(as featured in the January 2007 Newsletter)

Interview with Bella Andre…

How do you describe your writing?

People have told me that I write lush, sensual, juicy romances. Sometimes my writing is funny. Sometimes it’s sad. Sometimes I deal with difficult issues like body image issues, even within the context of an erotic romance (as in Take Me). Sometimes there’s a lot of emotional issues—perhaps a love gone wrong in the past—and either the hero or heroine mistakenly thinks revenge is the answer (as in Red-Hot Reunion, March 2007). In my books, I think I’m trying to process all of the things I feel deeply about.

Your writing process?

I love it when I get the chance to sit down for hours on end and just write and write and write. 20 pages a day for several days in a row really seems to tap into the inner magic for me. Alas, with two little ones and a home and life to juggle, the hours and hours on end thing is a really great fantasy! In lieu of that ever since having my first child I’ve gotten quite good at grabbing the twenty minutes during a nap and cranking out the pages, doing editing, brainstorming a synopsis. I suppose I’ll continue to adapt my writing as my life continues to change.

How long have you been writing romances? How long were you seriously writing before you were published?

I’ve been writing romance for four years. I was writing for couple of years before Ellora’s Cave bought Author’s In Ecstasy from me, which was my first attempt at Erotic Romance. Who knew I had it in me? Previous to that first contract, I wrote a couple of category novels aimed at Desire and Temptation along with a YA Chick Lit. I’ve stolen so many things from these unpublished books for my published books that I don’t think any of the those attempts will see the light of day in their entirety.

What drew you to write hot, sexy books?

I heard about Ellora’s Cave at an RWA meeting three years ago and when I went home and checked out their web site I said to my husband, “My god, I could never write one of those books!” To which he replied, “You’ll never know until you try.” So I immediately got an idea, went to my office, and before too many hours were through I’d cranked out three chapters and I loved them! Fortunately EC did too, and the rest is history.

Who is your favorite hero you’ve written. Do you find it hard or easy to fall in love with one of your own characters, and how does your husband feel about that?

How can you ask such a thing? I love them all. Travis from Take Me is so hot, hot, hot, though. He’s just the quintessential bad boy, who needs to be reformed by the love of a sexy woman, who just so happens to have been there all along.

What do you do to prepare yourself to write a hot love scene? Do you have a ritual, special music, candles, etc?

Honestly, I just sit down and write it. If I’m having trouble getting “into the mood” on the page, I’ll sometimes pull out some of my favorite authors from the bookshelf in my office and get inspired.

Are there any books, websites, or tips you offer writers who want to write hot, sexy stories?

Personally, I think that anyone who wants to write sexy stories should just put their fingers on the keys and let ‘em rip! Honestly, that’s what I did. And it was a ridiculous amount of fun!

Can you share any exciting career news?

My upcoming March 2007 book, Red Hot Romance, will be a featured alternate in the Rhapsody Book Club and a featured book in the Doubleday Book Club! I was thrilled when my editor let me know the good news.

Please include a brief bio, including recent and upcoming books and your contact information (website, etc).
Bella Andre got her start writing for Ellora’s Cave and her recent erotic romances for Pocket Books include “Take Me”, “Tempt Me, Taste Me, Touch Me”, and the upcoming “Red Hot Reunion”.
www.BellaAndre.com
Blog at www.fogcitydivas.typepad.com.
writetobella@yahoo.com