Good morning! Please welcome guest author Ayla Ruse. Though I will be away for part of the day, please feel free to leave comments for Ayla and I will post them as soon as I return. Thank you!
~Kate
What is one of your favorite things about writing?
AR: I love to create stories, period. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always looked around and thought, “what if?” and I make up a story from there. I think it’s in part because I’m a control freak. When I write, I can make events happen in a way that makes sense to me.
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
AR: Lol. Despite my previous answer, it’s the characters who take over. Very often, as I’m writing, I’ll plan a scene to go one way, and by the time I’m finished, it’s gone in another direction. At that point, I have to decide whom to listen to – the characters or my own ideas.
What do you like best about writing?
AR: The best part of writing is beginning with a blank page or screen, and seeing it fill up with words that take on a life of their own. It’s magic.
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
AR: Writers block. And time crunches. Like any other writer out there, trying to write when there’s a brick wall in front of your focus is painful and bothersome. Especially when there’s a deadline looming. As for the time crunch, I don’t mean this in the sense of deadlines so much as that I have so much going on in my real-life, sometimes it’s difficult to make the time to write in the first place. My writing time is at night, and when the kids have a hard time going to sleep, for example, those are the nights it’s more difficult to squeeze in writing time.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
AR: Everywhere. Really. Anything my eyes see or my ears hear or even what I read can spin my imagination in a new direction. As I’m thinking about this, though, I would have to say I get more inspiration from music. Music is storytelling in itself, and many times I’ve listened to songs and a story unfolds in my head. Then I’m compelled to write it down. The most poignant example is with my first Changeling Press story, Malathix Soul: Soulless. This story was inspired by the song Space Lord by the group Monster Magnet. Every time I’d listen to the song, I saw the story. It was inevitable that Theradon and Laya’s tale be written.
What do you like best about writing erotic romance?
AR: I love writing this genre because erotic romance tells the entire story of a relationship. Nothing is hidden. Literally. The sexual aspect of any relationship is monumental, in my opinion. This is where people are at their most vulnerable. So many facets of characters and the relationship itself can be discovered through their intimacy. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading romance of any flavor, but as for writing, erotic is where I seem to veer.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
AR: I’d love to. My latest release is through Changeling Press and it’s titled Her Sexy Side. This is a story of a shy elementary school teacher, Kiera, who wants more in her life and in the lack-luster men she dates. Her secret crush is Max Winters, the widowed father of one of her students. Max, a visual artist, is also a keep-to-himself kind of person. He does have a very passionate side which shows itself through his artwork. When Kiera finds a sexy sketch Max drew of the two of them, she’s intrigued and excited. What Kiera doesn’t know, however, is that Max has a gift of being able to infuse his drawings with his own desires. As their relationship develops, the question arises – are they together because of their own wants, or because of the influence of Max’s artwork?
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
AR: Of course! Here’s a snippet…
Kiera took the paper Max held out and looked at the sketch. It was blatantly erotic, depicting her. He’d drawn her in a shirt that exposed her breasts and a piece of material around her hips that didn’t cover what it should have.
She glanced at Max, unsure of what to say.
“Ever since I brought you here tonight, this is what I see when I looked at you.” He took the paper from her fingers and set it on the nightstand before cupping her face to kiss her softly. “You want to be like this? For tonight?”
“You mean wear clothes that don’t cover me?” By habit, she was afraid to say that yes, she wanted that and more. His pictures, his words, his urging were making her skin flush. Her nipples were hard beneath the clothes she still clutched in front of her.
Max kissed her again, this time running his tongue across her lips.
“Be bold tonight. It’s just you and me. Let’s play.”
Kiera grinned against his mouth. Why not, she thought. How often was a daring interlude going to present itself to her? Besides, this was Max, the man she’d wanted for too long. “I’m yours.”
Would you tell us about yourself?
AR: Let’s see…first, I’ve lived in the South forever. For most of my life I’ve denied being Southern, because my family lives up North. After all this time, however, I think my accent gives me away and I can’t deny being Southern anymore. *grin* What else? I have three amazing little boys, whom I also teach (yes, I am a home school advocate), and by my side is a loving husband. I take care of my parents and make sure they stay sane and with us a little longer. When I’m not teaching, cooking, cleaning, helping out or writing, I love to read. I am at my happiest with an engaging book in hand. Other likes? I love coffee – but have had to give it up so I drink hot tea instead. I love an occasional glass of merlot accompanied by a plate of extravagant cheese, and I love to cook. Easy, simple dishes my family will readily eat seems to be the forte in my recipe box at the moment, but the kids will eventually outgrow their pickiness, right?
Where can we visit you online?
AR: I can be found in lots of places online. Here’s a list of some of my most popular haunts
Website http://www.aylaruse.com
Blog http://aylaruse.blogspot.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ayla.ruse
Twitter @aylaruse
Goodreads Ayla Ruse
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
AR: READ! Seriously, that is my most favorite down time to-do. If I’m feeling energetic, I’ll cook, I’ll bake, I’ll grab the kids and head to the parks and trails for some hiking.
Do you have any pets?
AR: Oh yes, our life would not be complete without pets. At the time of this writing, we have a loving lab, two cats, a gerbil and a hermit crab. Oh, and two little Yorkies sometimes hang out in our part of the house.
Before I forget, Her Sexy Side is available now at Changeling Press. The purchase link is:
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2058
Thanks, Kate for having me!
Thank you for being a guest, Ayla!
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Great Interview!