Friday, February 5, 2010

Guest Author -- Vonna Harper

We are happy to welcome erotica author Vonna Harper to The Romance Dish today! Vonna writes for several publishers and her stories range from cougars to cowboys to sexy beasts! And did you know that Vonna has bionic hips? Check out the story on her news page here. Besides writing, Vonna can be found blogging at The Bradford Bunch, The Aphrodisia Authors and Novelists' Ink. Welcome, Vonna!


Writing Myself Into A Corner

For those who don't know me--yeah, I know, there's a lot of that going around--I write erotica for Kensington Aphrodisia and Ellora's Cave. I've also written for Samhain and Loose Id and might again if I can clone myself.

Back in the olden days I wrote category romances for Harlequin and Silhouette under another name, but being a restless, easily distracted broad, I decided to jump on the erotica bandwagon when Ellora's Cave began shaking up the industry. And boy did they, proving that readers are ready for ebooks. These days EC is sitting pretty at http://www.jasminejade.com/ in case you've somehow (and I don't know how that's possible) missed it.

Probably by now you're wondering what this has to do with my title, Writing Myself Into A Corner, so here's the deal. For reasons I'm not sure I understand myelf, I jumped with both feet into the capture/BDSM genre within erotica, one of the most popular genres. I find capture fantasies great fun. If Tarzan (with deodorant and razor, thank you very much) burst in right now and threw me over his shoulder, I'd be a happy camper. Although my stories get labeled BDSM, I don't get that lifestyle. Oh, I'll occasionally read about it or check out Sex and Submission, a www.kink.com project, but I'm not good at getting into the dom/submissive mindset. Give me a warrior or shape shifter in need of a hostage or political prisoner and I'm on top of that.

I've been on top of that a lot, maybe too much. Maybe its just today's mood, but I want to stretch other erotic muscles, specifically hot adventure and danger. But will readers still love me if I do? My latest print book Taming The Cougar is a capture/shape-shifting gig as is His Slave which I just turned in and Falcon's Captive coming out in Aug. Ditto with Winter of the Beast and BeastMaster with EC.



What to do.
Change?
Stay with the familiar?
Eat ice cream?

Okay, I can get around the ice cream.
Vonna

http://www.vonnaharper.com/
A touch, and more, of erotica

Have you jumped on the e-book bandwagon? Do you read erotica? What story themes do you enjoy?

9 comments:

  1. Welcome, Vonna! Congratulations on your writing success.

    I think we all need to stretch our creative muscles from time to time, even if we're comfortable with what we've been doing. In fact, I think it's essential to refill the creative well by moving out of our own particular comfort zones from time to time. The four of us took a pretty big leap of faith when we decided to start this blog, not knowing if we would soar high or crash and burn.

    Best of luck with whatever direction you decide to take!

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  2. Hi, Vonna. Welcome to The Romance Dish.

    I just got an e-reader (B&N's new Nook) and I really like it, but I will always buy hard copy books. Nothing like feeling the pages of a real book. But with an e-reader, I can definitely save space, especially when traveling.

    I haven't read any straight up erotica, yet. I do like shape-shifter story lines, so I'll have to read some of yours.

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  3. I agree with PJ, Vonna. It's good to stretch our creative muscles sometimes and switch it up. I think it keeps things fresh that way.

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  4. Hi and welcome, Vonna! We're glad you could join us today. Sorry I wasn't here sooner--my power was out this morning due to the nasty weather and this is the third time I've tried to comment. I hope the third time is the charm! Congrats on your newest and upcoming releases!

    Change or stay with what is familiar? I say do what makes you happy. For me, I'm not big on change, I'm all about staying with what is familiar. I'm a plain sort of gal and I guess that's why I haven't read too many erotica novels. As for e-books, I've not read many of those either due to the fact that I don't own an e-reader and just don't have the time to sit in front of the computer for too long. Though if I had to pick, I think I'd choose the Sony e-reader over the Kindle. ;-)

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  5. Hi and welcome, Vonna! We're glad you could join us today. Sorry I wasn't here sooner--my power was out this morning due to the nasty weather and this is the third time I've tried to comment. I hope the third time is the charm! Congrats on your newest and upcoming releases!

    Change or stay with what is familiar? I say do what makes you happy. For me, I'm not big on change, I'm all about staying with what is familiar. I'm a plain sort of gal and I guess that's why I haven't read too many erotica novels. As for e-books, I've not read many of those either due to the fact that I don't own an e-reader and just don't have the time to sit in front of the computer for too long. Though if I had to pick, I think I'd choose the Sony e-reader over the Kindle. ;-)

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  6. I'm glad it finally took my comment, but I'm sorry for the double post! Wouldn't you know it?!

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  7. Hi Vonnna. ^^

    I'll admit i haven't joined the ebook wagon and don't plan too. I don't like reading on computer screens and nothing, in my mind, can beat the feel of a book in your hand. The freedom to flip through the pages. La sigh. ^^ Things you can't do with an ebook.

    I also admit i have never read erotic. I get a school girls blush thinking about it.

    Melissa

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  8. Hi Vonna

    I haven't as yet got on the e-book wagon either although I do have a couple of e-books on my PC I just am not comfortable sitting here reading so untli I can afford some sort of e-book reader they will have to wait and I do love the smell and feel of a book in my hands LOL.

    I haven't read any erotica books I have read some historical erotic romances and really enjoyed them. I am always willing to read a book I think I will enjoy and I do like trying new things.

    I hope what ever you decide to do works well for you

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  9. I don't have an e-reader as yet. Too expensive for my budget. I do have some e-books I read on my computer but I'd rather have print books. I like the feel of a book in my hand. I know the e-books are the way of the future, but I hope they don't do away with print copies. I do have some erotica but I don't read it all the time.

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