Golden Flogger Award Nominee and former BDSM Writers Con Keynote Speaker shares about books, writing, BDSM and more

Why did you begin writing BDSM novels?
It was purely an accident. Or maybe not. Whatever forces guide us, when I started writing my first erotic romance novel, Make Her Dreams Come True, I didn’t intend it to be a BDSM romance. It was going to be a spicy mainstream romance set in a mall. Next thing I knew, Daniel was spanking Meg in the backroom of a department store, feeding her ice cream and taking psychological control to help her heal emotionally and embrace her sensual side. This was before the Internet, and I was living in a small town. I didn’t know the terminology, though I’d always been drawn to the 80s bodice rippers where the heroes were not-so-subtly disguised Doms. As I explored the relationship between Daniel and Meg, I opened myself up to my own lifelong submissive orientation and started my own personal exploration, one that has guided and carried me through a career of writing BDSM novels.

What does being nominated for the Golden Flogger Award mean to you?
It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized in this way, especially because there are so many fabulous BDSM authors out there now. It reminds me that we were just lone voices in the wilderness, and now we’re a rich and diverse genre, with thousands of readers who love it as much as we do. Plus, we have conferences like the BDSM Writers’ Con, where it’s far more accepted for readers and writers to seek more information about the lifestyle. That’s true progress not only for our genre, but even more importantly, for people in Dom/sub relationships.

What is the hardest part of writing your novel?
Keeping myself in touch with the creative energy so that I can truly enjoy the crafting of the book, the unfolding of the characters and their story. The drive to meet deadlines and handle the business of writing can drain me. Before I know it, I’m pounding the keyboard like a hammer and nail, rather than playing it like a piano, getting lost in the music of the words. So I always have to work on balancing the professional demands of being a writer with the creative ones, but since the latter is what ensures the stories are worth reading, I try to keep that center stage.

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing works.
I’ve been writing forever, it seems. I started in elementary school, wrote until college and entered as a creative writing major, but then I got sidetracked into the animal rights/welfare movement for a decade. Which gave me time toward a wonderful cause that still means a great deal to me, and helped me build life experiences to write better interpersonal relationships. As a result, I’m very glad that detour happened. Now I have about forty titles out there, contemporary and paranormal BDSM erotic romances. I’ve also been an actively practicing submissive for over twenty years and exploring that side of myself with my wonderful husband. I have a passion for movies and great dramatic TV series, and love the way a well-told story plays out on the screen. Favorite movies are probably Armageddon or Serenity (though I always have a bunch of close seconds), and favorite series are Life with Damian Lewis and Firefly by Joss Whedon. Some of my favorite books are Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, the first three of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, the Phoenix Rising series by Denise Rossetti, Daniel’s Surrender by Violet Summers, Once in a Blue Moon by Penelope Williamson…I could just go on and on.

Will you be attending BDSM Writers Con or other events we can meet you at?
I hate that I’m going to miss the con this year, because I went to its first year in 2014 and loved it! It’s an incredibly worthwhile event for any reader or author seeking to learn more about his wonderful genre and the BDSM lifestyle. I’m taking a year off from the con circuit in 2015, but hope to look at some venues in 2016, depending on my circumstances at that point. I do have a monthly newsletter where I list my upcoming online and in-person appearances, and I post that same list under Tyler’s Dungeon on the JWH Connection fan forum (www.storywitch.com/community). Those interested in what’s happening with me can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter via my website, www.storywitch.com. Just look under the Community menu.

Winner of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement award, Joey W. Hill has published over thirty contemporary and paranormal BDSM erotic romances, including five series. Her emotionally-intense love stories offer everything from vampires, mermaids, witches and angels, to boardroom executives, cops and simple housemaids.

Free excerpts from all her works are available at her website, www.storywitch.com. Additional vignettes, character interviews and graphics inspired by the work are at the fan forum site, accessible through www.storywitch.com/community.Twitter: JoeyWHill Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoeyWHillAuthor