Lucinda Somerton lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.
She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She’s fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.
We asked Lucinda a few questions about her writing and her new book: ManTrap.
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
In my early teens I think (a long time ago!). I had this idealised picture of sitting in a cottage by the sea, typing away while the waves crashed on to the shore. I don’t think the concept of having to earn a living had entered my head at that point in my life.
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
My editor would probably say far too long! I am extremely slow and I delete more than I keep half the time. Even after more than ten contracts I don’t quite believe that I can do this or that people really want to buy what I write. I think the fastest I’ve turned a book around is six months, though I do write more than one story at the same time.
3: What does your family think of your writing?
As long as it doesn’t interfere with provision of food, hugs, laundry or taxi services, they just look on in bemusement and if I mutter any sentence with the word ‘deadline’ in it, they know to steer clear!
4: Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate. It’s a staple food group isn’t it?
5. What book do you wish you could have written?
Wuthering Heights – passion, a stunning setting and a flawed anti-hero. Perfect.
6: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
The ability to stretch time and work a few more hours in to the day.
7: How would you describe your latest book?
My latest release is a short story in the Had Riders Anthology. It’s called Mantrap and centres around a motorcycle club called The Wyverns. It’s set in the U.S., which is a first for me and is quite gritty. There’s love involved but I wouldn’t call it a romance – it’s a little too raw for that and underpinned by a thread of BDSM.
8:What are you working on now? What is your next project?
I have another book out at the end of the year – Tarot’s Touch is the third in the Investigating Love series. I’ve also just finished the fifth book in the Tales from the Edge series, Rough Around the Edges, which will be out next year. I’m currently working on the full-length follow-up to Picturing Lysander, which was a short story in the What’s his Passion Anthology that came out with Totally Bound earlier this year. I haven’t decided on a title for that one yet.
9: Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so how do you get past it?
I’m really lucky to have never experienced this. Writing is therapy for me, so even if I’m feeling low or annoyed about something I still want to write.
10: If you only had one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?
One word is really tough, but I think I’ll go for enigma. Why? Because on the outside I’d probably pass for a prim librarian but inside there’s a whole other persona – an unashamedly kinky one!
Below you will find an excerpt from Mantrap,