Ask the Author: Tamara Larson
Answered Questions (6)
Tamara Larson
This is kind of weird, but when I'm really having trouble remembering why I do this, I'll walk by the townhouses that originally inspired me to write "Open House." Fortunately, I now live just a few blocks from that site so it's very accessible. Why does this help exactly? Well, it's kind of like walking into the book itself. It's the physical manifestation of how I felt that day after going to that particular Open House and it reminds me of how I went home so excited to re-create that scene in a book. When my enthusiasm wanes and writing feels like work, I can walk by and remember exactly where it all started and experience that inspiration again.
Tamara Larson
I can't really say I've ever experienced hardcore writer's block. What I mean by that is I've never been so blocked that I couldn't write something. The quality is sometimes lacking and occasionally I have to really work at producing more than a jumbled collection of phrases, but when I struggle I try to remind myself that it's not meant to be easy. If it was, then everyone could do it. Writing takes discipline and desire and determination. There's very few writers that lack these qualities. Talent really is as common as table salt. (Yes, I'm paraphrasing the Stephen King quote) But it's hard work that gets words on the page. You can't be put off because you have a rough night at the keyboard or even a rough month. Eventually, you'll have a night where the words just flow or you'll write a little passage that is genuinely funny or clever or original. But these isolated moments are far outweighed by the proportion of time where it's work. Fun work, but work nonetheless.
If I'm really desperate, I will go back and read over the past few pages I've written. Usually that gets the creativity flowing again and I will find the hole in the paper that takes me into the world I'm trying to create.
If I'm really desperate, I will go back and read over the past few pages I've written. Usually that gets the creativity flowing again and I will find the hole in the paper that takes me into the world I'm trying to create.
Tamara Larson
I'm currently working on a few things, but am thinking of writing something for Entangled publishing. I like the freedom of being an indy writer but it would be nice to get some feedback from editors and some assistance with the whole marketing part of selling books. They have very specific requirements which could be restrictive but their formula seems to work.
The storyline of this book will involve a spoiled heiress who's lost in the woods outside Whistler under suspicious circumstances. She's rescued by a mysterious, horribly scarred man who reluctantly allows her to stay in his cabin until a storm passes. She seduces him, of course, and discovers that he's a former fire fighter who was badly burned in the line of duty and has now retreated from the world.
Kind of a "Beauty and the Beast" re-telling with some humour and hot sex thrown in. We'll see how it goes, but I'm looking forward to telling this story. "Phantom of the Opera" is one of my favourites, especially Susan Kay's "Phantom" and I've always wanted to explore the concept of a disfigured but still smoking hot hero.
The storyline of this book will involve a spoiled heiress who's lost in the woods outside Whistler under suspicious circumstances. She's rescued by a mysterious, horribly scarred man who reluctantly allows her to stay in his cabin until a storm passes. She seduces him, of course, and discovers that he's a former fire fighter who was badly burned in the line of duty and has now retreated from the world.
Kind of a "Beauty and the Beast" re-telling with some humour and hot sex thrown in. We'll see how it goes, but I'm looking forward to telling this story. "Phantom of the Opera" is one of my favourites, especially Susan Kay's "Phantom" and I've always wanted to explore the concept of a disfigured but still smoking hot hero.
Tamara Larson
Fantastic question. Thanks for your interest in Karl. One of the few friends who has read my books has been asking me the same question for months now. Specifically, she says, "Nevermind this Happily Ever After Crap. What's going on with Karl?"
I'll tell you what I tell her - Karl will be mentioned in the Kingston Bros. book that'll be out next month but he won't be featured prominently. Him and his genetically engineered son will, however, be major players in the following Kingston Bros book, which is unnamed right now. Not to give too much away but the boy's mother and Jacob Kingston will meet and spend some quality time together in that one. And Karl may just get what's coming to him.
So glad people are interested in Karl. This character was a bit of a departure for me and "Hot Property" certainly had some mixed reviews as a result of the suspenseful vibe but as much as I enjoy writing and humorous erotic romance I like exploring some darker themes too. And since HP was by far my most successful book, I think it's safe to say that readers enjoy something with a bit of an edge too.
As always, thanks for your interest and support. I'll let you know when I have a title and a release date for Kingston Bros #4.
I'll tell you what I tell her - Karl will be mentioned in the Kingston Bros. book that'll be out next month but he won't be featured prominently. Him and his genetically engineered son will, however, be major players in the following Kingston Bros book, which is unnamed right now. Not to give too much away but the boy's mother and Jacob Kingston will meet and spend some quality time together in that one. And Karl may just get what's coming to him.
So glad people are interested in Karl. This character was a bit of a departure for me and "Hot Property" certainly had some mixed reviews as a result of the suspenseful vibe but as much as I enjoy writing and humorous erotic romance I like exploring some darker themes too. And since HP was by far my most successful book, I think it's safe to say that readers enjoy something with a bit of an edge too.
As always, thanks for your interest and support. I'll let you know when I have a title and a release date for Kingston Bros #4.
Tamara Larson
Hmmm…The absolute best part about being a writer? Well, for me the best part is the idea that I’ve, hopefully, positively impacted the world in some way by doing this. It gives me a little thrill imagining that right this second, someone out there is reading my words and hopefully they`re smiling or laughing or getting hot or feeling SOMETHING because of what I wrote. Ok. Sometimes I imagine readers getting pissed off that they wasted $3 on one of my books but mostly I try to think that I’ve made their day better. I know it’s not like I’ve cured cancer or solved the world hunger problem or even created a really fantastic non-fat brownie, but this to me makes being a writer a worthwhile pursuit. Anything else is a bonus.
Another perk to being a writer is that it makes me feel a bit like a superhero. Being a romotica (romantic-erotica) writer, I don’t really advertise what I do, so it’s kind of my secret identity. As a result, I go about my daily life (trying not to give into my craving for chocolate or snapping at annoying people) but at the end of the day, I sit down at my computer and I create worlds and characters and situations that no one has ever seen before. How awesome is that? In my imagination I am all-powerful. This is great because outside my head I don’t always feel that empowered so it’s great to have that illusion of complete and utter control.
Connecting with readers is also a really fun aspect of being a writer. I’m not as tech-savvy as many indy writers seem to be, but I have been communicating with some of my readers through my blog and here on Goodreads recently. I’m constantly surprised and humbled by their enthusiasm and support. And man, are they funny! They give me great feedback but they also remind me of why I do this when I’m discouraged or frustrated by my sales or negative reviews. When I doubt my ability as a writer they often give me that little positive boost that makes me want to continue publishing. Even if I never made another dime, I would still want to write for them because they make me feel like I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.
Another perk to being a writer is that it makes me feel a bit like a superhero. Being a romotica (romantic-erotica) writer, I don’t really advertise what I do, so it’s kind of my secret identity. As a result, I go about my daily life (trying not to give into my craving for chocolate or snapping at annoying people) but at the end of the day, I sit down at my computer and I create worlds and characters and situations that no one has ever seen before. How awesome is that? In my imagination I am all-powerful. This is great because outside my head I don’t always feel that empowered so it’s great to have that illusion of complete and utter control.
Connecting with readers is also a really fun aspect of being a writer. I’m not as tech-savvy as many indy writers seem to be, but I have been communicating with some of my readers through my blog and here on Goodreads recently. I’m constantly surprised and humbled by their enthusiasm and support. And man, are they funny! They give me great feedback but they also remind me of why I do this when I’m discouraged or frustrated by my sales or negative reviews. When I doubt my ability as a writer they often give me that little positive boost that makes me want to continue publishing. Even if I never made another dime, I would still want to write for them because they make me feel like I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.
Tamara Larson
My last book "Mona's Honeymoon Fantasy" was based primarily on a friend of mine who actually is an ancient virgin like the main character of the book. I thought it might be interesting to explore what it would be like to be a nice, normal, professional, attractive woman who also happens to have missed that window of opportunity where she can lose her virginity without seeming desperate or pathetic to the man in her life.
Delta of Venus Inc. might not be the ideal way to deal with this situation in real life but as far as fantasies go, I think there's a lot worse ways to lose your virginity than on an island paradise with a man like Sam or Carlos.
Delta of Venus Inc. might not be the ideal way to deal with this situation in real life but as far as fantasies go, I think there's a lot worse ways to lose your virginity than on an island paradise with a man like Sam or Carlos.
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