An Interview with Author Blakely Bennet

Author Blakely Bennett is a writer of erotica literature. She lives in Washington, born in Florida and the author of six intriguing novels. When she is less busy, she loves to lie in the sun, spend time with her family and friends, explore new places and try new restaurants. She is also an avid movie watcher and she typically reads books. She loves to read stories that she would never forget. In this interview with David Isoje, she reveals the impact of erotica literature on America, as well as revealing her six fascinating books.



{1}Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where were you born and what was your childhood like?



Blakely – I was born and raised in southeast Florida and currently live in western Washington with my husband and daughter. We love it out here, but we do miss the sun in the winter. I had a middle class upbringing with parents who were avid readers. I always had a number of books to choose from to read. I preferred listening to music and reading a book than watch TV when I was a child.



{2} What kind of books do you write?



Blakely – I’m interested in writing in many different genres but my published projects currently include The My Body Trilogy, which is dark erotic suspense; The Demarcation of Jack, which I co-authored with my husband Dana Bennett and is contemporary romance; and my latest series Bound by Your Love, which is erotic romance.



{3}Can you tell us why you write erotic literature?



Blakely – I like the ability to explore sex scenes in a real way without having to tone them down. I prefer using words like cock and pussy than “his manhood entered me there.”



{4} How many books have you written?



Blakely – I have six novels currently on the market. Bound by Your Love Series: Stuck in Between and Bittersweet Deceit. I’m currently working on the third in the series: Blue Persuasion. Fractured Fidelities Trilogy: The Demarcation of Jack My Body Trilogy: My Body-His, My Body-His (Marcello), and My Body-Mine



{5}Who is your publisher?



Fanny Press is my publisher for the My Body Trilogy and TandemWriters (self-published) for the rest of the novels.



{6} How long does it take you to write a book?



Blakely – Once I’m really in it, it goes pretty quickly. Somewhere between two to four months. I have been told that I write my novels very fast.



Blakely on writing {7} Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?



Blakely – Mostly from my imagination and everything I take in from life, however the internet is a wonderful resource for research.



{8} When did you write your first book and how old were you?



Blakely – I started a few novels in my teens that I never finished and wrote poetry and short stories as well. My first full-length novel I wrote with my husband when I was 32 years old. I wrote My Body-His and My Body-His (Marcello) when I was 41.



{9} What do you like to do when you’re not writing?



Blakely – Exercise, lie in the sun, spend time with family and friends, explore new places and try new restaurants. I’m also an avid movie watcher and I typically consume books but I have a hard time reading when I’m working on a story.



{10}What is the title of your latest book?



Blakely – My most recent publication wasBittersweet Deceit (erotic romance). I’m currently working on two novels: Blue Persuasion, the follow-up to Bittersweet Deceit and The Second First Chance, which is a steamy romance.



{11} As an erotic writer, what kind of response do you get from your readers?



Blakely – People are amazed at how much they feel when reading my novels. I felt it when I wrote and am extremely happy that it seems to translate to the reader.



{12} Have you ever been rejected by a publisher or an agent before?



Blakely – I sure have and many times. Perseverance is the name of the game.



{13} What made you decide to work with Fanny Press and why self-publishing now?



Blakely – Catherine Treadgold loved my story, wanted a trilogy and the publishing house was local to me. I self-publish now because I like having all the control and making a lot more money per book sale.



{14}What makes a good story?



Blakely – I like to get sucked into a book that stays with me until I’m finish with it and even has me thinking about it after I’m done. I love when characters grow and evolve and I can feel their journey.



{15}What can you tell readers about your novels?



Blakely – All of my novels are fast paced, emotional, sexy reads. The My Body Trilogy follows Jane’s decent into a lifestyle that’s completely foreign to her. Her dark journey takes her away from the person she has always believed herself to be, almost to the point of fracturing, but manages to survive and ultimately finds stronger and healthier self and a love for the long-term. The Bound by Your Love Series focuses on a group of friends and their love lives. So far we have Jacqs story that has her caught between two men, Red and Bond. There will be more of their story in subsequent novels. We have also found out about Lainie’s journey to love and happiness. There will be seven or eight books once the series is done. The Demarcation of Jack is about Jack and Jenna who go on a vacation to Jamaica, hoping to rekindle their romance. Flirtations ignite with another couple, leading to unintended consequences.



{16} The titles of your books sound interesting, how can I buy them and read?



Blakely – My books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Smashwords, iTunes, and most online book retailers. They are also available in some book stores.Signed paperbacks are available via me and you can find all the links and information on my website: http://www.blakelybennett.com/



(17}Why did you choose to write erotic literature?



Blakely – The first couple of books my husband, Dana Bennett, and I wrote together weren’t erotic novels but romance. My first published novel of the My Body Trilogy, My Body-His and the subsequent books, My Body-His (Marcello) and My Body-Mine are about Jane who falls into a dysfunctional relationship with a very dominant Luke. Sex is definitely a part of the storyline and necessary for this type of story. I believe sex is a very important part of life and romance and should be included. Not every story needs to be graphically explicit, but I have found I have a knack for writing hot, steamy sex.



{18} What inspire you to write?



Blakely – Reading really. I loved being swept up in a story as a kid and that love never left me. After reading Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse in 10th grade, I first thought about being an author.



{19} Who is your role model in erotica literature?



Blakely – I don’t really have a role model in erotic fiction. I have erotic authors that I enjoy like Lauren Dane, but my role models are from other genres: Stephen King, Anne Rice, Hermann Hesse, Audrey Niffenegger, Lisa Kleypas, and many more.



{20} If you were not a writer, what would you have become?



My last job before writing full-time was marketing and sales support for an IT company. I did think about becoming a couple’s therapist or a sex therapist.



{21} Do you believe in God?



Blakely – If I’ve learned anything in life, it’s that people don’t fit neatly into categories and we are all a wide mix of beliefs and values. I consider myself agnostic. I don’t believe in religion, especially when people use it to separate, annihilate, and condemn other people.



{22} Is your husband comfortable with your career?



Blakely – Very. He is incredibly supportive and an author himself. Our goal is for him to be able to write full-time as well.



{23} What is the impact of erotic literature on our society?



I honestly believe the impact has been great. America is still very stuffy when communication about sex and sexuality and I think erotica opens that door wider than before. I wrote a blog called, Is Reading Erotica Good for You?and several people told me after posting that erotica revived the sex life in their marriages. Yay for erotic novels!



{24} At this stage, what can you tell upcoming writers who want to become successful authors like you in the erotic literature?



Work hard at your craft, be persistent, be patient (I’m never good at that part), and make your stories compelling and interesting. I think readers are starved for something new and different.