SUNDAY SPECIAL: Tonia Brown’s Lucky Stiff
Sunday, November 7th, 2010I had the pleasure of interviewing Tonia Brown about her latest novel, Lucky Stiff.
Tell our readers about Peter Lyles, your character from Lucky Stiff.
Peter is your average, run of the mill, young college kid, who just happens to be dead. He learns from his voodoo master how to control his craving for flesh through non-conventional methods.
And by non-conventional I mean going against usual zombie traditions. And by methods I mean sex. Hot, hot, super duper hot, blow your socks right the freak off your feet sex.
What do you think separates Lucky Stiff from other horror erotica?
LS is partially horror erotica. The rest is a healthy dose of humor and a good measure of sweet romance. I think this mix of genres makes Peter’s tale a little different. Keeps it fresh too. Hard to do when dealing with a dead man.
Without giving away too much, do you have a favorite scene you can tell us about?
Lets just say it involves Peter on his knees, orally worshiping his sexy voodoo queen.
Your stories tend to pull at the heartstrings. Any thoughts as to why this is?
When it comes to writing, yanking those emotional strings is a sort of challenge. There is such a fine line between a bittersweet moment, and just derivative claptrap. Plus, I like to write sweet romance because they always say, “Write what you know,” and true love is what makes up the largest portion of my life. I’m just sentimental at heart I suppose.
You’re a woman of many projects! Can you tell our readers about your latest work in progress?
Right this second I am working on a novel based on the whole road trip genre. I’m thinking of calling it “Road to Hell.” It’s sort of an homage to the old “Road to…” movies. The plot is eerily similar. Musicians get in trouble, have to go from point a to point b to get out of said trouble, meet a woman on the way, fight over said woman, reach final destination and denouement.
All with a zombie, of course.
I am also plotting another work. Its tentative title is “Sundowner” and all I’ll say is it’s going to be a southern Cthulhu novel.
Please tell our readers about The Cold Beneath.
The Cold Beneath is a steampunk zombie novel set in the cold, cold of the frozen north. The zombies are a bit unusual, as they tend to scream and seek the warmth of the living as apposed to just their flesh. The amazing artist Philip R. Rogers has not only done the cover, but is also providing interior illustrations. This book is going to rock so hard! It should be out by spring of 2011. Very excited about it!
Here comes a question that I know you don’t like, but egads, I have to ask. Where does your inspiration come from?
HAHAHA! Yeah, I knew this was coming. Much like other authors I get a lot of ideas just from every day life. I look at the world around me and wonder what it would be like with a little tweak. The rest of my ideas come straight from my brilliant husband. I just ask and he delivers. I may not stick to the whole idea, but usually I come pretty darned close.
Who is the King of Nomenclature, and how was he bequeathed with his title?
That’s the spouse! He is the King because the man can name anything, or anyone. I don’t know how he does it. He has named almost all of my work. And the titles are just fan freaking tastsic!
You incorporate two things into your books that many writers find difficult to write: erotica and humor. Is it harder to be funny, or sexy?
Oh definitely funny. The trick to sexy is to arouse and tease. That’s super easy. Just shake your boobs and the men come a running. But make someone laugh? That’s a hard thing to accomplish. Then again, my boobs aren’t everything they used to be. Maybe some men might find the sight of these sweater puppies, undulating in quiet ripples until physically stopped, pretty funny.
Point is, humor is a real hit or miss thing. What makes me grin might make another grimace. Sex on the other hand is a universal language. Who don’t like naked people getting it on in a variety of ways?
You’ve recently been promoted as editor for the erotica imprint at Library of the Living Dead Press. Is there anything that authors should avoid when submitting work to you?
Rape. Pedophilia. Incest.
Stay away from these and we are all good!
Is there any one quality (or qualities) that will help a writer become successful in your opinion?
READ! If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write. Don’t tell me you don’t want to be influenced. Get influenced! Because reading great authors can only improve your style.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Mix and bake at 350 until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
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©2010 Lori Titus
For more info about the awesome Mrs. Brown, (and her romance alter-ego, Regina Riley) read her blog: http://www.thebackseatwriter.com/reginahome.htm
Tonia’s zombie story, Lucky Stiff can be found on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/38hpkln
Tonia is my co-host on Flashes in the Dark Radio, and can be heard here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashes-in-the-dark-radio
