An Interview with Grinelda Markowitz

Molly Monsters!  I have a real treat for you today if you’re like me and a closet geek!  If you’ve always thought Lord of the Rings would be just a bit better if Aragorn had bent Arwyn over there in the forest and gone to town…  If you’ve always thought Princess Leia should have given Han a blowjob while he navigated the Millennium Falcon… If you’ve always wanted to see Red Sonja bouncing up and down on Conan’s…
Okay, you get the picture.
I love fantasy and science fiction, and you already know I love erotica.  Today, I get to introduce you to Grinelda Markowitz, who blends speculative fiction with erotic content in wonderful ways.  Get to know this author.  I’m so glad I did!
Okay, Grinelda, I always start off with the good stuff, so what is your favorite position?
I let the circumstances and location determine that.
That’s a fair enough answer, and since in your fiction the circumstance and location can be very exotic I imagine positioning can be crazy. Natural or shaved?
Au naturel, of course.
What made you get into erotica?
I've always enjoyed a well-written steamy novel. So I write to my own specific tastes.
How’s it going for you?
It goes well. I'm frustrated by having to fill a day job, so finding time to write is more than a bit of a challenge. I enjoy networking and meeting other authors. Most of all, I love being able to take each day as it comes and make it count.
Obviously you don’t have experience in far off worlds but how much of what you write is from experience?
I like to temper my writing with scenarios and such from my experience. So, let's say I sprinkle on the experience rather liberally.
Are there things your characters do that you wouldn’t?
Sometimes.
Come on.  Be a little more specific.  Okay, are there things you do that your characters wouldn’t?
Sometimes.
Look at you playing your cards close to the vest!  I suppose that’s fair.  After all, your writing speaks for itself. Tell us about your current project.  What inspired it?  How have you been writing it?  What keeps you motivated?
Actually, I'm writing something rather vanilla right now. I set myself the task to finish something, so this is it. I have other books that I dash in and dump a few things on, but my current book under another moniker is the primary focus for now. But, I do get flashes of vision for book two of The Moon-kissed Chi and some of the other erotic things I have going on out there. I commit them to paper as soon as I'm able. The joy, frustrations and surprises that come with writing keep me motivated.
I’ve interviewed a great many erotica authors, and even though I’ve interviewed a number of paranormal authors, this may be the first time I’ve had a chance to talk to a writer who has combined science fiction and fantasy with erotica.  How did you approach developing the lush world you’ve created while maintaining the sexual tension and sexuality?
Well, I grew up on classic sci-fi. A lot of the earlier stuff was really rather erotic in its way. That's how I moved on to include erotica in my reading preferences. This world in particular, is very erotic in that the sex drive is magnified in intensity by the chi which permeates the environment of Kalaydan.
How do you integrate the fantastic setting with the heat?
I write it as it comes. I chafe sometimes at the social restrictions that writers of erotica have to respect. If I can get around the, however and write what I want, I do.
I love that attitude.  In a strange way, erotica writers sometimes seem to have more hang ups than others.  As far as writing style, what’s more important to you in erotica, the characterization or the plot?
Both. Strong character development as well as a cohesive and well-written storyline are integral to any good story. The erotica is just the window dressing.
Fair enough. I get a lot of flak because I tend to believe that porn and erotica are two sides of the same coin.  What are your thoughts?
I think porn can be applied more broadly to various topics. Ever heard of food porn? Erotica itself suggests the sexual specifically. I think the definition of porn that I've included below highlights my point very well:
“... television programs, magazine, books, etc. that are regarded as emphasizing the sensuous or sensational aspects of a nonsexual subject and stimulating a compulsive interest in their audience.”
That is the very first time someone has answered that question in that manner.  Great answer and a very interesting perspective. Have you read much classic erotica, like Anais Nin or earlier? Maybe we should talk about the Slave Girls of Gor by John Norman.
I've read a number of things from earlier on. I used to raid my parents' book stash while they were gone. The Happy Hooker is another series I remember well. That really crosses over to the area of porn quite well.
Ah… the Happy Hooker was one of the first books I stole from my parents to read under my cover late at night with a flashlight! What do you think about the future of erotica?
As long as sex and the sexual are an integral part of the human condition, I think it will always have a place though it may manifest itself in new and creative ways.
What’s upcoming for you?
I'm looking forward getting further on with my other writing. I'm looking at making a career change in the near future which should make that possible. Starting next year, I hope to start attending various promotional conventions for writers.
Okay, Molly Monsters!  You can follow Grinelda Markowitz on Twitter.  You can also see Grinelda Markowitz onFacebook.  Don’t you dare miss out, either!  Buy Grinelda Markowitz’sbooks on Amazon!
Here’s some information of her newest release.  If you’d like to read some reviews of The Moon-Kissed Chi, visit TJ’s Virtual BookTours.
About Grinelda
Grinelda Markowitz writes erotic fiction across multiple genres. She resides in a galaxy far, far away with a trusty pen, a never-ending supply of paper and a fertile imagination. The Moon-Kissed Chi, her first e-published book in the genre of erotic fiction, is available on Amazon and Smashwords.
For a bit of recreation she enjoys clay work and attending symphony. She meets up with friends when able to sync with their schedules and she maintains a fairly active virtual life. Eating out is a passion for her, always being glad to find a new restaurant which warrants a return visit.
Cliché as it is, she used to work at a bookstore part time. Finally, she also maintains a full-time bread-and-butter job as well. Embarking on a serious approach to writing rather than the hit-and-miss efforts of previous years has provided a welcome focal point in her daily existence.
About The Moon-Kissed Chi
In the city of Kalaydan, Arrinay and Bezhyanya, the senior members of the ruling family, are faced with the early maturation of their daughter, Gayadnae. She must start the training. It’s Kalaydan law. Their daughter has other ideas. After concocting a plan to avoid responsibility and almost succeeding in carrying it out, Gayadnae’s life takes an unexpected turn.
Grayt, the ever-present serving woman to Arrinay, fills many roles and has her fingers in a number of pies. There’s definitely more to her than is apparent on the surface. Along with coordinating activities in the Main House, keeping the young mistress in line, and talking to horses, Grayt has a more secret agenda with a graver responsibilities.
A hint of trouble on the horizon and other darker activities weave their way through the backdrop of this delightful tale which takes place in the city of Kalaydan.