Here’s an author interview with Anna Ellis. Take it away, Anna…
How did you start writing erotica?
Back in 2013, I wrote a book called Coming Home. (I also write women’s fiction and chick lit under the name Holly Kerr) I included several sex scenes, one between the main character Brenna, and the love interest. After it was finished and published, a few months later, I was looking at it again and reread that scene. It really didn’t fit in with the story! It wasn’t that it was gratuitous, but it was too steamy for the genre. So that got me thinking… I had an idea for a story but I wasn’t sure how to write it for women’s fiction. But I thought I could make it work as erotica. And my Husbands and Wives series was born!!
In case you’re curious about the sex scene in Coming Home, I’ve recently republished it, with quite a few changes. I rewrote the scene for the new edition, and while it’s not G rated, it’s not quite as R as it was!
What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?
That’s like asking me which of my children is my favourite!!
But if I had to answer, I’d say The Wives, which is the third of the Husbands and Wives series. It was just so much fun to write. The first book is always horribly scary to get out there, and there’s so much pressure with the second, but The Wives just rolled along for me. Plus, I had a scene with 4 women, and a MMF threesome, so there were lots of new things for me to learn!
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My latest series, Adults Only, was actually inspired by reading articles about a nudist resort and a man who enjoyed travelling around to visit women, usually someone’s wife. Of course I changed things quite a bit! But usually I have the what if moment, if that makes sense. What if this or that happened, and I go from there.
Do you have any unusual writing rituals?
Not really. I spend most of my writing time at my desk with tea and music, usually alone, especially when I’m writing the sexy bits!
Where’s your favourite place to write?
My desk is in my living room, right by the window, so it gets really cold in the winter. I need a little heater by my feet. It’s good that there’s lots of light, but bad because the window overlooks the sidewalk and I’m very nosy about who is walking by! I wrote series about neighbours, so I’m pretty curious about mine!
Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?
Morena, from my latest novel, Shared Accommodations, is my new favourite. She owns a B&B in Nova Scotia that caters to the swinging crowd. She’s older and sexy and has quite the history!!
Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
Everyone knows and they’ve all been supportive, but their reactions have been different. My father refuses to speak of my books, sort of like I write the genre that must not be named, but he’s really proud of me. My mother thinks it’s fascinating, but is afraid to ask how I came to know so much about sex!
My kids are another story. They know I write ‘adult’ books, but they’re only now getting to an age where they’re wondering what makes them so ‘adult.’ It’s a conversation I’m not really looking forward to having!
What was your ideal career when you were a child?
I think I wanted to be a truck driver at one point. That and an Olympic hurdler.
How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
Earlier this year, I would have said I was always in the mood to write, but after going through a nasty bout of writer’s block, that’s no longer true. These days, I like to plan what I’m going to write that day. I go through it in my head, which usually happens when I’m in the shower, or lying awake in bed. Then I sit down on my computer with my tea and put on a playlist. Certain songs are helpful to write certain scenes!
What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?
Read a lot. And so I do.
If you get writer’s block, how do you get around it?
Like I said, I had writer’s block earlier this year, mainly because I was a bit burnt out. So I took a break. Instead of writing, I would created characters and bios for them and think about writing, but not pressure myself with coming up with anything. It wasn’t fun, but I got through it,
If you could bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be and why?
Lorde, from Shared Accommodations. I’d like to see if he’s really as sexy is he is in my mind!
Which author, erotic or otherwise would you love to meet and why?
I’d like to meet someone like Colleen Hoover or Alice Clayton or Sarah J. Maas. They’re well-known, but not huge. I’d like to pick their brains about how they did it.
What’s your favourite genre within erotica and why?
I like swingers!!
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on the second book in my Adults Only series, Room Service. I’m multi-tasking because I’m also trying to finish the third book in my Office Plays series, which I should have finished a long time ago. But they go together because there are characters from Office Plays which show up in the new series. I’m just trying to keep the storylines straight.
What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve ever taken on? Did you succeed?
I write under a pen name as well, so it’s like I’ve got two writing careers going on. I have my Anna books to write and market, and my Holly books. It keeps me busy. Am I succeeding? I like to hope so!
What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?
For me, it’s the fact that I took my dream and decided to do something about it. I call myself an author and that is just the coolest thing for me. Plus, knowing I have people out there who read my books, and like them. It’s still such a thrill for me.
But as far as achievements go, looking back in the last four years, I’ve published 17 novels, 5 collections of short stories as well as 2 short stories. And that’s only under Anna Ellis. I think that’s a pretty big achievement and one I’m really proud of.
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Blurb for Husbands and Wives series
Do you have naughty neighbours?
Happily married couple Jacey and Dominic had no idea they were moving into a neighbourhood where sharing is caring and wives swap husbands more often than a cup of sugar.
They had no idea living in the suburbs would be so exciting.
The Husbands and Wives series follows Jacey and Dominic as they learn to navigate the slippery sidewalks of swinging suburban sex-apades.
Being a good neighbour has never been so much fun!
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Blurb for Touch
What happens when you meet the man of your dreams…and his wife?
Kenna has spent the last two years since her divorce alone, focusing on her writing and not giving the lack of romance in her life much thought. She hasn’t missed the touch of others until she meets Iliya.
Iliya is beautiful, vivacious and confident and Kenna is drawn to her immediately. When she meets Iliya’s husband, Kenna is torn. Iliya and Del are warm and friendly and welcome Kenna into their life, but Kenna is guilty about the feelings she develops for the couple, feelings that are more than friendship. Feeling for Del…and for Iliya.
Kenna doesn’t know what to do about the attraction she feels for Del and Iliya…until Iliya confesses she feels the same way. So does Del.
Iliya tells Kenna they aren’t like other married couples and they want to include Kenna in their life.
Is this what Kenna wants? Can she handle the touch of others?
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Blurb for Office Plays series
NSFW – This office isn’t only for working.
Office Plays introduces some of the sexiest and excitable employees ever. Coffee breaks, long lunches and after hours fun – these ladies have seen and done it all.
There’s lots of gossip buzzing around in the office. Abby is shocked when her past fling takes a new position at the company and her guilt makes her more attentive to her husband. Sadie finds herself in over her head with Alma and her husband, playing games she never imagined. Michael has always thought himself happy with his girlfriend, but spending more time with Callie has changed things. And Callie – once the queen of office hookups – finds her feelings for Michael are ruining playtime.
You spend at least eight hours at the office – why not do whatever you can to enjoy it?
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Blurb from Shared Accommodations, first book in Adults Only series
Adults Only
“Nestled on the shores of the Bay of Fundy in picturesque Nova Scotia, Mrs. Robinson’s Bed and Breakfast is the perfect spot to relax, to be refreshed and to reflect on the adventure of life.”
“I usually end up getting excited when I reflect on our adventures,” Jacey, Shared Accommodations.
Jacey and Dominic are back!
The happily married couple at the centre of the swinging series, Husbands and Wives are back in the first book of this new series from Anna Ellis, Adults Only.
In Shared Accommodations, Jacey and Dominic leave their naughty neighbours at home when they visit Mrs. Robinson’s B & B for the weekend. They meet Morena, aka Mrs. Robinson, a sexy fiftysomething who counts Tia as part of her past and is always ready for some excitement in rural Nova Scotia. And Michael Lorde, her hot handyman with a love story of his own.
Are you ready to head out with Jacey and Dom for an Adults Only weekend?
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Anna Ellis likes to writes about happily married couples having sex with other happily married couples. There’s no werewolves or vampires, shapeshifters or tentacles involved – just good, old-fashioned sex. And maybe a little tying up. Or a spanking or two.
In her Husbands and Wives series, follow new neighbours Jacey and Dominic as they learn to navigate the slippery sidewalks of suburban swinger lifestyle. Being a good neighbour has never been so much fun!
Her Office Plays series take you to the workplace to meet the most excitable group of office employees you would ever want to work with. They give coffee breaks a new meaning. Look for the third and final book in the series, Love After Hours, coming soon.
The Touch series is an unconventional love story about a woman who falls in love with a man…and his wife. All nine books are available now.
And her latest series, Adults Only brings back favourite characters from her earlier books. In Shared Accommodations, catch up with those sexy swingers Jacey and Dominic as they visit Mrs. Robinson’s B & B for a weekend of fun!
website https://annaellisauthor.wordpress.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AnnaEllisauthor
Twitter https://twitter.com/hollykerrauthor
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Ellis/e/B00FF6AV8U/
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GIVEAWAY!
Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here.