Today it's my pleasure to present an interview with erotica romance author and body builder, Wendi Darlin.
Where to find information about Wendi Darlin: list websites, blogs, all links, etc.
Q: What made you become an erotica romance author rather than writing some other
genre?
A: It was completely accidental. I had written Cowboy Games as a sexy, but not really erotic, romance. I loved that book and really wanted to see it published. I submitted it to Siren Publishing. The publisher loved the story but she wanted me to heat up the sex scenes so it could be sold as an erotic romance. I did and officially became an erotic romance author without ever setting out to be. Cowboy Games is very mild on the erotic scale and four years later is still selling steadily.
Q: Is it tougher to write erotic romance scenes than other love scenes?
A: I don’t think so, if you approach them the same way, but it is beyond the comfort zone of some writers and readers. Understandably so. Erotic scenes, in my opinion, should have the same emotion as any other love scene. It’s just a matter of added detail and word choice. In erotic romance you call a duck a duck and you don’t brush past it. But when it boils down to it, I’m still writing romance and that needs to come through in every scene no matter what words I use or how I describe what’s going on.
Q: When did you start your writing career and how long did you write before getting
published?
A: I had my first novel published in 2008. I had a few short stories published prior to that. I’ve been writing since I was a little girl and then off and on as an adult, but in 2004 I decided to become an author. So it took a good four years and a couple of really badly written novels to learn the craft enough to reach my goal.
Q: How many books do you have published?
A: I have 12, a combination of novels and novellas.
Q: Do you have a new one coming out?
A: I’m currently working on a mainstream urban fantasy that I will be sending to my agent in the very near future. Hopefully, he will find a home for it soon.
Q: What is your latest title? Tell us a bit about the story.
A: My latest is All That Glitters. It’s a cowboy m/f/m ménage. The heroine is a Vegas Showgirl down on her luck who happens to break down in the right small Texas town. I really like the dynamics of the characters in this story. They are very different from one another, but I think the combination works well.
Q: For just a moment we're going to switch gears. I'm very curious of why you decided become a bodybuilder.
A: Hahaha! I don’t really consider myself a bodybuilder, but I am competing in Figure competitions, which is a very feminine form of bodybuilding. In Figure, the emphasis is on body symmetry and proportion. Muscle definition is necessary, but Figure competitors don’t strive to have the large muscles that traditional female bodybuilders have. There are several ways women can compete in the bodybuilding arena depending on their personal preferences and natural build. Figure is just the option I chose. I decided to compete for a couple of reasons. Primarily it boils down to vanity and my ongoing battle with aging and gravity. I will do just about anything to cling to my youth. My personal trainer and some of my friends compete so I was introduced to competitions through them. My trainer convinced me I could improve my body and stay younger looking by building more muscle. The competition gives me short term goals and as an added bonus, it gives me the opportunity to put on a sparkly suit and pose for pretty pictures. Anybody who knows me knows I can’t pass up the opportunity to sparkle!
Q: Do you plan to write a book using a bodybuilder as your heroine? By the way, I think you look fantastic.
A: Thank you. I haven’t planned on it, but who knows. I do think I may write some non-fiction books on the subject or related subjects. Right now I’m focused on the urban fantasy series that I’m working on and I’m keeping my options open for future projects.
Q: What is your favorite drink?
A: I love Kim Crawford’s Sauvignon Blanc. Unfortunately, while I’m in competition training wine is not on my diet.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
A: I have a list! My list is consumed by islands and beaches. I’d love to go to Fiji , Bora Bora , Antigua , any island I haven’t been to and all those I have. Nothing makes me feel more at peace than an ocean breeze and crashing waves. I travel as much as I can. Not all my destinations are tropical, but those are my favorite.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Chocolate. It’s the only food I ever crave beyond reason.
LOL Don't we all, Wendi? No need to answer that one.
LOL Don't we all, Wendi? No need to answer that one.
Below is a cover and blurb for All That Glitters by Wendi Darlin.
All That Glitters
Wilder,Texas 2
Wilder,
By: Wendi Darlin | Other books by Wendi Darlin
[PolyAmour: Erotic Cowboy Multiple Partner Romance, M/F/M]Categories: Erotic Romance, Contemporary, Multiple Partners, Western/Cowboys Word Count: 28,437 Heat Level: SCORCHING Published By: Siren-BookStrand, Inc. Former Vegas showgirl Dahlia Burke can’t get out of Tanner Dawson barely escaped with his life when Dahlia plowed into his truck. And once he and his best friend, Scooter, take her under wing, he’s not sure if she’s planning to love him to death or finish him off. Scooter How will these cowboys know if Dahlia has a heart of gold or just an eye for all that glitters? A Siren Erotic Romance |
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you so much for having me!! I’d like to invite everyone to friend me on Facebook. I stay pretty active on there, and I like to keep in touch with readers and other writers.
We have enjoyed having you, Wendi, and hope you'll come back to visit sometime.
Submitted by Sandra K. Marshall
Great interview, Wendi - love the cover of your latest book. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome Wendy! So glad you could visit with us. Love the cover of the book you graced. Best wishes to you in your career!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tina and Renee! It's a pleasure to be here. Renee, she does look like me, doesn't she? Several people have asked if It is me on that cover. I haven't done any cover modeling yet, but maybe it would be fun to be on one of my books someday.
ReplyDeleteAnd now a question for both of you: what are you currently reading? I'm always looking for good books.
Wendi, thank you for so graciously being interviewed about your careers.
ReplyDeleteDoes body building go well with erotic stories? I haven't had time to read for a while.
You look great in sparkles, Wendi! A toast to you and your effort to defy aging by keeping in such superb shape. Wonderful book cover, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI loved the blurb for All That Glitters. You look great in that glittering bikini!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you.
XXOO Kat
Thanks, Sandy, Polly & Kat! Sandy, I think the two can definitely go hand in hand. Lots of oiled-up, well-muscled, half-naked bodies in both. :) Polly, I have a girlfriend who competes in Figure. She's 56 and I'm not exaggerating when I say she looks 35. As soon as my body started making those over-40 changes I declared war on gravity. ;) Muscle tone seems to work better than any of the creams I've tried, but believe me I keep trying those, too! :D
ReplyDeleteLOL Oiled, well-muscled and half-naked bodies, I can go for. lol
ReplyDeleteLOL Oiled, well-muscled and half-naked bodies, I can go for. lol
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous, Wendi! Wow. I didn't know that female bodybuilders had the body sculpting options you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteBig congrats on both your writing and fitness careers.
Best--Adele
Thank you so much, Adele. I didn't know about Figure competitions until this past year myself. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Wendi!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Figure competition is on my bucket list, and I know what you mean about gravity! lol
Congratulations on your books and best wishes and happy sales with the new one!
Char
Thanks for telling us your story! Now I know about Figure bodybuilding...had never heard of that before.
ReplyDeleteAll That Glitters sounds great and love the cover!
Thank you, Charlene and Marianne! Charlene, go for it!! I'm really enjoying it. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your latest. I'll pick up a copy of All that Glitters. :) Cowboy Games remains a favorite in this writer's library.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Destiny
Hi Wendi:) Since I LOVED Cowboy Games, I'm definitely going to have to check out your other books!
ReplyDeleteDestiny & Molly thank you both sooooo much! It really means a lot to me coming from two talented writers. Destiny, it's been a while! We should stay in touch better. I wish you both all the best!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, ladies. WEndi, wow...you look great. I assume you're 25, right?
ReplyDeleteShe does look great, Louise. I liked her looks as a blonde best though. Sorry, Wendi. You look fantastic no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lousie and Sandy! Lousie, I'm only 25 in my mind, but I plan to stay there awhile! ;) I like to say I'm only over 40 on my driver's license. :D
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Wendi Darlin