C.J.Ellisson-An Interview with the Author
The Reading Cafe would like to introduce the author of the Vampire Vacation series-C.J.Ellisson
TRC: Hi C.J. and welcome to The Reading Café. It is a pleasure to get to know the person behind the stories we love to read.
C.J: Thanks for having me here today! I’m looking forward to meeting your readers.
TRC: Please tell us something about yourself.
C.J: I’m a full time writer, living the dream. Some days that dream seems everything you could hope for, and other days you’re typing like mad to stay above water! I live in northern Virginia with my husband, two kids, two dogs, two lizards, and a fluffy black cat.
LINK TO WEBSITE: C.J.Ellisson
TRC: What have been some of the difficulties you’ve experienced as a writer?
C.J: Hmm… Being accepted by writing guilds as a professional would have to be at the top of the list. The guilds here, like Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and the ScienceFiction Fantasy Writers of America, treat me like I’m some redheaded stepchild.
It’s incredibly frustrating to have sold over fifty thousand professionally edited books and yet not get accepted because my publishing house is small and therefore not accredited status as “real” in their eyes. Guilds who are supposed to be designed to help writers and increase their knowledge base shut out anyone who doesn’t jump through their exact hoops.
TRC: With the rise in ‘erotic’ fiction and the popularity of books like Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James and Bared to You by Sylvia Day, how would you compare the level of eroticism in your V.V Inn series to those found in other novels?
C.J: Interesting question! I haven’t read either book yet, but do plan on reading Sylvia’s at the end of this month. I can say, based on reader feedback from people who have read both of those novels and my own, that FSOG might have a lot of sex scenes, but the average consensus was that the scenes were not really all that erotic when compared to other erotic works they’d read. These same readers went on to say Sylvia’s book was very similar to FSOG but so much better written it was in a class by itself.
I can say that my sex scenes are closer to what a reader would find in erotic romance or erotica. It’s not simply the level of detail, but the intent with which they are written. The scenes are designed to enflame and entice the reader, encouraging them to lose themselves in the fantasy of the scene. Whereas in some books, the sex scenes are taking up space, mine develop the characters and occasionally relay clues.
TRC: Vivian/Alexandria is a superbly powerful ancient vampire but a woman who knows what she wants—yet she is deeply in love with the one man (Rafe) who could literally break her heart if something were to happen. Do you consider Vivian’s love for Rafe a flaw or does it somehow make her more human in a supernatural world?
C.J: I would say Rafe is her biggest weakness. Like a lot of women in love, their lover is a blind spot for them. Most strong women would do anything to protect someone they love. Combine that with a powerful vampire close to the edge of killing and you have a very loose cannon.
TRC: BIG GAME was your latest release in the V.V Inn series. Would you please tell us about the premise?
C.J: This book is split between two locations, Alaska and Argentina, and our main characters are divided between the two locations as well. We’ve got simultaneous story arcs going on—lots of werewolves hunting for big game during the spring and summer months and Vivian and Rafe heading to the Tribunal to find out who is plotting against her and why.
TRC: JUST ONE TASTE was a short story about Dria and Rafe’s reunion after several years. The upcoming novel (The Seduction of Death) will feature the ‘back story’ to their first meeting and eventual mating. Do you have a working title? Would you please tell us about the premise?
C.J: Originally I’d planned to release this as book four in the series, with fans understanding it would be a prequel novel. But after much thought, I realized I wanted several prequel novellas detailing a lot of my characters’ pasts.
I put readers to an online vote and they voiced their opinion on what book should be next in the series. After reading Big Game the vote went strongly toward the fourth book continuing the existing storyline and not being the prequel novel I’d planned. Others still wanted to know about Vivian’s past and how she became a vampire, what made Rafe into the man he is today, and lastly, how did the two meet?
Book Four in the series is tentatively scheduled for release next winter, and will be called Blood Legacy. The promised prequel stories will be published in three parts as The Seduction of Death, parts I, II, and III. The plan is to take the reader back in time to the mid-fifteenth century for Vivian’s painful tale, then Nazi war-torn Germany for Rafe’s, and the last one will take place in 1945 after the war.
TRC: You are releasing two novellas in 2012 including one about Jonathan. Would you please tell us about them? Do you have the release dates available?
C.J: The first one about Jon, called Death’s Servant, has been pushed back. The hope is it will be out in September. This is another prequel story and will delve into how the young werewolf came to serve Vivian.
The second novella is a co-authoring project with my best friend Boone Brux. She’s got a series she’s working on based in Anchorage, Alaska, called Grim Reality. Her main character is a grim reaper and we intend to bring her to the V V Inn to help solve a little problem our sexy innkeepers have. This one is scheduled for October and will be called Death Times Two.
TRC: I understand you have a series of middle-grade novels that you have written. Under what pen name do you write? What is the latest release in your middle grade series of novels?
C.J: Wow! You did your homework, I’m impressed! My middle-grade book has not released yet. I’ve got it plotted and started, but the paying gigs (vampire and erotica related works) have been taking up most of my writing time right now. It will be released under the pen name C.J. Stern (my maiden name) and the star two characters are named after my kids, Addison and Jack.
It’s a paranormal/fantasy series involving fairies, magic, beast masters, and the ability to see auras. The working title is Black is for Lies. The amount of projects I have in the works has stressed one very important thing—I need to learn to write faster!!
TRC: With the advent of the e-reader and e-books, minors (under 16) have easier access to storylines written exclusively for adults. What is your opinion regarding the younger readers and the ease of availability to erotic novels and stories?
C.J: I find it disturbing that parents aren’t monitoring what their kids purchase. Especially if it is on the parent’s account! All of my published books are listed as containing mature content and are not shown to underage buyers who are logged on to an account that is listed as belonging to a minor.
But, if I’m going to be honest, I read Wifey and Forever at the age of twelve. Both were very racy reads for their time and yet, I didn’t become promiscuous or behave in risky sexual practices when I grew up. I think children who are becoming teenagers will be curious. The romance novels I read back then weren’t at the same heat level as the ones available now, but they also had a lot of scenes of rape and forced marriages in them, too.
It’s interesting that E.L. James was quoted as saying she hopes her children never read Fifty Shades of Grey. Isn’t that sad? I don’t feel that way about my own work. I haven’t written anything I’m ashamed of. I’d like my kids to be 18 and I will diligently do my job as a parent to ensure neither of them reads any of my adult work before then, but if I had to choose between them satiating their curiosity by watching porn, having sex, or reading erotica and erotic romance, I’d choose reading any day of the week!
TRC: Many authors like to bounce ideas between other authors and family. With whom do you bounce ideas and why?
C.J: First and foremost, my husband. I don’t write specifically for a female audience. I’d like to think a well-written book with erotic elements would appeal to both men and women. The hard fact is more women buy books then men and most men will read a book if their partner recommends it.
Pete has an awesome time plotting with me—he likes to brag to anyone who will listen that he’s my muse. Sometimes when I plot he just nods his head, but other times he gives valuable input and helps to direct the story. He’s suggested elements to weave into the story arch in V.V and reads most everything before I publish it.
When I need a writer with a good head and excellent story sense, I call Boone Brux. She and I chat several times a week about everything under the sun. We’re a big help to each other in working out plot issues, coming up with ideas, and acting as sounding boards for each other.
TRC: On what are you currently working?
C.J: Ahh…. Right now I’m working on a novel very near and dear to me. I know the basic premise for FSOG. It doesn’t appeal to me on many levels—twenty-two year old virgin, twenty-eight year old billionaire with a tragic past and a penchant for being a dom? And then when he ties her up and hurts her she enjoys it? No thanks. A man hits me when he’s angry and he’ll be lucky to live through the night.
I’m a strong woman who knows what the hell she wants in life. I can’t relate to the people in that book because they aren’t real to me. Sure, there are people who have suffered abuse like Christian Gray has, but do they exist in my life bearing whips? No.
I wanted to write an erotic story that had appeal to me. Something that seemed more real. I think every healthy long-term relationship should play with different roles and see what fits. I don’t think tying someone up and inflicting pain out of anger and jealousy is what bondage is all about.
My current work, Vanilla Dom, will tell the tale of one woman’s sexual awakening, and one man’s journey as he discovers what he truly wants. I think their journey will be relatable to many readers, and I sincerely hope it is well received.
TRC: Would you like to add anything else?
C.J: Thanks for having me here today! I appreciate your unique questions, they really made me think.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food – Pasta with meat sauce or steak and mashed potatoes, can’t decide.
Favorite Dessert – Cheesecake
Favorite TV Show – Supernatural.
Favorite Movie – No clue. I rarely watch movies twice.
Last Movie you saw – Brave. I really liked it.
Dark or Milk Chocolate – Dark!
Do you have any pets? – yes, too many!
TRC: C.J., we would like to thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best and are looking forward to your next V.V Inn book.
VAMPIRE VACATION
LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Paper Book
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook and Paper book
KOBO
THE HUNT
LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Book
B&N NOOK and Paper Book
BIG GAME
LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Book
B&N Nook and Paper Book
