Ines Johnson dropped by to talk about her newest release, The Pleasure Hound Part I and answer some questions. So, have a seat, put your feet up and join us.
How long did you write before you were
published?
I went to school for producing and screenwriting, and worked in
the broadcasting industry for over a decade, before trying my hand at novel
writing. I wrote my first novel in 2009. It was based off a script that I wrote
but couldn’t find the financing for. I was so proud of my work, but readers and
critique partners noted that it was evident that I was a screenwriter and
didn’t understand the mechanics of novelization. Screenwriting consists of
action and dialogue. That’s it. In scripts, there is no internal monologuing
and setting is minimal. I had some learning to do. Five years, and a ton of
classes later, I’m finally making my debut with a novel lush in setting and
internal angst.
How long did it take you to write your current
book?
The first time I tried to write a book it took me one year to
write the first three chapters because I agonized over each word choice. Now, I
believe in fast drafting. Vomit the story onto the page without a care for
comma placement. All told, it takes me about six months from the first drafted
word to the final polished manuscript.
I take three to four weeks for the first draft, which I call The
Dirty. I let The Dirty breath for as long as I am able to be parted with it
-usually a week or two. Then I come back and Sweep up the grammar and plot
holes, which usually takes another three to four weeks.
Next I send The Swept draft out to my trusted critique partners.
When it comes back I Clean it up for another three weeks focusing on my
weaknesses which is setting. Finally, I send The Clean manuscript off to the
copyeditor for two to three weeks. When it comes back I Polish up all the
commas and rethink my overused words. Then I hit publish, and start all over
again!
I write romantic erotica, paranormal romance, and fairy tale
retelling romance novels. Notice the romance in each genre. I began writing YA,
but realized my love scenes were too hot for teens!
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| Image Credit: Yocla Designs & Shutterstock |
What or who inspired your main character?
Last year, I was given an ARC of Kele Moon’s paranormal, menage
romance, “The Queen’s Consorts.” I’d never read a polyamorous story before,
where not only did the men fall for the heroine, but they fell for each other
as well. I craved more of this world, but couldn’t find anything to satisfy my
needs. So I wrote my own.
“The Pleasure Hound” is a polyamorous romance set in a dystopian
future where a young monk is given the chance to redeem himself from scandal
when he is called upon to train a young woman and her two bonded mates in the
orgasmic arts. But what starts as a simple ritual soon turns carnal when the
monk’s heart begins to yearn for the woman, and hers for his.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
I love plotting. Its my favorite part of writing. I love to go
into Scrivener and use the Outline tool to plan the journey of my characters. I
can recite just about any plotting structure you can think of. The Hero’s
Journey, Save the Cat, Romance Arc, Relationship Arc...I could go on.
Where do you write?
I do my best writing at hightop tables where I can alternately sit
or stand while typing on my laptop. A cup is a must. My favorite is soy chai,
sweetened with honey.
When do you write?
I write best in the morning from 8am until lunchtime. Nights are
reserved for reading.
What is the most you have written in one day?
The most I’ve written in one day is 4551 words. How do I know
that? Because I keep a log. I record what plot point I was writing, where I
wrote, what time I started writing, how long I wrote, and my word count.
I typically Fast Draft with a friend; a competitive friend. I
recommend writing along with competitive people. It forces you to get the words
out. I also believe in incentives and I give myself stickers when I meet my
word count -a trick I learned stalking Laini Taylor’s blog.
What are you currently reading?
I’m reading a nonfiction book called “Sperm Wars: The Science of
Sex” by Robin Baker. The title reveals the subject matter. Its about what goes
on inside a fertile woman’s body. Did you know that less than 1% of sperm is
designed for fertilization of the egg? There are Terminator sperm that engage
in warfare with enemy sperm from the Part-Time Lover. Its fascinating! Its
research for my current WIP.
I was up one night watching HBO’s after dark programing. On show
called “Cathouse,” one of the ‘working girls’ captivated me. She looked like a
kindergarten teacher, not anything like what I’d imagine a hooker to look like.
She said that she was a “pleasure hound,” and she could sniff out pleasure
wherever it might be. The phrase stuck in my head for years.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your
interest?
I’m obsessed with Ernessa T. Carter. Her book “32 Candles,” is an
80’s fairytale retelling for women of color.
What are your current projects?
There are so many stories in my head begging to get out. I’ve
drafted the second Pleasure Hound Book, and will shortly begin working on the
third. I’m drafting the series bible (that may be a television term) for my
fairytale retellings where all the heroines are single mothers getting a second
chance at love. And, waiting in the wings is my paranormal debut, which is an
ode to the sun.
Can you share a little of your current work with
us?
Just in time for Disney’s new Cinderella movie, I’ll be releasing
my debut fairytale retelling in March. Its called “Pumpkin: a Cindermama
story.” Here’s the blurb:
Single mother Malika “Pumpkin” Tavares lost faith in fairytales
after she fell for a toad. Now she believes she’s not cut from the storybook,
heroine cloth and searches for Mr. Good Enough amongst the sidekicks and
supporting men of the town. Love at first sight isn’t a cliche for town royalty
Armand “Manny” Charmayne because for generations the Charmayne’s have spotted
their soulmates be seeing a golden aura around them the first time they laid
eyes on them. When Manny meets Pumpkin he sees…nothing, but sparks fly off the
richter scale. The more he gets to know her the more he considers defying fate,
if only he can convince her to take a chance on love again.
Who designed your cover?
I worked with an amazing designer named Clarissa
Yeo at Yocla Designs. I gave her a vague idea. She read my mind and made magic.
What
starts as a simple ritual soon turns carnal when a monk falls for a young woman
under his tutelage.
Excerpt:
"Will you pray with me, Lady Chanyn?"
Jian led her to kneel before the bed. Hands still clasped, he
closed his eyes and began to speak in that melodic tone of souls.
"Maternal Goddess, I seek your presence as I align myself with one of your sacred daughters.
I offer my body as a vessel of your will and your grace.
The desire of my heart is pure and known to you.
I wish to please your daughter and garner your favor.
The miracle that pleases a woman and creates life is of your design, Divine Goddess.
With great anticipation, I align all of the energy systems of my body, my soul, and my mind with you.
I give thanks in advance for your blessings of this experience, and know that I walk in the light of your sun, and the fertility of your earth.
Ashe."
I offer my body as a vessel of your will and your grace.
The desire of my heart is pure and known to you.
I wish to please your daughter and garner your favor.
The miracle that pleases a woman and creates life is of your design, Divine Goddess.
With great anticipation, I align all of the energy systems of my body, my soul, and my mind with you.
I give thanks in advance for your blessings of this experience, and know that I walk in the light of your sun, and the fertility of your earth.
Ashe."
The monk remained motionless for a moment, still holding her
hands lightly. Chanyn felt energy humming between them.
She ceased to breathe while Jian recited his prayer. When he
opened his eyes, she said. "I've never heard a prayer like that. Do you
believe all of it?"
"Every word." Jian helped her rise to her feet.
"Would you lie back please, Lady Chanyn."
Chanyn stiffened. Though she found this soft-spoken monk easy
on the eyes and a delight to the ears, she wasn't quite ready to open her body
to him. "What are you going to do to me?"
His still-water eyes pooled. "What I just promised the
Goddess. I will please you."
Heat coursed through Chanyn's body. She glanced down at the bed
and then back to Jian. He let go of her hands and took a seat on the bed,
waiting patiently for her to follow suit. She sat down slowly, her heart
racing. A throb arrowing between her legs.
Five hundred years after mankind ravaged the earth, women grasped the reins of the planet and set the world aright.
Chanyn grew up in isolation in the ruins of the Great
Destruction. All her life she’s wanted to find her one true love. When she
encounters the dashing Lord Dain, with his kind eyes and pure heart, she
believes her dreams of love are finally coming true. Until she meets with the
roadblock that is her betrothed’s bondmate.
In a world where men outnumber women ten to one, Khial never
thought he’d have to contend with a woman entering his bond. He gave his heart
to Dain when they were just boys and has been by his side every day in sickness
and health. These days it's mostly in sickness as Dain’s health deteriorates.
Though his attraction to Chanyn increases with every encounter, Khial can’t
help but resent the young woman who comes into his love story to play the hero,
but marriage to her may be the only way to save the man he loves.
To prepare Chanyn for her union with the two males, Lord Dain
hires a Pleasure Hound, an ancient order of monks tasked with instructing new
husbands, who have little to no contact with women, in the art of female
pleasure. Years ago a scandal left the Temple of the Pleasure Hounds near
destitute. The young monk responsible for the scandal is given a chance to
redeem himself and the temple when he is called upon to train the bonded triad
in the orgasmic arts. What starts as a simple ritual soon turns carnal when the
monk’s heart begins to yearn for Chanyn, and hers for his.
Amazon Purchase Link:
ISBN: 9780990922827 AISN: B00OYU2CYO
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| Ines Johnson |
About the Author:
Ines writes books for strong women who suck at love. If you
rocked out to the twisted triangle of Jem, Jericha, and Rio as a girl; if you
were slayed by vampires with souls alongside Buffy; if you need your scandalous
fix from Olivia Pope each week, then you’ll love her books!
Aside from being a writer, professional reader, and teacher,
Ines is a very bad Buddhist. She sits in sangha each week, and while others are
meditating and getting their zen on, she’s contemplating how to use the
teachings to strengthen her plots and character motivations.
Ines lives outside Washington, DC with her two little sidekicks
who are growing up way too fast.
Social Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23480179-the-pleasure-hound?from_search=trueFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ineswrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ineswrites
Website: https://inesjohnson.wordpress.com/
Publisher: http://heartspell.com/
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