When Meg spots a young woman alone in the Pigalle district of Paris at night, she's intrigued. She has to know her story and find out why she looks so sad and alone. After introducing herself, Meg realizes that she and Grace have a lot in common. But when they decide to go and grab a drink together, they discover a mutual love that could bond them forever.
Bite With Height
Vampire Erotic Romance
Release Date: 6th June
Author Interview
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’ve been writing erotica since 2006, when I was dared to! When I wrote my first piece and showed it to the people that dared me, they really liked it and so I never really stopped. I had my first story published in 2006 and since then have been published in books, magazines and online. Publishers include Cleis Press, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Summerhouse Publishing and Xcite Books.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
It’s always been inside me, since I learned to write! As a child I was always scribbling mad stories down. It wasn’t until I got much older and went to University that I began to think I actually had a chance of becoming a published writer.
What surprised you the most about the writing/publishing process?
How long it can take between acceptance and seeing your work in print! Of course I’m used to that now, but at first it seemed like a very long wait! Plus now ePublishing is growing like crazy, you don’t always have to wait quite so long.
How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
Honestly? I just go with the flow. I don’t sit down and say ‘OK, I want this character to look like this and have these personality traits’ etc. I just start writing and plot and characters seem to develop as I write. Sometimes if I get further into the story and think I could change something to make the whole story more powerful, I will, but I’m definitely not a planner!
What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
Strong storyline, believable characters and good editing!
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Of course. Here’s a little bit of Bite With Height:
Meg was hungry. Or, to be more precise, she was thirsty. Taking her usual route down the Boulevard de Clichy, she knew she'd find something suitable to drink if she waited long enough. The Pigalle area was notorious both in Paris and further afield, known for its sleazy bars, clubs, and sex shops. Most young women traveling alone would avoid it like the plague. Not Meg. For her, it was the ideal hunting ground.
At this time, just past sunset, it was always full of people, some going about their daily life, which just happened to take the crowds through one of the city's seediest areas. Others came to stare, bug-eyed, at the voluptuous women trying to entice them into lap-dancing clubs. They giggled behind their fingers as they shuffled past shop windows advertising all manner of equipment for use in the bedroom.
Then there were stag and hen parties—groups that descended on Pigalle, spent an evening causing havoc in the bars and clubs, then left, having laughed themselves hoarse and having drunk a skinful.
Most of these people were utterly harmless. The area was an attraction, a bit of fun. For others, it was much more. Attacks on working girls were not uncommon. Or at least, they hadn't been. The crime rates had dropped dramatically since Meg had moved to the area. Nobody, much less the police, knew why. And Meg didn't intend for them to find out.
Meg thought she had a thorough measure of the area and its inhabitants, so, she was completely taken by surprise when she saw the girl. By now, Meg was much further up the boulevard, on a strip of pavement between the Moulin Rouge and the inevitable branch of Starbucks. Glancing across at the coffee house, Meg spotted her. The girl sat at a table outside, gripping a cup of something-or-other as though her life depended on it.
She was beautiful. She was also completely out of place. At this time, the majority of people were here because they wanted to be. This girl looked as though she would rather be somewhere else. Anywhere else. Wondering if the girl had been coerced into coming by a boyfriend, Meg gritted her teeth and crossed the road.
As she drew closer, she realized there was no other cup on the table, no evidence at all to suggest that the girl was there with someone else. Meg headed inside and ordered a Cappuccino with an extra shot. Caffeine always did her the world of good. It warmed the blood. Taking her beverage outside, she heaved a sigh of relief as she noted both that the girl was still there, and that the seat beside her was the only one available.
Moving toward the girl, Meg smiled and asked, "Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is taken."
Momentarily startled, the girl looked at Meg and smiled shyly. "Sure, no problem. There's nobody sitting there."
"Thanks. I'm Meg, by the way," she said, extending a hand.
"Grace," the girl replied, temporarily removing a hand from her cup to shake Meg's. She put it straight back on again, but not before Meg noticed a slight tremble. The girl looked as though she was about to go back inside her own head, so Meg spoke quickly.
"So, what brings you here? I can't help but notice you're not local."
"Oh," Grace said, as if surprised that Meg was still there. "I live in Paris. I moved here with my boyfriend, but . . . ." she looked at her hands.
Suddenly, a piece of the puzzle clicked into place.
"I'm sorry," Meg replied. "I didn't mean to pry. I'm just a little lonely, I guess. Just making conversation."
"You?" Grace replied incredulously, studying Meg. "If you're struggling for company, then there's no hope for me!"
"Depends what kind of company you're looking for. Can't say there are many desirables 'round here, though!" She looked around, as though to prove her point. "Say, you want to get a proper drink?"
Meg stood, hoping Grace would follow her lead. She looked down at the girl, smiled, and held out a hand. She watched Grace's posture visibly relax, and her grin grew wider as she put down her cup and took the offered hand.
In Twitter Fashion use140 characters or less, sum Bite With Height for us.
Ouch, this is tough!! OK, here goes:
It's an erotic lesbian romance. Lead character Meg meets Grace and is intrigued. They discover a mutual love that could bond them forever.
How did you come up with a story that was such a whirl wind of events?
I really have no idea. The story was heavily inspired by a trip to Paris last year and even when I was writing it I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. When I submitted it to Noble, they asked if I’d ask another scene in, which I did. That scene turned out to make the story wide open for sequels!
How long did it take you to write it, and did you have any writer’s block along the way?
It was written in two parts – one as a short story. Then I was asked to extend it and I did so. So I couldn’t honestly say how long it took. I didn’t get any writer’s block with this one, it seemed to just flow out of my brain and onto the laptop screen.
Will we be seeing a following book to this stories?
Yes, I would say so. The ending as is quite ambigious so it could either be left as it is, or sequels could be written. I’m leaning towards the latter.
How did you come up with the character Meg?
She just wandered into my head when I started writing the story. She developed as I continued to write and I think she’ll keep developing as I write more of hers and Grace’s story.
I always must ask, If you could pick one actress to portray Grace on the big screen who would it be and why?
Anne Hathaway, perhaps? Because she can do shy and sassy!
Was there anything you find particularly challenging when writing this book?
The length. This is the longest piece I’ve written to date and it was a new experience for me to complete something of this length. However, I love the story and loved the challenge so I’m hoping it’ll be the first of many longer pieces!
What were your feelings when you first saw the cover of your finished book?
Amazement! The artist that created the cover is just amazing, and it’s fascinating how what I wrote on the cover art form was whipped into shape this way. I like the way that it hints at several major features of the book without giving too much away.
Author's Bio:
During Lucy’s first year studying Creative Writing at the University of Derby, she was dared to write an erotic story. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Summerhouse Publishing and Xcite Books. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk.
Follow This Author
Her Website: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk
Publisher: http://www.nobleromance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucyfelthousewriter
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cw1985
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Bite With Height
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