Today I have a very special guest: Blak Rayne, my good friend and published author who, among other projects, writes romantic and homoerotic fiction influenced by the Japanese Yaoi genre. At the same time, Blak has graciously invited me for a Q&A with a book giveaway on her blog (May 23rd), which you'll find here, so we are doing an interview swap of sorts. ;-)
Blak is not only a talented and successful writer, but also a lovely, fascinating and kind person whom I'd love to meet in person one day. As she tells readers on her website, she likes men, period, and she likes hers hot and powerful, to have secrets and burn up the pages. She says: "I like to believe there's a love story out there for everyone, it's just waiting to be told." Brava, bravissima Ms Rayne, I wholeheartedly agree!
Q&A with Blak Rayne
Could you please tell us something
about you?
Well, there is something new I’d like to mention. I have just started to
write under another pen name within a totally different genre. For me, this is
wonderful, and something I have been longing to do for many years. I can’t wait
to see the results!
When did you decide on being an
author?
Cliché as it sounds, early childhood, though my dream didn’t come to
fruition until much later in life (isn’t that always the way).
What inspires you to write?
Anything really, my imagination constantly churns. But if I had to pick,
I’d have to say music. I was raised on music (my mother’s influence) along with
a passion for books (my father’s influence). I took years of piano–practical
and theory, self-taught guitar, played a little drums, and also ukulele.
What is the premise of your book?
My current novel, which is nearing
completion is 'The Ideal Side of Love'; a short story about a successful
businessman, Stephen, who has struggled all his life in relationships until he
meets Myron. After years together, Myron dies of cancer. The only way Stephen
can cope is by immersing himself in work until he accidentally bumps into a
stranger. I won't go any further because I don't want to spoil the story. TISOL
is written in first person POV, which is very different for me, but I think it
really works for the story and characters.
~***~
The Ideal Side of Love
‘Average, but extraordinary, and only twice in a lifetime.’
Stephen
Prichard is a resilient and self-made man that has it all, a successful
business, great husband, and a summer condo on the waterfront, until life
throws a curve ball. After twelve years together, his husband Myron dies of
cancer, leaving Stephen to confront a future of uncertainties alone.
Then fate lends a
hand, when not one, but two chance encounters with the same stranger put his
feelings to the test. First and second impressions are lasting. Stephen
longs for companionship, and the stranger is attractive, however, he’s also
enigmatic and cold, and the memories of Myron are still painfully fresh.
Can a man Stephen
barely knows renew his faith in love? But, more importantly, is he willing to
let go of the past?
~***~
What is your favorite passage in the
book?
For TISOL I can’t say yet, as the
book is incomplete.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Honestly, I’m a bit of both. If I’m writing an in depth story, I will
plot, otherwise I fly by the seat of my pants. But then again…some of my better
stories were written off-the-cuff. Yep, I’m a bit of both.
How do you develop your characters?
I usually start with a name. Then a simple image comes to mind–the way
the character looks, dresses, and so on; as the story evolves, so do they. In
other words, I may mould the character to his or her story, or circumstance. It
depends. Sometimes the story dictates the character.
How did you come to write m/m erotic
romance?
I’ve written hetero erotica before, some sex within my fantasy stories,
and even a little homoerotic, but I never considered writing m/m erotic romance
until a friend dared me to enter an online writing contest. I had to write an
m/m erotic story, and did so in five days, following the contest rules. I
didn’t win, but the feedback was decent, and I sent the story to a publisher
many years later.
Which books/authors influenced you
most and why?
I love to read when time permits. And, since I’ll read just about
anything, there are many authors I enjoy. As far as influence goes, I can’t
pick any particular one for their writing abilities because every author has a
unique written voice–even I do, but I certainly can for imagination; J.R.R.
Tolkien, Agatha Christie, C. S. Lewis, Morgan Llewellyn, Kazuma Kodaka, Robin
Cook, Terry Brooks, R.D. Wingfield, Joseph Wambaugh, Oliver Bowden, Brent
Weeks, Bram Stoker…
Which is your favorite hero and villain
in a movie or TV series?
I almost always root for the villain–well
those with half a conscience. You know the type–driven by a vengeful
spirit, but also emotionally torn by their own sinister actions. Which are
usually brought on due to an unrequited, lost or stolen love. Bram Stoker’s Dracula
is my favourite. He’s a prime example of a tortured soul seeking revenge in the
name of love.
Is there a contemporary author,
musician or actor you particularly admire?
The only people I really admire are
the authors I’ve worked with, those I have gotten to know on a personal level.
Most have struggled, and I admire their determination, their achievements, and
how they treat others in the industry.
What will be your next project?
Well, I have several erotic m/m novels awaiting my undivided attention.
And, adding to this, I have a ten part fantasy series I’ve been working on
faithfully for fifteen years, that needs editing, covers etc to reach
publication (this is under my new pen name). I’ve got so much on my plate at
the moment I can scarcely keep up.
Do you have any advice for aspiring
writers?
First and foremost writing is all about passion–sharing your imagination
with others. Be passionate about your work. The second part is honing your
craft. Read what you like to write, learn from other authors this includes their
triumphs and mistakes. But the most important thing, do what you feel is right.
Stay true to yourself.
