Author in the Spotlight - Lynn Lorenz

Today I'm going to have fun because I get to interview one of my favourite new authors, Lynn Lorenz. I was introduced to Lynn when I read her first erotic historical The Mercenary's Tale in her series In the Company of Men and I fell in love .... with her skill as a writer. Since then, she has written another book in the series, Jackson's Pride and I believe that #3, Baymore's Heir is on the horizon and is expected to be released later this year. Lynn has an impressive array of books to her credit including her paranormal Common Powers series and even a regular M/M contemporary story, It Takes a Hero. All of these books are reviewed on the blog.

She has a terrific sense of humour as you can see from the "author" photo which she sent me - the one of a little Lynn touching we don't know what on the statue.

Lynn just received the tremendous news that Soul Bonds, the first book in the Common Powers series is coming out in paperback in March from Loose ID and will be available on amazon.com. Fans of this book will be able to pick up their own paperback copy very soon! Congratulations Lynn. ( I can hear her going "Yeehaw!" and doing a crazy dance. :DDD)

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Hi Lynn and thank you for agreeing to be interviewed on the blog.

Yeehaw, Wave. I'm so thrilled to be here. It's a real honor and a treat. I hope you'll be gentle with me.

Why don't we start with you telling the readers something about Lynn Lorenz that very few people know?

Wow, that's hard, but I'll take a shot. My secret, guilty pleasure is watching COPS. I love it. That theme song starts, my head starts bobbin', my adrenaline starts pumpin' and next thing you know, I'm whoot-whootin' the guys in uniform, trying to guess who's gonna get a beat down. I even talk to the tv. "Don't run, fool, you'll just make him mad!" and "Taze Him!" It's lame, I know it, but I just love a man in uniform, especially if he has a semi-automatic nestled in a leather holster. *sigh*

What can you tell us about Lynn Lorenz that you think will make readers sit up and take notice?

As I mentioned to you before, I believe I was a Bourbon Street stripper in another life. "Risky Lamour" was my stage name. I think my act involved balloons and darts, because I'm terrified of both of those. Working on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, there isn't much Risky hasn't seen, for sure, cher. Nowadays, in this life, I'm just Lynn. Oh, I've had my share of adventures in and out of the Quarter, but lately, I'm settled down and boring.

What is it about writing that fascinates you?

I love telling stories even before I started writing for profit. I love to tell stories about things that I've done, seen, encountered. For me, even a trip to the grocery store can become a wonderful story - filled with the characters I've seen, their conversations, and the situations people get into. But now that I'm writing again, they're coming out - all those stories. There are still characters, situations, and conversations, but I get to make them up, get them to do what I say (they're snickering behind me) and they have hot man sex while I watch. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it.

What do you think is your most important accomplishment as a writer?

I'm sure everyone says "Just getting published." Man, that was so cool. Freakin' awesome. I woke up in the middle of the night, ran to the computer and checked for my book. What a rush! But, other than that? I'd say getting fan mail and knowing that someone liked my book enough to write to me and tell me, and it's even better when that person is another writer. It's humbling.

Of all your books, which is your personal favorite and why?

The one I'm working on now? Actually, two. But, of my published stuff, it would have to be the first one, The Mercenary's Tale. I love that one, love the first person voice of Drake, loved his struggles in finding himself, losing his heart, having it ripped out of him and then falling all over again. To me, his ability to love again, his knowledge when he sees Logan and knows he'll be lost to this man, is so tender and heartwarming. I just love it.

How many books have you published and which is your biggest seller?

Total, I've published seven books in 2008. All of them, except one, with Loose Id. The other one is a witch/werewolf short story I did for Halloween, over at Liquid Silver Books, called Second Moon. Sorry, it's m/f, but still hot, and with a touch of humor. My last book for LI, Warriors At Heart, had some m/m in it, but is predominately a m/f vampire romance. My biggest seller so far is the Common Powers series, Soul Bonds, followed by Rush In The Dark. Everyone seemed to really love those, although I received higher marks on reviews for In The Company of Men series. So, fans loved C.P and reviewers loved I.T.C.M. I'm just thrilled anybody loved any of my books.

95% of authors will say "editing" when asked what they hate most about writing. What do you love most about writing? Is it as fun as you thought it would be? On a scale of 1 - 10 how much fun is it?

I love the writing. Telling the story and getting it down on paper. And actually, I love the editing. I'm anal about it. I love going over it until I find just the perfect word, or phrase, or rhythm of the sentence. I go through about 3-5 edit passes, actually, checking for everything from repeated words to misplaced punctuation. I know, it's crazy, but my editors seem to love it. (I was probably an editor in another previous life).

As for the rating scale, it's about a nine for me, once I've finished. While I'm writing, editing, agonizing over every word, that's not so much fun. But it's the final product. When I read it all the way through for the last edit before I turn it in, and I'm satisfied with it (as much as I can be at that point) that's such a rush. Makes me really happy and smiley. (okay, I'll admit it. I edited this interview, too. But just once.)

Fans today seem to want to know a lot more about their favourite authors than in the past, especially with the advent of the Internet. How do you feel about this trend?

I think fans have always wanted to know more about their favorite authors, but they've never had the ability to reach them as easily as we do now with the Internet. I would have loved to send email to some of my favs back in the day, but I had no idea where to even send a snail mail letter. That info wasn't on the book jackets back then. Now, everyone has a website. Personally, I love getting letters from fans, writing to them and answering questions about my writing. It's something that a lot of print authors never experienced until recently. The Internet community is so wide spread, so open, and willing to share. Maybe it's because it's so anonymous, I'm not sure. But it really brings the readers closer to you, and that's a good thing. Of course, I'm saying that cuz I haven't got a stalker or anything. I'm sure if I did, it'd be different and I'd be railing against people who want too much of us. I think if you're in the public eye, some of that is to be expected.


I read in another interview that you actively promote your writing and have joined a number of gay romance loops. How does this work, and which ones are the most effective for you and your books?

I think that any author, no matter what they write should find loops and interest groups that match their writing. It's a great place to share, learn and meet other authors, readers, and soon-to-be authors. And the gay romance loops are no different than any other loop. They just have MUCH better photos. *sigh* When you find a loop that you're interested in, sign up, get out on it, see what's being discussed, lurk at little, then dive in. Find the loops that accept promos and excerpts and FOLLOW THE RULES. Be nice. Remember what your mama taught you about keeping your mouth shut if you don't have anything nice to say and always say "thank you."

Although it's hard to judge what is paying off for you in the promotion world, what I do is check my website hits after I do a promo, chat, or excerpt day. Usually, I see a real rise in hits (my webhost has stats with graphs for that) and I can then make an assumption that some of those may lead to a few sales. If my sales are up that month, especially for what I've promo'ed, then maybe that worked. Other than that, it's a crap shoot, but either way, getting your name and your books out there is the whole point of it.

You have written a number of sub genres but the common thread is that your books are Male/Male romances. Is there a particular reason that you write about men in love with each other, including some pretty explicit sex in the books?

Even in my books that aren't m/m, my male characters seem to generate a lot of heat together. In Warriors, the two men, Ivan the vampire, and Nic the slayer, have such hot tension between them. Ivan is bi, but is with a woman, and Nic is devoutly straight, and still the air between them sparks. In my book coming out from Amber Quill, The Avalon Patrol, the two male protagonists have a lot of suppressed emotions running between them.

In both books, I could have easily gone in the direction of m/m, but chose not to tell the story that way. I wrote both those stories before I wrote my first all m/m book. Strong male characters come easy for me (no pun intended) and it's the females that I struggle with. Go figure. As for the hot sex, I just love that stuff and I try to make my scenes not only hot, but sweet and sexy and tender. That's part of the hot. Seeing in your mind those two completely male hard powerful bodies as they buck against each other, jockeying for dominance, and yet see the tenderness of a touch, or a kiss, closed eyes and a soft gasp. That's hot.

You have been writing for about 3 years but your first book that was published, The Mercenary's Tale, was not released until a year ago. This story really moved me and I have been a fan since I read it the first time. How did you come up with the idea for this story which is classified as an erotic historical?

I love that period of time. When men were men...they lived and died by the sword, life was cruel and hard, pleasure taken when found. To place two men there, in those circumstances, and then have them hiding their desire, succumb to it, fall in love and fight for their HEA? I just loved that. I'm so glad you liked it, Wave, and you've been so gracious to even have my cover on your website and list it as one of your favorites. Thanks, chiclet! It moved me too. I cried when I wrote the battlefield scene and was bummed for days afterward. So, to know others were moved by it really touches me deeply.

When do you expect the next book in the series, Baymore's Heir, to be released? Can you give the fans an idea of what the story is about?

I'm currently writing it and I hope it'll be out during the summer, but that won't be decided until it's done, sent in and accepted. Jackson and Will's story takes up a few years later. Jackson decides he should have an heir and the only way he knows is to find a wife, marry and have a son. He asks Will to help him find the perfect wife. Will has sworn to do whatever will make Jackson happy, even at the risk of his own heart. Their love will be tested, hearts broken, lovers tempted, and in the end, I promise, a HEA.

The Mercenary's Tale and Jackson's Pride are part of a series called In the Company of Men. Have you decided how many stories will be in the series before you wrap it up?

Well, I have another story planned that will bring all the men together to fight against the evil duke in The Mercenary's Tale. In Baymore's Heir, I'll be introducing a new character, so there may be a story with him, or he may be in the one with all four men, I haven't decided. He'll probably insist on his own story, if I read him right. He's witty, charming and has completely sworn off love. Sex, no, love yes. So, does that answer your question? Not really, I know, and I'm sorry, but sometimes I can't control these guys.

Your other series which is paranormal (but doesn't include shape shifting) :) is Common Powers. Both Soul Bonds and Rush in the Dark are reviewed on the blog and I love these books. What new adventures are coming up for Common Powers?

Yes, this series is very different from most of the paranormal stuff that's out there. I thought "What if an ordinary guy had some small power?" Most of the guys people write are almost "super heroes" and I wanted to write about regular guys, with regular problems, but they have just a touch of "power" in them. To show how they'd deal with it, use it, or not use it, hide it, and that their power didn't shape who they were or what they did, but only be a facet of their personalities.

The third book, Edward, Unconditionally, is tentatively coming out in April. It will feature Edward Paul Beauregard, III, from Atlanta. He's got the power to heal with the touch of his hands and in this book, Edward has some lessons to learn about having and using power and he'll have to decide what he will and won't accept from life and love, and the power of complete acceptance. Edward falls hard for Jack Whittaker, the chief of police of Spring Lake, Texas, where Rush and Brian live. I'm hoping my readers will love Edward and root for him and Jack. And, I have to tell you, Sammi and Mitchell make several appearances in the book.

You recently wrote a paranormal hetero romance - Warriors at Heart after writing exclusively M/M romances since you were first published. How difficult was it to switch sexes in this new book? What can you tell us about the story?

Actually, I wrote this story about two years ago, it was one of my first completed novels. It's a tale of vampire politics and intrigue, throw in one kick-ass virgin, a jaded vampire, an unhappy vampire newbie, a muscle bound vampire slayer and one enchanted wise-ass lizard. And although it's predominately m/f, there are several scenes with m/m. Ivan is bisexual, and has had male and female lovers. It just happens he falls in love with a woman. I hope my readers will give it a chance, because it's a fun book, and I loved each of the characters. Especially the lizard. He's a smart ass. I think he was me in a previous life. It's not your usual vampire book - my vamps don't have super-human strength, or powers, they're just damned souls, people who have taken the hand life has dealt them and done what they have with it, searching to find some small happiness in their never-ending existence.

Having written one hetero book have you given any thought to writing a menage since they are so popular today? If so, do you have a "menage"story written that you want to talk about?

I've written several menage scenes in my books - There is one in both the Company of Men books, and one in Rush (with all four guys), but in each I'm very careful and considerate of each of the men's feelings - not betraying their beloved by having sex with someone else- getting around that and still having three people in the room, participating, was a challenge and fun. And I hope, for the readers, it was very sexy and hot.

That being said, I'm not a big fan of menage books at all. I know a lot of people will fuss about that, but for me, it seems sort of anti-human nature, and unless it's taking place in some sci/fi or fantasy/paranormal world, I just don't buy it. To me, it's so against our natures to share. If it wasn't, every kid wouldn't have to be taught to share. And face it, some of us never learn. Sharing partners, or being able to love two people at the same time? I'm not sure I can suspend disbelief on that one, and I know I'd have a hell of a hard time doing it with my partner. I can see having menage sex, to stretch boundaries and for the erotic value, but it just doesn't hold my interest for an entire book. *shrug*

You recently signed with AmberQuill Press which must have been a thrill for you since this is an "invitation only" publisher. How great was that? I believe you're writing a book called David's Dilemma for AQP. What can you tell us about the story

Yes, it was a thrill. I had to write back and ask, "Are you sure you want me?" and "If you don't mind, why me?" LOL. It's an honor to have anyone contact you and say, "we love your writing and would you write something for us." Wow. I was blown away. And yes, I wrote David's Dilemma, coming out in May, for them. David Delaney takes in his father, who has onset Alzheimer's disease and the story is about finding Mr Right at the absolute wrong time. David's father is not supportive about David's sexual preferences and as his father slides deeper into the disease, robbing him of his memories and his personality, David turns to Detective Travis Hart for friendship. For both men, each struggling with the turmoil in their lives, friendship is more important to them than sex. The book follows their relationship as it grows and as David's father's disease worsens, leading them all to a place they thought they'd never find themselves.

Can you talk about what's coming up in the next 3 - 6 months in terms of stories?

Well, April is C.P.3: Edward, Unconditionally from Loose Id; May is David's Dilemma and July is The Avalon Patrol, both from Amber Quill, and I've also signed and completed a novella set during World War II, called Pacific Nights, for L.I. Right now, there's no pub date on that one yet. So, that's four, and I hope to have Baymore's Heir out by the end of summer and I'm working on another novella, a sweet gay romance. Check out my website at www.lynnlorenz.com, it's up to date, and it'll have my dates as soon as I get them.

You're very new to the writing game, having been published for only a year, but you have amassed quite a backlist and fan base during that time. To what do you attribute this success?

Of the stories published last year, only two were written previous to that year, The Mercenary's Tale and Warriors At Heart. All the rest were written last year. I work on multiple manuscripts at a time, and I write fast. I usually do about a chapter (10 pages) a day, when I'm in the writing zone, and at least 2 chapters a day on the weekends. That explains the backlist, but as for the fan base? I have no idea. I hope my love of my characters and their stories come through in my writing and that readers see that and like it. And I'm not so sure I have such a huge fan base. Can you call four critique partners and my two editors a "base"? I can't really even count my husband, cuz he doesn't buy my books. He just has me read the smutty parts to him. But, someone out there is buying my books, and I'm so happy, grateful and stunned that they are.

Other than telling aspiring writers to "write every day" and "write what you know and love" which seems to be the usual advice, are there some specific tips you can offer that you think will help them achieve a small measure of your success?

Get out there and chat. Talk to everyone. Ask authors you like about their stuff and when you find a story you like, really look at it, see what the author does, how he/she uses words, phrases, and creates plots and conflict. I can't say enough about conflict. Every scene should have conflict, and you should be crystal clear about your character's motivations, internal and external, and their goals. Figure out what they want or need and take it away. Write flawed characters and redeem them, save them, fight with them, make them fall in love, feel their emotions, get inside their heads and reveal their deepest hurts, insecurities, wildest dreams and hopes, give them someone worthy of them to fight for, to fight against, and to win over, and keep it all moving, racing, and dragging the reader breathlessly to the end.


Lynn Lorenz Unplugged

Now we come to the part of the interview that I like to call "Unplugged" which is where I ask you questions that may be related to your writing (or not). *g*

Unplugged? That's okay, I have a drawerful of batteries for just such an emergency. Okay. Deep breath. Exhale slowly, I'm ready. Just intimidated by all the great interviewees that have come before me, for sure.

First of all, what is a nice girl from Texas doing writing hot manlove books? Was this what you set out to do in terms of genre?

Who said I was a nice girl? Take that back! I'm from New Orleans, Louisiana, originally, but I got to Texas as soon as I could. Yeehaw! Well, I would read all these other books, detectives, sci/fi, fantasy, and I kept thinking, man...man...and no one of the men was having sex, not even with women. So, my husband said, "Write what you want to read." So I did. I started writing about two men having hot manlove. He wasn't shocked, just shook his head at me. Then he asked me to read some of it to him. He's very straight, you see. So, if what I wrote about two guys getting it on turned him on, I figured, hey, maybe I'm on to something here. But, even in my books, there is less manlove than in some other books and I frequently wonder if I have enough. I know, Wave, can there ever be enough?

Do you come up with your plots in bed with your SO, or reading other stories, or fantasizing about what you would like? (Tell the truth) *g*

The plots, no. They come from everywhere. In Soul Bonds, I wrote about the sex slave trade which is a big problem here in Houston, so it was the news. The sex...well, let's just say that my husband is very open and willing to experiment. In fact, if it were up to him, we'd spend most of our time experimenting. I work out my plots in my head, as I do each scene, running it over and over, changing dialogue, descriptions, and then when it's right, I sit down and spill it on the page.

That's how I can sit down in a couple of hours and write a chapter. I've actually been writing it in my mind for days, until it's ready. I used to do that with my art - paint the picture, each brush stroke, the compositions and colors, until it was so firmly in my head that I just let it flow out from my brush onto the canvas. Writing is the same for me. But, I love watching porn. Yeah, it turns me on and gives me a visual picture of what the bodies would look like in certain positions, the beauty and power of the male form juxtaposed against another male form. So, I'm visual, cuz I'm an artist.

Have you ever thought of writing a M/M/M menage? (Personally that's the only menage I like to read and I think it's the hottest thing ever, if done right. Imagine all those hot bods in bed and you get to tell them what to do.) *g*

I have. In Mercenary's Tale, there are two menage scenes, one with a woman and one with a man as the third partner. In Jackson's Pride, there is a menage scene with Will, Hugh and the young man Jon and altho Will doesn't have sex with them, he's in control of them and fully participates in his own way that allows him to remain true to Jackson.

The imagining of the bodies isn't the hard part, it's all the body parts and multiple "he" and "his" to keep straight. A good menage scene (m/m/m) is a bitch to write, by the way. They have to be very clear about who is doing what to whom and your POV is extremely important. Head-hopping can really add to the confusion of all those bodies and then no one's getting off, least of all the reader, if they're left wondering who just came all over who's belly.

Some writers have told me that they love creamy desserts but not for eating - for spreading. Can you relate and if so, which dessert would you use for spreading?

I'm not into dessert. I'm a salt person. I crave and love salt, in all its glorious forms, whether licking it off the rim of the margarita glass or off the end of a...pickle. Hey, Wave, what did you think I was gong to say? *wave whispers* No, Wave. Well yeah, I do like that, but I'm not going to say it in print. After all, someone said I was a good girl. Now, maybe I need to write a scene where the lovers are using limes and lemons to wet their skin, coating it in coarse salt and then licking it off while slammin' back shots? That's more to my taste.

Since you write about sex, what one scene do you find most difficult to write and why?

For me, there hasn't been a sex scene that's been difficult. For me, I have to say the scenes where I kill off a character. Those are hard. Both as a writer writing, and emotionally. I'm not talking about killing off a few of the bad guys, I'm talking about killing off a character that you love, or that you've gotten the reader invested in. It's tricky, but since my name used to be Risky Lamour, I take chances. So far, I've been able to pull it off without too many people screaming for my head on a platter. But, it's also a fact of the time period I was writing in. In life, people, even good people, die and life comes with a price sometimes.

Does your SO read your books and if so, does he want to act out some of the hot scenes in the books? :DDD

I think I embarrassed him enough in the previous answers. Since my husband is straight, acting out hot manlove wouldn't work for him. For me? I like to watch, so having some good porn pays off. Well, as for having a menage, like I said, I don't like to share. My insecurities would kill me. I'd be crushed if my partner spent all his time enjoying someone else more than me, or...just my personal nightmare...forgot I was even there. God, that would be just too much, wouldn't it? I need to write that in my next book, do a spoof on the menage stuff. It might work at that. LOL!

Tell us one fun thing about Lynn that has nothing to do with your books or writing

I do accents. I have this ear for the way people talk from all over, especially the south, and N'awlins, catching just that right drawl or inflection, or the way a phrase is turned. I guess I just love telling stories.

I would like to thank Lynn Lorenz for spending some time with us on the blog today despite her very busy schedule. Lynn became one of my very favourite writers since I first read The Mercenary's Tale. I don't know how many times I cried as I read this book which was so moving it ended up in my Top 10 Books for 2008.

I'm looking forward to all of her new releases and can't wait for Baymore's Heir, the next book in her series In the Company of Men. Lynn, you rock, you COPS fanatic. *I really wonder about her-- Risky Lamour?*

She likes porn??? Who knew that our little Risky Lamour liked the down and dirty raunchy stuff?? She also mentioned using lines and lemons and salt on hot bodies and licking it off while slamming back shots. She should read Mexican Heat. *g*

I'm looking forward to Lynn's menage spoof because, as everyone knows, I love menages. :)

Thank you for having me, Wave. You're the best!

And that's a wrap!

Lynn Lorenz's Contact Information

Write to her at lynnlorenz@live.com OR
Visit her website at www.lynnlorenz.com