams)

I love it all but in fifteen years time when the day job will probably retire me, I’ll know what sells best and then I should do the sensible thing and focus on one niche and a standard format. I’m saying ‘should’ because I have the suspicion I’ll spend just enough time writing for making rent and the rest writing for fun!

What does your writing area look like?
I live with two snoopervising cats, Target and Guido.  Target is always curled up by my keyboard and Guido takes the big manager’s chair I have set next to mine.  They make sure I get my daily word count done but they’re hopeless at being tidy so my office is stacked with books and papers.  One day I will tidy it up.  Tomorrow maybe…

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published?
Fan mail.  I know it’s shallow but it makes my day when someone writes to say they love my stories. Honestly, I go about in a glow for ages.

Goals for the future projects books?
As Storm Chase I’ve finished Pandora.  I’m getting feedback from beta readers and then it will have to be fiddled with and edited. As AJ Adams I’ve finished The Degas Girl and I’m halfway through writing a follow-up to The Bonus. I have to let The Degas Girl settle before I edit and look for beta readers because I wrote it at night over two months and I’m sure it has some flow problems.  So while I’m taking a break, I’m writing Arturo’s story.

Where do you get your ides/inspiration for your book?
Everywhere and anywhere! In fact, I can be inspired by a wet tissue.  Story ideas come to me all the time. I’ve got so many that I only write down a few here and there.  I’ve been in the business 18 years and I’ve never had writer’s block.   Mind you, I write total rubbish sometimes and end up junking a day’s work. But the ideas don’t stop.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
Actually, that’s a sad story.  One of our friends was dying of cancer and I wrote a romance to amuse her.  I wrote a chapter a day and we’d have a giggle over it.  When she got too sick, I put the story aside and I’ve lost it since.  Probably better because it would kill me to read it now.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?
I do write an outline and I flesh it out into chapter descriptions before I start the actual writing but the story sometimes runs away with me anyway. I don’t mind just writing if it’s a feature story of 1500 words but when you’re writing 80,000 or more, I think you need the anchor of an outline to keep a hold of your plot.

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for erotica?
I’m still trying to figure this one out. I’m trying promos, book clubs, paid advertising and plain old-fashioned begging but I’m not sure yet what works best.  One thing I don’t think I’ll do again though is to contact dedicated review groups with offers of free books.  I’ve tried this and for every 100 books I give away, I get at best 5 reviews.  I prefer sticking to contacting bloggers and reviewers on a one-to-one basis.

What is the hardest and easiest part about being an erotica writer?
Making every scene different.  My short stories have one hot scene and my erotica novellas and novels have at least three so it’s a challenge to keep it fresh.  I’m having some rather odd conversations with friends that run along the lines of, “So tell me: what’s been turning you on recently?” I’m also reading some wild sex manuals!

What is your favorite or best thing about being an Indie writer?
Being in charge of everything.  It’s very interesting to be involved in artwork and editing because I never get to do that in my day job.  It’s also the most scary and it’s a huge learning curve.  I’m making lots of mistake though which I hope means that I’m learning really, really quickly!

Giveaway:
Storm Chase has kindly provided THREE 50% off coupons, one for each of the books below. Email me if you would like to claim one! First come, first serve!! Please limit one per person and let me know which book you're interested in :)
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