Good morning everyone. Today Coffee Time Romance has the pleasure of speaking to Vincent Diamond. Welcome Vincent, why not pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and allow us the opportunity to learn more about Vincent.
Cherokee: I had the opportunity to read Rough Cut and I must say the stories are indeed page-turners. I like the way you end each story with satisfying words that leave either a smile or one in awe.
Thank you! I’m pleased that you liked the book.
Why don’t you begin by telling your readers what your routine is like once you get out of the bed and begin your day?
Well, after lolling around in bed until noon with my twin houseboys—who look exactly like Paul Walker, ahem– I have them bring me breakfast in bed: French toast, sausage, coffee, English muffins, mimosas, and tomato juice. Then they give me a massage, and we take a leisurely bath. We do Yoga until three in the afternoon….
Nah, not really, but you knew that.
No, it’s pretty mundane: feed the cats, pee, start the coffee, feed the birds, grab the paper, drink said coffee on the porch, let the sunlight permeate my often-fogged brain. If it’s a barn day, get into breeches and boots, cut up the carrots, load up my saddle, and go horse around. If it’s not a barn day, shower, dress, ass-to-chair by 8:30 a.m. Kinda dull, huh?
Vincent, your believable stories leave such an impact on the reader. I know it is probably hard at times to choose one certain character or particular story that you like best of all, but if possible, who would you say is your favorite character? And which of the stories would you deem as your favorite?
Now, that is an excruciatingly difficult question to answer. Wow.
I’d have to say Steven and Conrad from the series that started with “Deep Trouble Undercover” are right up there on my favorites list. Because that story was my first fiction sale (to Best Gay Love Stories 2005), I am fond of it. And their story kept growing; the more I wrote, the more I realized what all they’d be going through as a couple, some of which I haven’t written yet: moving in together, getting through Conrad’s bout with meningitis, Steven’s split about his sexuality. I do have a novel about them outlined, just haven’t made the decision and commitment to write it.
Of the Rough Cut stories, right now, “Irish Cream” is my favorite, the last one in the book. I wrote it for the collection. I wanted to work with a distinct first-person voice and the memories of a man who has seen his world change. Plus, the racetrack is a weird little subculture going on, with all kinds of people and, therefore, all kinds of stories.
I can tell you place much care, passion and love in your stories. I like the fact you introduce animals into your storyline, too. Is it hard at times for you to put your complete self into your characters that you are composing?
No, because I’m pretty clinical about my characters. I mean, they’re not me. They may have aspects of their personality like me, such as being a total softie about horses or big cats or being afraid to swim in Any Water That Is Not A Chlorinated Pool, but they each have their own backstory which shapes them as individuals. I hope that comes across in the writing.
Your covers are quite tantalizing. Would you say that writing erotica is your best genre in which you prefer to write?
I don’t know about “best genre” but it’s definitely the genre I do well in. I’ve got just as many non-erotic stories completed and out on sub, but let’s face it: sex sells. I’ve sold two werewolf stories and a couple of non-genre/mainstream stories under another name but I routinely get rejections on my other work. The erotica? It usually sells to the first market I send it to. I think “Back in the Saddle” was the only one that really made the rounds before it sold to Clean Sheets. (It’s in their archives and “A Question of Taste” went up this year)
Are there any other works in progress you would like to share?
Right now, I’m doing probably 90% editing and only 10% writing. I freelance for various publishers: I’m a final line editor for Samhain, manage the Birthstones and High Balls lines for Torquere Press plus edit novels for them, and I take on private clients for developmental editing. I haven’t had to work a regular Day Job since last summer, a blessing, since they can be so draining and limit your creative output.
For new projects, I’m going to put together Animal Attraction 2 for Torquere, a follow-up to Animal Attraction, um, one. That’s all about animals and how they bring men together(!). I’m also going to edit School Days for Lethe Press, an anthology that will focus on all the smutty goodness that happens on college campuses. And I’m slowly plugging away, scene by scene, at a novel about Mitchell Tanner, a character who’s in two stories in Rough Cut: “A Cold Night’s Sleep” and “Fire”. Tanner’s an ex-con, an ex-Floridian, an ex-boxer with lots of issues. And he needs luv. J
Which time of the day is more productive for you, morning or night?
Definitely morning.
In what order do you write? For example starting beginning to end, combining parts, in random order or in development cycle?
I’m pretty linear, especially for short stories. Since stories usually focus on a brief time frame (note I said usually, “Brokeback Mountain” notwithstanding), doing them in order is easy. Most will only have two to six scenes max, and if they build on each other, it’s easy to go 1-2-3.
Novels? I’m more apt to write the key scenes first, then fill in.
If you could change places with any other author, would you? If so, whom would you choose?
My knee-jerk reaction is no, I wouldn’t change places with anyone, author or no. But on second thought, I wouldn’t mind living A Day in the Life of Rita Mae Brown and/or Jane Smiley. Just because they’re horse people and have the resources to do it well. (Caveat: never let anyone give you a “free” horse; there’s no such thing. Horses need vets, farriers, dentists, food, pasture, clothing, shoes, equipment, etc. None of these things are free.)
Finish the sentence: Life is short, so…?
Get up and do it!
Name three things you look for in the other person.
Intelligence, warmth, and humor.
What three words describe you?
Opinionated, bossy, and anal-retentive. But also: soft-hearted, romantic, and generous.
You have the opportunity to escape for some relaxation. You can either go into the mountains and enjoy a nice long week in a cabin, or go to the beach and just lounge around for a week, which would you choose?
No question: the cabin in the woods. As a Floridian, the beach holds little charm for me: all that itchy sand and hot sun and seagulls who grab your hotdog right out of your hands and big, scary fish in the water that can eat you.
Yep, show me the cabin, thanks.
You have just learned that your editor is arriving with fifteen dinner guests to talk about your latest book. What would you serve on the menu that sounds yummy?
Let’s see, Cowboy Caviar as an appetizer (black-eyed peas-based, oil/vinegar dressing, lotsa garlic), steaks from the grill, corn on the cob, and hot fudge sundaes for dessert. As you can tell, I’m not a foodie; there’s nothing remotely sophisticated or elegant about my tastes.
Vincent, it has been an honor to have you as our guest today. You, indeed, are an excellent storyteller. I look forward to more of your stories.
Vincent: Thank you; it’s been a pleasure!
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