Month of Love Guest Blog and Giveaway: Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn
Everyone please welcome Yasmine to Paperback Dolls! Yasmine is visiting us on her blog tour for her new novel, Shaded Vision, the eleventh novel in her Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon series releasing February 7th! To learn more about Yasmine Galenorn and her works, please visit her website here. To learn more about Month of Love and who is visiting you can go here.
Writing Hot Scenes
I’ve been asked if writing romances affects my love life. To be honest, I don’t think of my books as “romance”…for two simple reasons.
- One: I do not write happy-ever-after endings. I don’t even believe in them in real life, although I do believe in happy-for-now. There’s always an ‘after’—life doesn’t stop when you get the guy/girl and marry/move in together. Life goes on, and so do problems and issues, and arguments and—hopefully—joy and passion. I believe we can be happy in the present, but there’s never a guarantee for the future. So we have to make the most of life now.
- Two: I consider my books urban fantasy—my focus is on saving the world, more than the relationships.
I do find it amazing what people will assume. I get comments that because my character Camille has three husbands, I must have lovers on the side in my own life. People think she’s a slut (which she is not—polyamory is a fact of life in most of my worlds that I write about and is quite different than promiscuity), so they think I must be one, too.
I get comments that because I’m writing hot demon/vampire/dragon sex, I’m tearing down the fabric of what true love is like. I’ve been called a “Mary Sue pornographer.” I’ve had hate mail because Menolly is bi and I don’t close the door on her sex scenes with her girl friend.
To all this, I just blink and move on. People will say what they will and there’s nothing you can do about it except shake your head and laugh. What I do in my personal life is my business, it doesn’t necessarily play into the books, and my characters are true to themselves.
However, after reading Blood Wyne, (book 9 of my Otherworld series), my husband did dub me the “queen of vampire sex” which I consider one of the best compliments I’ve received on my writing. And yes, he reads all my books and he loves them, and is the most supportive partner I could hope for. In fact, he gets a copy of each book, and on his copies—and ONLY his copies—I sign them all with a kiss. (The color of lipstick depends on my mood for the day). We’re going on being married 19 years this year, and the more successful I’ve become, the more I appreciate his support. As he puts it, “I’m your number one cheerleader!”
People often ask me if I enjoy writing the sex scenes in my books. Um…I’d better, or the reader won’t. If the scene doesn’t feel hot to me, how can I expect the reader to find it hot? I’m equally horrified by some of the bad things that happen in my books—and I want my readers to cringe along with me. However, with both the sizzling and the scary, the process involves a lot of mental choreography. A writer has to involve all the senses—not just visual. Taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing—and in my world, energy/magic, all come into play in writing sex scenes.
I can’t speak for all writers, but when I dive into writing a book, I am there, with my characters, seeing what happens through their eyes. I’m a very visual person. So yes, I ‘see’ everything that happens in my mind. Does that mean I’ve got a constant porno flick going on upstairs? Well, no—the sex scenes don’t take up a particularly large portion of my books. But when I’m writing Camille/Trillian/Smoky/Morio scenes, why yes, I do see—in intimate detail—what goes on between them. And believe me, it IS hot. Smoky’s dragon hair—with a life of its own—is a thing of wonder to me.
(In case you’re wondering, yes, most of my male characters have long beautiful hair. That’s pretty much because I find guys with long hair incredibly attractive. I admit it, although my main celebrity crush has a short, dark, goth cut).
So, I’m giving away a $10 Amazon email gift card to one person who posts a question/comment here. I’ll do my best to get here and answer as many as I can.
Cheers!
Yasmine
BIO: New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy for Berkley: both the Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series for Berkley and the Indigo Court urban fantasy series. In the past, she wrote mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and nonfiction metaphysical books.
Yasmine has been in the Craft for over 30 years, is a shamanic witch, and describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland WA with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her website at www.galenorn.com
We’re the D’Artigo sisters: sexy, savvy ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae means our powers could go haywire any time-mostly the wrong times. My sister Camille is a wicked-good witch with three sexy husbands. My sister Menolly is a vampire who’s dating a werepuma. And me? I’m Delilah, a two-faced werecat and Death Maiden. I watch over things in the Supe Community, where trouble is about to go down hard…
It’s Valentine’s Day and we’re preparing our friend Iris’s wedding. But when we get word that the Supe Community Center has been bombed, things get really ugly. The evil coyote shifters-the Koyami-are back and Newkirk, their new leader has joined forces with a group of rogue sorcerers. Then, just as we think things can’t get worse, the demon lord Shadow Wing sends in a new front man, and life really goes to hell…
I like the idea of werepuma!
I would love to read this book. Please enter me in contest.
Hi Yasmine, have you ever considered exploring a new genre?
Wow three husbands ? that’s a lot!!!
It sounds like it’s a good series of books
Participating on the contest
Thanks for a fantastic post and giveaway! I’m ashamed to say that I have the first couple books in this series languishing in my TBR pile. BUT! My new year’s resolution (which I have been following!) has been to read all from my TBR pile. Gonna bump this series up :)
I agree with you on endings. Or rather, happy endings. They sound fake most of the time!
Love comes to us in all forms, all types and ways! Sometimes the happy endings we see only perpetuate the fact that they can only be found in fantasy.
Congrats on Shaded Vision’s up coming release and thanks for visiting with us today!
Aik: I have written in other genres–I wrote 8 nonfiction metaphysical books, and two short-lived mystery series (one paranormal). But I’ve always preferred paranormal/fantasy and am at home with what I’m writing now. I really have no desire to explore much outside the genre at this point, although there are a few paranormal thrillers and one ‘magic realism’ standalone that I’d like to get to someday. But I write three books a year so that’s kind of out of the question at this point.
Yasmine
I’m caught up on all your books, love this series. Looking forward to reading Shaded Vision. Didn’t realize this was coming out so soon.
I love your attitude and I’m thrilled that you haven’t let a bunch of naysayers influence your writing. We all bring something different to the table and you’ve brought the spice. I love it!
Glad you shrug those away! Even if I wouldn’t go about that way I love the books so much!! X3 It’s been a little bit since I found a series to inciting!! <3 I think it's awesome that you're doin' a lil giveaway shindig. :3 oooh… shindig. Coming temporarily back to reality, I would love to say Thank You for your creative prezzies to the world! ^^ Danke!
I love the Otherworld series, and I confess I have the Chintz & Chimes on my TBR shelf, because I enjoyed the first book and I keep hoping for time to read the rest. The paranormal is always fun, but exploring other options in fiction does not mean they spill over into real life. That’s why it’s called fiction!
Thanks so much for all your terrific stories! This is a fantastic giveaway.
Love your books Yasmine! They keep me entertained and wanting more. You weave such a fantastical world, leading us through the bad (and we all know it’s been pretty bad sometimes!) and the good amazingly wonderful stuff too. Your characters are more personable on a level because they present with normal things in their lives, Camille and her insecurity with her own magic (who isn’t a little insecure by times) ,Deliah being a slob and not changing her litter box, Menolly going to work at the Wayfarer, simple normal life stuff that connects the readers to these great characters all the more.
Please continue to bring us such magical stories about them until “they” tell you that their story is over. ~bright blessings~
Hi Yasmine,
Is there a book that you wish you had written?
I haven’t read you before but I love the description of the sisters. I love cats so a werepuma sound yummy! Thank you.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
I just found out about your series …I agree that life isn’t always happy ever after :)
aprilmom00 at gmail dot com
Luv the interview and the glimpse into your writing process. Luv your books; keep ‘em comin!!
Love your point about “happily-ever-after” endings. Especially when characters have gone to hell and back to get that happiness, it’s hard to imagine their lives will be completely conflict-free from now on. Hmmn, now I’m wondering what happens to some of my favorite (read and written) characters after the curtain closes…
Can you really make three husbands happy? I would like to read the book to find out how!
I like the happily ever after, but as long as there is a happy right now, that’s good enough for me. I can make up my mind that the characters will live long and happy lives once the book has ended and no one can tell me any different. :D
Such an honest open post THANK YOU!! The two points you made especially hit home to me.
Great post.I enjoyed reading it.
In this series what was your favorite scene to write and what was the most difficult?
Thanks for the giveaway.
I love her “Sisters of the Moon” series.
Nina C: Is there a book that you wish you had written?
Answer: Actually…no, because I enjoyed reading my favorites so much that it’s nice that I didn’t have to write them.
Elaing8: Great post.I enjoyed reading it. In this series what was your favorite scene to write and what was the most difficult?
Very very hard to answer, there were so many parts that made me smile and laugh and feel relieved, and a number that made me cringe. And most of them would be spoilers. Each sister has highlights, and each of the sisters has their lowest points, and I rejoice in their successes and have cried through writing the rough parts.
Yasmine
I’m a visual reader so I really enjoy books where the story evoke great visuals. That doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of descriptions but enough to drive my own imagination. I like that you’re a visual writer which sounds like it makes for interesting writing.
Wow, a new to me author and shifters. Thanks for this post. This sounds really interesting.
Love the cover, I have to add this to my list…I love paranormal books!
Hi Yasmine!
Wow, you and your hubby are so sweet! =)
BTW, why you decide to write Otherwold series with 3 POV? Any difficulties when you write your books?
Ren: “Why you decide to write Otherwold series with 3 POV? Any difficulties when you write your books?”
The Otherworld Series is a complex series to write, but writing from three POVs keeps it from getting old and gives three different insights to what’s going on. It seemed the logical choice to make. And the sisters are so different that no, it’s not an issue when I switch from one to the next.I do enjoy Camille’s POV best, but I love the others.I just have to remember that Menolly’s scenes all take place after sunset. ;)
Hey Yasmine
Your book sounds great. Adding to my TBR.
:)
Hi Yasmine, I love the books I’ve read by you and can’t wait to make it through all of them :)!
I like the complexity and dynamics of the relationships you pen. It also didn’t ever occur for me to ever take them as “real”. Though I think the writing definitely does pull real emotions.
Do you have a set number of books defined/approximately defined for your current works with an ultimate end plot goal or do you just write/flesh out as you go with no particular end point in mind?
The Indigo Court Series will end at five books. The Otherworld Series is an ongoing series and after the spirit seals plot is wrapped up, it will move in other directions that I’ve already started foreshadowing. I don’t see the end of the series yet and hope that it will continue after book 15.
This makes me extremely happy!!! Even though I have to.. I cannot wait!! :D
Sounds really interesting :)
Hi Jasmine! You’re a shamanic witch? Wow! Could your tell me more about that? What’s a witch doing in our real world?
Thank you!
*grins* It’s actually Yasmine, with a “Y”…and yes I am, I’ve been in the Craft nearly 32 years. There are many alternative faiths and practices in the world, and there are a LOT of pagans in our country. You can find out more about my path in the nonfiction metaphysical books I’ve written.
Sorry, Yasmine (in here we write this name with a J, so that was in my head:) and thanks for the answer. I didn’t know that there’re so many pagans so thanks for the info. I’ll check out your nonfiction work. Sounds really interesting.
You’ve got an awesome site!
Great post! Thanks for sharing your insights.
[...] Fantasy author Yasmine Galenorn Website Guest Blog and Giveaway [...]
What could you possible do with 3 hubbys….LOL ok fun, a lot of fun!
Mary
Hi, your a new to me author and your books sound amazing. Can’t wait to dive in. Thanks so much for the giveaway
Nothing wrong with a sexy man with long gorgeous hair =) And I like that you “see” everything you write, it’s important so that you don’t end up writing a bunch of stuff that a reader can’t picture in their mind.
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