He started writing ten years ago, releasing poetry and an occasional short erotica story before focusing on kinky erotic romance in various subgenres. His books have been listed under the Road to Romance’s Recommended read list, as well nominated for the CAPA.
Sascha is the host of the Unnamed Romance Show on Radio Dentata and writes for Renaissance E-books, and Total E-bound. He is also part of the WriteSex Panel, a blog group that’s defining erotica for writers in any genre. Such a busy man!
There's an open bar with plenty of bourbon, other spirits and beer. Readers, help yourself and let's give a warm welcome to Sascha!
Naughty Readers: Sascha, welcome to our blog! We are so excited you’re here. Since you are such a busy man, we’ll get right to the questions. Some of us have things we do to get into the writing frame of mind like music, or drinks. Do you have anything special you do to get into the writing mood?
Sascha: Sadly the best I could say is not really. I mean I do load up a playlist for the story I'm working on, sometimes I pour myself a scotch/beer/bourbon and knock it back before I eat so I get that "creative drunken feeling" sometimes associated with stream of consciousness. And occasionally I've been known to wear women's lingerie while I write. But most often due to how I plot and write, I don't have a set special thing or a writing mood. But once I'm there, look out!*Brenda makes drinks showing off her expert bartending skills* *Tonya rolls her eyes and snickers at her friend*
Naughty Readers: *Brenda hands drinks to Tonya and Sascha* Ummm, you really get into the female side of the character. Very interesting. *looks at Tonya* Nah, I don’t think Steve would do that for me. LOL What inspired you to write erotic romance? Was this your first choice of genre?
Naughty Readers: Mmmmm, dark fantasies. Just what we love to read! Tell us a little bit about your new release The Playground, without giving any spoilers.
Sascha: The story was inspired by a real life event many years ago where a certain friend of mine ended up seduced by someone very close to him and ended up dragging her out to a park in the middle of an undeveloped neighborhood to sleep with her. The scene said friend described was hot but I figured I could put in a little light bondage and make it hotter. After talking to Valerie Mann and Kate Richards (well, flirting really) the idea for a Dominant man of wealth who loved a woman who had yet to find her true strength. In her scared views, she couldn't find herself submitting to him or living off his wealth so she leaves him. One afternoon after work and a particularly grueling week, she comes back home to find her apartment complex burned to the ground. Seeking a fresh start, she ends up in Las Vegas. Devon spots her but doesn't approach her. Instead, he uses the 1Night Stand service to set up a date where he intends to show her the true gift of her submission, and hopefully her heart.
Naughty Readers: How many times do you proofread and edit before you’re satisfied with the manuscript?
Sascha: Depends on the story, the length and the publisher. Lately I've been going over stories at least twice after writing just to make sure everything is as it should be but I utilize beta readers sometimes to make sure my plots are air tight.
Naughty Readers: When you have writer's block how do you break free?
Sascha: I don't have writer's block. I have "I could care less" syndrome. That's when I basically am overworked, overextended and exhausted beyond belief. At that point I grudgingly realize that I have to step away from the keyboard and let the world continue moving. Usually I light up a cigar and pour myself a bourbon or scotch and just clear the mind.
Naughty Readers: Oh, we like your phrase better for writer's block! What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Sascha: I don't really have anything that has surprised me. Even after twelve years all I could say would be that I'm surprised I sell still?
Naughty Readers: Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time? And if so how many and how do you keep your notes organized?
Sascha: I do work on multiple stories at a time in addition to editing for Sizzler Editions. I schedule things loosely the day before. When I come back from my afternoon cigar, I make up a list of things that need to get done the next day and go with that. As for organization, I'm a smartphone power user, so if it's on my google calendar, my assistant knows about it, I know about it and 99% of the time it gets handled!
Naughty Readers: *Sascha offers cigars to Brenda and Tonya* (Brenda) Sure I’ll take one. *lights then puffs* (Tonya) No thanks, but I’ll take another drink, Brenda. I think Sascha needs a refresher too. Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
Sascha: Depends on the character. If I'm basing them off real people then planning isn't necessary. But I do have to work with the framework I create characters in with regard to issues, plot construction and ultimate goal/motivation. If I'm creating from scratch, then I'm molding my characters off movie characters. They'd still have to be plugged into my character creation framework.
Naughty Readers: Tell us about your current and future projects. What is on the horizon?(Brenda) Hopefully more dark fantasies! *hands out drinks, sits and puffs long draw*
Sascha: Thanks! *takes drink* Sinful seduction. Marisa (print/NY Agent) has an erotic horror romance called Stalker (Dub Mix) that features a sexy Alpha Wolf, a sinful faery and a world of chaos that must be restored. Saritza (my e-agent) has several things on the burner from me. First, Burning for Derrick, a story about a puma shifter ex spy and a seductive witch with the power to control creatures with her singing voice. The follow up features Derrick's brother, a current Spy who is more like Michael Westen from Burn Notice, and a sensual yet sneaky heroine. Then she's also got a werewolf series called the Opeth Pack Saga, the first three books are written and once the series is sold I'll start writing the last three. The premise is "Can wolves reclaim their seat in the Promised Land with the right sacrifice?" Each story in the Opeth Pack saga is a ménage, so there's a lot going on!
Naughty Readers: What are some of your other interests/hobbies when not writing?
Sascha: I play five string electric bass, throw bullwhips, am a huge cigar and alcohol enthusiast, I read, I play chess. I'm a technophile.
Naughty Readers: (Tonya) *perk* Bullwhips! *nudges Brenda* *Brenda is looking all dreamy-eyed* Oh, she is still picturing Steve in lingerie. LOL Sascha, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Sascha: I look forward to all of your readers becoming fans of the Bad Boy of Romance! And thank you all for your time, your readership, loyalty. From the bottom of my heart, you have my gratitude.
Naughty Readers: Where can our readers find you and your books?
Sascha: On my Web site , Write Sex , and Radio Dentata
Naughty Readers: Sascha, thank you for visiting with us today and tomorrow. Readers, Sascha has agreed to feature a giveaway to one lucky commenter through random draw. Winner’s choice of Wolf Magic or Siddella’s Surrender. Drawing will take place Dec 16. And be sure to visit him on the other web links below.
Blog
Midnight Seductions Authors (Blog post 22nd of each month)
Fetishist
The Playground - Available January 2012
Blurb:
Jet setter and playboy Devon has a BDSM side he wants to make reality, the only catch is Shelly, the woman who would serve him perfectly left him years ago and is afraid of what living with him means. While in a Las Vegas casino he spots her. Using 1Night Stand, he sets her up in a park, have her bound to playground equipment with only a blindfold on...and his Dominance to hopefully teach her the meaning of true love, using the one thing he knows will capture Shelly's attention.
Excerpt
Devon spotted her, several feet away.
Shelly stood, bound to a rung on monkey bars. Gray shorts clung to her and the black sports bra did little to hide the size of her lovely, round breasts. Hair cascaded down her back. Standing with legs spread, blindfolded, and arms secured to the monkey bars, she looked ready, inviting.
He stopped ten feet away from her, eyes drawn to nipples that poked the fabric.
Slowly, he drew closer.
The sun had just set beyond the horizon. A car passed occasionally in the distance.
Devon scanned the area for potential threats or discovery. There were plenty of trees and bushes to cover certain acts, but the dirtiness of fucking her on the playground equipment….
Well, that was a turn-on.
Hopefully, she’d feel the same.
Devon took a step closer. Then another, and another, until he could hear her breathing.
Clear, pale skin begged for his touch. Her hair appeared even thicker than he remembered. He wanted to touch it. Ached to feel its silky smoothness through his fingers.
But not yet.
“You’re Marcy now, hm?” He deepened his voice, hoping to disguise it.
She gasped, lifted her head. “That voice.”
Her throaty gasp hardened him so that his cock strained against his leather pants, making him itch to unzip himself and plunge into her.
But he couldn’t do that just yet.
“Yes. This voice. You know me, Shelly.”
Another gasp and rattle of ropes caught his attention until she spoke, “They told me I was getting a surprise if I’d only go along. I didn’t realize….”
She stopped.
He hated that she did that. “You always stopped talking before giving away your major point, dear.” He set a hand firmly against her warm skin, palms itching to taste more of her.
She was hard this time, flesh not nearly as soft and malleable as he remembered. Still, she was soft in the way only a woman could be. “You’ve had a hard life since we separated.”
She didn’t respond verbally, but the shake of her body into his hand, clued him in.
“You always had that way about you, Shelly. Why,” his hand roamed up her spine, fingers walking up it slowly, tiptoeing so light he could barely feel her, “do you do that defensive movement?”
“Because what you’re offering is putting me there.”
“I’m offering only,” his fingers crept up her neck, brushing through her thick mane, “what you need.”
“Ha!” She snorted. “You never offered what I needed. Only a misogynistic viewpoint of what you thought I wanted and needed. Just like this entire scenario.”
“Are you going to tell me,” he leaned into her body, so close he could smell her, taste her almost, “that if I slipped my finger beneath your shorts—”
“I wouldn’t cry rape?”
He feigned surprise. A hand cradled her ass, cupping her before giving it a firm squeeze.
Shelly squirmed against him but settled her ass into the palm of his hand like they’d never been apart. Her jaw tensed, muscles in her neck flexed.
He shook his head, “I didn’t think so. Besides, I’d never hurt you.”
She scoffed and turned her head away from him.
“I mean it. You and I were good together. Can be good again.”
“That’s why you hired an agency to bring us back together? What kind of coward—”
He brought his hand down against her ass.
She yelped and arched into the pain.
It must have been an unconscious act because she quickly moved away from his hand.
“I already had the ‘I’m a coward’ speech with myself. But you disappeared.” He stepped close enough to her now that he could smell the spicy scent of her arousal beginning to flow between those long, pale legs. His pulse quickened. “But I had to do something, and you obviously agreed to it.”
She sighed heavily. “Yes, I did.”
“You had to know it was me. You avoided coming near me, so you must have seen me.” He leaned closer, nostrils flaring at her scent.
Heat radiated off her, so much that it made him feel even warmer, standing a mere few inches away.
She shook her head. “Yeah, I did know you were there. But I had hoped I was seeing things. You haven’t been around.”
“You were the one who left me, as I recall.” It was hard to keep the curt tone out of his voice, even with her bound and practically naked before him. His hand moved from her ass to the small of her back, touching exposed flesh. “If you knew, then why did you come?”
“Madame Eve offered me a chance at the one thing I wanted. I hoped….” She didn’t finish her sentence.
His fingers walked back up the length of her spine, carefully caressing her flesh while raven colored silken strands fluttered between his fingers. “You wanted one more taste, too. Admit it.” His voice remained gruff, low. “You wanted to see for yourself that we had a chance.”
“Close,” she lowered her head, blatantly fighting the urge to arch further into his touch, “I wanted one last tryst, yes. When I received a text from Madame Eve telling me she’d been watching me, I freaked out. I wasn’t even aware of her service. I’ve been working here for two years now.”
He sighed. It had been two years since they last met, since last their flesh fell upon each other’s and hearts beat in tune before she walked out. “Yeah, Madame Eve is something else.”
Shelly nodded.
“Will you look at me if I remove the blindfold?”
She nodded again. “I can do that. I’d rather you release me.”
“The freedom I wish to give you,” he paused, reaching for her blindfold and tugging the knot free before moving to stand before her, “is the sort of freedom you’d cherish if you’d give in.”
Slowly, Shelly’s eyes widened in an emotion Devon couldn’t quite read.
Her arms still hung above her head, pushing well rounded breasts out beneath the tight, black sports bra. Her nipples were hard. He ran a hand over one.
She shuddered.
“You’re still lovely as ever.”
She sneered. “I’ve lost weight since last we…. I’m not what you think I am.”
He tilted his head slightly, dropped his voice to an almost whisper, “What do you think I believe you are?”
She shook her head, “You think I’m some sort of….” Her eyes lowered, she blinked then looked back at him with what seemed like steady resolve. “You think I’m some sort of toy to be used and….” She started stammering. “And a doormat.”
He gasped, “You got that how?”
She glared, thrust her bound wrists at him. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“You still agreed.”
Buy link will be posted on Sascha's web. The book will be sold through Decadent Publishing's 1 NIGHT STAND
Well, I'm already a fan of Sascha *winks* (though I'm still waiting on you to bring me that chocolate. Hmm . . .)
ReplyDeleteThat was a great interview, guys! Very entertaining. You do sound like a very busy man and yet you still manage to accomplish so much. You're definitely one of my role models!
Thanks for sharing! The Playground sounds super sexy. It's going on my to-read list!
And, just in case you need my email (for the giveaway, of course *chuckles*), it is:
ana.hart03(at)gmail(dot)com
Sascha, thanks so much for allowing us to get to know you better. We're thrilled to have you with us for a few days!
ReplyDeleteAna, thanks for stopping in!
I'm already a fan of Sascha as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Tonya, Brenda and Sascha!!
The Playground sounds really good! I love the cover. When the story releases I'll buy it!
Sascha, you know my email. xo
Lani
Hey Ana and Lani! Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteTonya, we'll need to make a beer run later. I sorta drink most of it while setting up the room last night. LOL Me head hurts. Sascha is around here somewhere. I think I'll ring Deanna Wadsworth and have her pick some up on her way in. Yeah good idea!
Great interview guys. Hi Sascha very relaxed and comfortable in your work that is awesome! So have you yourself researched any of the senerios or situations in your books or do you prefer to use experiences from others?
ReplyDeleteAna, I promise I'll deliver more than chocolate ;) I am a busy man. But yes, the Playground promises to be one of Decadent's best selling stories of the quarter! Then there's another one behind it called Surrender to Love...same "sort" of story, different hotness!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tonya, your interview should be fun too ;)
Lani, Brenda and Steve, thank you :) Yes, bourbon, IPA...OMG I had this amazing bourbon cask barley wine beer the other night...yum! needless to say I mentioned I was an alcohol enthusiast.
Trina, I mentioned I owned whips? I do, got three hanging on my wall and I'm pretty okay with the actual bull, but the two singletails I'm better with. I am a long time practitioner in BDSM. I do research what I have to and need to in order to make the stories as lifelike and relateable as possible. Even when I first started writing I was told my stories had a real lifelike quality to them. Seeing as how that was erotica, I was pretty thrilled! I do use personal experiences as well as those of others, but there isn't really a preference.
Hey Sascha, Tonya and Brenda, very entertaining and informative interview. Congratulation Sascha on your new work! I hope it sells a ton. Thanks, Love Jp (you know "Lani's friend")
ReplyDeleteJp and Trina, thanks for stopping by! Anyone seen Tonya? Maybe waiting under the mistletoe. LOL Oh, wait there she is and holding the mistletoe. Naughty girl!
ReplyDeleteSascha, I forgot to add the excerpt! I've been running around like a....well just busy as hell today. LOL *grabs a beer on the way out* Good luck in the drawing everyone!
Well I am around definitely for more comments!
ReplyDeleteHey guys! Popping back in for a minute with a growler of barley wine I pulled from a local brewery. They do make a good one and allow only two per customer so I had to sneak the growler! Sshhh....They might figure it out anyway.
ReplyDeleteSascha...not sure I could stand still for one of those whips on your wall, Sir! *wink* But if it's for research....LOL...aaahh...still NO!!
Gotta run! Will be back Friday thou...Brenda, ONE glass of the barley wine, girlfriend and thanks for holding down the dungeon!
Heh the two singletails are fun but the bullwhip looks cooler! I showed you the video of me playing with the singletails right?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CivvJfZuMYc
Thanks for the video links, Sascha! I do like how you update your readers; keep it up, I'm sure they enjoy hearing how things are progressing! We wish you luck in all you do and hope your sales hit the stars, hon!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ana Hart! You won the drawing for the choice of Wolf Magic or Siddella’s Surrender. Sascha will be emailing you soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you again Sascha for visiting with us and everyone for stopping by.
Brenda & Tonya