Interview with Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Today we are talking to Charlotte Boyett-Compo. We would like to say a big thank you to Charlotte for taking time our of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for us.

I believe most women have a fantasy of having more than one man make love to her at the same time. Many want only two men: one to hold her while the other does deliciously wicked things to her. I’ve spoken to many women whose fantasy it is to have one man holding her head, gazing down at her, while four hold her arms and legs, and the sixth makes slow love to her. I simply took the fantasies of these women and turned it into the storyline for The Windsday Club.

What is the secret to finding a balance between your family and your writing?

You have to make time and balance that time among all the things you both need to do and must do in a day’s time. If the only time you can write is after the kids go to bed or before everyone gets up in the morning, you will find yourself making sure those moments are set aside for you. I’m lucky in that my children are grown and I have a very understanding husband who knows dinner might be late if I’m on a roll and who cheerfully takes the task upon himself to accomplish. You MUST have an understanding family and one that is supportive if you ever hope to make a go of your writing.  Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, they each must be willing to forego some of your time in order for you to achieve your dream. Without that, you’re just floundering up a creek without a paddle. The secret is in finding a way for YOU to make THEM understand how important your writing is to you.

Where do you look when you need inspiration?

In the melody of a song, a poignant picture, a catchy phrase, a painting, a heart-grabbing scene from a motion picture. A writer has to leave himself open for any and everything to come  tumbling in. You just have to learn how to filter out that which isn’t important and let the good stuff sink in. I’ve been extremely lucky in being able to pull stories out of just about every life  experience I’ve undergone.  In one way or another, the experience fashions the stories I tell.

If you could be one of your characters for a day who would it be and why?

I’d love to be Kamerone Cree, the Prime Reaper from BloodWind and DarkWind.  He is the ultimate in sexy aliens but he is also a man with whom to reckon.  He doesn’t take anything off anyone and for the most part is the orchestrator of his destiny. He’s godawfully goodlooking, sensual and has a very wicked sense of humor. Of all my male characters, he’s my favorite.

Do you ever find yourself dragging your family and friends into your  stories? And, if so, do they recognize themselves?

My husband is in every love scene I write. Both of my sons have shown up in different stories and even my wicked ex-daughter-in-law has made an appearance (I took great delight in killing her off in a very horrid way :). Some of the stories utilize old friends and most of the time they recognize themselves. I’ve had a few who THOUGHT they were a certain character when they weren’t. I never let them know the truth because it seems to make them happy to be what they perceive themselves to be. Why ruin their illusion?

What can we expect from you in the near future?

I will continue to write erotica for Ellora’s Cave for as long as they will have my work. Right now, I have ten contracts with them with four books already released. I am also finishing up EvilWind, the third in the Kamerone Cree Reaper series for Hard Shell Word Factory. I also have another book: In the Arms of the Wind that will be going to Hard Shell. There are many new books planned and I’m hoping to have a few books with Cerridwen Press, Ellora’s Cave mainstream imprint.  As long as readers enjoy my work, I’ll keep writing.

What is the strangest thing a fan has said or done to get your attention?

I was in a casino with a friend when a lady rushed up saying: “It’s you! It’s you!” She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me, telling me how much she liked my writing. I was a bit embarrassed even though I was so proud I know my head was swelling along with my heart. I felt bad for my friend, who is also an author. I sensed she didn’t like me being singled out like that.

I was searching around your website and notice all the awards you have won for your various books and series.  Is there anything special you do to celebrate your awards?

Every time one of my books gets a reward, I say a prayer of thanksgiving to the little muse who sits on my shoulder. He guides me and without his help, I’d probably be suffering from the mythical writer’s block. He keeps me on track and knows when not to let me go off on too wild a tangent. After I sign each new contract, my husband and I celebrate with a glass of bubbly. Those are milestones for both of us since without his help and support, I’d never have been able to get up the courage to have had the first book published. He’s been behind me every step of the way and goes to every book signing with me, sitting right there beside me. We jokingly refer to him as my carnival barker.

When you start a new book which comes first the characters or the plot?

Always the plot. The characters have all been chosen long ago and are sitting in their little boxes waiting for me to find the right plot for them. As soon as the idea for the story comes along, I look in the box and take out the characters I feel are right for that particular story. Sometimes, my muse…his name is Sean, btw…has other ideas for the characters and things can get a bit harried. Nothing ever ends up the way I had it planned.

Is there a downside to your success?

I haven’t reached a point where there is a downside. I’ve been incredibly lucky in that when I do a booksigning, I sell on average 30 books so that’s not  bad for an author whose work is primarily in electronic format. I’ve never had anyone attack me via the web though many of my author friends have. I’ve had one or two very negative reviews out of nearly 400 and those reviews seemed to be more aimed at me personally than at my work so I don’t consider them true reviews. One book in particular…Longing’s Levant…got a 1 from a German review website yet the epitome of reviewing Romantic Times Booklovers magazine…gave it four and one-half stars. The German website has trashed two of my books so far and even picked my story out of an anthology to give a bad review. What THAT tells me is that it’s a personal issue and has nothing whatsoever to do with either talent or the story. That doesn’t bother me. It’s like water off a duck’s back. Reviews are purely subjective to begin with but when a ‘reviewer’ plays the personal dislike card, it only makes them look catty.

What do you think is your greatest achievement in writing?

Being chosen e-author of the year and having one of my novels chosen as e-book of the year. Those are two of my favorite awards I’ve won.

How long did it take you to get your first book published?

Two years.

What is your advice to people who are just beginning to write?

Make it plain to everyone around you that this isn’t a hobby for you. This isn’t something to while away the hours in between loads of wash and taking out the trash.  This isn’t a little ‘thing’ that you’ll grow out of. If you are serious about your writing, you have to be willing…and able…to stand up and push aside all the negative remarks and comments you are going to get from your family and friends. Don’t let those who can’t write dictate to you that you shouldn’t write. This is a tough business and it requires a great deal of patience. If you don’t have patience and the wherewithal to stand up to the naysayers, you’ll never get anywhere in publishing. You have to grow a very tough skin and buy flame-retardant underwear because you are going to need both!

Thank you again.