Thursday, November 8, 2012

THE JOY OF WRITING OUTSIDE THE BOX


By Carol Lynne

I’ve been writing for six and a half years, published for almost six, and free to write exactly what I wanted for…six months. What? I write M/M Erotic Romance, how much farther can I go, right? Well, even in Erotic Romance there are rules that a writer must follow.

Each publisher is different, but the majority wants a happily-ever-after ending, characters who don’t cheat or anything they consider outside a normal sex-life between two people. I’ve written within these guidelines for years, and I thought I was fully expressing myself, but I had no idea what else was out there.

While speaking to a friend in the publishing business, we started to discuss our love of stories outside the normal box of romance. We decided that maybe it was time to create a publishing house that would not only allow an author to create stories with no rules attached but also embrace them. A house where brothers could fall in love with brothers and love didn’t always have to end happily. A safe place where readers could find well-edited stories of unusual couples who are as diverse as the world we are living in. Thus, Stiff Rain Press was born. With three other partners, all of whom also own a successful ebook publishing company, we created an Erotica and Taboo Erotic Romance ebook publishing house that would allow authors to spread their wings.

The biggest problem I’ve found in writing with no restrictions attached is sticking with one story long enough to finish it. I have about ten different books started because I’m like a kid in a candy store. There are so many things that I’ve wanted to explore, but previous publisher restrictions have stopped me. Well, not anymore, and boy am I loving the freedom.

I have a new brother story coming out later this month, The Westerfields of Chatham County, and I’ve promised myself that I’ll finish at least one more by the end of the year. I have another twin story, Blood Brothers, which I’m dying to work on, but, again, I know I have to stick with one at a time.

So, if you’re an author who wants to write outside the box or you’re a reader who wants to explore different avenues of erotica or taboo romance, Stiff Rain Press is the place for you.


About Carol Lynne

An avid reader for years, one day I decided to write my own brand of erotic romance. While writing my first novel, Branded by Gold, I fell in love with the M/M genre. I juggle my time between being a full-time mother and a full-time writer. With over one hundred releases, one thing is certain, I love to keep busy. Although series books are my passion, I also enjoy the occasional stand-alone title.

I love to hear from my readers. You can email me at carol@carol-lynne.net. I also have two websites http://www.carol-lynne.net and http://www.cattlevalley.net.


4 comments:

  1. I love Stepping Stones. It was nice to read something out side of the box. I'm glad to know that we have more coming from you at Stiff Rain Press.

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  2. Carol! I really admire you for starting Stiff Rain. I think there's a real need for a press like yours, with so many me-too romance pubs out there.

    By the way, I want to encourage you to submit Stiff Rain titles to the Erotica Revealed review site (http://www.eroticarevealed.com). We review ONLY erotica - not romance (there are plenty of sites for that) and we do not shrink from taboo topics. The only constraint is that the books must be at least 40K.

    Good luck - and I really do want to write something for Stiff Rain, because sometimes - well, romance is just too limiting.

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  3. Way to go, STIFF RAIN! This industry celebrates innovative thinking and this goes to show that you're on top of the curve. :) Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to have a book here too...

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  4. Looks like I will have to also start reading outside of the HEA world. I love brother books and cannot wait for your next one.

    Cynthia

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