The 'Next Big Thing' blog tour

It would appear my writing "friends" - hmm! - are ganging up on me as I have been tagged by both Téa Cooper AND Zara Stoneley to take part in the 'Next Big Thing' blog tour. The idea is to copy the questions and apply them my own Work in Progress, then pass the baton over to three other authors.

Seeing as 'Allie' only ever gets to play when the heat level is too hot for 'Aurelia', there isn't really a lot happening on the new projects front. Especially with me being tied up with NaNoWriMo this month, as well as organising blog guests. At one point, I did consider writing my current work in progress, Bye Bye, Black Sheep, as Allie but I'm now ninety-percent sure it will be one for Aurelia.

I also have a very vague idea for another short story for a specific anthology being pulled together a group of in-house BP authors, but the story isn't far enough along to be able to offer any information. Instead, I shall talk about the story which is right now going through the acquisition process with Breathless Press...

• What is the title of my current work in progress?

The story is called For One Night Only and it will be featured in 'Serviced Anthology: VOL 1' with nine other stories next Spring.

• Where did the idea come from for the book?

I saw an urgent call-out for submissions by my editor, on hehalf of Breathless Press, requesting shorter stories of heat level 3 or above to feature in their Serviced anthology. Basically, it needed to involve either the military or the likes of police/paramedic/fireman etc in some way shape or form. Although the required heat level was well outside my 'comfort zone', I saw it as a good excuse to challenge myself and see if I could get over my writing hang-ups so I decided to give it a go.

• What genre does your book fall under?

Either spicy contemporary romance or I may even go so far as to describe it as erotic romance.

• What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Umm... this is where I confess I'm not really up on my actors.

I watch very little television - unless it's sports or children's TV - and don't tend to get to the cinema ever since the kids came along. So, I'm sorry, but I haven't got a clue. To be honest, I don't even have a mental picture of the characters in my head either, which is most unlike me.

• What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Kate Powell broke her own rules and fell for a soldier about to be posted abroad for a year, but then seven months in, a text arrives and she learns Corporal Mark Butler is back in the country for one night only and she isn't about to let the opportunity pass her by...

• Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

It is in the process of being contracted by Breathless Press.

• How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I'm not even sure I should admit this... I actually knocked it out in just three evenings - pretty much - and thanks to my inner editor, the first draft was also the final draft bar a couple of minor tweaks.

• What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Umm... I really do need a special clueless icon for these questions. 

Nothing I've read that I can recall but I guess it can be compared to other male/female contemporary military-themed romances, such as those which will appear in the anthology alongside For One Night Only, as well as anthologies available from other publishers, like Secret Cravings.

• Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Another one I maybe shouldn't admit to! What's with these questions, am I not allowed any secrets?

Okay... For One Night Only is very - and I mean VERY! - loosely based on a personal experience. Many years ago, I was dating a soldier who was posted overseas. One Saturday night, I got a call out of the blue inviting me to join him in London to go to an all-night rave (yes, it really was that long ago). I jumped on the next train and met him at Waterloo Station before making our way to a nightclub called Bagleys, which isn't even there anymore, to dance the night away. But that is where the similarity ends! Oh, except for the killer high heels, but I don't remember being offered any piggy-backs. Hmm...

• What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

See my last comment! 

With the story being based on a real-life experience, I can now imagine my friends and followers wondering exactly which bits are real, and which are pure fiction.

Oh, and my Editor told me she loves the vibrator scene. (Can I stop blushing yet?)


And there we have it. It's been fun sharing a little insight into my debut story writing as Allie. If all goes to plan, 'Serviced Anthology: VOL 1' should be available from Breathless Press from March 8th 2013. It will feature nine other stories, ranging from historical to present day, written by some incredible authors.

In order to see what some of my writer friends are doing, I’m going to tag Millie Romano, Ali Hunter and Incy Black. Let's see what you've got ;-)