Welcome to my blog tour stop of the Second Chances Anthology brought to you by Bottom Drawer Publications.
Kathy: Ms. Lorenz, welcome to Book Reviews & More by Kathy and thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to answer a few nosy probing questions for us!
I always have to begin by asking what motivated you to become a writer? How long have you been writing, and was it a long process to become a published author?
Ms. Lorenz: First off, I’d like to say thanks for asking me to be a part of your blog!
Up until three years ago, I hadn’t written anything creatively since college, but was inspired after becoming involved in the world of fanfiction. I remember thinking of a story that I’d wanted to read and combed through the existing works for something similar. Finding nothing, I thought, “Hey, why not just write it yourself?” It took a few months, but finally (and very nervously), I posted the story and was surprised by the positive response it received. Looking back, I think it’s pretty obvious that it was my first work – formatting was a mess, and I clearly had no restraint – I threw everything but the kitchen sink in there! I’ve since edited and reposted, but it was an amazing learning experience.
Since then, my writing has grown by leaps and bounds, and a lot of that growth has come from the editing process. I’ve been writing short stories pretty steadily for the last three years and when I heard about the open submissions to the Second Chances anthology, I jumped at the opportunity to submit something, and was ecstatic when it was accepted!
Kathy: What type of books do you like to read? Favorite authors? Comfort reads?
Ms. Lorenz: I’m a pretty avid reader, and would say that my tastes vary widely. I love Margaret Atwood, and one of my favorite novels is The Blind Assassin. In it, she uses gorgeous language to weave together a science fiction story within a story about relationships – her work is phenomenal. I also really enjoy authors that explore cultural diversity with strong female characters, like Amy Tan, which is a little ironic since I personally prefer writing from a male point of view.
For comfort reads, I love fanfiction. There’s some truly incredible work out there if you find reliable rec lists. Also, I love revisiting my favorite guilty pleasures, like Twilight or True Blood.
Kathy: How much impact do your choices as a reader have on your writing career?
Ms. Lorenz: I’d say they’ve had a huge impact, especially since I’ve fallen headfirst into the M/M romance genre. I have a pretty clear idea of what I enjoy as a reader, and am definitely influenced by my personal tastes. For example, I like to read detailed sex scenes (yes, I’m a proud perv!) so that’s what I write.
Kathy: What is a typical day for author C.C. Lorenz? Are you a plotter or a pantster? On average, how long does it take you to write a book?
Ms. Lorenz: Could I call myself a plantster? I give the characters a lot of leeway when I write, but always start with an outline, even if it’s only in my head at first. I also like to have both short and long term goals when I sit down to write. Often, I find myself mentally chanting things like, “just make it to the sex scene!” I don’t write linearly, either. If I find myself stuck on something, I’ll start working on a different scene where the words are flowing a little better – usually the aforementioned sex scene – and then fill in the missing spaces later on.
Notice to Appear took around two months to write and edit. I tend to get lost in editing, but the looming deadline I was up against worked to push me along. Usually, I can count on finishing about 5,000-10,000 words a month.
Kathy: I LOVE the term plantser :)!
Where do you get your inspiration for your characters and plots? Real life? Imagination? Or combination of the two?
Ms. Lorenz: It’s a definite combination of the two, but real life is a heavy influence. I’m lucky to have friends that do ridiculous things and like to tell me about all about them. For example, I have a good friend who loves to call me with story ideas, usually after he’s spent a debaucherous weekend with his partner in Palm Springs. Basically, one of his great “ideas” ended with one guy inserting himself into the proper spot during an orgy to have sex with the guy he’d had his eye on all weekend. I asked him when exactly the characters would fall in love and he responded, “Love? The happy ending is that he got to fuck the guy!”
Not all of his ideas are usable, LOL!
Kathy: LOL, are you sure you can’t create a story from his idea because I have to admit my imagination is working overtime with incredibly naughty scenarios!
Is there a genre you do not think you will ever write? Why? Is there a genre you haven’t written but would like to give a try?
Ms. Lorenz: Science fiction would be pretty difficult for me to write, much as I enjoy reading it. I pull so much of my stories from real life and it would be a huge challenge for me to completely suspend reality. I just don’t know if I’m creative enough to pull something like that off.
I’d like to try writing some hetero fic at some point, but I’m having too much fun in M/M romance right now to start just yet!
Kathy: Could you tell us a little about Notice to Appear?
Ms. Lorenz: Sure! It starts off in a courthouse where the main character Josh has to deal with a notice to appear he received for driving with an expired drivers license. While waiting for his turn to face the judge, he spots an old high school crush in the courtroom, looking gorgeous as ever. The story explores the concept, what if you ran into your old high school crush and they finally noticed you? Would the years that have passed make you a little more confident, or would you still be completely intimidated by them?
Kathy: What projects are you currently working on? What can readers look forward to from you in the upcoming year?
Ms. Lorenz: I’ve been tossing around some ideas for a new short story, and hopefully it’ll flow as quickly as Notice to Appear did! Also, I would love to write something novel length, but that’s still a little intimidating, so we’ll see about that.
Kathy: I have thoroughly enjoyed chatting with you today. Is there anything else you would like to share with us before you go?
Ms. Lorenz: I’d just like to say thank you so much for inviting me to chat with you today – it’s been a pleasure!
Kathy: Ms. Lorenz, congratulations on your new release and thank you so much for visiting with us today. Feel free to drop by anytime you happen to be in the neighborhood.
Title: Second Chances Anthology
Publisher: Bottom Drawer Publications
Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Erotic, Romance
Length: 70,000 words
Summary:
We all know what it’s like to lose out in love … but what if you get a second chance at happiness? Will you grab it, or run?
Non-Negotiable by T. D. Green
Jacob Kerns is due a promotion, but his ambitions are at risk when he learns his next contract will be handled by Alexander Corey, his ex. Jake tries to put personal feelings aside to do his job, but Alex won’t let him. Will they find love again or is the whole thing non-negotiable?
Heart of Glass by L. J. Harris
When Zack Doherty comes to Australia on a working holiday, he is uncharacteristically forward in pushing Heath Connors, a man he barely knows, for a date. Heath, who has only recently begun to live life his way, wonders if Zack will be the one to mend his heart of glass.
Better Together by DaNay Smith
Greyson Welles followed Dominic Nash to Baltimore for his dream job, putting his own on hold. Dominic can see that Greyson’s unhappy, but never expects him to turn down his proposal and return to New York. Will Greyson be gone forever or will he decide they’re better together?
Dirty Martini by Bette Browne
When Daniel Fletcher runs into his ex with the man he caught him in bed with, vodka seems like the answer. Nathan Smith is used to men drowning their sorrows at the bar he tends, so the connection he feels to one is unusual. Will a means to forget turn into something more?
Notice to Appear by C. C. Lorenz
Josh Campbell is handed a notice to appear in court for a traffic offence, but his humiliation is complete when he comes face to face with his schoolboy crush, Carter Sullivan, in the court room. Could this be the start of something with Carter now that age is not an issue.
Author Bios:
T. D. Green, the author of Fragile Bones, is as passionate about supporting the arts as she is about creating art. When she’s not wrangling words across the white space, she’s deeply immersed in painting. A proud Hoosier, T.D. currently resides in her beautiful home state of Indiana with her husband, three children, and a clutter of curiously devoted felines.
Website Link: http://tressgreen.blogspot.com.au/
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DaNay Smith lives in a small suburb in Michigan with her family. She began writing her stories when she left grade school, eventually trying her hand at poetry as well. She attended Roosevelt University, majoring in English, and concentrated in creative writing. It was at university that her love for male/male novels was born. The school’s history and values are deeply rooted in activism and the fight for civil rights. She learned to see the similarities between the struggles all minorities go through, especially the LGBT community where the fight has just begun. She wanted to write books that were about gay men, not just have them included as side characters or used as tokens like most types of pop culture. DaNay spends most of her days working in data entry but uses her free time to continue doing what she loves: writing.
Website Link: http://www.danaywrites.blogspot.com.au/
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L. J. Harris was born in Sydney, Australia and now lives in the nation’s capital with her husband and twin teenage sons. She has only discovered her passion for writing in the past three years. Shy by nature, she discovered that after her father fell ill, writing down whatever she felt not only helped her deal with the situation but express herself in a way she couldn’t before.
Working part-time afforded her the opportunity to explore her sudden drive to write, originally via fan fiction. With her husband’s encouragement, she penned a dream sequence around which her novel-in-progress is built.
She loves building the sexual tension between characters and developing interesting plots twists, as well as leaving readers wanting more.
Website Link: http://www.theworldofljharris.blogspot.com.au/
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Bette Browne is wife to an extremely understanding husband and mother to two very tolerant children. In her mind they are the most accepting family in the world, allowing her the freedom to indulge her passion for fiction, whether it is reading or writing it.
She enjoys traditional male/female romances, but male/male is her passion. In her mind nothing is more erotic than two (or more) beautiful men finding love together.
For Bette, the fight for tolerance in all its guises is an important one, and hopefully her contribution, even if it is only in the form of the occasional love story, is one she will continue to happily find the time for.
Website Link: http://bettebrowne.blogspot.com
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C. C. Lorenz grew up in Southern California and currently resides in Los Angeles where she works in the finance industry. Searching for a distraction from the daily stresses of her job, she stumbled upon the world of male/male romance and fell in love with the genre. Intrigued to explore the unique challenges of gay relationships, C. C. put pen to paper (figuratively) for the first time since her college days and began to write.
When not immersed in the world of M/M romance, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, drinking wine, and driving her husband crazy by acting like a teenager.
Facebook Link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/CC-Lorenz/127079980770976
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Further contact details for all our authors, including Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, blogs, etc., can be found on our website:
http://www.bottomdrawerpublications.net/authors
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Something about the publisher:
Bottom Drawer Publications is a new publishing house that specialises in romantic and erotic romance fiction across a range of genres, with both het and gay characters. Our genres include: Contemporary, Historical, Literary/Drama, Alternative Lifestyles, Paranormal/Sci-fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Thriller and Steampunk.
Our books are available for sale on our website as well as over 8 booksellers, including: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBookstore, All Romance, Rainbow eBooks, and a range of others. All reading devices are catered for with a comprehensive range of formats.
We are always on the lookout for fresh and interesting manuscripts within these genres, and from time to time will put out calls for anthology submissions.
Visit our website: http://www.bottomdrawerpublications.net for our new release information and our writing submission guidelines.
Here’s your chance to win 1 of 4 e-books or 1 of 10 50% discount vouchers to shop in Bottom Drawer Publications bookstore: