BookEnds Talks to Sharon Page

Sharon Page
Book: "Midnight Man" in the Wild Nights anthology
Publisher: Kensington
Pub date: September 2006




Sharon Page has always loved to write (tapping out a first novel at age 14), but had to get a real job—drafting and R&D at a structural engineering firm. After having her first baby, she sold an erotic romance to Ellora’s Cave, and now has 6 books contracted with Kensington Aphrodisia.

Author Web site: www.sharonpage.com

BookEnds: Describe your book in 50 words or less.
Sharon: Michael Rourke is six feet four inches of male perfection—but he is also a Varkyre, the most damned species of vampire. He has found his soul mate, Erin Kennedy, a mortal who does not yet know the real meaning of pleasure. Can he convince her of his love before the full moon destroys him?

BookEnds: What is your writing process like?
Sharon: My writing process is my biggest WIP. Since I’m a relatively new author, I’m trying to refine my process with each book. I like to add something new to the process that works for me. And my books are written with different life events happening. I wrote "Midnight Man" with a newborn, which meant a lot of adaptation.

Usually the idea for the next book (or others) comes while I’m in the last month before deadline of the current WIP. It’s always very seductive—the characters are so tempting, the story line so alluring. I quickly jot down character notes or snippets of scenes to satisfy the craving to write.

I start with a quick one-page synopsis. I think up a tag line, which summarizes the concept. An example: “Can a vampire huntress choose between a heroic vampire hunter or a fiercely passionate vampire? Or can she have both?”

From this I write paragraphs on the heroine and the hero (or heroes), where I explain their problem, their goals, their motivation, and hint at what they need to grow and find happiness. The one page forces me to quickly summarize the "narrative drive" for the story—so I know where it’s going. Then I try to write the emotional ending, one that shows how the characters have grown.

After that, it’s a matter of writing every day to produce the first draft, then work on editing and polishing. I’m lucky to have a great critique group whose opinions I trust.


BookEnds: What are the highlights of your writing career so far?
Sharon: I autographed my first print books for the very first time—to bestselling authors Thea Devine, Julia Quinn, and Jayne Ann Krentz. I met all three wonderful authors at RWA Nationals in Atlanta and they agreed to let me send them a copy of my books. Signing to those authors who I admire so much was a thrilling highlight.

Other highlights: Rereading my work in galley stage and being amazed that I wrote it (in a good way). Having industry professionals and reviewers say great things about my work. Attending my first Romance Writers of America conference and meeting so many authors I admired, as well as Jessica and Hilary Sares, my editor at Kensington.


BookEnds: What has been your most successful marketing campaign?
Sharon: That’s hard to say right now, since Wild Nights and my single title Sin are just coming out, but it’s been fun to plan the marketing campaign. I began with teaser ads for Sin, because I wanted to start with b&w ads. A high-impact ad that featured the name Sin in white on a black ground ended up grabbing quite a bit of attention. I’m trying ads in Romantic Times, Romance Writers Report, Romance Sells, and BUST magazine. I’ve also done enormous mailings of brochures, bookmarks, posters, teaser chapters, and ARCs to reading groups and bookstores. My mailing list has grown to over 2,500. And I’ve sent lots of items to romance conferences. This month, I’m also sending sample chapters to the Bouchercon conference to introduce Sin to mystery readers. And I’m hoping to get the word out about Wild Nights and my upcoming Blood Red to fans of vampire stories who may not yet have discovered romance.

BookEnds: What else are you working on?
Sharon: I’m writing the first draft of Black Silk, my second erotic historical romance. This is Book 2 in my trilogy about the daughters of the scandalous artist Rodesson. Middle sister Maryanne is the heroine. She’s the quiet writer, impulsive and romantic, and the family peacemaker. But to save a friend she must join an erotic scavenger hunt—a combined orgy and treasure hunt designed to entertain jaded nobles. And her partner is the wickedly seductive Lord Swansborough, the most notorious rake in London.

After Black Silk, I will be working on the last in the "Rodesson’s Daughters" trilogy, and am planning more vampire romances.


BookEnds: Why have you chosen to write in this genre?
Sharon: I love writing erotic romance! I fell in love with historical erotica when reading Erica Jong’s Fanny. I’m an avid fan of sensual romance authors such as Jo Beverley, Stephanie Laurens, Kathryn Smith, and others, and had a lot of fun going that extra step and moving from a steamy story to an erotic one. The writing comes easily too—I love to explore the emotions and character revealed when my hero and heroine are making love.

After writing my first erotic historical romance, I tried my hand at paranormal with "Midnight Man." I love the intensity of paranormal stories—life and death, loss of soul, eternal damnation, or the chance of salvation. It works beautifully with the power and intensity of erotica and romance.

Thanks so much for the chance to blog!

To learn more about Sharon Page, see Our Books at www.BookEnds-Inc.com.