Wednesday, February 24, 2010

GUEST: J.E. Taylor


Welcome J.T, I'm very happy have you here as my guest today, to introduce my readers to yet another very talented author to add to their piles of books to be read!

Denysé: From what I see on your website, you write thrillers, which is not an easy genre for many people; why have you chosen it? These stories are, as a rule, complicated multi-dimensional stories; a lot of writers take a “seat of their pants” approach to writing, I find when I write a thriller, I need to keep my notes in order – how does that work for you? Do you keep the story in your head and write it, or do the characters dictate plot twists that you just run with?

J.E. Taylor: I don’t believe writing thrillers was a conscious choice on my part. When I made the decision to sit down and get the stories out of my head, it’s what came naturally. Horror, thrillers, high tension stories are by far my favourite to read and writing in these genres has always been my preference.

My first story - written in eight grade - was a tragic love story and it has been revamped several times over the last thirty years and will actually be published in January of 2012 in eXcessica’s Heartache anthology. But even though this could be categorized as romance, it walks the line with an embedded thriller component.

As far as my writing process, it always starts with either a beginning or in some cases an ending in mind and I go from there. I have no notes, no plot outlines, just an idea and I run with it. There have been times where my characters have done something unexpected alternating where the story is going, and I go with the flow. Even so, I do need to have a general idea of where I want to end up otherwise I find myself rambling and those sections always end up on the editing floor.

Denysé: Do you feel that thrillers and adventure stories are better suited to an erotic twist than some others? Is the “thrill” in the equation a natural marriage to the sensual thrill of sexual encounter do you think?

J.E. Taylor: Beyond romance, I think thrillers are great fit for an erotic backdrop because it lends another dimension to the thrill factor as you eluded. Heart pounding is heart pounding and layering these two themes renders a pretty fast paced and enjoyable read.

Denysé: In an ideal world, how much time would you devote to your writing, as opposed to how much time you realistically have to devote to it around “real-life” and its demands?

J.E. Taylor: If I could devote a solid 40 to 50 hours a week to my own writing that would be ideal. Early on, that’s close to what I was devoting in addition to my full time job and raising a family. I didn’t have time for much else but I’ve slowed down a bit on the writing front and shifted into editing mode, devoting about half that figure to polishing. In other words, if I could do this full time, I would be a very happy camper.


Denysé: Which do you prefer, erotic or non-erotic, as a reader, and as an author?

J.E. Taylor: Non-erotic.
Although it was fun writing the Games Series, which definitely land in the erotic zone, I hadn’t had much exposure to reading erotica. That’s changed a bit since I took on a formatting and content editor positions with my publisher but even so, I still prefer the traditional thriller or horror story to get my heart rate moving. Although I do have to say, the erotic side of the fence has had a real positive effect on my marriage. *wink-wink*

Denysé: Do you every push the envelope solely to test yourself, then edit it out of your final draft, or do you challenge your readers to keep up with you?

J.E. Taylor: Define push the envelope. :)
If we are talking themes and subject matter, hell yes, I push the envelope. Survival Games, my first novel coming out in July, certainly meets this parameter. It’s edgy, sensual, violent, and from what I’ve been told, a compelling read. By far, it is one of the most disturbing in my arsenal of stories.

I have pushed the envelope on occasion and cut those scenes because they were just too much. Believe or not, I did cut back some of the more violent scenes in both Survival Games and Mind Games. The final published versions are very different from the original manuscripts. But then again, the originals were rough cut brain dumps and the journey to refining the story and polishing it included toning it down some.

Denysé: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment thus far as an author, and what is the thing you want most to achieve in future?

J.E. Taylor: Holding the first Survival Games ARC was a surreal experience and the fact I got to share it with my folks gave it a deeper meaning. My father, god bless him, has read every book I’ve written. I’m sure Survival Games shocked the daylights out of him, and he did say something about the amount of sex in the book - but also said the subject matter warranted it. So seeing the pride in my father’s eyes when I handed him the first copy, made the accomplishment that much sweeter.

The future: NY Times Bestseller list. I want to achieve that as well as seeing an adaptation of my books on the big screen.

Thanks, J.E., for being my guest today and telling us more about your books, and your experience as a writer.

My Bio:

J.E. Taylor, author of horror, suspense and erotica, moonlights as an assistant editor with Allegory (http://www.allegoryezine.com/), an online venue for Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror.

Her short stories have appeared in Niteblade and Allegory and she has credits in three upcoming 2011 and 2012 eXcessica anthologies.

Her first book: Survival Games - and edgy, erotic thriller - will be released on July 19, 2010 by eXcessica. The second book in the Games trilogy - Mind Games is scheduled for release on November 29, 2010.

Along with writing erotic thrillers, she also pens supernatural thrillers and is looking forward to the madness that accompanies publication.

Ms. Taylor lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.

Visit her at http://www.jetaylor75.com/



SURVIVAL GAMES - Release Date: July 19, 2010

Until he snatches sexy stock jock Jessica Connor, Ty Aris happily followed his step-brother’s orders, producing some of the most coveted black market porn and snuff films on the street. But the day he grabs her in the parking lot, his life becomes a living nightmare.

Jessica foils his plans, fires his passion, and frustrates the hell out of him. She never gives in to his demands, his pleas or his desires, and yet a psychic bond claims his soul and melts the iron walls around his heart. His obsession sparks a fierce rift when Frank wants to start filming. Ty stalls with any and every excuse in the book, fueling Frank’s fury, but he knows it’s only a matter of time before he loses this game.

With the clock ticking, he scrambles for escape options.

Options that won’t land him in jail . . . or worse . . . a captive in Frank’s sadistic prison.


MIND GAMES - Release Date: November 29, 2010

Chris Ryan doesn’t understand why he’s alive. By all accounts he should have died in the prison he and his step-brother created. Dying screams and the ring of gunshots still haunt his dreams and to make matters worse, five years hasn’t erased his passion for Jessica Connor.

She left him bleeding on the cold concrete floor, escaping the prison that held her for close to a year. Semi-conscious and close to death, his gaze fell on an apparition of her son and white light filled his skin, healing his wounds and giving him a second chance . . . and to this day that power still rages within him.

Haunting visions of her daughter’s death drive him out of hiding and he shows up at her doorstep with the intent of giving her the power he safeguarded all these years. But his good intentions fall short when they realize he led the vengeful spirit of his step-brother straight to her.

Cancer is no longer their biggest worry, now Chris and Jessica must battle a ghost hell bent on destroying all of them.

END GAME - Release Date: February 14, 2011 (No cover shot yet)

Chris Ryan has everything he's ever dreamed of: the love of a beautiful woman, two amazing children, an obscene amount of money and mystical powers beyond his wildest dreams.

His perfectly planned Valentine’s Day proposal hits a speed bump when Jessica receives a call from her ex-husband and agrees to attend the premier of his movie in New York City. A movie Chris isn’t so sure he wants to see, especially on the same night as his wedding.

Sharing the spotlight with her ex becomes the least of his concerns when three thousand miles away on the sunny coast of California, a scorned woman activates a contract on Jessica.

He lands in the cross hairs between an endless trail of assassins and his wife, fending them off and vowing revenge on the crazy bitch that set them loose. But his valiant efforts crumble in a near fatal hit leaving him on the brink.

In the dark plane between life and death, Chris is given a choice: Save his family or save his soul.

5 comments:

  1. Great interview! Sounds like an 'edge of your seat' kind of book! :) Awesome!

    Wishing you all the best!
    C~

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  2. Hey there, JE - sorry so few people stopped to comment. I can see by the counter a lot came by, and I know my promo was a bit late, so I hope more comments are left tomorrow. Will let you know, and thank you very much for coming by. I enjoyed your interview and learning more about your books!!!

    HuUgs and Thanks,
    Denyse

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  3. As someone who's read J.E.'s work I can attest to the fact it's compelling. She definitely writes thrillers with high level erotic content, rather than erotic work with a thriller element. Dark and disturbing, and just very difficult to get away from once you're reading. "Just a couple more pages...oh, a couple more..." And it stays with you for a while after, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. No problem Denyse, I'll definately come back again closer to my release date if you'll have me!

    And Willsin - wow, thank you for the support!

    Folks - FYI - Willsin Rowe did the cover to Mind Games for me and is also doing End Game as we speak. He's awesome!

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