An Interview with Bestselling Author Cherise Sinclair

Cherise Sinclair novels held four of the spots in a Top Ten list for 2009. Very few writers will ever be able to achieve such a feat. To do so, an author must not only write superbly, but also captivate an audience willing to make not one, but repeated purchases of the author's work.

Award-winning Cherise Sinclair has garnered a devoted following that is increasing with each new book.

Born in Iowa and currently residing in California with her husband, children and domineering cats, Ms Sinclair has become a powerhouse in the literary industry within the genre of . . . BDSM – Bondage, Discipline (dominance), Sadism, Masochism.

What sets Ms Sinclair apart, endears her to readers around the world, is her ability to intertwine the erotic elements of BDSM into romantic tales of love so strong, so powerful, the reader can't help but cheer when the leading man and woman finally fall into each other's arms.

The "Masters of the Shadowlands" series continues to reign supreme on Amazon's Kindle listings, while the combined romantic, science fiction & BDSM tale, "The Starlight Rite" holds top one hundred places in three separate categories, and her latest, "Master of the Abyss" is the #9 bestseller on two Kindle lists.

Yeah. Cherise Sinclair is one heck of a writer. http://www.cherisesinclair.com/

Q) To what do you attribute the growing reader/buyer interest in stories involving BDSM?

A) There’s probably a myriad of reasons, but I’ll give you a couple:

* To stay ahead of the increasingly hot mainstream romances, erotic romances must increasingly push the boundaries toward more ‘kink’, which is why BDSM is no longer considered outrageous. In addition, women now demand in their literature all the variety that men have enjoyed for so long. (‘Bout time, too)

* During the feminist movement, in order to stay politically correct, authors would emasculate their heroes to some degree. Even now, writing a dominating hero without crossing the he’s-an-arrogant-asshole perception can be tricky. However, with BDSM and a consensual exchange of power, the more dominant a hero is, the better. Cuff her, spank her, order her around? If it’s safe, sane, and consensual, it’s all good.

Q) What on earth first compelled you to write a story about finding love in the world of BDSM?

A) It sure wasn’t a planned career change. A couple of years ago, I was having health problems and feeling very unfeminine and unsexy. So I put aside the mainstream book I’d been working on, and--just to please myself--wrote the most erotic story I could think of. Just for my own pleasure.

Of course, once it was done, I couldn’t throw it away. A friend, Amber Green, recommended her epublisher, and I sent it off. When Loose Id bought it, I wasn’t sure whether to be thrilled or horrified. An erotic romance writer? Me?

Q) I'll wager your parents didn't read you bedtime stories about handcuffs, chains, and rope. What books did enthral you early on?

A) Oh, I was a nerd and read everything. From religious Grace Livingston Hills to Heinlein’s "Stranger in a Strange Land," from Bertrice Small to James Bond books, from Guideposts to the Penthouses under my big brother’s mattress. Focused, I wasn’t--and I haven’t changed much. I loved the library. I knew I’d gotten a hot story if the librarian gave me an over-the-reading-glasses look and asked, “Does your mother know you’re reading this?”

Q) How does your family feel about your chosen genre, and, do you foresee a shift in genres, one without BDSM, in your future?

A) My family is still a little off-balance, especially my big brother. I, of course, tell him it’s his fault I’ve gone over to the dark side--maybe if I’d never read his Penthouse or Playboy magazines in my tender, formative years…

My husband enjoys it all, including helping with research. Ah…yeah. Actually, he insists on helping with research.

I might eventually try my hand at seeing if I can create a very dominant hero for a mainstream romance. Just for fun. Then again, look how much trouble I got into last time I wrote something just for fun.

Q) Any advice for those who have a story to tell, but have yet to write it?

A) Ahem. Beginning writers: line up right here in front of me (and be grateful that I left the flogger under the bed). Very nice. Now ‘splain to me why you’re reading this instead of working on your story? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Listen carefully: I want you to sign off the Internet, plant your butt in the chair, and get to writing.

Sure it’s good to read craft books, join critique groups, and play with writing software. However, those activities are all secondary. Write! Think of riding a bike. You buy the bike, read the manual, listen to advice--but if you don’t actually climb on the darn thing and pedal, you’ll never be able to pop a wheelie.

Now go--get to work.