Welcome to another Sunday Speed Dates. This week, I have Jacqui Greaves visiting all the way from Australia!
Thanks for joining me Jacqui! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Thanks so much for the opportunity to participate! I’m a New Zealand author living in Melbourne, Australia. When I’m not writing, editing, promoting or messing about on social media you can find me on a golf course, or drinking a lovely glass of wine. Other than that I’m pretty private.
Tell us a little about your latest project.
Blood of Stone is my contribution to the Lust on the Wing anthology. I drew on multiple legends around gargoyles and dragons to develop the base concept of the novella—submission of the beast. Then set it in a fantasy world and added a set of wonderful characters. As usual the tale took on a life of its own and ended up erotic horror.
The Lust on the Wing anthology is a collection of four hardcore novellas by authors who love imaging lusty paranormal creatures that break the bonds of gravity. It can be found on Amazon.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I grew up by the beach and always wanted to be a marine biologist – so that’s what I did!
Do you have a personal hero?
I’ve never really bought into hero worship as I believe that we are all hero’s in our own stories.
What is heroic to you?
I guess I’d say that I admire women who have stepped beyond expectations. They’re out there, but you have to hunt for them. I’ve been researching historical women figures with the idea of putting together a collection of short stories featuring some of the weird and wonderful characters. I won’t say any more…it might spoil it!
Oh, that sounds exciting. I would be very interested in finding out about that!
What books are you reading at present?
I’ve just attended the Melbourne Writers Festival, where I snapped up novels from a number of the speakers I heard. Right now I’m reading A Handbook for my Lover: A Memoir by Rosalyn D’Mello. It’s a beautiful, lush, sensual description of a woman’s sexuality.
Are you a part of any associations, groups, or meetups for writers?
I’m a member of Writers Victoria and have attended a number of their writing courses and events here in Melbourne. I’m part of a fantasy writers group in Melbourne as well, but we’re not very active at the moment. Online I’m involved with the Erotic Writers and Readers Association and a number of facebook groups for erotic and women writers.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Focus and comma’s! I have so many ideas for wonderful stories that I really have to force myself to concentrate on one at a time. I also have a lot of trouble getting commas to sit in the right place. Even when I read my stories aloud, I just can’t seem to get those little rascals to sit where they should!
Oh, boy. I know about both those issues! It’s terrible, but the multiple ideas are such a pain when they don’t want to wait their turn.
What genre are your books? What draws you to this genre?
My stories are a real mix of fantasy, erotica, science fiction and historical. There are usually components of at least two genres that get woven together, and often more!
I grew up reading fantasy and then science fiction, so I writing in those genres was a natural progression. For me, the erotic content of my stories reflects real life. We’re sexual beings and it astounds me that there is a sense of shame in reading about sex, desire and eroticism. So I’ve chosen to address that by incorporating sex in a very positive way into my stories.
Is this book is part of a series? If so, tell us a little about it?
Yes, it’s the second book in a series of three paranormal erotica anthologies. Lust by the Sea was the first and the third is Lust in Tooth and Claw. I only feature in Lust on the Wing.
Are any experiences or events in your book based on someone you know or events in your own life?
Absolutely not!
LOL!
What’s the hardest part of developing your stories?
I love character development, for me that’s the joyful aspect to every story I write. The hardest aspect for me is developing the plot. I like to have my plots based in some sort of reality or ‘known’ aspect of the real world, like myth or legend. It usually involves a bit of research.
What is your fFavorite book to movie adaptation?
Like Water for Chocolate.
Oh, that’s a good one. Such a good story and so well adapted.
Someday, I want to…
Have a never-ending supply of champagne, funded through a making money from my writing.
That is a wonderful goal to strive for!
What is your favorite movie theme song?
Jaws. Or maybe the Darth Vader music from Star Wars? Villains get the best music!
They truly do.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write and persevere! I’ve met so many writers who are ‘going to start their novel when…’, just start writing the thing. Then, once you start, keep going until it’s finished! Worry about the quality when it’s done. Just write the story!
So true!
What other projects do you have in the works?
I have a complete first draft of a 90K word fantasy novel. It’s been through beta-reading and now I have to edit, edit, edit. It is a magnificent story of power, corruption, temptation and hope. Imagine Lord of the Rings meets Game of Thrones…with a little less death…and a lot more sex!
That sounds like it will be a fantastic read. I can’t wait to find out more about it.
Where can we find out more about you and what you write?
I’d love for you to visit my website. I also hang out on Facebook a lot more than I should.
Wonderful! I can’t wait to see you around online. Thanks again for stopping by!
Thanks so much for the opportunity!