Author interview with Leilani Black
Interview with Leilani Black
What was your childhood ambition?
To sing in a rock band.
What ambitions do you still have?
To be a successful writer. My singing is now limited to Honolulu karaoke bars, at home, or with friends over for a party.
How did you end up being an erotic writer?
My older sister, as a teen, got me hooked on category romances. We would cut class and go to the public library. The second floor loft was where romance paperbacks were kept, and we’d hole up there for hours. When the librarians realized there were a couple of teens playing hooky, they would kick us out.
Over time, category romance grew hotter and hotter, and I became intrigued that sexuality could be explored more openly in mainstream romance. Then I discovered a Bertrice Small historical romance, Skye O’Malley, and it was all over for me. I knew I wanted to write erotic romance. Bertrice Small’s books continue to captivate me because her heroines, even in the saddest and dire of circumstances, (when women didn’t have a lot of choices and freedom) remained spirited, and their sharp minds and clever wit made positive change happen for themselves, and those around them.
What are the most important components that go into making good erotic fiction?
Engaging the senses. Using language of love that by golly yes, may on occasion include some rude, sexy words! Connection, and chemistry with readers; can they fantasize themselves in this storyline? Or do they like to watch; to let the male and female leads take them along on their journey?
How do people who don’t know you react when you tell them you’re an erotic author?
Friends and family have always known that I write, but only recently, with the debut of my erotic novella-length romance, Boss With Benefits, what I am capable of writing (laughing). I also do my best to get a read on who I’m dealing with if I’m promoting myself, and my craft. True friends and family have embraced it with interest, despite their OMG’s and what on earths? I’ve had to remind my friends and family who’ve given me a good-natured ribbing about the hot love scenes in my work that, “It’s fiction, not my autobiography for goodness sake! And no, my husband does NOT get that kind of action in the bedroom…!” etc…etc…One wise bachelor friend summed it all up perfectly with a lazy smile and a shrug of his shoulders. “It’s literature.”
How do you like to relax when you’re not at work?
Cultivating my vegetable gardens, I’m in the process of planting a mini-vineyard and hope to make my own wines. I enjoy the occasional cocktail, and am a wine lover, obviously. Cooking a gourmet meal and dining on our deck with a view of the mountains, entertaining friends and family, watching movies and sitcoms with my husband…writing…these are a few things that relax me.
What makes you laugh?
Ironic situations. My husband’s humor. My children’s antics. Our egg-laying hens. Our female Jack Russell terror.
What makes you cross?
Ignorance. Judgmental people. Unkind acts. Malicious, manipulative behaviors. Rude drivers.
IPhone or Blackberry? Or neither?
Neither. I have the attention span of a gnat without handheld devices to add to the problem.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I confided to a dear friend that I knew I could lose other friends over the sensual content of my writing. She told me simply, “Then they never really knew you, and never will be your friends. Are you going to play it safe and write only what makes others happy?” Considering I’ve written kids articles, sports articles, everything from sweet to spicy love stories, I realize the value in her words. As a writer, I read and appreciate all kinds of literature, but it’s easy to forget that others may not have the same spectrum of tastes as I, and may not share the same interest and enthusiasm for certain genres. I love reading and writing erotic romance, because love–combined with burning hot lust–is damned exciting to feel, as it is to read.
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