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.

Review: The Only Exception by Gina Gordon

Caroline and Hayden have given off sparks from the first, but Caroline is determined not to mix business with pleasure. When the two are forced together in a mid-winter work retreat, things between them heat up hot enough to melt the snow outside. But does Hayden want Caroline or the fantasy he's created?


Gina Gordon promises a hot read with every new release, and man does she ever deliver! Hayden is a man worthy of being drooled over. He knows what he wants -- and that, of course, is Caroline. Despite her tough exterior, he doesn't stop until he's melted the shield around her heart. Ms. Gordon takes us on a roller coaster ride as Caroline fights her attraction to him at every turn. Is Hayden the man for her? Well if Caroline doesn't want him, I'll take him! LOL


In a word, this book was

Combustible.



Are you interested in winning an ebook copy? This book is being featured at The Romance Studio in their book-a-day-giveaway! Take a look here.

And don't forget to join me on Friday as I sit down for an interview with the erotic genius herself, Gina Gordon!

Clara.

GINA GORDON: I Love Romance

Reading and writing romance is all about hope--the promise of a happily ever after. There are some books out there that don't end in a happily ever after or imply that there "could" be one but in my opinion, why would you want to read that? lol

I read and write romance to get swept away. I want to fall in love right along with the hero and heroine. I want to experience every kiss, sense every touch and feel every flutter. For me, a story isn't complete without some emotional connection between a man and woman. It's what makes television shows like Bones and The X-Files interesting--sexual tension and the possibility of a hook up!

Workplace romances are full of the possibility for sexual tension. They're taboo and some employers even have strict no-dating policies. But you can't help who you love no matter where you work, no matter what the rules. And that's exactly what happens between Caroline and Hayden in my newest release, The Only Exception.

It was the idea of a winter work retreat in the middle of nowhere that came to me before the actual characters. Snow can be very romantic. Especially white, untouched snow surrounding a cabin with roaring fires and champagne. Add a little music and you can't help but think sexy thoughts.

Caroline and Hayden definitely make the most of their surroundings. Not just sexually but emotionally. The winter air sheds light on their true selves. In the end, making it difficult for either to walk away.

The Only Exception

Two co-workers, one work retreat and explosive chemistry. The Canadian winter doesn’t stand a chance.

For Caroline Carlson, business is business. She will not let her profession define her. She’ll never make that mistake again. When she finds herself forced to attend a manager’s retreat in the middle of winter with her arrogant co-workers, the line between business and pleasure is blurred. Especially, since she’s forced to spend the time with Hayden, the man who has secured the starring role in her sexy dreams.

Hayden Cross is the new manager on the block. The retreat is a chance to let loose and get away from the daily grind. Until one night when a chance encounter with Caroline at a club morphs his plan into a personal dare. He is mesmerized by the sexy woman writhing on the dance floor. She’s a fantasy come to life.

Caroline is convinced that Hayden is just another man who wants the fantasy but his sexual advances are too hard to ignore. The more time they spend together the hotter it gets and the Canadian winter doesn't stand a chance.


Gina Gordon is an erotica and romance author living in Ontario, Canada. To learn more about Gina, check out her website at www.ginagordon.net

GINA GORDON: Finding Time to Write

As a writer with a full-time day job, finding the time to do what I love most can sometimes be difficult.

Under normal circumstances, it isn’t a problem. I have zero children to be responsible for and I'm pretty lucky in the husband department. His obsession with watching sports has finally come in handy. The more sports he watches, the more time I have to write!

But when there is a lull in the sporting world or when life’s everyday obligations get a little hectic, I have to get creative.

Ever try editing a manuscript while preparing dinner? I have. It’s not easy, but depending on the type of meal being made, it can be done.

Instead of catching up on sleep, I write during my very long commute to and from work. It’s damn hard to ignore the gentle hum of the bus that tempts me into falling asleep but I have super-secret herbal help that does the trick.

Recently, I've discovered my secret writing weapon--being out in public. I don't have an office or a room I can call my very own so removing myself from the everyday dullness of my home has worked wonders for increasing my productivity. I have become a regular at the café in town. A few cappuccinos and something sweet later, and the satisfaction of accomplishing my writing goal is the best feeling in the world.

I'm sure I'm not the only writer who squeezes in writing time whenever they can and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels guilty when not spewing words onto a page. In my own little world writing is my life but in reality, that just isn't the case. I often forget that I am a living, breathing being with family and friends and responsibilities that exist away from my laptop. I have to learn to remember that more often and more importantly, I must learn to get over the guilt I feel when I’m not writing.

But something in the back of my mind pushes me to focus on my dream no matter the cost as if trying to make up for the time I spent running away from it instead of toward it.

Making the most out every free minute in a day can make a difference. Any other writers out there? How do you make the most of your writing time?



Gina Gordon is an erotica and romance writer living in Ontario, Canada. Her newest release, The Only Exception, is now available from Breathless Press. To learn more about Gina, visit her website at http://www.ginagordon.net

GINA GORDON: My 5 Tips For Writing Love Scenes

I am not ashamed to admit that the sexy times in a romance novel are my favorite parts. Of course I love the sexual tension, the tender moments, the realization of love but nothing gets my blood pumping faster and harder than a good sex scene.  

So what have I learned about writing sex scenes?

1) If it doesn't turn you on, don't write about it.

There is nothing worse than a cold and mechanical love scene. What's even more saddening is a love scene that borders on creepy. If biting makes you cringe, so will your heroine. If being tied up goes against everything you believe in, your heroine will feel the same way.
However, don’t limit yourself either. I find the idea of writing a BDSM story terrifying. But with a little research and some guidance I am slowly learning the emotional and intimate connections that come with a BDSM relationship and feel more confident in order to portray it on paper.

2) It’s not all about mechanics.

Fitting tab A into slot B should not be your main focus. Despite this being about sex, inner dialogue and introspection play a major part in a love scene. Their bodies aren’t the only thing involved. Love, worry, doubt, hope…these are all things to think about when writing a love scene. Besides, the physical, what else is at stake?
Don’t forget about your setting. Where are they? What items are around them?
Use all five senses. Although touching is probably the best part, the scents and sounds of sex are just as important.

3) Always make the first kiss explosive

Now this may not necessarily go with an actual sex scene but in my eyes, it matters. A first kiss should be about fireworks. Hearts should be racing, stomachs should be flip-flopping, hands should be holding on for dear life. It should be fairly long, more than just a sentence or two and intricately describe the intensity and excitement that can only come from the very first time two people's lips touch.

4) Don’t forget your plot

Sex forwards the plot. How many times have I heard that? Too many…because it’s true. Frivolous sex does nothing but give you a quick thrill. If you want your reader to believe your happily ever after, remember that each love scene must be a stepping stone. With every love scene you have to raise the stakes. And I don’t mean make the scene longer or add more positions, etc. (Of course that does help) When I say raise the stakes I am talking about the emotional connection of the characters. Each love scene should reveal a flaw, heighten their level of intimacy or expose a characteristic that brings them closer to their happily ever after. In short, your love scene must have a purpose.

5) For every action, there should be a reaction. 

If the hero kisses the heroine's neck, does she quiver? Does he feel her pulse beat under his lips? If the heroine skims her fingers down the abdomen of her hero, does she feel his goose bumps under her fingertips? Does his stomach tense under her touch? Following this rule not only brings the scene to life but also helps to connect the characters on a deeper level.

Gina Gordon writes romance with sizzling chemistry. Her newest release, Forever in Lingerie, will be released from Lyrical Press, Inc. tomorrow, November 22nd. Find Gina online at her website, www.ginagordon.net. 

GINA GORDON: My Wicked Ride to Publishing

My journey to being published has been paved with dirty talk, sex and an overwhelming use of the word “thrust.” To put it in plainly, wicked.

As a child, I never would have guessed that my journey would lead me to the world of erotic romance. Writing happily ever afters, yes. Writing happily ever afters in between sweaty sheets, never.  

Friends and family ask how? How do you come up with the words on the page? How are you able to write sex scenes? In my opinion the desire to write, the need to put the words on the page is something that you are born with. But to be good at it takes time, practice and patience. Oh, and maybe a twisted imagination.

Every day I exercise my brain creating new characters and stories. I try to think outside the box and push my own limits, teetering on the thin line of what is considered acceptable sexual behaviour. For me, that’s what being a writer is all about, pushing myself to create and try new things. In the end, it always leads to the same conclusion. My characters always have a good time!

I often say that writing erotic romance is meant to be and that my choice to seriously pursue my dream at this specific time in my life wasn’t a coincidence. Will my journey always be wicked? I don’t know but I do know that I am having a blast.

Gina Gordon is an erotica and romance writer living in Ontario, Canada. To learn more about Gina and her newest release, Wicked Ride, visit her website at http://www.ginagordon.net

GINA GORDON: What Fantasies Are Made Of

What's in a fantasy?

Is it our secret desires? Is it a way of reliving an enjoyable experience? Is it something we use to escape from our everyday lives?

Actually, it's all of the above.

Fantasies are an unrestrained use of the imagination. After all, it's where we harbor the most intimate parts of ourselves—what turns us on, what gets us hot, new things we want to try.

It's our job as writers to dig deep and bring those fantasies to life. Fantasies that you, as a reader, may never utter out loud. Maybe, just maybe, we can even introduce you to a fantasy you didn't even think you were capable of. However, you don't have to be a take-action kind of person in order to enjoy your new-found "interests". The best part of a well-written erotic romance is that it will scoop you up and take you along for the ride as if you were experiencing every passionate kiss and cataclysmic release.

According to Anita Naik, the top six female fantasies are:

-To be taken by a stranger

-To be with someone famous

-To have a threesome

-To have sex with another woman

-To have someone watch

-To be punished/spanked

These fantasies are used over and over again in the erotica and romance industry. Why? They are tried-and-true scenarios that will catch the reader's attention. I've written about three of them myself. But how do we take those fantasies to the next level? How do we make each story unique—by playing the "what if" game. By playing the "what if" game, each writer infuses their own individuality into their work.

I played the "what if" game one morning as I stood in line to buy my coffee and watched a man and woman shamelessly flirt with one another. My mind took a dirty turn and the "what if"s started flying. What if he or she had been eying the other for months? What if this was a planned meeting? What if they left here this very minute and hooked up? Where would they go? And so the idea for my first published work came to fruition. Her Five Favourite Words. An erotic short story about lattes and sex with a stranger.

For me, being free to let my mind wander to sexy places or even dark places is the best part about being a writer. Any time of day, I can vacation to my own little world where sex is not taboo, living out your fantasies is not frowned upon and where there is always a happily ever after.

Thank you, Clara, for having me as a guest.

Gina Gordon

Gina Gordon loves dreaming up exciting characters who find love, and sometimes a steamy encounter, in the most unusual places. Her Five Favorite Words will be released on April 2^nd from Breathless Press. Visit Gina's official website at www.ginagordon.net