Razor: The Interview and Giveaway

Erzabet Bishop with Margie Church & KB Cutter

1.      How did you get started writing erotic romance?

MC: Sneaking through the back door, on a dark night, with a dim flashlight. Oh, and a keyboard. LOL – back door is really pretty accurate. I started with fan fiction (I write for the Days of Our Lives fandom) and at that time, it was all purple prose. In case you don't know what that is…it means you're using euphemisms instead of the read words…a delicious cock might become a delicious love rod. LOL I admit, I wasn't comfortable with really graphic language and descriptions for the love scenes. I was fine with that for everything else. Then one day, I read a blog about using purple prose and how that wouldn't fly if I wanted to move up in the publishing world. I had a choice to stick with sweet or sensual romance or push myself. I stopped worrying about what others might think of me and let the characters tell the story. That was so freeing. I've since written one sensual romance, Nopeming Shores, but everything else is erotic romance.

2.      BDSM erotica has its own dynamic with power exchanges. Can you tell us a bit about how it works with your characters in Razor?

MC: Because there are so many aspects to the Dominant/submissive relationship in real life, I want to be clear this response only applies to the characters in Razor. Bryce has a dominant personality. He's take-charge by nature. Amy is his wife. She's a terrific, talented woman, and a submissive in bed. The premise of Razor is that Amy would like to take the lead in bed every now and then. In reality, few Doms will ever become switches, but they can for the right partner.  Remembering that Amy and Bryce aren't in the lifestyle, Amy clearly doesn't understand how provocative her request is to suggest her Fem Dom (Domme) girlfriend help Bryce understand how to behave differently as a lover. Raine is surprised and intrigued by Amy's request, too. When the three come to an agreement about how this "mentoring" will work, Bryce thinks he's going to have his cake and eat it too. He believes he can fake his way through things with Raine to seduce her and show her who's boss. However, Raine is a lifestyle Domme and she remains strong in that role, much to Bryce's surprise.  As the story progresses, readers see emotions change among these three people. We want to be clear that Razor is not a story about marital infidelity. In fact, it's a powerful romance. Some people have the capacity to embrace other intimate relationships within the confines of marriage. Amy and Bryce are one such couple.

3.      Tell us about The 18th Floor. Does it also include BDSM elements?

MC: It most certainly does! In this novella, Alexa doesn't know that Sebastian is a Dom when their relationship begins. So, this story is really about laying that foundation of trust that is crucial between a Dom and a submissive. There's an extended party scene on the lake that opens Alexa's eyes about some of the different relationships Sebastian is involved with and the things they do. There's a very hot M/M couple in this scene and it involves flogging. Readers see Alexa grow into an obedient role and reap the rewards. The book is definitely hot and kinky.

4. How do you think the advent of the 50 Shades phenomenon has shaped your career as an erotica author?

K.B.: It hasn't. While I appreciate this series of books has "enlightened" the masses that erotica is not something to ashamed of or be read in the back of a city bus at night, while wearing a raincoat, I continue to be a slave to my own Muse!

5. Cheeseburger or sushi?

K.B.: I'm with Jimmy Buffet- a cheeseburger is Paradise!

6. Beer and pizza or lemon water and Thai?

K.B.: Beer and pizza. I'm not pretentious.

7. What was the most sizzling scene you have ever written?

K.B.: Wow. I've written sooo many.   –cheesy grin- 

I'd venture to say it's the opening scene in Razor. While there is not sex act, the buildup, tension and erotic overtones are a powerfully sensual combination. Especially what Amy does to the top of a beer can!!

8. How about the most awkward scene? (funny... weird...)

MC: I have written children into my books several times. One of my favorite scenes is from Avenging Allaire.  Devon comes home from work to find his young daughter, Kat, waiting for him. Curious about where his wife, Allaire is, Devon questions Kat. She tells him that momma is upstairs giving Kai a bath. Kai and Kat are twins. Of course Devon is even more interested to learn why his young son is having a bath so early in the evening. Kat reveals a litany of shenanigans the two of them pulled during the day, ending with Kai smearing finger paint on the wall. Devon thinks he should go help his wife. Kat leads him in a different direction to her secret hiding place saying, "No, Momma is steamed."

9. If you were going to train a sub, what would you do first?

K.B.: Have her sign a disclosure agreement.  –Cheshire cat grin-  I'd let her know that I would be her Gentleman Dom. Completely care for her emotional and physical wellbeing.

MC: Where do I sign? LOL *squeezes eyes closed tight* I know I can be a switch, I know I can! LOL

10. What is your favorite type of BDSM character to write about and why?

MC:  Dominants tend to be easier for me to write since I have a dominant personality. The submissive mind is fascinating and requires a lot more work for me.

11. Do you have a sinfully wicked playlist in your head when you write?

K.B.: Surprisingly, no. I love music; however, I find it distracting when I write, even if it is in my head! Inspiration does come from music, a snippet of a lyric, series of chords or beat.

MC: Yup. Ditto.

12. When you are writing scenes that describe female arousal, how hard is it for you to change it up so it isn't always "dripping" or "gushing"? I find in my own writing that this can be a challenge. It can be quite hilarious on occasion...

MC: Well hello. That's quite the question. LOL Let's also apply this answer to men. When I write love scenes, I think it's important to mix things up. If I feel like I'm describing things similarly throughout the book, I step back and look at the five senses for insight. I look for other similes I can use, romantic language, or even different dialog. It is a challenge, no doubt.

13. What is your favorite thing about writing BDSM erotic romance?

MC:  I don't have one favorite thing. First of all, there is so much to learn and I'm a curious person. Finding people in the lifestyle to help me has been quite an adventure. Secondly, it adds layers of interesting scenarios and characters to more traditional stories. I enjoy writing unique tales. Finally, BDSM romance is a hot genre, especially since the 50 Shades phenomenon. It's exciting to be rolling in that wave instead of chasing it.

14. What is next on the writing horizon?

K.B.: I have a short I'm working on to sub to Decadent's Edge series. My bigger project is Razor II. Margie and I will be outlining the book in the coming days.  Then Razor III if all goes according to plan!

MC: What he said, and a full novel entitled Brendan's Kiss.

15. Are you a plotter or a pantster?

MC: Plotter all the way.

KB: Tweener.

16. Do you prefer writing short stories or novel length?

MC: Novels. I love digging into characters and plots without focusing on a word count limit.

Thank you both for visiting with us on the blog today! I loved the book and I know all you BDSM erotica fans will too! Here are the buy links below-

http://www.amazon.com/Razor-ebook/dp/B008FSCT1W/ref=la_B008H7HO4I_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1349483697&sr=1-11  It's also available on B&N and Apple. 

 

My Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Margie-Church/e/B008H7HO4I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

KB Cutter's Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_2?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=K.%20B.%20Cutter&search-alias=digital-text

Authors' Biographies:

          

Margie Church is a multi-published author who writes erotic romance novels. My books have a strong suspense element, in keeping with her moniker: Romance with SASS (Suspense Angst Seductive Sizzle). I have a degree in writing and editing and have been a professional writer, editor, and journalist for over 25 years. If you enjoy books you can't put down, read one of mine.

I live in Minnesota, am married, and have two children. Some of my passions are music, flower gardening, biking, walking on moonlit nights, nature, and making people laugh. I also write children's books under the pen name, Margaret Rose.

Margie's website: Romance with SASS

Margie's blog: http://blog.RomanceWithSASS.com

                About K.B. Cutter: Born and bred Long Islander, I grew up working class poor. There were few escapes for me: The beach, the bay and books. I fell in love with all three. 

                As I grew older, I became a voracious reader. The natural evolutionary process led me to write. I filled countless notebooks with my fevered scribblings. Eventually, I found an exceptional interactive writing forum. For years, I wrote in every conceivable genre and sub-genre.
                While I am a member of the Thin Blue Line at night, during the day I create stories of erotic romance and dark horror. One day, I will marry the two successfully. The results, I hope, will be bloody sexy!

K.B. Cutter's Website:  www.kbcutter.com

Want to win an e-book copy of Razor? Leave a comment in the comment field about what kind of adventures you enjoy seeing in a BDSM erotic romance. Make sure you leave your email addy so we can let you know if you won! Contest will be October 9th-15th.