Jumat, 15 April 2011

Talking with Scarlett Hyacinth

Let's get right to it. What comes first for you when you sit down to write a book? Plot, setting or Characters?
It depends. Usually, it’s a little of all the three, but mostly a vague idea of the characters and the plot. The setting evolves as I write. World building in my books is very important and grows more and more, especially in series. For example, in my Deadly Mates series, the first book was originally meant as a stand alone werewolf/were-snake story. It became much more and the setting evolved a lot as I wrote the following books.

Tell us about your latest release/upcoming release. What inspired it?
My newest release is called Awakenings and is a ménage m/m/m/m story with twincest elements. It is a fantasy, and the story rotates around three mermen who struggle to come to terms with their taboo emotions and do so only by the intervention of a fourth in their relationship. As for what inspired it, I've always been fascinated with mermen. There's just something about them that makes me love all stories dedicated to mermen. For me, mermen are beauty, strength and magic, like the sea itself.

What do you find the most difficult to write? Dialogue? Back story? Emotion?
Probably the back story. Sometimes it is difficult to keep the balance. I want to show the world and the characters as I see them and for that reason, I write elaborate back stories. Emotion is the easiest, because in the romance is emotion, whether it is erotic or not.

Do you write full time, what is your schedule for the day? Or do you have a full time job, if so, when do you find the time to write?
I write full time now, since I've finished my master's last summer. Generally, I wake up quite early, and try to write as much as I can in the morning. I take a break at lunch, then in the evening, I either return to my current work in progress or edit something else. Often it varies, depending on cover questionnaires I get or other assignments I have.

How do you keep sex scenes fresh and exciting so they don't become stale or repetitive?
Well, it's easier when you write ménage, because you have more to work with, and I've written quite a lot of ménage lately. I like to add the occasional kink or change the dynamics between the characters. Changing the setting also helps – I've been known to write sex scenes over a branch, on a bathroom sink, in a cave, inside a computer system, etc.

If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why?
Only five? LOL. For the first three, my best friend, Orlando Bloom, Manna Francis. Why? Orlando Bloom is my forever crush since seeing him in Lord of the Rings and I'd love to discuss m/m with Manna Francis. As for my best friend, I'd pick her because I'd want to share this amazing experience with her, of course.  For the fourth person, I'm oscilating between Jules Verne, Karl May and Tolkien. They are the mainstream authors I love most. Finally, for the fifth person, I'm undecided between Vlad the Impaler and Yamane Ayano. I'm fascinated with history of all types. I'm curious to see what Vlad would say if he found out he is now considered a vampire. And Yamane Ayano is my favorite mangaka and an amazing artist. I'd love to meet her. 

What do you find easiest and most challenging about writing a series as opposed to a stand alone novel?
The most challenging thing is to keep track of everything you've written in the previous books and preserve continuity. I'm not sure what the easiest is – but what I like the most is that it allows all the characters you create to grow, therefore giving you more freedom to move around in each book.

You write primarily Manlove erotic romances. What drew you to write these types of stories?
Many people have asked me this question and I'll tell you what I told them. There are many reasons why I write m/m. First of all, it offers a depth to the characters. Gay relationships still have to fight against a lot of prejudice, and this is an angle that adds to the story, even in a paranormal setting. Secondly, I have more emotional freedom with the characters. In an M/F, the heroine always has to be strong and keep the man/men in line. Tears are rarely allowed. But if a man cries, it's okay, because it means he's in touch with his sensitive side J (Of course, that doesn't mean we have to make them sniveling babies either.) Finally, it's hot! I love it. Once you go m/m, there's really no turning back.


You have a lot of different series that you write.  How do you manage your time to work on them all and how do you keep track of the various projects/worlds?
I write as it comes to me. I love series because I'm very fond of all my characters and can rarely be persuaded to give them up. They all demand stories of their own, and I have to give them. I do try to be organized. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. You can't force it, because the story is useless and bland if you do.

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
I've been thinking about writing ever since I was a kid. I still have my first writing attempts lost somewhere on my pc. I began to do so more seriously after a friend challenged me to write a story together. That project is on hold now, although we hope to get back to it. Anyway, after she lost interest, I started writing on my own. Another friend, also an author of m/m, Rayne Auster, talked to me about submitting and eventually, I did.

What are some of your favorite things or hobbies to do when not writing?
I love to read of course and to listen to music. I'm also in love with manga – for those people who don't know what it is, let's call them Japanese comic books. Another thing I enjoy a lot is watching movies, particularly fantasy and paranormal (some things never change). I'm a big fan of The Lord of The Rings.

What can we expect from you in the future?
More, more, more J. I'm continuing my older series, and I am working on the next books in three of my series: Deadly Mates, Bloodkin and Guardians. As a small parenthesis, the first book in the Guardians series came out a few weeks ago, and I expect the first book in the Bloodkin series in a few months, both from Silver Publishing. My next release after Awakenings, Artie the Good Witch, is a bit of a change, being my first ever comedy. I also have a few surprises in store, so keep an eye on the website.

Who are some of your favorite authors, and if we were to visit your home, what books would we find on your bookshelf, end table, floor or e-reader?
Currently on my end table you can find The Danube Pilot by Jules Verne and the Heaven Sent series by Jet Mykles. In my ereader, the largest space is occupied by the Administration series by Manna Francis. I also have fiction by Alice Montrose and a couple of stories by Abby Blake. On my bookshelf, among other things, you would find a lot of manga. My favorite magaka (manga artist) is Yamane Ayano.

How do we find out about you and your books?
  I am all over the place on the web.

Awakenings
Blurb
Mermen twins Jaden and Chrys have been scorned all their lives by Atlantean society. The only one who cares about them is Prince Aurus. But when Aurus and Chrys fall in love, they leave Jaden an outsider. Secretly, Jaden wants his twin, but he keeps his sinful affection well hidden. After they are separated from Aurus, he is the only one who can comfort Chrys, even if only in a brotherly manner.

When the Atlantean king concocts a plan to hurt them, Jaden and Chrys run away, and their paths cross with Aurus's again. This time, though, a strange force interferes in their lives. A dark, powerful beast that lives in the depths of the ocean calls out to Jaden, luring him toward its lair. With Jaden in danger of disappearing forever, Chrys and Aurus are faced with a choice, a realization, and a decision. Will mysterious Vaar finally help the three mermen see the truth, or will he end their very existences?

Link: http://silverpublishing.info/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/awakenings-p-263

Excerpt

Sighing, Jaden tried to force himself to rest. Just when he thought he'd succeed, a small moan tore through his consciousness. He tensed and his eyes shot to his twin. Like before, Chrys clung to Jaden, but the peaceful expression had vanished, replaced with something that looked like pain. Concerned, Jaden pressed his hand to Chrys's shoulder, intent on shaking his twin out of the nightmare.
But then the worst possible thing happened. A gasp escaped Chrys's lips, and he actually leaned into Jaden's touch. His tail rubbed against Jaden's and when their scales made contact, Jaden bit his lip to suppress a groan. Pleasure shot through him, and he answered the intoxicating motion, thrusting back against his twin.
Chrys's moans turned louder, incomprehensible mutters, out of which Jaden could only catch a few random words. The occasional "yes" spurred Jaden on, his mind melting at the sensations that shot through him. There was no awkwardness, no fumbling. They simply fit together. How could they not? They'd been born that way.
He thought he even heard his brother call out his name, and realized in glee he'd been worried for naught. Chrys wanted him, just like he wanted Chrys. They'd be all right.
And then, among all the yeses and mores, Jaden understood one other word. Aurus. His brain instantly cleared, the haze of pleasure disappeared, his irrational hopes dashed. Of course. Of course his twin wouldn't have a dream about him. It had all been an illusion.
For the first time in his life, Jaden couldn't look at Chrys. If he stayed in this room, he'd die of heartache.
Carefully slipping out of the small bed, Jaden headed toward the door. After a final glance in his twin's direction, he went out. By now, he knew Chrys could take care of himself and the bandits would not bother him. At this point, they'd been separated many times because of their individual expeditions into the Atlantean capital. But where to go? Where could he possibly find refuge when nothing went as he wanted it to? His heart hurt, and he couldn't figure out any solution out of this inescapable situation.
The call from the distance returned and Jaden threw an angry glare toward the Forbidden Zone. Someone or something wanted him to go there. Very well. He'd go, and if the beast ate him, so be it.
Not allowing himself to change his mind, Jaden swam toward the dangerous abyss. He idly noted that the closer he got, the more barren the entire area seemed. In the end, there were no fish or vegetation left, only rock and sand. The darkness, though, seemed to have a life of its own, and Jaden shuddered, already regretting his decision.

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