Author: Amelia June

by: Tammie King

Date: 1/4/2008

Hello Amelia,

The girls of Night Owl Romance are pleased that you have granted us an interview

We would love to get to know you.

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

I'm an upstart erotic fiction writer newly published with eXtasy Books and Phaze.  I've been writing erotica since before I was legally allowed, but I've been writing with an eye toward publication for the last two years.  I live in the desert southwest with a gaggle of male creatures, human and otherwise. 

What’s your favorite genre to read?

I've discovered it is folly to box one's self into a genre.  The moment I think "I don't read X genre," I find something I really love in that very genre.  I read a historical romance I loved this year, despite not generally enjoying them.  So I try to look for books with good, compelling characters who I don't want to let go.  That can cross genre from fantasy to romance to scifi to horror.  I will say that I prefer genre fiction to "literary fiction," though I'll read pretty much anything given the opportunity.

What do you do on a typical writing day?

Laundry?  Okay, besides that, when I'm focusing on writing I generally sit down at my desk and proceed to avoid writing for a good half hour or so, then I write.  Nothing truly glamorous, just me and the keyboard.  Occasionally I get together with friends and we all write together which is good for motivation.  But in the end, it is just me and a keyboard and I get it done somehow.  I do enjoy a hot mug of tea and some chocolate covered soy beans nearby!

Please tell us what you have planned next?

This year I don't have much pending for release, so I hope to write a LOT in the upcoming months.  I'm going to be doing a lot of submitting (manuscripts, naughty naughty) and querying and I hope to have a lot of news for the last half of the year and beyond!

Who is your perfect hero?  And why?

I really like what they are calling the "omega" hero these days.  He's not controlling and demanding, but he is fiercely loyal and protective.  He's not all bluster and bad ass, but he has a strong spirit.  My ideal hero is one that respects and appreciates a woman's strength and intelligence, who doesn't take her for granted or assume he is stronger, more capable, etc.  He loves her for exactly who she is--if she's plus sized, for example, he doesn't love her "despite" that, but because of it.  In short, he's a great partner and friend as well as a sexy, loyal man.  Of course, nice abs and pretty eyes never hurt, either.

What kind of research do you do for your books? Do you enjoy the research process?

Well since I write erotica, I have the privilege of reading a lot of erotic novels and stories as research!  Other than that, I love research because it gives me the opportunity to learn something new.  I even went on location once, driving around Berkeley college for a feel of the campus.  Plus I only write books that really interest me (even if they don't interest anyone else, LOL), so research is always fun.

Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?

Help, definitely.  That's why I get my best writing done during National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org).  If nothing else, it is a false deadline that I have to stick to if I want that winner's certificate! 

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I usually work from a general outline, but those sneaky characters always get up to mischief when I'm not looking.  I love it when things happen that I don't expect, though--that is the magic of writing.

Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder you?

I do, and they are a huge help for my process.  I tend to get blinded to typos and other mis-written sentences.  Also, I prefer not to write in a vacuum--sometimes the best parts of my books come from ideas my friends had (The Bell Curve was titled by a friend, for example!)

How can readers find out more about you and your books?

I have a website with a blog where I chatter on about all my works and works in progress as well as anything else you want to know (and stuff you didn't!).

http://www.ameliajune.net

You can find my published works at http://www.extasybooks.com and http://www.phaze.com

Thank you for this opportunity!

Interviewed by Tammie King

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