Claire Thompson
Nominated for Golden Flogger Award
Why did you begin writing BDSM novels?
I began writing as a way to try to understand my own then as-yet unexplored sexual fantasies and leanings. This was way back in the mid-nineties and the Internet was just gathering steam. I had never shared my secret submissive nature with anyone (not even my husband!). I had little access to BDSM erotica or literature, Story of O and the works of Marquis de Sade being my only guilty pleasures, plus the occasionally sleazy, poorly written S&M magazine bought while blushing furiously from an Adult bookstore. I believed my submissive desires and needs were perverted and to be hidden. With the advent of the Internet, I somehow found the nerve to share some of my writing with some new online friends at a lumbering, anonymous BDSM chat site, and my world exploded open when I discovered there were likeminded folk who not only “forgave” me my “perversions” but embraced and cherished the lifestyle.
Do you participate in D/s activities or merely write about them?
I actively and joyously participate. I draw heavily from my personal experience and emotional connection in the scene when creating my characters and describing scenarios.
Do you conduct any advocacy work in this lifestyle or is it strictly fiction base for you? If so, what?
I write fiction, but I have received dozens of emails over the years from readers who, like me, were afraid to explore the lifestyle, and found courage to dip their toes in the BDSM waters as a result of reading some of my work. Others who just happened to read one of my novels because they won it or borrowed it sometimes write to say they never really “got” BDSM and D/s, and thought it was just kinky or abusive, and something I wrote helped them to see the poetry and the passion of the lifestyle. That has been a tremendously satisfying and unintended result of my work.
What is the hardest part of writing your novel?
Getting started! That darn old chapter one looms, glaring at me, arms crossed, foot tapping, saying, “Okay, Claire. Enough thinking, brainstorming with your editor, outlining and synopsisizing (should be a word). Let’s get this show on the road! Once I can move past that halting beginning where I’m stumbling and tripping my way through, if I’m in the proper groove, it’s smooth sailing after that.
Tell us a little about yourself and your writing works.
I’ve been writing and publishing since 1996. I’ve produced over eighty works, the bulk of them novels, most of them BDSM, though a few of my LGBT works are pure vanilla. I used to write for other publishers, but I went indie with my own imprint (RomanceUnbound.com) about six years ago, and I’ve never looked back. I have my own editors (two, plus a fine line editor), cover artist, web designer and full shopping cart sales site that includes all file extensions from ePub to Kindle. The learning curve was steep at first, but well worth the effort.
I absolutely love the freedom to create the product from start to finish, without someone else telling me what the title can or cannot be, that I must accept a cover I despise (nothing worse!), that, oops, sorry, the release date has been pushed back because of our priorities, which don’t necessarily match yours. Like many subs, I am a control freak in every other aspect of my life, so taking full creative, production and marketing control of my passion was the best professional move I ever made.
Claire has been writing for nearly two decades, and has published over 70 novels. She writes BDSM romance and non-con abduction tales, spanning both m/f and m/m genres. Claire’s love affair is with all things D/s (Dominance/submission). Her work began as a romantic exploration of the BDSM life style, and then veered to the darker side of fantasy. She is fascinated with the dark psyche of a twisted mind, and seeks insight into what might motivate such a person to do what they do. Rather than the all-evil villain and heroes as pure as the driven snow, Claire strives to develop real, complex and flawed human beings.
She seeks not only to tell a story, but to come to grips with, and ultimately exalt in the true beauty and spirituality of a loving exchange of power. Her darker works press the envelope of what is erotic and what can be a sometimes dangerous slide into the world of sadomasochism. Ultimately her work deals with the human condition, and our constant search for love and intensity of experience.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I particularly like the idea that people are flawed, are human, not all villain or perfect. I’m inspired to write because of you. Wish I had the time to make it a full-time job as you have.
Thank you, R.B.! Actually, believe it or not, it’s not a full time job, though that’s my dream. By day I’m a lowly clerk in a school district! Sleep is for the meek…
Claire
I love this! What a great, informative chat.
Donna! Thank you! Tell me, do I know you?
Grin, Claire