Erotic romance author Tanith Davenport some time out of her busy writing schedule to answer a few question we had about her writing style, quirks and new book: Tamar Rising
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It’s something I wanted my whole life, but I only started writing for publication when I was 27. Up until then I had only ever written for my own enjoyment (and none of it was much good!) I was inspired by the onset of my thirtieth birthday to get my debut novel finished, and the rest is history.
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
For a full-length novel, about a year. For shorter pieces, I try to keep it down to three or four months, depending on how many I’m working on at the same time.
3: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love to watch films, especially horror; I’m fascinated by the paranormal; and I’m a classically trained singer, although the music I listen to most is rock. I also love to try new restaurants, the more unusual the better – I’ll try anything once.
4: Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate. I’ve never been a vanilla person.
5: What does your writing process look like?
A lot of planning on paper, character designs and chapter lists. When necessary, it may also contain maps of local areas or plans of houses. I like to have things to refer to as I write, then if I get stuck I can leap ahead and come back to it later.
6. Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?
I can’t write unless I’m fully dressed. I’m so jealous of writers who can sit and write while in their pyjamas – I’d love to be able to do that, but if I’m not dressed I can’t get my writing head on. It’s very annoying.
7. Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?
Lauren Oliver, Anne Bronte and Anne O’Brien. Three very different novelists who never fail to entertain me.
8: What are you working on now? What is your next project?
My next novella will be “In the Halls of the Mountain Troll”, about a team of troll-hunters in Scandinavia. Never let it be said I don’t like a challenge!
9: How did you choose the genre you write in?
I almost feel as though it chose me. I had been reading a lot of online erotica, which probably influenced my debut novel as it had a highly sexualised plot, and after showing the first chapter to a Book Doctor I was told it was “the best sex scene I’ve ever read”. After a ringing endorsement like that I couldn’t have done anything else.
10: If you only had one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?
Dreamy. I spend most of my time in a world of my own – it’s where my best story ideas come from.
Tanith’s new book: Tamar Rising features a ghost, lots of paranormal activity and a good dose of good old fashioned romance. Read the excerpt below for an idea of what you can find inside this dark and mysterious book :
Jason’s new car had darkened rear windows.
It was, Tamar thought, a very useful feature. Not only did it enable passengers to secretly spy on people in passing cars, but it was possible to have sex in a car park wi