BLMorticia interviews Rawiya

Writers are a kooky bunch. Here's an interview my friend and colleague from Rebel Ink, Sharita, sent me. It's one of her alter egos being interviewed by one of her other pen names, BL Morticia... If you're confused by that, join the club, but read and enjoy all the same!

BL: How long have you been writing?

Rawiya: Well, Sharita created me in late 2009 before Michael. She wanted a muse to represent her more sensual side.

BL: When did you decide that writing erotic fiction was for you?

Rawiya: Um, pretty much when I figured out that regular romance doesn’t really do it for me. I like the gripping emotion of it but our grandma’s Harlequin’s isn’t what I’m interested in writing. Even though you are the snarky muse, I like to push boundaries too. Typical romance writers stick to the same m/f stories with a few diversions but not many. I like to write some m/m, m/m/f, even some f/f but with a more sensual erotic theme.

BL: Are you comfortable with writing the sex scenes?

Rawiya: Yes but I struggle with keeping them fresh. I’d like to start adding more in the sensual area as well writing something new for my characters in the bedroom.

BL: Are you willing to try something like BDSM or another subgenre?

Rawiya: Sure, but I’d do it in a more sensual way. To be honest, I’m not into the more painful aspects. I can read them but I’m not sure I can do them. You can. *grins*

BL: Heh, yeah perhaps. Is there anything that inspires you to do these? Other books, porn…*laughs*

Rawiya: Everything inspires all of us including Shar’s everyday life situations. She puts a little of herself into all our characters. They face some of the same stresses she does and in that way, it makes it more realistic.

BL: Who is your biggest supporter of your career?

Rawiya: Hubby and good friends who told Shar to go for it.

BL: What do you feel about erotica suddenly becoming more mainstream? Harlequin has a line and now, Avon will have a line of erotica romance books as well.

Rawiya: I think it’s great that the big time pubs are finally noticing that erotica is not just smut. That’s the misconception a lot of writers face when they’re trying to talk about their work to friends, coworkers, etc. Everyone thinks its straight porn. That’s not the case anymore. A lot of the stories have a backbone just with more sex than the typical romance.

BL: As an author, do you feel it’s important to be part of the national writer organizations like RWA?

Rawiya: I do but I don’t belong yet. Hopefully, I will eventually.

BL: What storyline of yours, that hasn’t been released yet are you pretty excited about?

Rawiya: That’s a great question, BL. I’d say the one that’s bugging the hell outta me to write which is an m/m called Something Like Jayden.

BL: Tell us about it, even though I know. *snicker*

Rawiya: It’s a story about a man on the down low who is married to a woman strictly for professional reasons. He’s afraid of coming out completely because he doesn’t want to lose his status with his company. However, a new employee, a gay male who is out, might convince him otherwise. Jayden wants this story written. Talk about a busy muse!

BL: Yes even the character muses bother us, the writing muses. Anyway, what frustrates you most about being a published author?

Rawiya: Even though I’m patient in most aspects I’d say waiting for the submission. I know it’s part of the business but it’s like when you’re waiting to open up your gifts at Christmas. You really want to see if you get a great gift or coal. *laughs*

BL: What genre would you like to do that you haven’t tackled yet?

Rawiya: Um, I’d love to do some f/f. First I’d like to read more of it, though. I’ve read a couple but not enough that I’m ready to tackle it.

BL: Recently, an author went after a blogger for a two star review. How would you have handled that and what is your stance on authors answering their critiques.

Rawiya: I don’t answer reviews, especially not on public forums. All of us subscribe to this. We’ve emailed and thanked them for their time. Simply that.

BL: Tell us a little about your latest projects and what books you have coming out next.

Rawiya: You know but I guess others don’t. *laughs* Well, the 2nd book is mine in the Something New on the Menu series, Time to Make the Donuts, coming in February. Then Smooth Like Latte book 3, another storyline with loud muses, book 5 in the collection, Sugar Daddy as well as Living in the Now my first MMF will be out with NNP in April. I have many in the hopper, the next one to work on is my M/M Lessons in Ink and the Masquerade series which I’d like to work on and get submitted somewhere.

BL: What advice do you have for writers to be or those new to the industry?

Rawiya: I’m still new too but I can add, never give up. Always listen to your editors because they know more than you and learn all you can while writing. Don’t be afraid to pick up another authors book. Surely they’d be an influence on you and teach you something along the way.

BL: Where can we find you?

Rawiya: http://www.thelitriad.com and my blog http://rawiyaerotica.wordpress.com

Fun Questions

BL: Boxers or Briefs?

Rawiya: Boxers.

BL: What celebrity man do you wish you could have but can’t?

Rawiya: Ooh that’s a toughie. I’d say right now the answer is Jason Momoa.

BL: Good choice! What’s your fave part of Jason besides the obvious?

Rawiya: His eyes. He has the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.

BL: A perfect date?

Rawiya: My hubby would be a romantic dinner at a five star restaurant. Afterwards, a little dancing then back to the hotel for a serious lovemaking session that included desert. *winks*

BL: Okay, who is the character in one of your books that you identify with?

Rawiya: Well, the Living in the Now book would be me, Mara Devine. She’s fun, outgoing, and not afraid of anything. I love fun and fearless females.

BL: What is one sentence to sum up Rawiya?

Rawiya: Sweet and sensual with a sexy side.