SJ Frost is an author that I've been following for a long time. She is extremely prolific and writes about my favorite subject of all time: gay love and erotica. I had the good fortune of interviewing her. Here's what she had to say about her work.
1. How did you get your start writing gay fiction and/or erotica?
I started writing gay erotic romance during my last year in college. I had a dialogue assignment for one of my creative writing classes, which I was not pleased about since for the assignment we couldn’t use previous stories or characters already submitted in the class and I didn’t know what to write. As I was walking across campus, mentally complaining about the assignment, all of a sudden bursting into my mind was Jesse Alexander, who was to become the main character of what would be my first novel, Conquest. He came to me stronger than any character I had ever written before. So it was him, his love for Evan Arden, and their relationship, that got me started into writing gay romance. Writing it also turned out to be a perfect match for my own personal beliefs that no matter who the individuals are in a relationship, their love deserves to be recognized and respected, and that’s why I continue to write it.
2. What inspires you?
A lot of things! Music, nature, people, animals, events. I see stories in so many things. But when I’m really looking to get my creativity moving on days were my muse and I aren’t fully clicking, I’ll often listen to music for a while or go for a walk, and that always seems to help.
(Nathan: Me too! Music, movies and exercise all seem to inspire me).
3. What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?
My biggest hope is to show how love transcends gender, that it’s the inherent and natural right of all individuals. I try very hard to present this belief in my works, and I hope I come even marginally close to doing it justice. What I also hope to accomplish with my writing is that people get enjoyment out of my stories. I want it that when people read the last page of one of my works, they feel good about the journey they went on with the characters. Even though my books can have angst and rough emotions in them, I always want THE END to come about with positive feelings for the reader.
(Nathan: What a great sentiment! I truly believe that love does transcend genders).
4. If you had to choose, which one of your novels do you like the most and why?
Wow, that’s a tough question! I love them all for different reasons. If I have to pick, it’s nearly a tie between my first novel, Conquest, and the sequel, No Fear, with Conquest being slightly in the lead since it was the first. The two books are linked very closely together, and follow the relationship of rock stars, Jesse Alexander and Evan Arden.
Being a huge music lover certainly helped inspire both books. As my first novel, Conquest will always have sentimental meaning for me, but even more than that, Jesse is very special to me. He’s the whole reason I sought to become a published author, and I owe every story I’ve written and published since to him.
5. If you had a message for your readers and fans, what would it be?
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. An author is only an author because of the kindness of others who take the time to read the stories we write. For everyone who gives my stories a chance, you have my deepest appreciation, and your support is invaluable to me. With every story I write, I’ll continue to do the best that I’m capable of for all of you.
Nathan: Thank you, SJ Frost! Her books are available on Amazon.com.
Natural Instincts is her latest.
Thank you so much for having me as a guest, Nathan! I really had a great time answering your questions!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shannon!
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