Everyone Needs A Bedtime Story

My First Time: Zander Vyne

It’s time for another in my interview series, ‘My First Time.’ Today I’m delighted to welcome to Zander Vyne to talk about her early erotica writing experiences.

First Time

Can you remember writing the first story you actually wanted to write, rather than those you were forced to write at school? What was it about?

I had a fabulous creative-writing teacher in high school, so I began writing things I liked way back then. But, it being a school situation, I didn’t feel free to fully express myself in writing until much later in life. The first story I wrote with that sense of creative freedom was an adult fairy tale called Amethyst’s Feather. On surface, it was about a princess expected to marry and love the right kind of man who secretly longs to be with a mysterious man she’d met as a child. On her wedding day, she runs from the church, breaking free from convention only to discover her dream lover is an immortal beast and not a man at all. But she loves him anyway. It’s a morality tale which was actually a break-up letter to the person I wrote it for, to convince them to choose the beast over me (the more obvious choice).

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What was your first official publication? Was that erotica?

Amethyst’s Feather turned out to be the first story I sold. It was erotica, I thought, but a member of the writing group I belonged to at the time told me it was not erotica at all. My story contained “rape” and “beastiality” she said. She strongly discouraged me from submitting the story and warned that the editors would be horrified and never work with me again if I broke their “rules”. Instead, I wrote the editors, explained my dilemma and storyline and was asked to submit Amethyst’s Feather. They bought it, and this was the beginning of a long association with one of the editors. To my knowledge, the lady who found my story so offensive never went on to publish anything.

I had no idea I’d be an erotica writer- it just came from nowhere! Was writing erotica something you intended to do, or was it a bit of a shock?

I never set out to write erotica. Back in the early days of the internet, I was into chatting online. I loved interactive story-telling. I also developed an interest in BDSM (mostly the D part). Some of my early stories came from scenes or sprang out as ideas based on talks with people also interested in the lifestyle. So, yes, this writing direction was a huge shock. I’d always assumed I’d write horror or romance. Erotica gave me a chance to combine the two and opened a whole new world to me.

TalesofaVampireHunter_ebook_Final_small

What affect did that have on your life?

Writing erotica created issues with my family and friends. This was before FSG made erotica “okay” for all but the most uptight people. I saw most of my writing as mainstream, literary . . . more like Anais Ninn, Henry Miller, and other current, popular authors. Though I wrote my fair share of porn, most of my work was more about the impact our relationship with sex has on us as people and less about the sex itself. But it turned out most people didn’t feel that way in my Midwestern suburban community of Catholic girl-scout moms. Suddenly, I was a peddler of porn. One step removed from a paedophile. It was hard to take at first, but ultimately, their narrow minds opened mine and made me more determined to stick with writing what moved me, regardless of what anyone else thought. It encouraged me to be even more shocking. I worked in the film business for a long time and learned when people react strongly to you, you’re doing something right. I did stop talking about it while I grew a tougher skin and learned to write to please me and not others. Just to make life easier for my kids, I keep my pseudonyms separate and seldom discuss my writing with the soccer moms in my ‘hood or members of my family who are not supportive. I also support other writers with a vengeance through writing groups, workshops, encouragement, and help through many entities, including blogs, a small press publishing company, and an author services company.

Does your first published story reflect your current writing style?

Not at all! Though Amethyst’s Feather did push buttons, and explore topics that made some uncomfortable, it was really a morality tale . . . a fairy tale. Possibly the only one I’ve ever written. Now, I tend to try new styles, new genres, and new ways of expressing ideas. I love complex stories told using sparse language and writing that challenges me as well as the reader.

Bespelled by Zander Vyne Cover Art blog size

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on finalizing print versions of my Tales of a Vampire Hunter novellas as well as an omnibus edition combining all three books. The publishing company is forming imprints and working with several clients in various genres. And I am writing a fun mainstream novel under another name as well as developing a grizzly thriller with my writing partner and a YA novel about a teenager’s murder in a small suburb very similar to the one I live in. Like much of my erotica, the surface story will be about one thing, but underneath, it’s a book about the way people judge others and think they know people, when actually few of us ever truly know others.

Buy links –

Amethyst’s Feather

Universal Amazon eBook link for Amaranthine Rain (a Short-Story Collection) which includes Amethyst’s FeathergetBook.at/Amaranthine_Rain_Amazon

Universal Amazon paperback link for Amaranthine Rain (a Short-Story Collection)getBook.at/AR_Amazon_print

Bespelled: Tales of a Vampire Hunter 3

Universal Amazon eBook link – getBook.at/Bespelled_Amazon (Print coming soon. I’d advise people to wait for the omnibus edition coming out in print and eBook forms this summer)

Link to Zander’s website zandervyne.com

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Random facts about Zander Vyne:

I used to let people think Zander was a he, to sell more stories, and because it was fun having a penis (even if imaginary, those things are the shit).

Unusual talents – drunken palm-reading and Improvisational story-spinning (usually not at the same time)

Fears – big ass spiders (because, really . . . a spider in your ass is scary as fuck); Bad punctuation (recurrent nightmares about it creeping into finished books)

Loves – weird people, head-banging music (extra points if made by a woman), sailing (lived on a sailboat for five years), used-book stores

Best job I ever had- (besides writing, which is not a job, but a love) working in a movie theatre

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Many thanks Zander- fabulous interview!

Happy reading,

Kay x

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8 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for hosting me. Your questions really took me back to a time when I was just starting out and reminded me of a lot of garbage I needed to clear out to make way for new and better things.

  2. rvraiment

    A great read, thoroughly enjoyed. But PLEASE “what affect? did that have”? Tsk

  3. “I’d always assumed I’d write horror or romance. Erotica gave me a chance to combine the two and opened a whole new world to me.”
    ♥♥♥
    I hear that, Zander.

  4. Cole Riley

    Zander, you’re fascinating as usual. I agree with you about the closed, narrow minds who feel that erotica is more destructive to society than a sex crime. Stay strong, Zander. Write what you will. Kudos to Kay Jaybee for providing a forum for such a talented writer.

  5. Bud Katheman

    I just finished reading your interview with Kay and wanted to leave a short comment in support of your efforts. I’ve been a fan of your writing for many years now and appreciate your candor in expressing yourself and helping distinguish the differences between literary erotica, good writing and storytelling, and basic porn. A well-written story that captivates the reader is the foundation of every good book. If it happens to turn you on at times, I consider that a bonus. As you point out, narrow-minded critics are limited in their view and live their lives in a tidy little box. Your work has always been much more focused on the story than it is on sex and you prove to be much more of a literary author with chops and a creative imagination. Hopefully, you will gain more and more respect and attention for your efforts as time goes along as it is well deserved. Keep up the great work, I’ll be looking forward to your ongoing efforts.

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