Monday, June 14, 2010

Interview: Charlotte Stein

Charlotte Stein is a talented and prolific writer of erotica and erotic romance. Her story "The Return" is one of the eighteen fabulous fantastical tales in Fairy Tale Lust: Erotic Fantasies for Women. Blending mystery and eroticism in a modern setting, "The Return" leaves the reader pondering what she might do if the man she married returned from a long trip and was not at all like the man she remembered...


Give the basic premise for your story. Is it a contemporary, historical, fantasy setting?

It's a contemporary story, and though it's not really based on a fairytale, it's based on something very fairytale like (for me, anyway)- The Return of Martin Guerre.

[Editor's note: The true story of Martin Guerre is a fascinating tale, indeed.]


What do you think makes your story a fairy tale? How does it fit in the fairy tale genre?

Personally, I just think the idea of someone returning from somewhere, suddenly not the person they were before, is very fairytale-ish. The Return of Martin Guerre is so rich with what I think of as the visuals of fairytales, but it's the story at the heart of it that I find somehow creepy and romantic and magical and twisted all at the same time. That, to me, is the essence of a fairytale.


How long have you been writing erotica?

Seventeen years. Two of them actually trying for and getting published. Yeah- I know. I was a scaredy-cat.


What is your favorite story you’ve written so far? Why?

Tigerlily. It's technically a novella that should be out through Total-E-Bound in July, and it's my favourite because it's about that fairytale world I love so much, and because it made me sob at the end. I have others that made me cry writing them, that pushed me to carry on, that meant a lot to me, but Tigerlily means more because it's about all the things I loved as a child- Labyrinth, Return To Oz...all of that nonsense.


What advice would you give to aspiring erotica/erotic romance authors?

Love it. Don't try writing erotica/erotic romance unless you love it. And no matter what, don't give up. You are always, always two minutes away from someone somewhere saying yes.


What is your writing routine like?

Like the routine of a mental case. I work in the afternoons and evenings, come home, start writing around midnight. Then I write until sometimes as much as 11am, before sleeping until 4-5pm.

Some days, I don't see the sun. I stumble out into it, like a mole.



Are you a full-time writer? What is your “day job?”

I lecture in creative writing at a local college.


Do you write to music? Did you have a song or soundtrack for your Fairy Tale Lust story?

Over At The Frankenstein Place, and the soundtrack to Starman. The usual things.


Why do you think erotic fairy tales are so popular right now?

I think it's in part because all those little girls like me who loved Labyrinth and Princess Bride and Company of Wolves and all of those great eighties fantasy films are now grown up and wanting more!


What do you enjoy reading? Favorite authors? Favorite genres? Recommendations?

I love anything fantasy, sci-fi, horror. Any mix of those and erotic romance/erotica and I'm all over it. But in particular I love Emma Holly, Stephen King, Christopher Pike, Madison Hayes, Margaret Atwood, Megan Hart...



What’s next for you? Upcoming publications and current projects?

There's Tigerlily, a sci-fi/futuristic thing, and a Menage novella with Total-E-Bound. Another sci-fi space thing with Ellora's Cave. And my novel, Control, with Xcite.

Am exhausted, but so thrilled at the idea that I'm actually going to be published more.

11 comments:

  1. Lovely interview, Charlotte! I especially like, "You are always, always two minutes away from someone somewhere saying yes."

    Thanks for sharing and to Kristina as well for hosting!

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  2. Thank you for stopping by, Emerald and Jeremey! I agree, Charlotte gives some excellent advice!

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  3. Charlotte, I love the hours you keep. Wish I could keep them with you. :-) I look forward to reading your story. Best, A

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  4. Emerald- thanks! And it's true. One of the first things I ever sold, I was two minutes away from the deadline. I almost didn't send it. If I hadn't, things would be very different now.

    Jeremy- Love shines off your pages!

    Kristina- thanks, and thanks for putting this blog together and my interview up!

    Alana- They're mad hours, and very low on company. I wish you could keep them with me, too! And thanks for commenting.

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  5. Great interview, Charlotte! It's fun to learn so much more about you.

    I confess I used to keep hours like you. I'm still trying to force myself into more of a 7am-4pm timetable but it just won't work!

    Can't wait to read your Fairy Tale Lust story!

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  6. Good grief. Lovely interview, great advice, but I'm horrified by your work hours! I mean ... EEEK! God, I feel inadequate: by midnight I've already turned into a pumpkin.

    And I'm definitely going to buy Tigerlily!

    Yay Charlotte!

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  7. Super interview, Charlotte. :)

    Your nocturnal writing life sounds extreme, but it if works for you, fantastic!

    Here's to many more successes!

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  8. Hi Charlotte. I love your interview and I can't wait to read your story! :-)

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  9. Hello Charlotte!

    The earlier commenters already mentioned some of the quotes, especially as pertains to loving the writing, that I so enjoyed.

    And though my hours tend to work on a different rotation, I can relate to the cycle. Such is the life of a mental-case-multi-career-erotica-writer, eh?

    I look forward to reading your story.

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  10. Charlotte ~ Anyone who loves Stephen King is a friend of mine! ;-)

    I love "The Return" because there's a slightly creepy (Stephen Kingesque?) feeling to the eroticism. Everything appears normal on the surface... and yet, something is amiss. Truly an awesome piece of fiction! Thank you!

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