I recently had the chance to chat with a talented author.  So, without further delay let’s hear from the talented

Shelley Bradley/Shayla Black

Did you always know that you wanted to be a writer? Did you have other plans for when you grew up?
I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but it wasn’t writing. In fact, I grew up disliking reading. I know now that it’s because I’m not visually oriented and had to train my brain to read smoothly. I also didn’t really enjoy the books the schools had us read. It wasn’t until I discovered romances that I really started devouring books. That happened my first semester in college. I’ve been a romance fan ever since.

Why do write under two names…Shelley Bradley and Shayla Black?  Do you find it difficult to balance the two?
No. Shelley writes sexy, adventurous romances between a man and a woman that capture both heart and a little sense of humor, like recent Samhain release A Perfect Match. Shayla, on the other hand, is dark and somewhere between sexy and erotic (depending on the book). Shayla books delve deeper into characters’ psyches. My May 28 Ellora’s Cave release DANGEROUS BOYS AND THEIR TOY fits in that description. It’s a ménage romance that’s all about character. There’s lots of sex, of course, but it’s more than a boinkfest. Shayla books also frequently stage bigger plots. My upcoming paranormal romance, TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, comes out August 26 and is the first in the Doomsday Brethren series. Seriously huge plot with tons of character. There’s a lot going on in these books! The books penned under either name are just different parts of me.

Tell us some of your favorites…foods, books, authors, movies, music, television, and any others you would like to share.
Foods: Mexican food. I love the spice!

Books: Oh, so many I don’t know where to start! Favorite books include Tami Hoags LUCKY'S LADY, The Bound Hearts series by Lora Leigh, The Matrix of Destiny series by Dara Joy, TRIPLE PLAY by Rhyannon Byrd, The Black Dagger Brotherhood books by JR Ward, MIDNIGHT MAN by Lisa Marie Rice, FANTASY FIX by Christine Warren. I also have lots of Lisa Kleypas on my keeper shelf. I know there’s more I'm forgetting...

Movies: Sense & Sensibility, The Holiday, While You Were Sleeping, JFK, Dangerous Liaisons, Speed, Bridget Jones’ Diary, French Kiss, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Strictly Ballroom, The Hunt For Red October.

TV: American Idol, Moonlight (very furious CBS cancelled it!), Heroes, Dancing With The Stars. I try not to watch too much TV. Gets in the way of finishing books!

Music: I'm musically schizophrenic! I tend toward alternative and rock, if I had to pick genres. I’m really enjoying bands like The Goo Goo Dolls, One Republic, Daughtry, Hinder, Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, David Cook (yeah!)

You write in several genres, do you have a favorite? Is there something that you would like to try?
I’ve written in historical, contemporary, erotic and now paranormal. I love something about each. Ideas come, depending on my mood and what’s inspiring me at the moment. Characters come to me in certain time periods, places, and tones. When the book I write next is my choice, I select whatever is eating me up the most inside at that moment. Frequently, I must follow my deadlines, but it’s all good because every book I pitch, sell and write has special meaning to me. I think now that I’ve written in all the genres that interest me...but I’ll never say never to trying something new.

Tell us what makes Shelley/Shayla tick.
Gosh, have a few months? I’m a pretty complicated girl—at least my family tells me that. I guess if I had to sum it up, I’m motivated by both emotion and excellence. I have a passion for the stories and characters I convey, and I am relentless about trying to write the best book possible. Readers who use their time and hard-earned money to purchase one of my books deserve to be entertained, so it’s always my goal to make them feel satisfied with their purchase. It’s true that you can’t please all readers all the time, but I always believe that if you try your best, you’re more likely to please more people. Other than that, I work hard, play hard and commit completely.

Do you have a writing schedule that you follow? Do you have a perfect writing environment?
I don’t have a set schedule. I grab a lot of times around other commitments. I’m more of a morning person than a night one, so when I can write during my peak hours, I do. I enjoy the days when I’m alone and the house is quiet. I can get very in the story and be very productive. I don’t need a perfect environment. I do need music. I’m very auditory, and music helps me channel my creativity. I also need a phone. I think out loud, and several of my friends know I’d be paralyzed without an occasional ear to bend. Other than that, big screen, ergonomic chair, and I’m good.

What was the best piece of advice you received when you were starting out?  Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Don't give up. Tenacity is 90% of this business. Keep writing. Keep submitting. The minute you stop knocking on doors is the minute you lose all chance of selling. And it may be cliché, but read, read, read. Don't assume that what you like to read most is immediately what suits your voice. Try a few different things and see what feels good to you. Remember, your voice is what an editor is looking for. Tell the story that only you can tell.

Do you enjoy hearing from your readers and what is the best way to contact you?
Absolutely! I ADORE reader mail! Readers can contact me via the contact form on my website: www.shaylablack.com. I also have a MySpace, which is www.myspace.com/shelleybradley. I also participate daily in general, fun discussions with the Wicked Writers. To subscribe, send an email to wicked_writers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. I also love to hear from readers who visit my blog. I’m always giving away lots of goodies and excerpts there.

Some of your books are connected. Do you enjoy writing connected stories?  As a reader, I know that I love them.
I love connected stories most. I put so much into my characters that I can’t walk away from them. For instance, Wicked Ties introduced readers to our main characters, Jack and Morgan. It also introduced Deke, and I heard from a ton of people who wanted his book. Decadent released last October…and now people are clamoring for Luc. Even characters I’ve introduced believing they are two-liner throwaway characters received requests from readers. Sometimes they haunt me. I try to oblige them as much as possible. The Doomsday Brethren series is even more like this. I’ve created a group of guys that amaze and thrill me. I can’t wait to share them with readers!

How do you promote your work?
I’m not great at it, to be honest. I like posting online and doing online chats because it gets me closest to interacting with readers. I’m a people person, so anytime I can directly talk with people, I’m happy. I also have a blog, a monthly newsletter and my Wicked Writers chat group. I do a few ads here and there, but I’ve relied a lot on word of mouth. I hear from readers frequently that a friend recommended me to them—and that’s great. I would ten times rather spend my time writing than doing ads. I’m just not pushy that way.

How would you spend a perfect day if you could do anything at all?
With my family. Dinner and movies on a warm spring day are great. If I could work in a pedicure and a facial and still have some time to write and spend a little time by the pool with a frozen drink in hand and cool tunes blasting…ahhh!

When writing, do you plan your story out before you start writing or do they develop as you write?
I’m extremely structured. My time to write is limited, so I plan as much as possible in advance. That way, when I do get my time to write, I don ’t stumble around and write stuff I can't use. I dive immediately into the story and go. That's not to say that minor events and my characters don’t occasionally rewrite the story in spots for me, but the overlying premise, major events, and the characters’ journeys tend to stay as I planned them. I’m able to roll with the small changes, and they usually make for a better book. The system works for me, but I know it’s not for everyone.

What do you think is the most unusual thing about you?
My husband tells me I’m just not your everyday person. My brain is working ALL THE TIME. I sometimes suffer from insomnia because I can’t turn it off. I also met my hubby for the first time while wearing a clown suit and carrying balloons. (We both worked at an amusement park.) It’s pretty hard to top that for an odd first meet…

What does your family think of your writing?  Are they your biggest fans?
My immediate family is totally on board. I’ve been writing since before I got married. My munchkin has never known mommy who doesn’t write. My extended family is a bit bemused. I come from a long line of achievers. In my family there are 2 CEOs, an Army general, a Mensa member, a Harvard MBA, a Grammy winner… It’s tough to compete in my family. I think they’re happy for me. Confused about when I’m going to write the next Great American Novel, the kind that wins Pulitzers, but I’m totally happy doing what I’m doing now. And that’s good enough for them.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us? Current or upcoming releases?
It’s a busy year for me and next year is shaping up to be more of the same. I’m really excited about everything that’s going on. Here’s a quick rundown: