Tiffany Reisz Interview Part 1

Posted September 20, 2012 by Karen in Author Interviews, Authors / 0 Comments

 The Lovers had an amazing opportunity to interview our favorite Mistress, okay our only one, Tiffany Reisz. We hope you enjoy reading it!

Everyone defines erotic fiction differently…what’s your definition and why?
Erotic fiction is simply that – it’s fiction that’s erotic. People define erotic fiction differently because everyone’s definition of erotic is different. Some people find my book distinctly NOT erotic because they don’t enjoy the sort of BDSM I write. Some readers find my books more erotic than anything ever because they do find my BDSM world sexy.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Film critic Roger Ebert summed it up best in his review of SECRETARY, the BDSM movie starring James Spader as (READY FOR IT?) Mr. Gray, a sexual Dominant and mild sadist. “ Because S/M involves postures that are absorbing for the participants but absurd to the onlooker, we tend to giggle at the wrong times.”

For someone like me who does and loves BDSM, it’s very hard to put myself in the shoes of a vanilla reader. So I write about the fear and the trembling and the pain of BDSM because a submissive or a masochist in a scene often feels fear and pain and kinky readers go, “Yup, that’s it” and vanilla readers think “Ohh…that’s wrong.” I get asked, “If she likes it, why is she afraid?” and “If she’s enjoying it, why does it hurt?” They don’t understand that the pain and the fear are part of the enjoyment of BDSM just the way the tears are part of the pleasure of seeing a tearjerker movie or the fear is the fun part of a roller-coaster ride. Translating BDSM to vanilla readers without pulling my punches and white-washing the world is probably my hardest challenge.

Some authors keep a list of songs they listened to while they wrote…did you or was it all quiet working for you?
I listen to a lot of Celtic music since I find it soothing when writing, a lot of classical. When I re-wrote the final draft of THE SIREN, I did nothing but listen to Lady Gaga.

Are you struck with ideas or scenes at random times? Do you use an idea book or post-its for key thoughts?
Notebooks, post-its, all of it. I get random ideas all the time. I text time to myself or email them. I’ve written notes on my own body.

What’s the most shocking or profound thing a reader has ever conveyed to you after reading any of your work?
One of my kinky male readers read THE SIREN and said “Søren is the most mentally healthy and together of all your characters. He has nothing to prove to himself.” I said, “Yup. You got it.” Not surprisingly a Dominant and sadist was the one reader who most instinctively intuitively understood my most polarizing character.

There are many elements in your stories that shock new readers. Are you ever surprised by anything?
I’m not. I’ve read everything. In the 1920’s William Faulkner wrote a book called SANCTUARY that includes a scene where a virgin debutante gets raped by a corn cob. The bloody corn cob is used as evidence in the trial. There’s nothing I write that is more shocking than books written a hundred or even a thousand years ago. My book ain’t got nothing on the Old Testament.

When did you first start writing? Was there a certain thing, person, or place that prompted it?
I’ve been writing as young as 2nd grade when I won first place in the school poetry contest. I was the only entry.

That being said, in high school I got obsessed with a TV show called FOREVER KNIGHT. I didn’t care about the heroic angst-ridden main character Nick. I loved a minor character on the show, a vampire named LaCroix, who was super tall, blond, imposing, all-knowing, and stole every scene he was in. I started writing a love story for LaCroix which we all know now is fan fiction. Back then I just wanted to get to know this character I couldn’t stop thinking about better.

Since your work has gone mainstream, have you been approached with strange offers?
It’s quite cute how many people offer to be my slave. Sadly I don’t think any of them mean it. I’d love to have someone clean the litter box for me every day.

You are very open and honest with your fans and interact with them online often. How do you feel about social media and has it changed the way you view your fans?
I started on Twitter before any book deals so it was always social media to me. I was on Twitter to spite my friends who wanted me on Facebook. I had fun interacting with strangers. Since my friends or family had barely even heard of Twitter, I felt safe to say whatever I want and talk to everyone I wanted to. I’ve just never stopped.

Did you start writing The Original Sinners with plans to make it a series?
Once THE SIREN was finished I knew I had to figure out what happened to Michael, my 15 year-old kinky angel who Nora deflowers. I adored that kid. He stuck in my heart. I wanted to see him not just at peace but really happy. He had so little, asked for so little, that I wanted to give him everything. I immediately started writing THE ANGEL once THE SIREN was finished. I couldn’t let my characters go.

7 Smooches Showdown:

1. Who wears what: Søren, Wesley, Kingsley, and Zach/ boxers, briefs, or commando?
Wesley is cotton boxers.
Kingsley is commando.
Zach wears boxer briefs.
Søren won’t tell me.

2. Favorite bedroom instrument?
Cello. What? I used to keep my cello in my bedroom.

3. Favorite old Hollywood movie?
Daddy Long Legs!

4. What makes you laugh the hardest?
My boyfriend Andrew Shaffer.

5. Favorite word you have purposely written into a story?
Pickle!

6. Favorite or dream vacation destination
Anywhere there’s an ocean.

7. What’s your shopping weakness?
Office supply stores – ink pens and paper get me every time.

Read Part 2

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