Interview with Gina Gordon

Now that I've gushed over her book, I'm sitting down with the author of The Only Exception


Clara: How long does it typically take you to write a book?

Gina: That depends! I have a novel I've been working on for over two years. But if I concentrate and my muse complies, I could probably write a novella in a month.


Clara: Thus far you write contemporary romances. Do you see yourself branching out into another subgenre in the near future?

Gina: I want to. I was thinking about branching out into the paranormal world but something is pulling me to romantic suspense. Not sure why. I'm still exploring.


Clara: Sounds like an exciting journey. Your book Her Five Favorite Words has topped Amazon's top 100 erotica, and Wicked Ride seems to be on the rise. How did you feel the first time you saw your book edge onto that list? How does it feel to be #1?

Gina: I was ecstatic the first time I saw myself at #1. But it is all so surreal. I still can't believe that I am on that list let alone in the top spot. In my opinion, it's a big fluke lol


Clara: What releases can we look forward to in the near future?

Gina: In 2011, I will have 3 more releases. Books two and three in my Bare Naked Designs series, Temptation In Lingerie and Bound In Lingerie, will be released in April and September. I will also be releasing a sequel to Her Five Favorite Words entitled His Five Favorite Lines.


Clara: What did it feel like to get your first acceptance?

Gina: I was lucky and I got an acceptance on my very first submission. I was shocked. Surprised. The first thing I did was email my CP who is my biggest cheerleader. Then I told my husband lol


Clara: What is the best (and worst) part of the writing process?

Gina: The best part is when you get that epiphany--when the story line or character you've been agonizing over finally clicks. The worst part is agonizing over that story line or character.


Clara: Do you have any favorites out of the characters you've written?

Gina: I loved writing Becca and Jordan's story, more now that I have added to it. Even a one-time elevator encounter needs a happily ever after. But I especially love Aleks and Carrie from my Bare Naked Designs series. There is something so romantic about friends turned lovers.


Clara: Which writers inspired/influenced your work?

Gina: I have to mention Megan Hart because she was the first dirty author that I read lol because of her I was introduced to erotic romance and I've never looked back.

As for inspiration, as for the person I look up to and go to for support and motivation, it would be my CP Lindsay Below. It amazes me how many ideas and projects she has going on and how diverse her writing is. Not to mention the amount of words she can put down on the page.


Clara: Was there ever a point in your career where you said, "Yeah, I can do this!"? Was there ever a point in your career where you almost gave up writing?

Gina: I had the "Yeah, I can do this" moment in 2009. That's when I made the decision to pursue my dream. Getting into that mind space had been a long time coming.

I will admit that I ask myself almost every day whether I should continue. If I should maybe quit while I'm ahead because eventually the ideas will stop. But I haven't yet (:


Clara: How do you come up with your stories?

Gina: Most of them just pop into my head but I find that I draw a lot ideas from stories people tell me. Of course I get to add the good words and always give my characters a happily ever after.


Clara: What do you do to overcome writer's block?

Gina: I wait for the block to go away. Sounds dumb but I find that I can't force my writing. Not too long ago I went an entire month without writing. It was horrible but eventually my inspiration came back.


Clara: Not dumb at all. Everyone has their own way of dealing with it. Let's leave off with one last question: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Gina: Keep writing and read, read, read.


Clara: Thanks for joining me Gina!

You can visit Gina online at www.ginagordon.net or on her blog here.


Clara.