Interview with Destiny Blaine

Win a copy of Destiny Blaine's Novel (see Contest details after interview)

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Destiny Blaine who writes erotica romance, suspense, and mainstream fiction. Writing sensual romance under several pen names now, she continues to explore other genres under her real name and has several books in print. Her books are available in e-format as well as trade paperback. Many of her titles have spent considerable time on various best seller lists. (Excerpts taken from destinyblaine.com)

Here is one of Destiny Blaine's novels to give you a taste of what she has to offer. Please check out all of her novels on her website at: destinyblaine.com

Members of Jason Lory's original pride coalition warned of the shifter-mates remaining. Some were thought to be man-eaters. Others, the nomads, were considered volatile and unable to shift successfully without the stimulation of five rings, only no one knew with absolute certainty what these rings were or where to find them. Jason Lory figured out the mystery.  

Interview:

1. What led you to write paranormal and erotic romance books?

When I made the leap from ghost writing and non-fiction to romance, pretty much everything I submitted was returned with conditions and editorial notes suggested hotter content. Soon, I decided if I wanted to find a publisher in romance, I’d conform to expectations, as well as submission guidelines. As for paranormal: I hate to say I wrote to please the market but…I wrote to please the market. Paranormal was selling. I needed to sell my own work or face the possibility of returning to ghost writing so I submitted paranormal manuscripts and haven’t looked back.

2. What was your inspiration behind the Sports Wives Series?

I grew up in a family full of gamblers, cowboys, and sports enthusiasts. Sports Wives: Love, Lust, and Scandal in Professional Football began as a short story and turned into so much more. After sales motivated this writer toward more installments, other ideas developed. However, I think Suzy’s story (Sports Wives Four: Damaged Goods) is really where sports and romance cross in the middle.

3. You have recently released books 4 (Damaged Goods) and 5 (Love’s Unselfish Gift) in your Sports Wives Series. Can we expect more to be released in this series?

Love’s Unselfish Gift will release later this year. I’m working on the sixth installment. The seventh manuscript is loosely outlined, but I may consider combining it with the sixth novella and say farewell to the Sports Wives. There are other projects that demand more of my attention and I really want to focus on those right now.

4. Which fictional character in your books do you most identify with?

In some ways, certainly not all, Audra Alexander from Lying Eyes has some of my personality. This is best seen when she banters back and forth with Max at the poker table.

5. What was your favourite book as a child?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

6. What is your favourite part of writing?

Typing ‘The End’ and gaining a sense of satisfaction that one more manuscript is ready for submission.

7. What is your least favourite part of writing?

Editing.

8. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m not sure if it’s a quirk or not but when I’m in the right frame of mind or as my son says, ‘the zone’ then I can write for what seems like endless days. It’s as if the only obstacles I face are my fingers keeping up with my brain. Under one pseudonym, I wrote a western that marked its place on various best seller lists taking full advantage of one of these rare writing moments. If folks knew how long it actually took to write the book, they’d never believe me—wish I’d kept a camera live for documentation! Today, the e-sales for this title are approaching 10,000 copies for a book that hasn’t been out long and it’s gained high praise from reviewers which is interesting, considering the time spent on writing this particular novel. Now, if only I could slip into the writing zone and stay there!

9. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I find inspiration everywhere.

10. What are you working on now?

Writing under another name, I have a western series that keeps me grounded and very focused. I’m also working on two of the Winning Virgin titles and always keep a short story on the back burner. The short stories I write are usually penned while sitting at a baseball field or waiting in between volleyball games. It’s not surprising that these novellas have sports-elements and many of them aren’t what I consider hot romance.

11. Is there a book you’ve read over and over again?

I’ve read a few over and over again but most of the time, I don’t have the patience or the time to read something again and again if I already know what will happen at the end!

12. Would you be interested in writing any other genres?

I’m always writing in other genres but often under different names. I have a huge backlog of books to write in the western genre. By backlog, I mean stacks upon stacks of yellow legal pads with my ideas sketched out and outlines, character histories, etc. Might as well go ahead and pimp myself here too—if you’re in the market to represent a few mainstream westerns, in a few months I’ll have some ready. Agents: I could make you a fortune! *Smiles* Okay, so that was bold but in this business, you have to be and the bolder the better. Right now, my muse travels to mainstream romance or very dark fiction in various subgenres. I hope to get these represented appropriately to those selling to large e-pubs or possibly New York. However, I like the royalties in e-publishing and trade paperback so that’s why I’m not hard pressed to go anywhere else.

13. What do you think makes a good story?

Strong characters with a hot alpha male, or maybe two or three.

14. How many books have you written and published?

I'm really not sure and may very well be the only writer in the world that doesn’t know. That’s not because I’ve written so many books, it’s just to say that I really didn’t keep up with what I was doing when writing as a ghost writer. There really isn’t a way to answer this question without giving out pen names and client names, which I can’t do.

15. What job would have if you were not a writer?

I have a true talent for marketing so maybe I’d do something in marketing. Thank God I’m a writer.

16. I noticed a link on your website for the ONE campaign (Campaign to make Poverty History) – what is your involvement? Is this a campaign close to your heart?

One of my pen names and my children are active with the ONE Campaign but it’s more about passing out the literature, making phone calls, and asking others to just sign up for more information. We ask folks to visit the site where they’ll gain a new awareness about AIDS and poverty. Our hope is that they’ll take that knowledge and spread ONE’s message to the world. On a local level, we try to do small things to help with poverty, especially now with so many people out of jobs, but we could always do more. To find out more about ONE, visit: http://one.org/us/. Please take a moment to visit Make-a-Wish Foundation as well: http://www.wish.org/.

CONTEST CLOSED
Winner: s7anna   CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Win an e-copy of one of Destiny Blaine's novel. Open INTERNATIONALLY

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Thanks again to Destiny Blaine for taking the time to do this interview and for offering an e-copy of one of her amazing books. Check out her works at destinyblaine.com, you will not be disappointed.