Brothers of the Night and Sugar & Spice Interview

Hi, everyone.

Thanks to my wonderful readers, my book, Sweet Hell is doing well, so I thought I might like to tell you a little about what is coming next. This interview will take you into my private thoughts regarding Brothers of the Night and Sugar & Spice. It's not a long interview, but will allow you to get to know me a little better.

Interview begins...

Q - Hello Audrey, I hope these questions will be okay for you. If you don’t mind I’d like to touch on Brothers of the Night, and Sugar & Spice, the sequel. I understand these are very hot ménage a trois shapeshifter romances that will be released soon.

Hi, Simone. Yes, Brothers of the Night will be released soon. BookStrand is looking at an October release date, but since I’m already through editing it long before my deadline, I’m hoping the release date might be pushed up. Every time I think of this book I have to giggle. I wrote it early in my career when I honestly didn’t know what I was doing. Because of that I didn’t limit myself to any publisher’s guidelines, I simply wrote what I wanted to write, and loved doing it. When all was said and done, what I produced was a piece of erotica that puts a woman between two brothers who use her as a plaything. The sex many times borders on the primal since during the Autumn Moon Cycle they are little more than animals. As a result, the lusty scenes between them don’t have the usual limits. I shamefully colored outside the lines, bringing my readers everything I had inside me. There are so many twists and turns you can’t possibly predict what will happen next. I will have to admit that I did a lot of editing and rewriting of the first draft, but the finished product is pure gold.

Q – Did you write Sugar & Spice immediately afterwards, or was this an idea that came to you later?

Actually, I had no intention of writing a sequel, but when everyone began asking for one, my publisher got on the bandwagon and suggested I do it. I can’t describe to you how I felt. The story of the Duquesne’s had been told. Story over, chapter closed. But since I ended Brothers of the Night on a cliffhanger, the public refused to let it lay. Not being experienced at writing I didn’t know you NEVER end a book on a cliffhanger. Okay, I chalked it up to a lesson learned, and began writing its sequel. I was able to continue the ‘twins’ theme by giving Sugar (the heroines stage name) a ‘monster’ that made her appearance during a full moon. I named her Spice. Believe me, I was as surprised as anyone when the story began coming together with Jennifer being the first Duquesne she-devil. It’s a fabulous book, and I hope you will enjoy reading it.

Q - What drew you to write in the Erotica genre instead of pure Romance?

It was pure chance. I just wrote what I liked, and thought it was romance. However, when I compared it with other romance writers, I knew something had to be wrong. My writing was wilder, my descriptions more vivid, my love scenes more explicit and scorching. At the time I didn’t even know that there was a genre called Erotica. I simply wrote my stories the only way I knew how. Of course, later I found my home among other erotica writers, but for a while there I was flopping around like a fish out of water. I have learned since then that there are still differences in how far a writer will go. I, of course, by this time was not used to having limits, so I continued to write in my own free style. Whether you want to call it wild, unruly, exotic, experimental is up to you. I’ve been compared to Anne Rice, Jackie Collins, and even Danielle Steele…with a twist! But I disagree. Danielle Steele does it on silk sheets. I do it on desks, walls, in the dirt, in the rain, shacks, mansions, you name it. If it’s possible (or even impossible), I’ll get it into my book sooner or later.

Q - What advice would you give to aspiring writers in either Erotica or other genre?

I can’t emphasize it enough... write what you feel! You might be surprised with what you get, as I was. The amount of sex, or should I say, the depth of sex you bring into your story is up to you. Remember! Erotica is NOT pornography! Even in writing erotica, you don’t have to write what you’re not comfortable with. I’ve never liked writing sweet little romances and feel very comfortable in describing everything that goes on between a man and woman. From the soft, warm kiss to the bawdy sex-against-the-wall situation. Not everyone does. I can use a four-letter word as easily as I can any other, as long as it fits the story. My stories are frank, gritty, lust in the dust sort of thing, but yours doesn’t have to be. When you’re writing, don’t think about what some publisher or potential reader might think of what you’re saying, it’s too limiting. Simply write what you feel. From this comes your writing style, your tone, and keep in mind, no one can write that story like you can.

Q - What do you read when you are not writing?

Right now I’m into historical romances. The simple reason being, I was bored by contemporary novels that had so much police activity in them. Please! Enough, already! My life is very exciting, and the only time I ever speak to a policeman is when I’m stopped for speeding. I have to admit, in my yet-to-be-published novel, Pretty Baby I have an undercover detective in it, but I think I can be forgiven for it since the plot is one of my “coloring outside the lines” sort that tells how the handsome half-breed Indian falls in love with an innocent young woman whose obsessive sister makes her wear a crude, homemade mask to hide her beauty. (Did you notice how I plugged Pretty Baby? Slick, don’t you think?)

Q – I heard that once you were an artisan with All Experts. What was that all about?

Yes, I was an Allexperts Artisan for, I don’t know, about a year. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t in any way consider myself an expert in the writing field, but they needed people to help, and I was picked. I received questions, usually from aspiring writers who want to talk with an author. They ask questions such as how to begin a novel, how to create characters, scenes, dialogue, etc. Some sound a lot like me when I first started. They’re excited, enthusiastic, and need advice on how to start, so they ask someone who has been there. That’s what Allexperts is. It’s a website full of experts in many different fields, and they are more than willing to share what they know if you want to ask. The website is... http://www.allexperts.com/.

Q - Would you welcome personal mail from your readers?

Yes, I most definitely would. If any of you have read my books and have a feedback, or if you just want to chat, I’m available. Just put my name, AUDREY GODWIN in the subject line so I will know it’s not spam or some virus-happy freak. You may email me at afullflame@aol.com. I know one of the first questions asked will be about my website. I’m sorry, but it’s under construction at the present. I’m hoping to have it up and running soon. The address is http://www.myeroticplayground.com/

Q - Thank you, Audrey, we will be looking for Brothers of the Night, and the sequel, Sugar & Spice. We will also be keeping our fingers crossed that it will be released very soon.

Thanks, Simone. It’s been great talking with you, and I hope when my website is finished everyone will come and play in my erotic playground. It will be filled with lots of wonderful books, and information I hope you will want to know about. Love ya!

Audrey Godwin @ BookStrand

Hi, everyone, it's me, Audrey!

I just wanted to stop by and talk a minute. I know that some of you might be wondering where my website went so suddenly. The fact is, I've put it in the hands of a real professional and it's being revamped in a big way. It'll be the usual writer's website, of course, but there is one thing about it I can't really tell you yet because it's a secret. I'm just hoping it works as well as I think it will. It's really no biggy among writers to do this, but it's new to me. Oh, gosh, I swore I'd never do it, but here I am doing it! Anyway, that's why I'm so excited.

For those of you who are interested, I'm waiting for the edits of Brothers of the Night and Shadow Lover to come so I can get started on them. These are two books that I know you'll like. I must warn you about Brothers. Ever since it's been out, it's been a controversial piece of writing. It's about twin werewolves who are in love with the same woman. They fight over her like two animals under a full moon that is so strong it affects their lovemaking. The sex is raw, animalistic and primal. Jennifer instinctively fights against the evil she feels, but her memory loss holds her captive in the dark old mansion. The two brothers love her night and day, slowly drawing her into their dark world of witches, curses and full moons. Don't read it alone!

Thanks for reading!

Audrey

afullflame@aol.com

Interview with Audrey Godwin

I'd like for my readers to get to know me, so I've posted this interview.

Hello, Audrey. Thank you for granting us this interview. We’ve been hearing some wonderful things about your work, and wanted to sit down and talk with you.

CJ: To begin with, let’s talk about when your writing career started. When did you seriously sit down, and say to yourself, I’m going to write a novel?

Audrey: I can remember the very day I did that. It had always been in my heart, even as a child to do it, I just had to make up my mind one day and say this is it! I was working in Washington DC at the time. I had gone through the motions of reading tons of romance novels, but something was missing. I found that missing piece when I sat down at my computer and began creating. It’s a wonderful feeling to create your own story and fill it with characters out of your own imagination. A writer can’t only write, they must read as well. When you do, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.

CJ: What do you find the most difficult to write? Dialogue? Back story? Emotion?

Audrey: I think back story is the most difficult for me. So much is involved in it. You have to dig down into the human psyche since what they experience in their past has so much to do with who they are today. For instance in my book, Dirty Little Steam Queen Kristi Kane had a problem with men until Erik Grant came along and…well, I’ll let you buy the book and find out.

CJ: Have you ever found that you didn’t like your Hero or your Heroine? If so, what did you do to change that?

Audrey: I don’t think it’s possible to dislike your hero or heroine. After all, they are a part of you. At least my characters are. You know what’s inside them…why they act as they do. In my book, Sin City, I’ve found that many of my readers don’t like Griff Nyle because of his blatant infidelity. I can certainly understand that, but I, as his creator, can’t dislike him because I understand him. Griff is truly a bad boy, the kind that you love to hate, but as bad as he is, he finally redeems himself, saves both his marriage and his country, and gives the book a happy ending.

CJ: If you were to start again, with the knowledge you have now, what would be the first thing you do?

Audrey: I’m not sure I would do anything different. It was exciting being ‘discovered’ on the internet by a publisher that loved my work. In those days my writing style was not quite as dark and intense as it is today although it had the same underlying ‘Audrey Godwin’ touch to it, which I’m proud of. Before you accuse me of being an egotistical bitch, let me explain. When I first began writing I knew nothing! Nothing! Guidelines, writing rules, don’t do this, don’t do that… those things didn’t enter my head, so I pulled no punches. As it turned out my first novel, Brothers of the Night was a scorching page-turning success. It was so ‘different’ in substance it was widely talked about by many, some of whom both loved it and hated it. Even those that hated it begged for a sequel, so I wrote one just to keep everyone quiet. I’m glad I did today, because Sugar & Spice turned out to be fabulous!

CJ: Do you write full time, what is your schedule for the day? Or do you have a full time job, if so, when do you find the time to write?

Audrey: Yes, I do write full time. I get to my computer as much as possible, but it’s always interrupted by phone calls, family problems, and my Maine Coon cat, Tigger. She is so spoiled! She’s jealous of my time on the computer, and will not leave me alone! Does anyone want a cat?

CJ: Do you have the support of family and friends?

Audrey: For the most part, yes. I’m always being asked about what I’m writing now, when will it be out, etc. I have two sons that can hardly believe that their mother can write such sexy novels. You know how kids are. Their parents don't know about such things.

CJ: What has been the biggest challenge of your career?

Audrey: Having time to write, promote, and spend time with the other authors and readers on line. I don’t know how they do it. They seem to be able to chat all day long, and put out books as if they’re on an assembly line. Me, I have to plan, do research, edit, think, think, think! I hope no one thinks my absence from the online chats are because I don’t want to be there. It simply isn’t true. I just don’t have time. I love them all and do it when I can, but my books have to come first. It’s for my readers, after all.

CJ: Where do you expect to be in five years?

Audrey: At the top of the Best Selling List!

CJ: Are you a plotter or a pantser? If you are a plotter, what are you methods?

Audrey: The only word I recognize in that question is ‘plotter.’ I plot as I go. I can get one little nugget of an idea in my head and build a whole book around it as I’m writing. Strange, right?

CJ: How have your techniques for character development changed since you’ve been writing? Is it still the same, or has it developed over time, if so how?

Audrey: I suppose it has developed over time. It seems I have always loved to create unique characters. Characters you remember, characters you get to know, and will remember long after you put the book down. For instance, ‘Dagmar’ in Dancing with the Devil, ‘Calico’ in Brothers of the Night and ‘Diego’ in Sin City. I got so carried away with Diego, I had to hold myself back from telling his story along with Griff and Lorelei’s. Maybe Diego will have his own story some day.

CJ: Do you have a book coming out? If so what? Do you have a web site? Do you have a blog? My space?

Audrey: I have several coming out. Sin City (BookStrand) and Dancing with the Devil (Siren) have been recently released. Sweet Hell (BookStrand) was released on July 31st. I’m expecting the edits for Brothers of the Night, and Shadow Lover (BookStrand) any day now. As soon as I get them done they will be on their way to publication as well. My old website is gone now, and I’m shopping around for another. When it becomes active I’ll let everyone know. My blog will be on my website. I haven't done MySpace yet. Soon, maybe, when I get the time.

Thank you for taking the time for answering our questions. Good luck with your writing.