Interview of Author Mark Damaroyd

Today it's my pleasure to present an interview of romance author Mark Damaroyd.

Latest Book: Pursuit to Paradise
Buy Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=148&osCsid=jv376q821afdc5fjlqsrq103e2
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/markdamaroyd#p/a/u/1/2-hTjTwZXSg

BIO:
I needed to change direction, so moved from England to Thailand.

Each day provides a fresh slant on life and an unexpected event – a fiction writer’s dream. However, distractions still hamper productivity, but if elephants are strolling past your house…

A number of my articles have been published in periodicals. The British Arts Council offered encouragement regarding an earlier novel, and I’ve won several short story competitions in writers’ circles. I am writing fulltime nowadays and my next novel is underway, with ideas for more.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: First, I’d like to thank you for inviting me along today. You have a busy schedule, so I’m really grateful.

Q: What part is the easiest?
A: Setting the scene is fairly straightforward. I’ve lived in Thailand for some years, including on islands similar to the imaginary Koh Pimaan, which I had to dream up because of the naughty goings-on there. I never came across such amazing antics elsewhere. Endeavoring to convey something of the unique atmosphere, and sights to be found in The Land of Smiles required a bit more effort. I want readers to easily relate, bouncing along happily with characters as they plunge into action. The people of Thailand always smile, in good and bad times they smile even at me and the many thousands of westerners who’ve settled here. It seemed a good idea to tell my story with lots of humor. Before relocating to Thailand, I spent long periods in quaint English villages, similar to those featured in the story. Dramatic differences in climate, lifestyles and attitude provide contrast, changing from scene to scene as a subplot unfolds.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: Getting the style of English spoken by the characters correct. In, Pursuit to Paradise, there’s a mixture of Thai, American, English, Scandinavian, Indonesian, Australian and others. The heroine – or is she? – from Thailand, mysteriously speaks perfect English – much better than me. Other Thais in the book struggle with it. Then I spent ages researching acceptable English spelling for the few Thai words dotted here and there. Capturing the American, Australian and East London tone proved a challenge too. I hope it comes across okay. The other hard part was deciding how much detailed sex needed to be included. The outrageous, quirky romance and humorous adventure is sensual, but graphic sex wasn’t required. I feel sometimes leaving a bit to the readers’ imagination whets the appetite. It slots into heat level 2 category. I’m deeply indebted to my publishers, Decadent Publishing. They helped tremendously in getting it all together.

Q: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
A: Ben, the hero, because his outlook on life makes me smile. When he finds himself in a bit of a predicament, his snap reaction hurtles him into an adventure beggaring belief. I certainly don’t agree with him all the time. He’s native to a small English village, similar to where I spent many happy years, so he gets my support. To be honest, there’s a bit of me in him as well. I came here originally on vacation, then to work. In those years I discovered the laidback lifestyle and carefree attitude suited me just fine. Now I have a lovely Thai wife who puts the crowning touch on everything.

Q: Do all your heroes and all heroines look the same in your mind as you ‘head write’?
A: Absolutely not. I identify with each of them in a special way. After creating them, and building their distinctiveness, they become real and very different. I go to bed with them and wake up with them – oh, not the guys! - they drop in later. I never forget which perfume I smell in a girl’s hair – or what she wears under her outer garments. If I’ve created someone not so inviting, I turn over, hoping to embark on a new dream. Ask my wonderful Thai wife. As for heroes, they must have characteristics that make them stand out in the make-believe world I send them to.

Q: You’re on a remote island with a beautiful woman, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: What a coincidence. It sounds a lot smaller than Koh Pimaan, though. I unplug the computer before sparks fly when she appears without– er – with a cooked breakfast. Later, she goes off to refuel the mysterious source of electricity and the computer blows up. She’s too hot and we have a useless computer – so unfortunate. How do we kill time? No? Okay, let’s move on.

Q: Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, Chats, or Twitter. Which do you like best and why?
A: Facebook, because it’s easy to make friends. It also allows insertion of pics, links and a good sharing facility. I’m gradually getting to grips with Twitter – slowly building up a following. Blogging isn’t my forte – it should be, because of the terrific author-reader contact. I manage to get a goodly number of hits by posting in forums around the globe, including some in Thailand with mainly a male following. Many guys out this way love cheeky books – or their Asian partners do. Posting comments on other peoples’ blogs also attracts hits. Taking out free ads has been amazingly successful in getting visitors to my site. One tiny classified on a popular website, renewed and revised regularly, sends the highest number of hits on a daily basis. I guess using the ‘services offered’ section helps – if you get my drift. It’s all down to wording. Oh, while I think of it. It isn’t me on the cover of ‘Pursuit’. I’m still getting messages from females seeking a relationship from one or two well-known social network sites. Dara England did a wonderful job with the cover design. Thanks, Dara. Because I don’t blog from my own site, I introduced a feature called ‘Gossip, muse or tell a story’. Anyone can email through Mark Damaroyd’s Fun Emporium and, after moderation, some of the stuff is great to link up to the other networks – with a valuable link back.

Tell us where to find you!
website: http://markdamaroyd.blogspot.com
publisher: http://www.decadentpublishing.com
Direct link: http://tinyurl.com/26e7qx3
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/markdamaroyd
Twitter: http://twitter.com/markdamaroyd
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markdamaroyd#p/a/u/1/2-hTjTwZXSg

BLURB:
In the worldwide recession of 2009, Ben Lofthouse plans to rebuild his life on Koh Pimaan, a paradise island in Thailand. Desperate to escape the increasing hostility of the locals who blame him for his failing businesses, and determined to find the beautiful but mysterious Nataya who has disappeared, Ben is plunged into an adventure which may prove fatal.

Surrounded by beautiful women, but relentlessly pursued by a former girlfriend, and stalked by a notorious gangster, an unexpected romance develops. A new friendship catapults Ben into both increasingly sensual and dangerous situations. With a bevy of beauties at his side, he finds himself drawn into erotic moviemaking at Casa Blanca, a spectacular hillside villa.

Ben's dreams seem destined to become reality. But an amazing piece of news he has received could change his life forever, or bring it to an untimely end...

EXCERPT:
Nataya stood naked in front of the wardrobe mirror, brushing her shiny black, waist-length hair, seemingly flattered that the man behind her watched every move. She glanced at Ben’s reflection as he sat on the end of the bed. “You look as though you have never seen a girl with no clothes on before,” she said in perfect English.

“I’ve never looked at one as stunning as you.”

“There are many beautiful ladies in Thailand. I think you are just saying that.”

Ben got up, finished buttoning his shirt, and stood beside her. “You’re so tiny.” The top of her head just about reached his chin. “You Thais are some of the most beautiful girls in the world.” He admired her curves and smooth slender legs.

Nataya continued grooming her hair.

Ben picked up his camera from the chair, found a position where the flash wouldn’t reflect in the glass, and snapped a sideways angle.

“How many more do you want? We must have taken at least a hundred by now.” She turned to face the camera. “Do you like this one?” She smiled into the lens, brilliant white teeth contrasting with the darkness of her skin.

“Great. Fantastic.” Ben checked the result on the LCD screen before scrolling back to some shots taken earlier. “Wow! I see Thai girls are double-jointed. Girls where I come from couldn’t possibly achieve some of these positions.”

And most Thai men could not possibly achieve the same as you. It is all about body differences.” She giggled and moved to sit at the dressing table to apply her makeup.

Ben put the camera down and walked round the bed to stand behind her, stroking her narrow shoulders, gliding his hands down her delicate arms, easily encircling her tiny wrists with a thumb and finger. “Just like kiddies’ arms,” he told her, letting go as she shook him away good-naturedly.

“We will be here all day if you carry on like this.” She inspected the scarlet varnish on her fingernails, lifting her legs a little to make sure the toes weren’t in need of redoing.

Ben sat on the bed again, choosing a spot where he could still watch her in the smaller mirror.

The creams and powder lightened her skin – Ben noted how popular this trend had become. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes exuded sensuality as she applied eye shadow and penciled her brows that arched away, tapering perfectly. Her cute nose with slightly flared nostrils added yet another touch of elegance. When she finished putting on glossy red lipstick, she resembled an exquisite porcelain doll.

Ben nodded his approval, wondering how she could afford the luxury of gold earrings, a magnificent gold necklace, and matching bracelet. He hadn’t had a Thai partner before. A few days ago, his English girlfriend had packed her bags and left in a rage after endless arguments.

“How many times have you been to Thailand, Ben?”

“Oh, goodness knows, many times. Why?”

“I was just wondering. That girlfriend of yours – she seemed very cool toward me. In fact, she seemed not to like Thai girls an awful lot at all.”

“She was fine on our first visits, but more recently she became envious – probably due to her paranoia about age.”

“How old is she?”

“Thirty-eight.”

“She still looks very attractive. In Thailand, when a woman has raised a family and reaches her thirties, she is considered past it.”

“I think that’s crazy. Just look at Duggie’s Jaidee. She’s, what? Forty-something? But still very beautiful.”

“Sure, but Jaidee doesn’t have babies.” She stood to slip on her tiny silk g-string and fastened the bra, pulling up each breast to create more cleavage. She tucked her floral print blouse into the black skirt and adjusted the name badge before stepping into black stiletto-heeled shoes. She dabbed on a little Gucci Envy, and packed all the items into her Dolce & Gabbana bag. “Ready?”

They went down the stairs.“See you later, darling.”

Nataya pecked him on the cheek before resuming her duties behind the reception desk.

Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to say how much I appreciate your kindness. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed chatting with you. This is a friendly, informative and wonderful place to be.