Without sounding too cliché, I’ve always wanted to write. (Lame response but it’s true). I’m not sure of a time I didn’t want to write, which is why I’ve steadily been crafting stories since childhood. I loved the creativity so much that I majored in Creative Writing at Florida State in 2008. Unfortunately, social media blossomed a bit later and traditional publishing seemed an unrealistic goal—but I went for it. 

It didn’t work out on the traditional front, but I continued working on my craft, writing stories I never planned on sharing until I decided to self-publish my debut novel, Escape from Harrizel, in 2013. Once I realized I didn’t need a traditional publisher—that I could do it myself—I started self-publishing and haven’t looked back.

I start with an idea. Normally, it’s a scene. Just one scene that I really want to read. The entire story grows around it, and I end up discovering so much about what I’m writing as I go through the first draft. Once I have a better idea, I write a loose outline broken up by chapters, fully aware that my characters might change their mind at any time. Usually they don’t after I outline, but in that first draft…I have no idea what’s happening and it’s amazing.

I have a very attention-hungry husband and two dogs just like him. In the blocks of space where I’m not writing, I’m usually with one of them, playing fetch, giving neck scratches, or bantering over the most ridiculous issues. In general though, I love traveling and trying new experiences—except anything to do with heights as I’ve recently come to realize.

I start the next book! Honestly, there is no real celebrating other than the internal excitement that the story is done. Not just because I’m done with it, but because I’m able to offer it to the world. Sometimes though I will go out for dinner with the hubs and order two Angry Orchards instead of one. I am quite the rebel.

I’m honestly not sure I celebrate. I think I just kind of pat myself on the back and keep going. I think the celebrating part comes when people actually buy the book—looking at you readers 😉

I’d planned on writing a very different story. In fact, the first scene I wrote that inspired A Royal Pairing in Perish never made it to the final draft. And, if we’re being honest, the entire concept changed. Multiple times. Even the characters evolved based on beta feedback because like my early readers, I was still missing something major.

Then, someone pointed out that my hero, Nikolai, reminded her of Batman. That’s when I knew what I was missing—and what I wanted to write. I rewrote the story another two times until I got it right: a dual point of view noir romance with characters inspired by Batman and Catwoman.

No, and thank God for that.  Don’t get me wrong—I love June and Nikolai (and all the rest)—but each have undergone individual trauma that’s shaped them into vigilantes, and I’m glad none of my family or friends have experienced what they have. Of course, I might’ve stolen a personality trait here and there. What can I say? I’m surrounded by awesome people.

Actually figuring out what the story was about. The first few drafts didn’t have any vigilantes, and for a while, I didn’t think I’d crack the mystery of what I really wanted to say. It all started from a scene that no longer existed, so rewriting until the story revealed itself took patience (which I do not have) and several, several attempts to get it right.

Oh, man I LOVED writing the dialogue between June and Nikolai, especially before they get together, and especially during the Pearl Nightclub scene. Honestly, once I figured out what I was writing, the whole thing became fun!

(Once I figured out what I was writing) the influence came from every show and movie my husband made me watch about Batman. I’m not kidding. While I’d like to say I was inspired by literature or something prose-related, the best I can point you to is the Michael Keaton version of Batman, the 1990s animated Batman series, and the Justice League and Teen Titan shows. All inspiration for A Royal Pairing in Perish.

With another quick puff of the cigarette, I release the smoke to the side, turning to June. “Think we got his attention.”

“Good.”

“When he comes back around, I’m going to…” I bring my mouth to her ear, loving how close I’m allowed to be. “Play our parts a little. Okay?”

“You don’t have to tell me.”

“Just want to prepare you.”

June chuckles, turning her face toward mine. She bites her bottom lip and my chest tightens. “Consider me prepped.”

“Yeah?” I ask, because I can’t stop staring at her mouth. Those lips. So soft and red. So sultry…I still wonder what they taste like.

“Yes, Oscar,” she whispers, inches from my mouth, and I’m dying to lean in. “I’ve been prepped for a while now.”

Wait—what? Is she in character, or talking about us? I look up. A thousand words exchange as we lock eyes, but only two fall out. “You have?”

“Coming back around,” Michael’s voice rings through my ear.

Her eyes shift between mine. “You haven’t noticed?”

A thrill races through me, heat pumping into my chest and stomach. I keep my composure, even though my heart is beating like a drumline. Tucking my nose back to her cheek, I bring my mouth to her ear again. “Wasn’t sure.”

“He’s definitely got eyes on you two,” Michael’s voice chimes in. “Keep doing what you’re doing.”

“Maybe I wasn’t obvious enough.”

“It’s not you.”

“It’s you?” She laughs.

“Yeah…” I brush my mouth against her throat, feeling her shiver as I taste her soft skin, her pulse pounding beneath my lips. I press a gentle kiss on the thumping surface, feeling another tremble as a soft, authentically feminine sigh escapes. “I’m just not good at this kind of stuff.”

“Almost to you,” Michael advises.

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Everyone at the table shouts suddenly, stealing my attention. One of the guys across the way tosses his cards down, shaking his head in disappointment. The man next to him laughs loudly, puffing on his cigar with a celebratory grin.

“Oscar?” she whispers.

I look back at June, my focus falling to her lips, entranced. “Yeah?”

“He’s looking at me.”

“You’re beautiful.”

That’s a tough one. I kind of want to meet everyone. Obviously, I want to say June and Nikolai, but meeting Kato would be super fun too! If I had to choose though, I’d go with Nikolai, and I’d ask him to say something in Russian to me…