Since 2004, Diana Laurence has made a name for herself writing her brand of tasteful erotic romance, dubbed "erotic with soul." Her first collection, Soulful Sex: Erotic Tales of Fantasy and Romance, was an Eppie Finalist and Amazon bestseller. Subsequent collections, and her novel Souls' Embrace, have been recognized by many awards and critical acclaim. With the September 2007 release of Bloodchained, Diana departs a bit from the erotic romance genre. Nevertheless, this paranormal suspense novel still concerns itself with many of the same themes in her Soulful Sex stories: dominance and submission, sexual attraction, intimacy, desire and trust, and the union of souls in erotic love.  

Welcome sensual romance author, Diana Laurence, to Love Romances & More. We are excited to have the opportunity to speak with you and learn more about your work. 

Thanks, Dee, it’s my privilege to be here! 

How long have you been writing; was it something you have always wanted to do? 

Absolutely.  I’ve been writing fiction since I was about nine, and I had my first story published when I was thirteen.  It appeared in ‘Teen magazine and was called “The Orange Crate with No Second Floor.”  Really, it was.  LOL.  Anyway, I can’t even remember a time I didn’t consider myself a writer and at least aspiring author.  

What influenced you to get published? How long did it take you to get your first book published? 

I always wrote constantly in my spare time, but I knew it was impractical to do it as my main source of income.  Still, I wanted to be read, so I submitted articles and stories to publications on a regular basis, and sold them occasionally.  I almost sold my first novel circa 1981, and fortunately it was ultimately rejected...it was really quite terrible!  My first short book to be published was a book of Lenten devotions released around 1988, which sold in five figures.  So if you want to count from when I was nine, that was 23 years! 

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing? 

To be honest, I really love promotion.  It’s fun thinking of new ways to get your work in front of potential readers.  Website design is always enjoyable to me.  I also like to work in the visual arts, especially as a corollary to my writing.  That’s why I’ve done portraits of all my characters, designed “Diana’s Deck,” my set of romance fortune telling cards, made a piece of jewelry from one of my books, replicas of props, and so on.  I recently made a trailer for my novel Bloodchained, mostly because I thought it would be fun to do some animation.  I guess I could put it to you this way:  I’m dressing as my Bloodchained heroine Grace Gilder for Halloween!  But I do occasionally get completely away from the fiction world:  I enjoy working in polymer clay, jewelry making, gourmet cooking, and having adventures with my husband and two grown daughters. 

Often a writer’s first book is the toughest to write. Was this true for you? If so, what helped you get through it? If it wasn’t the first, which one was the most difficult to write? The easiest? 

I’d agree that first novel was tough--it took me a couple of years.  A lot of the problem was the technology.  I wrote that book in pen in notebooks (I can’t believe J.K. Rowling does it that way by choice!)  The editing was done largely with scissors and tape.  And then I had to type it up on a typewriter that didn’t even have an eraser key.  On the other hand, Bloodchained went from conception to bookshelves in less than six months!  I love the 21st Century!  But to your real point, the only way to learn is by practice, so every long work gets easier to write.  You just get a better grip on the pacing.  Even with the complexity of Bloodchained, and the extra effort I put in to edit it, it was my easiest book to write to date. 

Do you usually outline your stories before you write, or do you "go with the flow"? 

I have to have at least a couple crystal clear characters in mind, a general plot sketch, and a conflict in order to begin.  I go with the flow usually until about half way in, and then will put down a rough outline of the rest of the story, just to make sure all plot points are addressed, and in the right order. 

Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing? 

I read less now that I’m writing so much, but yes, I don’t think you can write without being an avid reader; it would be like aspiring to filmmaking without watching movies.  I have been greatly inspired by Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and Margaret Mitchell in terms of developing characters and romantic tension.  Fantasy writer Robin Hobb taught me about creating vibrant alternate worlds and using paranormal elements.  I love Stephen King for his storytelling skill and the richness of his writing; he’s a brilliant author.  And I’m amazed at how much Shakespeare creeps into my prose.  (That’s just weird...can you tell I have an English degree?) 

You describe your writing as “erotica with soul”; can you give readers insight into your philosophy?  

In this regard I was influenced a lot by the book The Soul of Sex, by an ex-monk named Thomas Moore.  He teaches that the erotic force in life influences so much more than our sex lives; it’s what drives creativity and personal growth and much of the joy we experience in our daily lives outside the bedroom.  I’ve always had a very wholesome view of sex:  to me it shouldn’t feel dirty, it should be magical and inspiring.  It’s like the glue that binds the human race, or like a joyful magnetic force that holds things together.   

I love best to write about pairs of characters who are desperately drawn to each other, and explore that bond in every kind of way:  via dialogue, the plot, and of course, the love scenes. 

I maintain a blog at www.eroticawithsoul.blogspot.com where I expound upon this stuff.  I write a lot about sex and romance in pop culture, my personal experience, and the media.  I hope you’ll check it out; maybe I’ve written about your favorite movie or TV show! 

Congratulations on your September release, BLOODCHAINED, from Living Beyond Reality Press. This book is unique in that it was written cooperatively; could you tell us how this project came about? And a teaser? 

Back in January 2007 I was thinking about my next project, and I wanted to try something different.  I was very motivated to find a way to engage readers from the very conception of a book, and it occurred to me that with today’s web technology, it would be easy to do that.  I spent a couple months recruiting volunteers, and ultimately had 63 people sign up, all ages and walks of life, from all over the world. 

These partners determined the genre, point of view, and sensuality level for our book, and chose the plot from three possible scenarios.  They named the main characters.  They also gave me feedback on the initial chapters and helped with plot decisions.  I had six volunteers read, edit and critique the entire first draft.  I can’t tell you how much help the whole process was to me; these folks were just brilliant.  If your readers are curious, they can learn more by visiting the project’s official blog, www.soulfulsex-partners.blogspot.com.  

As far as a teaser for the novel, I invite your readers to visit the official site at www.bloodchained.com, to find out all about the book.  You can read a synopsis, watch the trailer, view character bios and portraits, read an excerpt, check out the official licensed merchandise, and much more!  Heck, you can even find out how to get a copy, and how to join the Bloodchained Readers Club to get special discounts and other treats. 

Your SOULFUL SEX series is very popular with readers; could you tell us about these works and your plans for the series? 

Thanks, Dee!  So far I’ve written six anthologies of these tastefully erotic short stories:  Volumes I, II and III, and the Paranormal, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Collections.  That’s 30 tales in all.  They are all available in both ebook and trade paperback formats.  I think the Soulful Sex series is popular in that it differs from typical erotic romance; these are stories about sex for people who aren’t really turned on by classic erotica.  They are a bit literary, and although sensually quite explicit, avoid coarse language.  It’s a readership niche not a lot of books address.  If any LR&M readers would like to learn more, please visit www.dianalaurence.com and go to the Works page. 

Since writing Bloodchained, I’m on a bit of a hiatus from the Soulful Sex series.  I’m waiting to see how BC is received because I’d love to write a sequel.  Nevertheless, I have no doubt that more Soulful Sex stories are in me! 

Your characters come to life in your books. Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? 

Thank you, Dee!  I do try above all to make my characters compelling.  The male leads in particular do fascinate me while I’m writing them and I generally am in love with them myself!  Well, you have to be, or how can you expect your readers to feel that way?  The way it works with me is something of the inverse of what you are suggesting, though.  Well, let me explain.... 

I tend to find heroes in life, movie or TV characters or celebrities, and be fascinated by them for a period of time.  When some guy gets to me like that, I try to write him into a story.  For example, I’m a huge fan of the show “Battlestar Galactica,” and one night I had a dream in which I was desperately in love with Admiral Adama, played by Edward James Olmos.  I woke up suddenly obsessed with that character, and the archetype of the older, gruff, slightly tortured authority figure.  This inspired my story “The Chieftain’s Man,” which is about a young girl who is rescued from rape by the commander of the army, and dedicates her life to him.  I channeled my passion for the William Adama character into the feelings of my heroine, and I think it worked well. 

Do you find it difficult at times to write love/sex scenes? 

In fact, I do, simply because having written over 70 sex scenes now, I find it very challenging to keep them fresh and interesting.  I feel the best way to set up an effective (read: hot) sex scene is to build tension and make the reader long desperately for that consummation; that part is always fun and not too difficult.  But ultimately the couple is in bed and you have to describe their experience in a way that is worth reading.  “Tab A into Slot B” is not enough.  So writing Bloodchained was a nice switch in that I got to write 320 pages and only four true sex scenes.  Of course, lacking quantity I knew I better provide quality!  LOL

Have you ever suffered from "writer’s block"? If so, what did you do to get out if it? 

I am most fortunate among writers that I never get writer’s block.  It’s a gift and boy do I appreciate it.  I wish there were some reality show in which you could compete for prizes for writing on command and quickly.  I’m not the world’s best author by any stretch, but I’m good at that!  C’mon, give me a topic, I’m ready, I’m ready!!!  LOL  Last said though, I do suffer sometimes as aforementioned with struggling to write sex.  I get all, “Oh cripes, time to do the Big Love Scene!” and put it off for a day or two. 

If you could write and be guaranteed publication of any genre of book, what would it be? 

What an interesting question!  Well, romantic fantasy is my favorite and I’m already blessed to be doing that.  But I’ll give you this answer, which may be relevant:  I have a great children’s book story in my unpublished file, called “Junk Drawer Invasion.”  Really, I love this story, isn’t that crazy?  I just wish it could be illustrated and published some day.  (Yeah, me and my titles:  from “Orange Crate with No Second Floor” to “Junk Drawer Invasion.”) 

Are you working on anything right now? Can you tell us a teaser about these projects? 

I’m so absolutely thrilled with how Bloodchained came out, I’m praying that readers will want a sequel.  (You can vote in my poll on that in the Fan’s Tavern at www.bloodchained.com!)  So far it seems readers are in love with it as much as I am, but it’s very early yet.  So please, order a copy and let me know if my dream of a sequel might come true!  LOL 

Any final advice to aspiring authors? 

If you love to write, and have been writing for your own amusement but wondering about publication, this is the best time in history for new authors to find readers.  You can start by posting your work to one of the many websites out there for that purpose, or setting up your own site.  See how people like your stuff.  If the feedback is good, go for it! 

As far as the writing itself, I always say, you cannot edit enough.  When you think your manuscript is perfect, go over it again and polish it some more.  And, as I learned big time from the Bloodchained project, get other opinions!  I’ve always had an editor, but having 63 heads in addition to my own was fantastic. 

Then:  persevere!  The lion’s share of your author experience, like that of all other authors, is going to be rejection.  Just keep trying!  And finally, when you do get published, promote.  To be a success, you’ll need to spend more time promoting than you do writing. 

If you truly love to write, and work hard, you may not be the next John Grisham or Nora Roberts, but you will definitely find readers.  And there’s nothing more rewarding than that. 

Thank you so much for spending time with us at Love Romances and More. We wish you the greatest success in all of your future endeavors. 

My thanks to you, Dee and LR&M, for the chance to speak to your readers!  I hope they will visit me at www.dianalaurence.com.  And for those interested in free sample ebooks of some of my works, please check out the Living Beyond Reality Press READ FREE Project at www.livingbeyondreality.com/readfree.html.  I’d love to have the chance to share my stories with you!