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A
couple of weeks ago Ms. Gemma asked me to review her book Ultimatum which is book #1 in
the Devil’s Kiss series, and boy was it quite the read. I liked the book so much that I wanted her
to stop by the blog to get more insight about her and her upcoming projects.
Click Here to read my review on Ultimatum.
Click Here to read my review on Ultimatum.
Crystal: Gemma thank you for
stopping by I am so happy you were able to join us. I wanted my readers to get
to know you better so why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Gemma: I live in Oregon with
my husband and our four kids. I love to drive to the ocean often, even in the
middle of the night. I have a weakness for chocolate and Dr. Pepper. I don’t
watch much TV, except for the occasional Netflix marathon. I’m also a part-time
student, which makes juggling family, writing, and school really difficult.
Gemma: I began writing when I
was fourteen. This was long before I owned a computer, so I did it all by hand.
I still have every one of those stories, too, lol. This was during a trying
time in my life, and I’d discovered the year before how reading could offer a
great escape (I couldn’t get my hands on enough Sweet Valley High books). One day it occurred to me that I could
write about my own characters. I wrote fan fiction several years later for a
while, and then in 2008 I completed a very rough 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo. I
view these small events as stepping-stones that got me to where I am today.
I’ve been actively pursuing a writing career for eighteen months and have
learned a ton from other writers along the way.
Crystal: Why did you choose to write
Dark Erotica and do you write in other Genre’s?
Gemma: The dark stuff is the
most compelling to me. Actually, anything with dark themes pulls me in. I’m
juggling two writing identities now since I began this journey into erotica.
I’m planning to self-publish a romantic suspense novel within the next few months
under a different pen name. If I’m not torturing the heroine with whips and
chains in erotica, then I’m torturing my heroine in mainstream fiction with a
painful backstory, a psychic ability that is more scary than helpful, and a
serial killer.
Crystal: What Inspired you to write Ultimatum and will this book turn into a series? If so, how many books do you plan to write
Crystal: What Inspired you to write Ultimatum and will this book turn into a series? If so, how many books do you plan to write
Gemma: Actually, I got the idea for Ultimatum after hearing all the hype
surrounding Fifty Shades of Grey.
I’ve never read the trilogy, but hearing about it was enough to make me
curious, especially about what the term BDSM meant. I did some research and
realized that I didn’t quite buy the whole set-up. What would make a virginal
character willingly put up with that type of treatment? I thought about what it
would take for a character to submit to something like that when they weren’t
into kink. As a parent, I understand all too well how we fear for our children,
and how we’d do anything for them. It was that single thought that sparked the
idea for Ultimatum. I like the
dynamics of Kayla having a “choice,” but I think most parents understand how
consuming a love for a child can be, so in the end it’s really no choice at
all. On a fundamental level, Gage is raping her, and yes, it’s definitely
morally wrong. But legally, they’re both in the wrong. I don’t think this
set-up would have worked as well without her having stolen from him. I’m now
working on Enslaved, the second book
in the Devil’s Kiss series. Enslaved should be ready for release by
the end of January/early February. The third is tentatively titled Retribution, and at this point I’m
aiming for a summer release.
Crystal: I agree. I think Gage is
smitten with Kayla and this gave him the perfect opportunity to make his move.
What makes it interesting is that Kayla is learning a lot about herself in the
process. I can’t wait for the next book Enslaved to come out.
What would you say is your interesting writing
quirk?
Gemma: I don’t know if it’s a
writing quirk, but I can’t write worth crap without music in my ears. Some of
my favorite artists to write by are OneRepublic, Florence +The Machine, and
more recently Lana Del Rey. I listen to all kinds of music, and I like to pull
the emotion from a song and infuse a scene with it. I also hunt down piano
covers of my favorite songs on YouTube.
Crystal: You know I love some of the
same Artist you listed. It is something about their music that draws me to them
especially Florence and the machine, I love her voice. Well enough about me
lol.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your
books?
Gemma:
Well, based on some of the reviews I’ve gotten for Ultimatum, I was surprised how the sex scenes were described as hot
and erotic. I’m new to writing and reading erotica, and I don’t have a lot of
experience at writing such detailed sex scenes. I basically took what was in my
head and let the words flow, but I honestly had no idea if they were any good
or not.
Crystal : Gemma I have got to hand it
to you because the scenes where hot. I would not have had the idea you were a
novice at writing Erotica. Based on your book it seem like you had been doing
this for a while.
What do you think makes a good story?
Gemma: I think it depends on
the person. Just as people have different tastes in music, books are no
different. Universally, despite genre or personal preference, I think a good
book is one with a compelling storyline and characters, has been through the
revision process at least once, and has been edited, polished, and proof-read.
A great, outstanding book is subjective to personal taste, and for me it’s a
blend of genres, a story that isn’t merely formulaic. Books that get me excited
are the ones that keep me up all night because I can’t put them down. They’re
the stories that don’t just tell me the story, but put me in the shoes of the
characters—the ones I think about long after turning the last page. I’m a lover
of romance and HEA, but more recently I discovered how a real mind-bender can
leave as much of an imprint
Crystal: I love books that I can
relate to, books where I can connect with the character and that can draw you
into the story. I completely felt that way about Ultimatum.
Can you tell us anything about your up coming
projects?
Gemma: I do think people
might be surprised with where I’m planning to take the Devil’s Kiss series, though the tentative title of the third book
might give a clue to some. ;)
Crystal : Who is your favorite author
and what book are you reading now?
Gemma: Okay, this is going to
sound completely contradictory! For erotica, I favor Kitty Thomas’ work. For
more mainstream stuff, I really love Tracey Garvis Graves and Tammara Webber.
I’m also a fan of Sandra Brown. As for what I’m reading now, nothing at the
moment, but I just finished Edge of the
Past, a YA novel by Jennifer Comeaux. Her work is about as innocent as you
can get—no sex whatsoever, yet she’s awesome at chemistry. I think I needed a
break from all the smut in my head!
Crystal :Is there anything you would
like to say to your readers?
Gemma: I’d
like to thank them for taking a chance on another unknown Indie! As I’m still
fairly new to self-publishing, I’m not flooded with reviews yet, but the few I
have gotten have not only meant a lot, but I’ve also found insight in them. I
have a thick skin, and I’m always looking for ways to improve my writing.
:) Gemma
Crystal:
Gemma, thank you so much for taking your time out of your schedule to interview
with me. I wish you the best of luck on your series and I am looking forward to
Enslaved's release. I would love to have you back as a guest in the near future.
To followers, if you would like to get more information on Ms. Gemma James
Please check out her blog The Edge of Erotica
Thanks so much for having me, Crystal! It's been fun. :)
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