04 October 2007

Thirteen Things about S. J. Willing




Thirteen Things about S. J. Willing

1 - Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your life?
Ties! A man can't have enough ties, especially the goofy funny ones. Who can resist a Pepe-Le-Pew Love at First Scent tie. I mean, you have to look snappy, so look cool and have a good laugh at the same time. As for the rest of me, think Sean Connery, James Bond, sophisticated, intelligent, confident. That's not me, that's the me I'd like to be J. I'm the quiet sort of guy that reminds you of your favorite teddy bear. But hey, who gets the most cuddles, Hmm?

2 - When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
Around six or seven years old. Had my first poem published in the local paper at seven and it was all a slippery slope downhill from there. Seriously started writing SF at around twenty-four and had several published shorts in British Small Press. Went on Hiatus for several reasons until I met this crazy bunch of writers in America, even went so far as to move here and marry one (did I tell you I was crazy too?) I restarted writing big time over here in America. My main success came about because one lass I met through email claimed no man could write an erotica that women would read because guys didn't understand what women want. Hence Cyberius III was written, NCP requested a full manuscript after reading a chapter of it on the Romance Junkies pages and it subsequently won the eCataromance best first ebook romance award for 2005. Not too bad for a guy who can't write erotica

3 - How would you describe the genre in which you do most of your writing?
I'm a SF Fantasy kind of guy though nowadays fantasy and paranormal are pretty well overlapped in some areas. I don't normally write erotica/romance, not in the extent of planning the stories to turn out that way, but there is always some form of romance/relationship going on in my stories. Why? Because it's life. People generally like to be in some kind of relationship so why should my characters be any different. Poor Valencius, my rather anomalous virginal vampire, gets stuck between three women who are chasing him down. I mean, choices, choices, who should he really go for? And should he care if their fathers want to kill him? Hmmm.

4 - What are the challenges of writing paranormal romance?
Keeping it logical. Making sure that the hero/heroine isn't too powerful that they go beyond the realm of normal, there has to be human characteristics to enable the reader to identify with the characters otherwise it's just a fantasy way too far above their heads, and being consistent too. Having a hero that can read minds but doesn't do it in a life threatening situation because it's considered extremely unethical is cool. But please, if he turns around and reads the heroines mind during a sex scene so that he knows how to "blow her mind" it just seems far too illogical. Why would one way be unethical and the other not?

5 - Star Wars or Star Trek?
LOL, why not both?

6 - Who would you say has influenced you the most?
You might as well ask why does water flow downhill? Everything is influential, from my wife to the many authors I've read and pinning down the most influential is like trying to catch a butterfly with chopsticks. If you want romance wise it would have to be my late wife who still occupies a major chunk of my heart and memories. Author wise there are almost too many to name. E.E. Doc Smith, Asimov, Pratchett, Jennifer Crusie, Nora Roberts, S.J. Willing (Hey! That's my name!) To name just a few.

7 - What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

So far to date, besides actually finishing a book, is the eCataromance 2005 award for best first ebook romance for Cyberius III. This was a real surprise to me since it all happened while I had a three month stint in the hospital, Yay! Go Cyberius III. Personally I think Poseidon VII is a lot better, it's longer and has a lot more meat in the story but alas you can only win the first ebook category once…

8 - Once the deadlines are all met and the manuscript is delivered, what do you do to relax and give yourself a break?
Relax? Are you crazy? There's bookmarks to sign, postcards to post, email lists to email list! There's no time, no time, no timeeeeeeee….. Of course it is permissible to go out, have a nice meal in a fancy restaurant and talk about how good you know your novel is.

9 - What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write. It's hard to write, writing isn't an easy "let's sit by and just do it for a hobby". Writing is like having a second job and it requires you to actually sit down and do something. If you're having trouble finishing one thing because it doesn't sound good to you, don't read it. Just write until it's finished and then read back and correct. The important thing is to get that 50-60k of words down, once you've achieved that you can do the important editing. Secondly, find good beta readers, then listen to them. Your baby may look perfect to you but to outside readers, and especially publishers, it will be full of fatal flaws. Take the beatings from your beta's, it’s a lot better than a thousand rejections from publishers.

10 - What is your latest book about?
My latest release, Poseidon VII, is the second in a vast space opera set in the Universe of the PIACT undercover agent series. Anis Anamer, the heroine, is president of a huge colony that orbits a super gas giant in a far and distant galaxy (cue Star Trek music.) The problem is, that particular gas giant produces a gas that scientists recently discovered can be used to make one of the most deadliest weapons known to future man. So of course the bad guys wanna take it over. Simple, huh? Not so simple. Add in a little family betrayal, a sexy got to die for bodyguard who isn't want he looks like he is. Then a nice steamy bath scene, a few battles, assassination attempts, more steamy sex scenes, robot slaughter, secret romances, more betrayals, even more steamy sex scenes, oh and did I mention a steamy sex scene or two. And voila, you have Anis and Simon, her to die for bodyguard that isn't, saving the colony, the day and everything except her virginity. From my totally unbiased opinion it’s a damn good read.

11 - What will your next book be about?
Which one? Currently working on seven books but the ones nearest completion are: Huw's the Hero. A totally crazy fantasy comedy featuring Huw, a pigkeeper's boy who's trying very hard not to become a hero in spite of the events fate is taking him through. Valencius Covers his Tracks, my 84 year old virgin vampire who is slightly different. He takes his sustenance not from drinking blood but by kissing, and to his embarrassment women tend to orgasm when he does kiss them. (and believe it or not it is not an erotica lol.) And of course Dante I, the third in the PIACT undercover agent series. This time our intrepid agent is sent to help an impulsive, fiery tempered Yumi Rebyj. Yumi's colony was handed to the bad guys on a platter seven years ago and since then they've had nothing but hardship and suffering. As leader of the colony and the secret head of the underground resistance group she's decided enough is enough and her people are going to rebel. Unfortunately the stakes are raised when, just at the time of rebellion, a surprise find in the molten lava flows that make up Dante I's surface draws the leader of the Bad guys to the planet, and with him reinforcements that make Yumi's army seem like rabbit droppings. But events have been started and the battle for freedom begins. Will Tomas Vacino's help and the support of PIACT be enough to swing the balance of battle, or will Dante I become just another lifeless rock in the legacy of lifeless rocks left by the marauding Separatists?

12 - What are the goals you are still working toward?
Being rich, famous and having a one night stand with six gorgeous women in a four poster bed—not necessarily in that order. (Actually I lied about the six women part, it would probably kill me)

13 - If you got a chance to go to the moon would you take it?

Paint me silly with a smile on my face. Who wouldn't. Just think, sitting out there under an awning in a lounger, laptop and martini tube in hand and writing about the real thing. Goshdarnit. But hey, only if I can take my favorite stuffed giraffe along, (yes I know, I'm weird, I love stuffed giraffes.)

Learn more about S. J. Willing and the worlds he creates at his website.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)




31 comments:

Country Dawn said...

Huw sounds hilarious! :)

sjwilling said...

Hey, you know, this person looks kinda familiar.... :)

The giraffe collection stems from my long hours playing an online game called Final Fantasy. The Dhalmel, a mix between a giraffe and a camel, was one of the easiest things to kill and loot to make in-game money.

When I was in hospital 2005-2006, I'd just come out of an intensive care meltdown where I'd nearly died (so they told me), my wife had gone out and found a Valentine giraffe just for me.

It's always here by my pc making sure I remember the really important things in life.

Still miss the old lady, damn shame she died so young.

S.J.

sjwilling said...

I like Huw. It needs work but I think it's really over the top humor that's fun.

The Princess joins Huw's little party early on when Huw accidently saves her from a dragon, and she's very excited when they come across a patch of Conim Plants that can't stop telling jokes. I mean everyone knows that Princesses like Silly Conim Plants.

(If you say it quickly you get the joke :) )

S.J.

Sara Thacker said...

Great TT. I like the interview style.

Hootin Anni said...

Great!! I love these kinds of lists---it's always interesting and never boring!!

Mine's posted, won't you drop by? I'd love for you to come visit with me.

Carolan Ivey said...

[[think Sean Connery, James Bond, sophisticated, intelligent, confident. That's not me,]]

Aw, darlin', don't sell yourself short.

Ladies, he's got a great smile, and though surrounded by a "harem" of women here on the BTV, he's always the perfect gentleman.

Well, almost always. We won't talk about the little incident with Lori Foster at a recent conference. [ducking and running]

Rhonda Helms said...

HAH--what a great interview. I love people who have a good sense of humor!!

sjwilling said...

Poor Lori. How was I to know she didn't like public sex, uhm, reading, uhm, reading sex that is, from like uhm, hers. yes.

Oh boy, let me go bury myself somewhere...

Oh and Hootin, I went to your blog and for the life of me couldn't figure where to leave a comment.

Sowwy

S.J.

Debbie Mumford said...

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Savannah Chase said...

nice, you can never read enough interviews....you always find out something new....great list

Bethanne said...

'Huw' why is that familiar?! I just read that somewhere... Mmm. Darn it... *thinking* Do I know you? LOL Grrr.

So, love the advice on number 9. See Impulsive Hearts dot wordpress dot com...

Good idea for a TT. An interview. I might have to steal it.

'Huw'
'Huw'
I'm gonna think of it!

Bethanne said...

Are you published at Cobblestone?

Anonymous said...

Great interview. I chuckled all the way through!


And, aww... thanks for the plug, Morgan!

sjwilling said...

Not published at cobblestone alas, Huw has been around for about nine years now and I've been posting several bits of it as teasers. Usually under the name S.J. Hundak.

I have a feeling we've bumped on the internet before.

:)

S.J.

Bethanne said...

Probably... I'll wave next time.
:D thanks.

sjwilling said...

Yep. Your name has a very definate ring to it. So I'm pretty sure we've bumped. So many cyberwaves, so many surfers. LOL so hard to remember them all

S.J.

sjwilling said...

Thanks Kaige, :) Carolan can vouch that I'm not much different in person.

I seem to remember this one particular discussion we had regarding fonts recommended for erotic writers - was that after two or three glasses of wine Carolan?


:)

S.J

sjwilling said...

Bottles *sshhh* that's a trade secret

:)

S.J.

Carolan Ivey said...

Oh heck, I don't know. You were the one pouring...

sjwilling said...

And you expected me to count! You know I failed grade one Maths.

2+2 =1

Yeah that's right.

S.J.

Gina Ardito aka Katherine Brandon said...

What a fun interview!

sjwilling said...

It was a very fun interview to do, Thank you!

S.J.

Tara S Nichols said...

Great interview list!!

Bethanne said...

I found it...and I'm a bit embarrassed. The current book I'm reading, which has taken me WAY TOO LONG to get through has a character named Huw. :D When I finally sat down to read, I was actually lucky enough to read one of the seer/history/italicsed sections that contained his part. Scotland is the setting there.

Now it won't bother me anymore. sorry, I wish I could claim I'd read something of yours.

Have a nice weekend.

sjwilling said...

LOL no problem Morgan, who knows one day you might find you've read a ficlet, a double d.3 report or any of my numerous bits and pieces that's scattered over the net and you'll be able to say you've read S.J.Willing.

And everyone standing around you will say "Who?"

LOL

S.J.

Jenna Leigh said...

Nah, one fine day people will wise up and read SJ Willing and and say not 'who?' but Huw. *grins*
Loved the interview, it's always great to read about someone crazier than me.

sjwilling said...

You're crazy too Jenna?

Cool you know we need to get together at a Con and really liven the place up.

Mwahahahaha

S.J.

Jenna Leigh said...

I'd love to we'd scare the crap outta them! BWAHAHAHHA! But not for a while. Five words for ya:

Teen Mean's high school graduation.

Wait, a few more. Credit cards melting, bills pouring in, hubby squealing like a little boy. Hmm. I need to win the lotto. Must remember to buy a ticket.

sjwilling said...

Hey, I'm in no hurry. The more famous we are the less likely they'll throw us out of the hotel

:)

S.J.

Anonymous said...

SEVEN BOOKS???

This was some of the best advice for writers I've read at T13. I have a feeling I'd like your paranormal books...emphasis on being logical is important.

sjwilling said...

Yes, has to be logical, consistant, and you don't change your hero's (or heroine's) abilities just to get them out of a tight spot.

To me it is just awful if the hero suddenly finds he can fly, for example, when he and none of his kind have even done so.

But, if some of his kind have had the ability, and he didn't think he had. If he finds he can fly after being pushed off a cliff, that would fit.

S.J.