Diary of a Gay Erotica Author: Elizabeth Lister

My friends, I give you bestselling author Elizabeth Lister!

1. How did you get your start writing gay fiction and/or erotica? Please tell us a bit about your background and early beginnings.

Hmm, well I've written straight erotica since I was a teenager, just for personal reading. Never considered trying to publish erotic stories until this past fall, when I realized it would be a great way to make some money working from home. I really don't want to get a job at the local grocery store when my kids are in school full time. I realized over the past couple of years that there is a growing market for gay male erotica and I became intrigued enough to try my hand at writing it. MLR Press accepted my manuscript and the rest is history. I'm very proud to write about gay male relationships. I know several gay men who are in committed relationships right now.

2. What inspires you?

Sometimes a photo; Sometimes a setting; Sometimes just a cool title pops into my head and I'll think of a story to go with it. I love sex and I think that writing about sex in all its many manifestations is completely fascinating. I like the challenge of trying to think of a new way to describe a similar event. I mean, my characters are always orgasming (!) so how do you describe it differently each time? I think that focusing on things beyond the physical event is really the key. What is the character thinking? Feeling? Saying? Was it okay or good or fan-fucking-tastic?

3. What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?

I'd like to make a name for myself in this genre and in others. Right now, because the demand is there, I'm focusing on m/m romance. But I'd like to write more polyamorous stories - there is one short story, A Revelatory Masquerade, on my website that I really enjoyed writing and for which I've received alot of positive feedback. I would like to become known for vivid characterization, realistic depictions of sex and relationships, and positive stories of love and lust.

4. If you had to choose, which one of your novels do you like the most and why?

I think that Exposure will always be dearest to me. It was the first m/m romance I ever wrote, my first ever published work, and features a character with Multiple Sclerosis which I don't think has been done before in a m/m romance. Because I have MS, the character of Jeremy will always be close to me.

5. If you had a message for your readers and fans, what would it be?

I love to hear from my fans and I love to hear that someone has enjoyed my book. It is every writer's dream to have their work read and enjoyed. Keep the positive feedback coming :)