I apologize for being late with this month’s post. *sighs* I was ill earlier in the week, and then Nano and day job and… *sighs* Well, here it is!
I’ve wanted to write this blog for a while, and I finally decided why not? You see, other than my Facebook personality, along with the muses, I’m really a shy person. I hide behind the computer screen and most of the time my social media profiles don’t feature a personal picture. It’s not because I don’t think I’m beautiful. *smiles and twists black locks of hair around my fingers* it’s because my writing shows so many different sides of myself. I mean, why would I want to write about a woman in her forties with an evil day job? Ugh. Sometimes those would make for great stories, but in my mind they’re kinda BORING. No, I don’t want to go so far as saying I’m boring.
Once I get to talking and, maybe with some help from the liquor variety, I’ll tell you my life story. Or maybe not.
*laughs*
But really, I’d rather tell you about my writing and the personas I take on when I sit down at the computer. Yep, besides the 4 muses, I have a variety of people I decided to be for every book.
For Michael Mandrake, I write gay male characters. I learn things from reading other books, articles, and things on the internet.
Like, porn. SURPRISE!
I’m sad to say, I have no close gay male friends, but when it comes to sex, I rely on what I read as my guide. While I edited Mocha Kisses, I was fortunate enough to have what I assume was a gay male editor. One thing I’ve hardly been questioned on is my sex scenes, but this time, he asked me about some of the things I wrote. I’m glad he did, because there were things I thought were true because of what I read or seen in porn. It’s good to have someone to advise you when you’re a cis-gendered, mostly het female and didn’t have the resources readily available.
As I’m rambling, I should get back to my post. I, as a cis het, female, want to write outside of what I know. I know customer service, worked in it fifteen years plus. I was a banker, I’m a mother of two kids, I’m married to a wonderful man, and I’m a black female who loves rock music. Even with all the things I claim to know, I will not go so far as to say I’m an expert. I still ask others for opinions or thoughts on things I include in my stories because I want to make an accurate portrayal. Despite all of this, I still might screw up on something because people will say, oh that’s not real or that doesn’t really happen, but that’s a topic for another day. Bottom line, I love writing outside of what I know to challenge myself and learn new things. I like to explore different worlds, cultures, etc, and I get hyped about putting that new knowledge into a book.
This kind of ties in with two recent kerfuffles in the gay romance genre about writing GLBTQIA and/or people of color. You can ask questions, do research, just like you could about a doctor, police officer, EMT, etc. There is a lot of important information about these professions and people of different races, religions, gender identities, sexualities, and ages are no different. However, I do add this. Write them as individuals first because no matter the differences they are still people.
To get back to my writing outside spectrum post, I’m saying don’t let any of this stop you from writing the story you want to write. In all seriousness, Michael Mandrake scares the shit out of me with his complicated plots. Serial killers, CSI’s, homicide detectives, double agents, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. I’m intimidated at the lengths in which I have to research these things, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In my opinion, writing people shouldn’t be that much different. Do your due diligence and become that character you’re writing about. Do it with empathy and passion, and not because you feel you have to in order to sell books. Do it because you have a genuine interest in the person you’re including in your story because while you’re writing, you should put yourself in that character’s shoes and become that individual.
So why do I write outside again? To gain knowledge and become a different person. Besides, how many exciting stories are there about women in their forties unless they’re falling in love with a hot musician?
*looks at the idea on my long list of WIPs*
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Today’s promo is for Anasa’s Awakening, Book Three in the Immortals Series!
Blurb: Downtrodden and beaten by his Master, Anasa departs Nouvelle Terre for the solitude he can only find on earth. He must decide if serving a demon lord that has no love for him is worth eternal suffering. But the very thought of leaving his Master’s side chills him to the bone.
Shifter, Neil Arcenaux lives on the Mississippi River, content with his life as a loner. His ravenous sexual appetite often overrides his need for substance in his lovers. Relationships don’t agree with this gator. Why start now when life in the Big Easy is just that… easy?
When Neil spots Anasa wading in his territory, his natural instincts kick in, but not the ones he expects. Instead, Neil develops an overwhelming desire to mate with Anasa, even if only for a short while.
Surrendering to lust and passion gives Anasa a taste of what he’s always craved, but for how long?
And at what cost?
WARNING: Dark Romance! Flashbacks of torture and rough sex as well as on the page violence.
Books should be read in order.
All books in Immortals are FREE on Kindle Unlimited
To read a sample of Anasa’s Awakening, click here
Bio: Romance and erotica author Sharita Lira believes that love conquers all. Writing sexy stories of people who might be complete opposites, but somehow make a lasting connection that often leads to a happily ever after.
Happily married and mother of two, Sharita never allows complex plots to deter her from writing the story. Inspired by heavy music, attractive people she’s seen in person and on the internet, Sharita always has a tale on her brain.
In addition to being a computer geek and a metalhead, Sharita loves live music, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She’s also a founding member and contributor to the heavy metal ezine FourteenG.
For more information, please visit http://www.thelitriad.com and if you’re a fan who would like exclusive updates on her writings and chances to win prizes, sign up for the newsletter!
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