An interview with Eden Baylee

An interview with Amelia James/@Trash... "Horror in the Cage" ~the prompt~

An interview with Eden Baylee

This week, it's an honor and a privilege to welcome erotica author, Eden Baylee to my blog. My dear friend was kind enough to share some of her thoughts and experiences as a writer. Pour a tasty beverage, get comfortable, and enjoy learning more about Eden and her wonderful work.

When and why did you decide to start writing?

I started writing creatively around age 15. I love the English language and how words can stimulate me in such a unique way.

What life experiences have best prepared you for being a writer?

Two things: Travel and work.

Traveling on my own for almost two years taught me life lessons I could not have acquired any other way, namely: surviving outside of my comfort zone; getting along with people of different cultures; and learning tolerance. It made me realize at an early age that language is but a small component of what we need to communicate. Even though we speak different languages all over the world, people are essentially the same.

Although I worked in the conservative field of banking for twenty years and grew tired of it, it still prepared me for my life as a writer. It taught me time management skills and how to network with people. Whether it's to get buy-in from corporate partners, or make connections with authors and book reviewers, it's essential to be professional and always treat people with respect.

Please tell us about your latest work and what genre it falls into.

My latest work is my first published book called Fall into Winter, an anthology of four novellas. Two stories take place in the fall and two in the winter. The genre is literary erotica.

What were your inspirations for writing it?

Ha! Many. I'm inspired by intelligent conversation, and the book is quite dialogue-heavy at times. One of my favorite things to do with friends is have a healthy debate about almost anything anyone would want my opinion on. I'm not much for talking about people, as I prefer to share ideas.

I'm also a lover of music, foreign countries and foreign languages, and you'll find all that in my book.

Of course, I'm also a lover of strong men and women, so…you'll find them in the book too.

Please describe your writing process for our readers.

My process is simple – get up, turn on the computer, start typing. When I get hungry or need a bio break, then I attend to those annoyances. I'm not much for deconstructing how I do things; I consider it a waste of time.

To what degree are your fictional characters based in reality?

Each female character has something of me in her, and I am certain that most women will be able to relate. At any one time, a woman can be one, none, or all of these. It's what makes us so complex.

Ella is headstrong and fearless.

Stella has an adventurous spirit.

Leah is a career woman driven by success.

Elena is fiercely loyal, sometimes vulnerable, but never weak.

Most men I know are equally diverse, and intelligence is the main quality. They love women and know how to be with them – in and out of the bedroom.

Can you tell us about your any upcoming projects?

I'm desperately trying to finish my second book called Spring into Summer. It will also be an anthology of four stories that take place in …you guessed it, the spring and summer. After this, I'm switching gears to write full-length novels.

Would you like to experiment with a different genre?

I will when I write my third book. It will have erotic elements, but it will be a thriller/suspense à la John Fowles, one of my favorite authors.

Describe your ideal surroundings or conditions for writing.

I have it now, on the couch with my laptop and silence around me, or as close to silence as possible.

Do you have any writing idiosyncrasies?

In the fall and winter months, I wear a toque. I hate having my head cold, plus I read somewhere that it keeps all the great ideas from escaping.

Briefly share your thoughts on traditional publishing vs. indie.

I'm self-published, and I'll do it again for my second book. I'm anal when it comes to the overall look of my book, so it's important for me to have total control. I'm not closed to the idea of traditional publishing, but I'm definitely happy with the indie route so far.

I think the pendulum is swinging away from traditional publishing as indie authors produce better books, get them into the hands of readers faster, and keep more of the profits. Traditional publishing no longer has the cachet it used to have, and indie publishing is losing its stigma. It may be a slow, gradual process, but it's already happening.

What advice can you share with first-time writers?

My mantra to myself: Keep writing. Be persistent. Believe in yourself.

Bio and Contact Information

Eden writes erotica, provocative stories incorporating all her favorite things: travel; culture; and sex. Sometimes there's romance, sometimes not. Sometimes there's a happy ending, sometimes not. What is consistent are the multi-dimensional characters who grow and change as the stories progress. Sex is the backdrop, but a very important element in their evolution.