What are your favorite genres to read and write?
I love reading fantasy of any sort. I like some traditional stuff too; I enjoy a dose of Jane Austin now and then. I enjoy erotica stories as well, depending on their theme. I think the history of erotica writing is fascinating. I like historical romances too, the longer the better.
Currently, I read quite an eclectic mix, but the themes still tend to remain fantasy and historical. Though lately a couple of crime stories have held my attention over the summer. My latest favorite e-book is The Valkyire and the Marine by jj Keller. I do enjoy her work.
As you’d expect my writing reflects my reading taste. I’ve written fantasy and historical romances. My historical stories have so far been set in Georgian England, a very robust society full of the powerful changes advancing technology brought. I find the era compelling. One of my historical stories has been published, by Lyrical Press and I’m hoping to complete my second historical fairly soon. The genre of the historical novel is so demanding and these stories always take longer than any other because I’m really picky about details in them. Historical accuracy is something that can make a story sing or croak. I do try to make my work as accurate as possible and this can involve a lot of research down to the tiniest detail.
In addition to historical work, I love writing fantasy stories. Myth and magic, hero’s who take on all the odds, heroines who win when it appears all is lost, they appeal to me in a big way. Fantasy in whatever form frees a writer to let their imagination fly. I don’t like boundaries. If someone tells me, I can’t or I shouldn’t, I most likely will try to do whatever it is, and I like trying to explore with words.
What do you like best about writing romance?
Love, love, love. The massive emotions love brings to characters, how it changes or challenges them. I do so enjoy exploring the characters reactions to the person they love, their first meeting, the realization this is the one, the first kiss and beyond. All of it is so powerful, and therefore I find joy in the writing of it.
Most of my stories are quite sweet, or so I’ve been told. They’re often highly sensual too, but to my mind, that’s as it should be, sensual love is an expression of love in a physical way. I’m interested in how love can influence older couples as well as young ones. I’ve plans for one or two more stories with this theme.
Some of my stories are classified as erotica and yet I’ve only once sat down at the keyboard with the thought, today I’ll begin an erotica. I did and it’s finished, waiting its chance with an editor.
When I found my latest release Timeless was classified as erotica, I was a bit surprised. However, as I am trying all the time to improve my writing skills to give the reader the best I can, then maybe, as Timeless is quite a sensual story that’s how it happened that Timeless is in that category.
Another thing I love about writing romance is the wonderful people I’ve met. My first efforts needed a lot of work to make them good for people to read. I have to say there was no shortage of people to tell me so, but the best people from crit groups and such like, were those who offered supportive advice, not merely those who none too politely said give it up, you’re useless. I’ve some very dear friends I made in crit groups. Without them, the journey would have been harder and harsher, but I think I’d have followed this path. Writing is a compulsion, something I must do, a passion.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
My latest release is Timeless with Lyrical Press. The story came out in the fall; it’s the first part of a trilogy and one of my favorite stories to date. I love the artwork. What a hunk. Yum.
Timeless is a Werewolf story, with a couple who fall heavily in love despite the wolf curse. Sian, the heroine is incredibly brave and selfless. I didn’t intend to make her that way, but she grew so quickly in my mind, and those qualities loomed very large in her personality. The hero of the story, Magnus, is a werewolf of much age. He agonizes over his love for the beautiful young woman who storms into his life. I enjoyed writing him a great deal.
The complexities of Timeless make it the first story I’ve so far written where I needed notes. The mansion had so many rooms I found I needed a list. I don’t make notes usually, I write as the story grows in my mind as I see the pictures in my thoughts. I’ve tried plotting techniques but found I currently don’t work well that way. When the pictures flow easily, writing is one of the great joys of my life. I love the house in Timeless it’s based on several country houses I’ve seen in England. I have an interest in architecture and so it felt quite natural to use art and architecture to bring Magnus and Sian together in Timeless. They both have a deep love of beauty in the physical form.
What are you working on now?
Something very exciting, one of my stories has recently been accepted for publication by Liquid Silver Books. Your Heart My Soul, a ghostly romance and I have to say I loved writing it. The book will be out in the spring, and I’m working on edits to ready it for publication. I can’t wait to see the artwork for it. I’m thrilled to be working with Liquid Silver Books.
Once those edits are complete, I’ll return to working on the second part of the Timeless trilogy, To Eternity. In this part of the trilogy the battle lines between good and evil are drawn in blood. Here the characters of Sian and Magnus are tested by the wickedness of another, and guilt runs rampant. I’m enjoying developing the characters and story.
As well as writing I also try to critique for several people, some published authors, others aspiring authors, and friends.
I read a great deal to try to improve my skills. I find working with deep point of view a challenge, but it’s such a powerful tool, I’m learning more with each story I write. All the time I work on trying to improve the experience the reader will have if they gift me their time by reading one of my stories. It might sound trite to say it, but to me the reader is the most important person.
In addition to the writing, in 2013 I’ll be spending more time in the way of blogging and interviews such as this, so readers get to know a little more about me. I do have to say I find this a challenge. I am a little reserved and it always surprises me anyone is interested in me. I’m very grateful to well known authors like Kate, who offer me opportunities to guest blog and tell readers more about myself.
If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
I have to say if I could meet a character I’ve written, it would have to be Magnus Johansson. I’d like to ask him how he got inside my head. Sometimes when I write male characters, I am astonished by their personalities. Magnus has to be the most surprising character yet, even for me. I have no idea where he came from, how he came to be as he is. All I know is he wouldn’t and won’t lie down and die. He’s happily stomping through To Eternity as he did through Timeless. Some readers have been kind enough to say they enjoy the male point of view scenes I write, I’m hoping to write a blog post on that, on my personal blog, in the next month or so.
Where can readers find you online?
I have a small website at daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com here you can find links to my stories, and here at the http://lyricalpress.com/category/authors/daisy-banks/ at the Lyrical Press website too, and I’ve begun a page on Goodreads. I’ll shortly have a page on the Liquid Silver author list.
Many thanks, Kate, for the time you’ve been kind enough to give me, and the interview questions. They helped me put my ideas together.
Thanks to the readers for reading this too, and a Happy New Year to everyone.
Bye for now.
Daisy Banks.
Timeless
Daisy Banks
Their love will be eternal, the legend says…if they survive.
Lonely and forced into a life of secrecy, 400-year-old Magnus finds Sian–the sexy music film producer who’s working in his house—tough to ignore. As she resists his alter ego when he invades her dreams to seduce her, her innate powers astound him, and his need only grows. In dreams or reality, he’s determined to make her his. She is meant for him alone.
Independent, hard-working Sian has hopes and plans for the future that include the stately house at Darnwell. Not its aloof owner. She’s there to acquire the home for a video shoot, nothing more. By day, each layer she explores in Magnus’s grand old home with him leads her deeper into love. But by night, he seduces her in her dreams, gives her ecstasy like she’s never known. Then she learns his secret: Come the full moon, she is the only one who can control his wolf curse. First though, she has to survive it.
WARNING: Highly sensual with intense sexual encounters.
Lose yourself in his seduction.
On Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15779063-timeless
Author website:
http://daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com
Digital book available for
review: pam@lyricalpress.com
Available through Amazon,
Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes,
Books A Million, Sony and wherever digital and print books are sold.
About Daisy Banks
Presently, Daisy Banks is situated in a renovated chapel nestling in the Shropshire countryside, and here her mind has been full of legend and lore, and the scary things that can happen on moonlit nights. Daisy has always loved old-fashioned horror films, those where the heroine, dressed only in flimsy nightgown, dashes across country fleeing a wicked villain. This tale captures some of the sentiment of those films: a beautiful heroine, a dark and moody hero and a nasty scoundrel we’d all like to bash, a fabulous country house and the battle for love to conquer fear. She hopes you enjoyed reading it, because she loved writing it. So much so, she couldn’t leave these
characters with a simple happy ending and had to take them further, into book two of this series, To Eternity, which is in progress.
Daisy’s Website:
http://daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com
Reader eMail:
authordaisybanks@yahoo.co.uk
Other Lyrical Books By Daisy Banks
A Matter of Some Scandal
Fiona’s Wish
Irish Stories Collection
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Gotta love a good werewolf story, especially when you throw in romance. Congrats on your new Liquid Silver Books contract. I’m sure you fans will love Your Heart My Soul.
Hi, Daisy, I love fantasy and historicals as well 🙂
Werewolves? Ghosts? You’re talking my kind of romances 🙂 Congrats on your LSB contract.
Wonderful interview, Daisy. I love your take on meeting one of your characters. Your work is delightful and I find the sex scenes to be very sensual. Good job on your upcoming release. I adore a good ghost story!
Great job with the questions, ladies.
Timeless is a grrreat story I had the privilege to read. I loved it and am not even much of a werewolf fan. 🙂
A great interview giving me, the reader, an insight into how you work and your passion for writing. Love your stories. Congratulations on your latest publication ‘Timeless.’ Sure is sensual!
Wonderful interview, Daisy! Timeless is one of my all time faves and I’m looking forward to the next installment of the series.
Great post, Daisy – always nice to learn more about fellow Lyrical writers. Best of luck on your upcoming release and your continuation of the Timeless series!