When did you decide to become a writer? What was the first story you ever wrote, and what happened to it?

 

       I’ve always written, plus my parents were writers too. For years I jotted down character sketches on scraps of paper and even on the backs of bar mats, either of people I met or composites. Then I started wondering what would happen to these characters if I put them in this or that situation and that’s when you start writing . I started out trying to write screenplays which, as anyone who has ever tried to write one will tell you, is next to impossible. I still have that first script kicking around somewhere. Then I moved on to radio plays and had a close brush with having some things performed.

 

       Why did you start writing erotic fiction? What draws you to this genre?

 

       Initially it was a bit of fun written for my partner. It seemed to go down quite well and I found it easy to write which is always nicer than torturing yourself with something difficult. I try not to take my own erotica too seriously and I hope (in a good way) that comes across.

 

      Do you think anyone can write erotic fiction?

 

      I think anyone can try. Why not? Perhaps just write for your own entertainment or that of your partner and see what happens. Self publishing has shaken off any of the stigma it used to have. I’m talking about what used to be called vanity publishing. Amazon’s KDP is an incredibly powerful and liberating tool and there for everyone.

 

      Why do you think people read erotica?

 

      This is a complex one. I’m going to say that two different people will take completely different things from the same book. Any book. So people’s reasons for reading erotica will vary enormously. It’s got to be sexy, certainly, but think about it, no two people like their sex just the same way. Some want to be dominated, some want to dominate. Others might want dark and dangerous, and some, of course want very dark and very dangerous. Personally I like my erotica like I like my sex, naughty, sometimes silly and with plenty of fun and laughs, where appropriate!

 

      Tell me about your writing process. How do you come up with the characters?

 

      My characters tend to be a smorgasbord of all the people I’ve met and known. A little bit of her, a nice big chunk of him. You know when you’ve written a really good character because they start surprising you with the decisions they make. I had no idea, for instance, that in Amy Plays Away, Amy Summers would fall in love. The strangest thing was just how weirdly pleased I was for her. I find it’s when you try and exert your will over your characters that things have a tendency to go wrong. You’ve simply got to let them be and get on with their lives.

 

    What is the most erotic scene you’ve ever written?

 

       I wrote five stories in the Adventures of Amy series and so there is rather a lot to choose from. I always come back to two. I love a scene in Amy Takes a Vacation where she seduces a young Italian ice cream salesman whilst he tries to serve his customers. It’s very silly and I hope quite funny. The other is in Amy Gets Fit. Again a young man falls prey to Amy’s charms, this time in a changing room. Now I’m thinking about Emily Undone and realising I clearly have a thing for changing rooms!

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       Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?

 

      I’m going to answer these two together. Cover design is enormously important. People say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I believe quite the opposite. Most people don’t get further than the cover and that’s the plain and simple truth. Think about all those hundreds of books you hardly give a second glance to in the bookstore because the cover doesn’t grab you.

        Working with models I think is a fresh and innovative approach and I’m all for it. Plus it helps that the girls are all gorgeous of course.

 

       The reader would love to learn more about you.  Where do your ideas come from?

 

       My ideas come from my characters. I try and provide an interesting setting for them and populate it with fun people for them to meet. Some of the scenarios do come from me, or from my fantasies, but I’ve found that when you, as a writer, start to exert your will over a character that can be when things go wrong. If you’re trying to push a character to do something they wouldn’t do because it fulfils some plot device or other, that can be when they fight back and the wheels start to fall off. Always better to let them have their head.

 

       Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?

 

       I write every day, seven days a week, even if it means getting up horribly early. (Recently I saw someone on twitter refer to writing as being like an illness or compunction, I would have to agree.) I write at least 1,000 words a day no matter whether its good, bad or quite often, totally indifferent. The other thing is to always leave yourself something to do the following day. I can’t remember where I read that, or who said it, but it’s great advice and I stand by it.

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       Do you read much?

       

       More than is healthy. I read and read and read. I just love it and name me a writer who doesn’t?

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       How do you relax?

     

       Popcorn, a glass of chilled white wine, log fire, movie.

 

       What is your favourite book and why?

 

      This question is unfair, but I will try to answer it. I love American fiction, Paul Auster, Don Delillo, David Mamet, but I’m going with John Williams (no not that one) and Stoner. I think it’s remarkable and possibly the perfect book, although I have read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer more times than is healthy. But now I’m feeling disloyal to all the brilliant British writers I adore, Graham Greene who writes flawed characters better than anyone, le Carré, Douglas Adams and, of course, the master, PG Wodehouse. I’m currently reading Daniel Keyes weird and wonderful ‘Flowers for Algernon.’

       

        What is your favorite quote?

 

       “I believe there are two ways of writing novels. One is mine, making a sort of musical comedy without music and ignoring real life altogether; the other is going right deep down into life and not caring a damn.” PG Wodehouse

“Writing is easy. You only need to stare at a blank paper until a drop of blood forms on your forehead.” Douglas Adams

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        What is your favorite movie and why?

 

       I love Cinema Paradiso and Les Choristes, although recently I’ve seen and enjoyed Paddington 2 which made me smile all day, and Wonder which made me cry.

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       Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

 

       This is easy. A few years ago I dreamt I held a dinner party for Steven Fry and Emma Thompson. They were both enchanting.