Interview with Renee Gibson

by Renee Uitto

Renee Gibson is having her first novel published in January. This month we ask her particulars about her writing life.

What inspired you to write romances?

A vision. I know that sound like a cliché, but while recovering from surgery I had a vision of my first book Undying Love and thus was inspired to write it.

What genres of romance do you enjoy reading?

I like them all, but never knew I enjoyed erotica enough to write some.

Explain what erotica romance is. What advice would you give to a writer who has never written erotica?

Erotica isn’t really romance, but it can have romantic elements. It is its own theme primarily concentrating on lavish, super hot sex, exciting lives, exciting relationships and anything the mind can fathom that is not a typical story. It’s more of a fantasy than a regular romance. For new writers of erotica, read what’s out there then put your own twist on one of your own. Go wild and crazy and create the most enthralling story you can fathom. If it is hot to you, it will more than likely be hot to readers, editors and agents. Just remember to make it a good story.

How do you balance a career as a kindergarten teacher and being a writer?

If you love something enough, you will find time for it. Fortunate for me, I was laid off for a year and had time to write. At first being laid off was a real jolt to my pocketbook and career, but I used the time wisely and worked magic. Now that I am back to work, I still write because I make sure to take time for something I love doing. I write at night, giving myself at least two hours. Weekends are also very productive for me.

What is your writing schedule like?

For the year I was off, I made sure to get my day started around the same time I normally would. The only difference, instead of starting my car, I started my computer. I would start by listening to a track or two on my CD player then get started on the stories. From about nine that morning until two or three, I was writing. I actually had to make a mental note to eat and get water. I considered it a job that had to be done. After a little rest, I went back to writing for another hour or two. Mostly, when an idea hits me, I have to either write it down or hop back to the computer. Now, when I get home, I give myself two hours then I start writing.

Is your family supportive of your writing? Please explain.

All of them are very supportive my writing, however, writing erotica was a problem for some of them. Erotica is very explicit, sexual literature, as they all knew and some of them were against my writing it, mostly the younger members who I thought would really be supportive of that genre. The older members were all for it from the beginning. It had the opposite effect somehow. All of them are okay with it now because they know that I’ll write my erotic love scenes whether they like it or not. My sister actually read Diary of a Dead Porn Queen, my last novella, and said it was the best story she has read. She recommended it to my other sisters and that made me happy.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love to make gemstone jewelry, listen to jazz, collect Native American kachina dolls and African tribal statues, go bowling and watching horror movies. (Funny thing, I don’t watch too many romances).

Explain what it was like when you got “The Call.”

I got the call twice. The first time I was in the Albuquerque airport flying home from a pow-wow when my sister called me on my cell. She didn’t want to spill the beans because she knew my mother wanted to tell me but she couldn’t contain it. She said I had good news waiting for me at home. I couldn’t pull the answer out of her, but she gave me a hint by saying, “What is it that you do?” Naturally my response was, “I got a call?” It was from Genesis Press. I was so far from the ground that I could have flown home without the plane. The second time, I was at my computer and the phone rang. I thought it was another bill collector but it turned out to be Hilary Sares from Kensington saying she was emailing me and calling me at the same time about my erotica series and to send her a big box of them! Again, my feet left the ground, along with my desk chair. I did regroup quickly enough to talk to her. I have been writing on a professional level off and on for about ten years.

How long have you been writing?

Off and on for about twelve years. I got serious about getting published almost five years ago.

Do you have a plotting process before you write your novels? Please explain.

Sometimes, but usually I write from the literal seat of my pants…or skirt. I get ideas and I have to act on them. What has generally been the case is having a title come to me, or one scene, and then I create an entire story around it. I wrote Diary of a Dead Porn Queen on the premonition of one name. I won’t say what that name is because it is very sexual and could be used against me to protect the guilty!!!

Do you participate in a critique group?

I have before but I’ve gone it alone for a while. There is another member of GDRWA that I work with now. We have a similar style and we can get silly together. Lots of fun with her.

What advice do you have for writers that have been writing for a while and still are unpublished?

Keep writing no matter what. Perfect your craft by staying abreast of everything going on in the field and with editors. See what they want and write it, but use your voice. Be different in your craft because what’s different is eye catching and could lead to a possible sale. Don’t ever give up on your dream.

What motivates you to write? For example, music, things you read, see, etc.

My own crazy, unusual mind motivates me to write. Sometimes I use lines from movies and incorporate them, music to get me started and loosens me up, but other than that, I love to write and that is all the motivation I need.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Writers, musicians and artisans are mental doctors. We need them as much as we need other doctors, police and the like. We relax the mind and fix what’s wrong, if only temporarily. We all need to “get away” at times and books are a good way to do it. For all who write, published or unpublished, keep doing it and do it well. The world needs us.

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