{"id":178,"date":"2017-10-04T15:11:37","date_gmt":"2017-10-04T19:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/korysteed.com\/?p=178"},"modified":"2017-10-04T15:12:16","modified_gmt":"2017-10-04T19:12:16","slug":"an-interview-with-author-jessie-pinkham-about-her-gay-erotic-fantasy-romance-on-the-goshort-story-the-dragon-keeper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/2017\/10\/04\/an-interview-with-author-jessie-pinkham-about-her-gay-erotic-fantasy-romance-on-the-goshort-story-the-dragon-keeper\/","title":{"rendered":"An interview with author, Jessie Pinkham, about her Gay, Erotic, Fantasy ~ Romance on the Go~Short Story, The Dragon Keeper"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome, Jessie! I found your short story, The Dragon Keeper<\/em><\/strong>, about the plot to\u00a0exterminate all dragons in a kingdom, fascinating.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The Dragon Keeper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All authors have their own reasons for writing a book. What are yours?<\/b><\/p>\n

I come up with stories whether I write them and share them or not. I\u2019ve been doing it since I was a little girl. Since the stories are in me, and I love the process of creating them, why not write and publish them? As a reader, I know how much I appreciate a good story, so I\u2019m happy to contribute for other people to enjoy.<\/p>\n

What would you like readers to take away from your story? Does it contain a message?<\/b><\/p>\n

The Dragon Keeper <\/i>is not what I would consider a \u2018message story,\u2019 in that I never set out to write it with a moral. I wanted to write a fun and plausible fantasy tale with unique characters, and readers can enjoy it on that level.<\/p>\n

That being said, I think it\u2019s a celebration of doing the right thing even at great personal cost, and in this way it\u2019s empowering. I\u2019m a tremendous believer in the importance of doing the right thing and pursuing truth, no matter what the consequences are, and those sentiments definitely influenced this story.<\/p>\n

Where did you find your inspiration for the story? Was it a person, a current event, something you witnessed, or something else?<\/b><\/p>\n

Most of my stories start with a \u201cWhat if?\u201d In this case, I wondered how humans would interact with dragons if they actually existed. How would we coexist? Would people even be willing to coexist with dragons? If we couldn\u2019t control dragons, could we still find a way to benefit from them?<\/p>\n

Answering these questions gave me the basics of my world. I tried to ground the fantasy elements in realism, because I wanted the story and its universe to be relatable. I wanted readers to think, This makes sense. If dragons existed, people would do that.<\/i><\/p>\n

From there, I started wondering what kind of man would devote his life to working with dragons. How would he interact with people? What would he need in a relationship, and what would he have to offer a partner?<\/p>\n

Did you face any obstacles or challenges while writing the story and if so, what were they?<\/b><\/p>\n

I had to learn the value of humility in accepting editor\u2019s feedback. It\u2019s a bit of a blow to the ego of a romance writer when your manuscript comes back and the editor didn\u2019t like an entire sex scene! That being said, the second version of this particular sex scene is truly much better than the first. I had wanted to make a statement about sex scenes, to put out something which said, \u201cLook, sex doesn\u2019t have to involve any penetration, mutual masturbation can be hot,\u201d and while I stand by that idea, it didn\u2019t translate very well in the context of this particular story.<\/p>\n

You can read part of the revised scene in the excerpt below and see for yourself how it turned out instead.<\/p>\n

How much emphasis do you put on supporting characters to move the plot of your stories along? Have any of your supporting characters ever gotten their own story?<\/b><\/p>\n

The shorter a story is, the less important supporting characters are to me. Because The Dragon Keeper<\/i> is a short work, the supporting characters play a minimal role. None of my supporting characters have gotten their own story yet, but it might happen for one of my current works in progress.<\/p>\n

What is your writing process? Are you a patnser or a plotter, or a little of both?<\/b><\/p>\n

I am a complete pantser! If I had to have an entire story plotted out before I started writing, I\u2019d never finish a single manuscript. I don\u2019t necessarily write in order, either. For The Dragon Keeper<\/i>, <\/i>I wrote the epilogue when I was about halfway through the main story, which is standard for my process.<\/p>\n

My writing tends to be based around the characters, and as I develop a sense of who my main characters are, the plot usually falls into place. The Dragon Keeper <\/i>is, if I may invent a word, my pantserest story yet. When I started, I pulled up a new document on my computer and decided I wanted to write a story with dragons. I didn\u2019t have the vaguest idea what the plot would turn out to be until the first chapter was written.<\/p>\n

What are your three favorite books by other authors and why? You don\u2019t have to limit this to three. (I know I can\u2019t.)<\/b><\/p>\n

In terms of M\/M romance, my favorites are N.R. Walker\u2019s Imago <\/i>series and Broken <\/i>by Nicola Haken. I enjoy historical fiction, and in that genre Edward Rutherfurd\u2019s London <\/i>and Sarem <\/i>are at the top of my list. I\u2019ll stop there, or we\u2019ll be here for ages!<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next on your literary horizon?<\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019m always juggling multiple works in progress. I have a complete inability to write one story at a time, which can be a blessing and a curse. It\u2019s a blessing when I have writer\u2019s block for one story but can work on another, and a curse when I realize just how long I\u2019ve been working on a story that still isn\u2019t finished.<\/p>\n

Right now I\u2019m writing a contemporary romance dealing with the fallout of religious abuse, and on a completely different note, a science fiction romance where some humans have been genetically engineered to possess paranormal abilities. I like to read and write different subgenres of romance, as you can tell.<\/p>\n

Blurb:<\/b><\/p>\n

Sometimes it takes a crisis to appreciate a good man…<\/p>\n

When Aldric first meets Lito, he considers the man a nuisance. As a dragon keeper for the kingdom of Corancia, he has more important tasks than answering an artist\u2019s numerous questions about dragons.<\/p>\n

Lito travelled to Corancia so he could observe dragons firsthand for his paintings, and he\u2019s full of questions about the magnificent creatures. His questions aren\u2019t merely for his art, however, they arise from his deep love of dragons. When he overhears a plot by his own kingdom to eliminate the animals, he has to choose between his loyalty and his beloved dragons.<\/p>\n

Working to prevent the extermination of dragons throws Aldric and Lito together. Lust is in the air, and if they\u2019re lucky, they could end up with a happily ever after.<\/p>\n

Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once the artist set down his pen, Aldric ventured to ask, \u201cDoes it take many years of training to be an artist?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be a good one, yes. Particularly when it comes to the details of preparing materials and paints. However, at the risk of being outrageously bold, after the way you were looking at me I\u2019ll be more than a touch disappointed if you are thinking only of my craft.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was very bold indeed, but Aldric found he liked that. \u201cNot only, no.\u201d He glanced down at Lito\u2019s hands. \u201cYour hands are nimble, and you have such control.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lito smiled. \u201cPerhaps you\u2019re wondering what else I can do with them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Aldric felt himself blush. \u201cYou are<\/i> outrageously bold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you need not hold yourself back so much. Certainly not after I established that you aren\u2019t the only one interested. Is everyone in the north so restrained?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I spend more time with dragons than with people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ought to do something about that,\u201d said Lito. He reached out, placing one hand on the side of Aldric\u2019s face. \u201cI see no reason you can\u2019t enjoy human company when your workday is completed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aldric did not enjoy the company of just any human. Lito\u2019s was among those he did enjoy. \u201cI don\u2019t know the custom for seducing a houseguest,\u201d he confessed. \u201cAm I supposed to offer you supper first, or take you to bed straightaway?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lito laughed. \u201cI believe I\u2019m the one seducing you. In either case, bed, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aldric took Lito to his bedroom, glad that his bedding was recently returned from the laundress. It would not do to appear slovenly.<\/p>\n

Not that Lito paid heed to the room, as his attention was reserved for Aldric. Specifically, removing Aldric\u2019s clothing. He made short work of it all, followed quickly by his own. Naked, they admired each other.<\/p>\n

Aldric was not one to admire for very long when he could be touching. He ran his hand down Lito\u2019s neck and traced the muscles on the artist\u2019s chest, enjoying not just the feel of muscle but the way Lito reacted with quickened breath and shivering skin.<\/p>\n

He sat on his bed and pulled Lito down so the other man was straddling his lap. This was an excellent position, which allowed for roaming hands and the thrill of their cocks bumping together. Lito also took this as time for kissing. Aldric was not always fond of the activity, but he found with Lito he quite liked it. All the more so when Lito arranged himself so their chests were together and his hands traced a roving pattern on Aldric\u2019s back at the same time his tongue explored Aldric\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

It had been some time since Aldric last enjoyed the company of another man, and he forcibly quelled his impatience. He found it was always better to take one\u2019s time in matters of sexual pleasure, so he focused on individual sensations: the feel of Lito\u2019s weight on his lap, the sound of their kisses and Lito\u2019s barely audible whimpers, the heady scent of aroused men, and the shocks of pleasure when their cocks touched.<\/p>\n

Lito dragged his fingernails along Aldric\u2019s spine and pulled his mouth away. \u201cYou see, it pays handsomely to be outrageously bold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Such was not Aldric\u2019s style, but he appreciated it in Lito. \u201cIndeed, it does.\u201d Then he put his mouth to work pressing kisses along his lover\u2019s neck, which earned him a series of delightful moans. He enjoyed a vocal lover. Each noise served as a reward for his efforts and told him what his partner especially liked.<\/p>\n

He leaned to lie flat on his back, taking Lito down with him. The weight of another man\u2019s body atop his own excited him, as did Lito\u2019s next enthusiastic round of kissing and rubbing.<\/p>\n

When the artist next stopped kissing he said, \u201cI do believe I spoke of what else I can do with my hands. I ought to demonstrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy all means.\u201d<\/p>\n

His fingers were as nimble as earlier, only now the quick motions danced around Aldric\u2019s sac. \u201cYou are very talented,\u201d said Aldric.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always endeavor for the best possible results.\u201d<\/p>\n

How fortunate for Aldric. He gasped as Lito took his cock in one hand while the other continued its tantalizing massage of his balls.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a benefit to bedding an artist.\u201d Lito smiled, clearly pleased with Aldric\u2019s reaction to his ministrations. \u201cWell-trained hands combined with ceaseless striving for perfection.\u201d<\/p>\n

If one considered an orgasm perfection, Aldric was fast approaching it until Lito suddenly stopped and said, \u201cI want to undo you, Aldric.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was about to remark that letting go of his cock was not a good way to achieve that goal, when Lito did something remarkable. He lowered himself down Aldric\u2019s body and took Aldric\u2019s cock in his mouth.<\/p>\n

The sensation was so overwhelmingly wonderful that it took Aldric a moment to ask, \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lito paused, which was a great loss and made Aldric regret his question. \u201cYou don\u2019t mean to tell me you\u2019ve never done this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never heard of taking a cock in my mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The artist\u2019s eyes widened in surprise. \u201cHow dreadful. I must show you what you\u2019ve been missing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aldric decided he\u2019d been missing a great deal.<\/p>\n

Buy Links:<\/b><\/p>\n

Evernight Publishing<\/strong><\/a>: http:\/\/www.evernightpublishing.com\/the-dragon-keeper-by-jessie-pinkham\/<\/p>\n

Amazon<\/strong><\/a>: https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Dragon-Keeper-Romance-Go-Book-ebook\/dp\/B075XNKJQJ\/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8<\/p>\n

Smashwords<\/strong><\/a>: https:\/\/www.smashwords.com\/books\/view\/750401<\/p>\n

Social Media Links:<\/b><\/p>\n

Website<\/a><\/strong>: http:\/\/www.jessiepinkham.net\/<\/p>\n

Facebook<\/a><\/strong>: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JessiePinkhambooks<\/p>\n

Goodreads<\/a><\/strong>: https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/16835564.Jessie_Pinkham<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome, Jessie! I found your short story, The Dragon Keeper, about the plot to\u00a0exterminate all dragons in a kingdom, fascinating. All authors have their own reasons for writing a book. What are yours? I come up with stories whether I write them and share them or not. I\u2019ve been doing it since I was a … Continue reading “An interview with author, Jessie Pinkham, about her Gay, Erotic, Fantasy ~ Romance on the Go~Short Story, The Dragon Keeper”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-promoting-other-authors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=178"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":182,"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178\/revisions\/182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.korysteed.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}