BookWenches

Interviewed by Bobby

Amanda, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us a little bit about yourself and your writing. Since my list of questions for you could run on longer than a child’s Christmas list, I’ve tried to rein myself in a little bit. We’ll see how that goes, or whether my nosiness gets the best of me.

First of all, thank you for having me as a guest on your site…

You spent a number of years in my own fair city a while back. I always enjoy when you set a story or part of one here in Seattle, as you did with Naked Dragon, Cruising, and Giving Up the Ghost, because it is obvious that you know the area. Do you tend to set stories in areas you are familiar with, or are you an avid researcher?

Since I’m a nomad, and can’t seem to live in one place for any length of time, I write about the places I have been. NJ, WA, CA,  the UK,…I do research as well, but I love writing about areas I have lived in.

When did you start writing, and what motivated you to pursue publication? Will you share the story of your first published release with us?

I began writing naughty stories wayyy too young, but tore them up before anyone read them. I wrote my first novel A Man’s Best Friend, which ironically will be published next month, over ten years ago. I began writing because none of the books I read went where I wanted to go, namely, men/men sex. In the Shadow of Alexander was my first ‘published’ novel, but it’s rough and not my favorite.

How did the time that you spent on the Seattle Police Force influence your writing?

A huge amount. I loved the men and women I worked with and writing stories about hot cops is always my favorite. It brings me back to the streets of Seattle, and I can slip in my personal experiences into my books. I suppose once a cop, always a cop.

You are an extremely productive writer and seem to publish a story just about once a month. What kind of writing schedule do you set yourself in order to accomplish this?

All day, every day. I put in around 60-70 hrs a week. I love it. I suppose it’s my passion and if readers are enjoying my writing, it makes it all worthwhile.

Do you tend to write one story at a time, or are you a multi-tasker?

I tend to write one story at a time, but I’m always a few steps ahead for the next few. I get requests for sequels constantly, so there’s not enough hours in the day to get everything I want to on paper.

Your work fits into a unique universe, where characters from different novels frequently interact with each other. I enjoy this and always look forward to seeing who will crop up in a story. How do you keep it all – characters, timelines, locations – organized so that you can do this? I have visions of a giant piece of graph paper covered with diagrams.

Ha! I have notebooks with every character’s bio, etc, written in them. I have to admit I was inspired by David E. Kelly when he overlapped Ally McBeal with The Practice. That was so amazing to me, I knew I had to do it myself. The universe is growing and making my characters ‘guest stars’ is as big a kick for me as it is for my fans.

I have to know…is Mark Richfield ever going to grow up? Every time he turns around, he seems to get in more hot water.

Never! I love him just as he is, manic-wild-and wonderful. He’s my absolute favorite and I love how Steve keeps him sane. Got Men will be the next in the series, but don’t expect that until next year.

Of all the characters you have created, do you have a particular favorite? What appeals to you the most about him (or her)?

As I mentioned above, Mark and Steve. I have been writing about those guys since 1990. I know them so well, I feel as if they are real life characters. (Is that nutty? Or do all authors do that?)  I can go back over my list of leading men, but Mark and Steve will always be special to me. What appeals to me is the unconditional love. No matter what, they are together. Period.

Have you ever started a story and not liked your characters? If so, what did you do?

My men sometimes are terrible in the beginning, and they grow into a better place. I get some fans telling me how badly some of my men behave. But---err, I know men.(and women) Believe me. Some men, well, quite frankly, behave badly! My unlikeable characters always find a way to change and find their hearts. No one is without faults or is perfect. Neither are my men.

If you had to pick one of your novels to hold up as an example of your finest work to date, which would it be? Would you say that this is necessarily your favorite? Are there any stories/plots/characters that you would go back and rewrite if you could?

Picking a favorite book is like picking a favorite child…how do you do it? I love The Vampire and the Man-Eater because is rough and raw, same as the coming third book in the Heroes Series, Top Men. It’s hot, sexy, fun with steaming sex scenes. What’s not to like? I suppose I prefer more wildness in my own novels. But I try to please everyone. I am re-writing A Question of Sex. That will be called Mark and Sharon. Hey, we all know now Mark is gay. So the first edition was edited so strongly you wouldn’t recognize him. You will in the reprint. Mark is Mark---gay denial and all.

Much of your work has a unique sense of fun to it. Do you find that a little bit of humor contributes to the romance in a story?

If you can’t laugh, what’s the point? Scenes from Mile High actually had me rolling with hilarity as I wrote them. When Owen gets spunk splattered on his face and doesn’t even know it, I cracked up. Yes, there are tear-jerking scenes, some books are very serious, like Unnecessary Roughness, which deals with gay abuse in college sports, but you have to giggle and lighten things up occasionally.

You recently began to publish your work under your own name, The GA Hauser Collection. What motivated you to do this? Do you find that it gives you more control over your work?

A terrible experience with a publisher has burned me. Yes, having control over my books has become important. I never want to be treated that badly again, and I am still dealing with the ‘problem’ and working my way through it. It’s terrible how bad some egos get in this business, but enough said. Most people I work with or have worked with, are fabulous, loving, giving and kind. I’d be lost without them. I have to mention Stephanie Vaughan. She’s doing my covers now. Not only is she a top class m/m romance writer, but she’s very talented and the nicest person on the planet. (Thanks, Steph!)

Tell me a little bit about the redesign of your covers. You are working with one artist now – Stephanie Vaughan – do you feel as if the new covers represent the stories better than the old ones?

I feel like you’re reading my mind! Ha. Yes, she’s easy to work with, and knows the biz. She and I click on covers. Working with her is so easy, and you can see the results. Wow! The hottest covers I’ve ever seen. I love it. There really are no words to describe her work. Other than…impressive!

You have recently begun to publish heterosexual romance novels under the name Amanda Winters. What motivated you to write in a different genre? Given that you are well-known for your gay romances, are you finding that these straight stories are being well-received?

Those stories have been sitting on my computer for over a decade. I figured I’d see how they would do. I think people will be surprised to read them. They’re warped. I can’t explain them in any other way. If you expect something normal from me, don’t read them! Each one has gay-bi-characters, some psycho, some just stupid, but none of them are predictable. I figured, hey, get them out there. If they are read, cool, if not. It’s okay too. I know my fans want hot men on men love, so that’s what they will get.

Will you share a little bit about GA Hauser, the person, with us? Friends, family, pets, collections? Tell me a little bit about your hobbies. What is your preferred way to spend your time away from writing and the computer?

I’m living in a land of ignorance and will soon be in a better location. I can’t even do a book signing here in Dayton. I feel as if I’m living in the closet. So, California, here I come. I enjoy all things. Mostly running, dining out with friends, hot sex of course, and playing as much as I can to be stress free. No pets any more. I had a cocker spaniel years ago but his farts used to clear the room!

Who is your favorite author and why? Your favorite artist? If you were to visit a museum, which would it be and what exhibit would you head to first?

I love Mary Renault. She really got me going with her Alexander trilogy. And North Face? Fabulous! What an inspiration. I can never hope to write, ‘literature’, but I’m enjoying producing fun smut!

The museums in Europe are beyond my wildest dreams. Seeing the artwork I learned from college text books for real was mind-altering. Visiting galleries in London, Rome, Paris, and Cairo and seeing the treasures and the wonders of the world? I can’t begin to pick a favorite. I have too many. I was an art major in school, and it’s where my degree is. So living and breathing art where it was born was pure inspiration.

Why do you think erotic and homoerotic fiction is so popular right now? What caused you to write this genre?

There was a huge gap in the market between gay porn and Saturday afternoon specials.

A few of us popped up to fill it. It’s amazing that people don’t get that women, and men, love the idea of two hunks grinding. Why is that so surprising? If I could, I’d climb in-between my characters and squirm around. Come on, who doesn’t fantasize? I think it’s a new genre that is just being discovered. My goal is to show people that love is love- Any love is wonderful, between any consenting adults. I hate ignorance and maybe, just maybe, I may sway someone to understand that there’s nothing wrong with same sex relationships. And, to be honest, I get hot reading the stuff.

Will you share a little bit about what you’re working on right now? What can your fans expect to see from you over the next year or so?

I’m writing Heart of Steele. It’s already on my website with a cover and blurb. It’s based on a true story. (the names were changed to protect the innocent) but I will have it published Feb 2010 or so. I’ve already got my next idea in my head. Just have to get it down on computer.

Where can your readers go to find out more about you and your work? And just as important, where can they purchase your stories?

Because I’m having some issues with twenty-three back list novels, there may be a gap before they are reprinted and in circulation. The best way to find out what’s what, is my website, http://www.authorgahauser.com/, my facebook, my myspace, and of course, my mailing list. Anyone who wants to be notified of a new novel, email me HERE and I’ll add them. That way they can find out what’s available when.

Finally, what have I forgotten? Is there anything that you would like to mention that I neglected to ask?

I just want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your guest. I have enjoyed this interview, and hopefully my fans will learn more about me. Also, a big thank you to your review site. You’ve allowed authors a forum to present their work, your reviews are fair, not foul, as some are, and you are a credit to the writing industry. Also, my heartfelt gratitude to everyone out there who reads my books, buys them legally, and has shown me so much love and support, I can’t express my thankfulness in words.