My World Guest Interview: J.S. Wayne

Hey gang, today it is my pleasure to introduce you to the amazing J.S. Wayne . . .

EM: J.S! Welcome to My World. It is lovely to have you here today : )

Thank you! I’m very pleased to be here : )


1. How long have you been writing for?

In a serious capacity with an eye to eventual publication, I’ve been writing for over sixteen years, but I started when I was eleven. My first attempts were borderline horrific, but I’m pretty pleased with my progression just since I really knuckled down to my writing at 30. It’s amazing what three years can do!


2. Did you always know that you wanted to be a writer?

To be honest, I didn’t. I went from wanting to be a paleontologist to a comic-book artist to a military officer to a construction engineer. But no matter where I seemed to roam, the writing stayed with me.


3. What is your favourite genre to read? To write? And why?

My favorite genres to read are suspense, horror, and urban fantasy, but I don’t usually turn my nose up at swords and sorcerers a la Tolkien. Reading should be an escape, not a chore or something that reminds you of real life. If I just suffered through a whole day of “wow, that sucks,” how am I supposed to escape it by reading about the exact same thing I’m trying to get away from?

But to write? I think I’ve found my home in erotic romance. It lets me explore ALL the sides of my personality to their best advantage, and weave together stories that are uniquely my own without sacrificing the qualities that I feel make my writing what it is.


4. Who is your favourite author? Fave book? And why?

There are so many wonderful authors out there, and I’m finding new talent to get excited about daily. But Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files are my all-time favorites. Think Sam Spade meets Merlin with a healthy pop-culture IQ, and you’ve got Harry Dresden. I’ve always loved noir detective stories, urban fantasy, and heroes with an oversized snark gland (not to be confused with the size of their “other” gland, which as a general rule I really don’t care about), and Jim Butcher weaves these elements together to give the best of all worlds.


5. How do you get your ideas?

My ideas come literally from everywhere. I may see something as inconsequential as a guy leaning up against a bus-stop sign and build an entire story just out of what he’s doing there, where he’s going, and where he’s been. For my paranormal story lines, I have to do a little research; writing angels, banshees, and vampires isn’t as simple as just grafting wings, fangs, or a loud voice onto a character!


6. In your opinion what is the hardest part of the writing process?

*Laughs* That’s the waiting. Waiting to hear back on the query letter, getting the contract, waiting for the edits, waiting for release day, waiting for the monthly statement, waiting for the royalty and advance checks. Waiting, waiting, waiting! And I can tell you from experience that the waiting NEVER gets easier.


7. In your opinion what is the best part of the writing process?

My favorite is actually when the story’s done and out on the “shelves.” When a reader writes a four or five-star review, e-mails or drops a comment to tell me how much they like my work, or tells me that they’re mad at me because the next installment of a series isn’t ready yet, there just isn’t any feeling in the world like it. Those are the moments when I don’t think I’ve written something good, or hope I’ve written something good. At those moments, I KNOW I’ve written something good!


8. Are you a planner or a panster?

I’m generally more of a pantser, depending on the story. I get a general idea and some high points I’d like to hit, and let the writing take care of itself. For some of my longer works, I’ve been a complete plot Nazi, snarling at my characters und brandishing ze outline. “At ZISS time you VILL be here doink ZISS! FOCUS!!” But I learned that I can plan the joy right out of my writing doing that, so I try to avoid it unless I absolutely have to.


9. Do you prefer to concentrate on one story, or juggle a few?

EM: I already know the answer to this one : P How the heck do you manage to juggle projects? *Is envious*

Heh. It’s not easy; I often get a good way into a project and then another one runs up and starts behaving like a stripper with the mental capacity of a three-year-old: teasing, seducing, and if that doesn’t work, throwing a temper tantrum and holding its breath until I finally cave and start writing it. When that happens, I either push it to the side or let it take center stage, write the hell out of it, and then go back to the other seven novels, novellas, and shorts on my list.


10. Tell us about one of the most favourable scene you have written.

My favorite scene to date is from “Angels Would Fall.” Moradiel, the Soulbearer, is talking to his lover, Ariel, about his feelings for her and explaining the consequences. He tells her that because of what they’ve done, he stands to be cast out of Heaven. Then he tells her:

“It is no tragedy, love. For this, for you, I will forsake Heaven and shed no tear for what I have left behind.”

This may sound incredibly egotistical, but I still get a lump in my throat when I read that line.


11. Out of all the characters you have created, who is your favourite and why?

My favorite character to date is still Markus Latimore, from Shadowphoenix: Requiem. He’s powerful but very conflicted and confused, which makes him vulnerable. In that respect, he’s probably the most “human” character I’ve created yet, never mind that he’s a vampire who can use magick.


12. If you could meet any fictional character, who would you meet and why?

I don’t even know where to start on this one. Harry Dresden, consummate badass wizard? Mark Latimore, vampire magician with a code of honor that he seems to break every time he blinks? A succubus, darkly seductive and capable of making all my fantasies come true? I could talk for a week about all of them and why I’d love, and hate, to run across any of them!

EM: *makes not to save the discussion for another time* : P

13. Do you find smex scenes or fight scenes harder to write? And why?

To be honest, they’re really about the same for me, and for much the same reasons. Either one is challenging, because you have to watch out for impossible simultaneous actions, that wound that Character A inflicted on Character B’s arm suddenly showing up on B’s chest, too many hands, feet, *insert body part here* flopping around. Of course, the emotional context is different (usually), but for me to write either, I have to be in a frame of mind that favors the action I’m trying to portray.


14. Do you prefer romance as a main course, or a side dish?

Romance in the real world is hard to sustain. People get bored with each other, the real world gets in the way, everyone’s running in three directions at once, and you realize that the person you love has horrific morning breath, kipes your cigarette when you’re half done, and generally has habits that would have been a complete deal-breaker if you’d known about them at the outset. Romance is what keeps a relationship fresh, but I view it as being kind of like your favorite dessert: If you had it all the time, whenever you wanted it, not only would you weigh half a ton, but if you didn’t get bored with it, it would probably wind up killing you. Romance takes the realities of a relationship and makes you look at WHY you’re willing to put up with all the things that your partner does that drive you crazy!


EM: Since you have a new shiny release coming out . . .

15. What inspired you to write about Angels?

To be honest, I started writing about angels because I wanted to consider them from a different, erotic angle (and I wanted to write something just a little taboo, into the bargain). I was shocked when “Angels Would Fall” was picked up, and then I found that the idea of angels as romantic objects was not only not new…but there were people out there doing it even better than I do! I did have one reader tell me that she’s read a lot of angel stories, but none featuring an angel of death, so in that respect, at least, I succeeded. “Angels Would Fall” has spawned one short sequel, a genre-length novel (more on this in a minute), and a work in progress final novel!


16. Do you believe they exist?

As it happens, I do. They may not be exactly as mythology and art portray them, but I’ve seen some amazing things in my life that I honestly cannot explain any other way. So, until an answer that better fits the facts comes along, I’m going with, yes, there are angels among us. And if you look hard enough with an open mind, you can see them at work.

EM: I believe they do. Some strange stuff has gone down in my life.

Are you working on anything at the moment?

Oh, yes. I have a story in the works for Astraea Press for Halloween entitled “Trick…Or Treat?”, an erotic menage fantasy comedy entitled Once A Knight’s Enough, an erotic romance about the Sea God falling in love with a mortal called Aquus, a dark erotic tale about a succubus assassin called “Sinner,” and three other works in submission right now with various agents and houses. This, in addition to my day job which is also writing-oriented, means that I spend about 16-18 hours at the computer on an average day!

Do you have any current release?

Yes! Angels Cry, the third installment of the “Angels Would Fall” series, is set to come out on September 12th. I’m really excited about this one, because it’s the first full-length romance novel I’ve ever written, and as such, I’m very, very proud of it. I hope y’all enjoy it!

EM: Gosh that cover is sexy! *drools*

Blurb:

Moradiel, the Soulbearer, and his human consort, Ariel, are barely managing to stay ahead of the wrath of the Angel of Death. Azrael is growing more impatient by the moment; he wants Moradiel punished and Ariel dead once and for all, and is not particular about how it comes about. Moradiel’s fellow angels will offer him only limited aid, if they don’t try to kill him outright. In desperation, the fugitives seek refuge in the last place in Creation any sane being would look for an angel: Sin City. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Maddened by Moradiel’s defection from the heavenly Host, Azrael isn’t sane. When he arrives in Sin City to exact vengeance on Moradiel, he leaves Moradiel with a chilling warning: He intends to use Ariel for his own twisted pleasure before consigning her soul to Infernos.

Now, an unlikely band of humans and angels must come together to reunite Ariel’s body and soul. But even darker news awaits them: Because Ariel did not die at the ordained time, Moradiel has started the entire universe on an inexorable countdown to oblivion.

A countdown that began with the first breath Ariel ever drew on Earth. . . .

Purchase link: Forthcoming from www.nobleromance.com


Any upcoming releases?

A couple, actually! In October, I have my novella for the November Noble Authors’ Blog Tour, Timeless Desire: Ancient Magic coming out. It’s scheduled for October 24th, but that may change. And, on November 28th, I have Dancing On Flames, my first M/M erotica novella, scheduled for release from Noble. These blurbs are unedited, so they may differ slightly from the final cover copy. Keep watching my blog for updates!

Blurb:


Timeless Desire: Ancient Magic

More than two decades have passed since the Hodans invaded the peaceful kingdom of Jurav. In their zeal for conquest, the Hodans have mercilessly rent the Juravian national character asunder, starting with the temples of the very gods the Juravians worshipped.

Varath was raised from a young age by his uncle to one day assume his father’s mantle: that of the command warden of the Temple of Noradi, the most beloved goddess of the Juravian pantheon and the deity of heart, hearth, and the fires which burn in both.

Melody would have been the High Priestess to Noradi, and her own family has groomed her with equal care against the day when the Hodan hordes would be expelled and she could assume her rightful place as the most powerful figure in the entire nation . . . and as Varath’s bride.

When Varath departed to serve in the Hodan army, Melody saw an unconscionable betrayal of their blood and their birthright. Now Varath has returned to take his father’s place as the sole guardian of a temple where no one dares enter, and he has made overtures to claim the other half of his bequest: Melody herself. But can Melody see past the deceptions and lies that rebellion forces and learn to love the man who seems to have turned his back on his own people?


Dancing On Flames

In the aftermath of a raid on a band of child slavers, Russell and Ion of the Chosen of Fenrir find themselves baring their hearts and souls—and their bodies—to one another. In doing so, they violate one of their Clan’s most sacred laws: Look not to your own kind for love.

Now, one will lay his life on the line on the Path of the Flame Dance, where the Mother Earth will judge whether the love they have is worthy—or a betrayal of their own blood. The other must watch as his lover walks the fire, or perishes in the attempt. Stand or fall, the two warriors will never be the same. . . .

Purchase link: Forthcoming from www.nobleromance.com

Where can readers find you on the internet?

I maintain a blog at http://www.jswayne.wordpress.com/

And a website at www.wix.com/jswaynesite/herebemonsters.

You can also find me on Twitter (@jswayne702), Facebook (Author.JSWayne), and at www.nobleromance.com/authors/155

Any advice you would like to give aspiring writers?

First off, delete the word “aspiring” from your vocabulary, along with any variations of same. If you did the work and finished the poem/story/novel, you’re a writer. You’re not aspiring to shit; you want to be published and paid for your work. You’re going to have to work hard, and make no mistake, you’ll EARN every dime you make from your writing. But if you’re strong enough, you have good people backing you, and you’re willing to put in the time to promote yourself and keep the work coming, you’ll quickly find that you’ve achieved something that very few people will ever manage. And when you do, you’ll have earned the right to be proud of what you’ve done.

EM: Thank you so much for joining me today! It's been great hanging out with you : )

Thank YOU, Elizabeth. And a huge thank-you to the readers, who let me hang out with y’all today. It’s been a lot of fun!