Tell us about the latest release. Is it part of a series? Stand Alone title? What inspired it?
Hot Chocolate Kiss was released by Eternal Press on January 7. Since it’s the story of a couple who meets up during some extreme winter weather, I expect there will be three seasonal adventures for Rick and Keela.
Hot Chocolate Kiss began when I was caught in a nasty storm at the summit of a ski mountain and remember thinking “I have to write a story about this!” It took three years before the idea formed into a plot, and then I wrote the story in about a week.
What do you love about writing? Hate about it?
I love being able to indulge my wildest fantasies, to put my dreams into words. I hate editing. But it’s all worth it if even one reader says, “Wow, what a great story.”
Do you have a guilty indulgence? Something you do just for you. Want to share?
I’m so boring. I love a long, hot bath. I treasure a day I can sneak in a nap. I also long for enough free time to take a full afternoon of ballet-both a traditional and pointe class back to back. Then I don’t feel so guilty about a huge frozen yogurt cone, a soak in a hot tub, and a nap.
If you could spend a secluded weekend somewhere, where would you go and why?
Since it’s midwinter, and a cold one at that, I’d pick a secluded beach in the tropics. The seashore is one of my favorite places, with the mountains being a close second. I can watch the ocean for hours and hours, and wander through the woods for days and feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Of course, I’d want my husband to go with me–without the kids.
Is there any character from one of your books who you would change places with?
Honestly, no. All my characters face difficult trials and challenges. I’m thankful to be boring me.
What authors do you enjoy reading? Who is on your bookcase/e-reader?
I walk around with The New Yorker, which I love for “Shouts and Murmurs” and the fiction. Their articles are great, too. One of my most favorite recent short stories was “The Shoot” by Andrew Richardson. It was an Eternal Press release in December and a wonderful contemporary women’s fiction piece (F/F).
On my list now are Sharp Points of a Triangle by Rachel Brimble, a romantic comedy, and Killing Havana by David Pereda, a thriller. I also am trying to get to Angel of Windword by Maggie Dove. All three were recent Eternal Press releases.
Cecilia Tan of Circlet Press edited an awesome anthology a couple years back: Best Fantastic Erotica. I’d love to see another one. She is a very bold writer, as well as a superb editor. Great person, too.
I hate e-reading, by the way. There is just something about holding a book in my hands.
Do you ever get up at 3 am just to write?
All the time. That is my “witching hour.” My husband thinks I’m crazy but I dream up plot and dialogue. If I don’t write it down, it’s gone.
If the world was going to end within the next 5 days, what 3 things
would you HAVE to do before everyone perished?
Well, besides spending time with my family, I’d publish all my stories remotely near being finished on my blogs so they could be read. I’d try to get a few special places–to visit my grandparents’ graves, to my absolute favorite beach in the world, and to walk in the woods one last time.
How important is reader/reviewer feedback to you?
Reviewer feedback helps strengthen my writing. They can sometimes point out flaws, and I won’t make the same mistake again. Reader feedback is very important. No one likes everything, but if at least one person “gets it” I’m happy. All my books have deep underlying themes which are important to me.
What is your writing schedule like? Do you have a strict daily schedule or do you write when the mood strikes?
I write whenever I can. I get up at 5:30 most days to figure out what has to be done and structure a schedule. Early morning is for social networking and marketing. Assignments and things due come first. Then revision and submission. Then critiques and feedback for other authors.
Unfortunately, I don’t have time for new writing unless there is a deadline to meet. So I scribble outlines or type up scenes and save them in a file for the future use. I use every minute of down time I get. I try and read published fiction or nonfiction every night, even if only fifteen minutes. I have to be up on the trends
What character do you identify with the most? Who could be said to be a bit like you?
Everyone thinks I’m Keela from “Hot Chocolate Kiss.” That’s because I’m an avid skier and hiker. But I’m not out looking for amorous adventures in the wild. Just a little peace and quiet—and sleep.
Milena, my heroine in The Journey, is one of my strongest characters. I’d like to have her resolute determination in the face of the impossible
Which book, character was the most difficult to write? Who was the biggest challenge?
I wrote a horror story a few years back about a psychopathic, serial killer bent on revenge. The motivation was there, and people identified with her. But getting into the mindset of a villainess is very hard, especially when you’re a very passive, peaceable person like me. That story is pending publication, if the anthology doesn’t die an economic death.
Where can readers find you on the web?
Lots of places, depending on their preferences.
My Website:
http://giannabruno.com
My Blog:
http://giannabruno.blogspot.com
My Social Networks:
http://twitter.com/Gianna_Bruno
gianna_bruno@yahoogroups.com
Eternal Press Reader’s Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EternalPressReaders/
Rick and Keela’s character blogs:
http://www.giannabruno.com/forums
What is coming in 2010 from you?
I’m marketing The Journey, which I just finished. It’s a historical, paranormal erotic novella featuring a witch in Salem, circa 1850. This required a lot of research and was slow to write, but I love the way it turned out.
Rick and Keela from “Hot Chocolate Kiss” will have a spring skiing adventure. Keela wants to try surfing, and they’ll likely get lost in the woods around Samhain. There, that rounds out the sexy, seasonal adventures.
“At Home With Peter and Sandra” is right now a collection of humorous, erotic shorts about a couple in the suburbs seeking to “reinvent” their relationship. I’m working on that, not sure about length or structure.
Then, last night, I dreamed up (I’m not kidding) the plot for a ménage story involving a M/M couple and a woman they meet for a business deal which turns into a very tender love story.
Excerpt:
His arrogant stare looked her up and down, but didn’t focus on the designer clothes. She could tell he was wondering how good she was après ski.
Keela met it with her own version of his tilted head leer and savored the adult male attention. She hadn’t gotten laid for nearly a year.
“You’re paying to go out there today? With the wind chill, it could go below -60°. He gestured to the thermometer that read -10° at the base- without the wind.
“I’ve skied worse. Tuckerman’s.” That was usually sufficient to shut up an amateur. You couldn’t claim to be a real backcountry skier in the Northeast unless you’d been there, done that.
“Must be pretty good then.” He rolled a wad of gum around with his tongue.
“Yeah.” She cocked her head and pursed her lips.
“Later.” He pushed the door open with the tip of his boot and exited.
The blast of cold air reminded Keela she was there to ski, not hook up. She hobbled back up to the ticket booth.
The blonde perched on a stool wore boots that looked like she’d strapped a husky dog to each leg. Keela doubted she had ever skied in her life. That sleek blonde ponytail wouldn’t fit under a helmet, and she’d freeze her perky tits and tight ass off wearing that pink fleece jacket and black spandex pants.
She prattled out the usual disclaimers while processing the credit card transaction. “No refunds for conditions. The gondolas are closed due to high winds. Only the open chairs are going to the summit, and we might have to close them as well. The ski patrol has put up an extreme weather alert: no exposed skin, take frequent re-warming breaks.”
Keela tried not to sound bitchy. This wasn’t one of Ken’s girlfriends. The kid was just doing her job. “Thanks for the tips.”
After securing the $75.00 ticket on her parka and putting on every piece of protective equipment in her pack., she waddled out the door like a stuffed pig, sweating like one, too.
She knocked the ice off the bottom of her boots with her poles and clicked into the bindings. No matter who I’m with, it’s always me against the mountain—alone. Keela skated over to the lift where the same guy she’d met outside the can was working. “It’s the Tuckerman lady.” He winked and guided the chair under her butt.
She couldn’t see the rest of his face but imagined him licking his lips.
The lift swept her up, and he called out, “Seriously, be careful. I’ll buy you a Hot Chocolate Kiss when you come down from the summit, sister.”
I don’t think so, dude. No more being treated like a buddy who happened to have a receptacle instead of a plug. No more schlepping boots and ski equipment, plus a backpack full of camping gear to the summit of Mount Washington , dodging rockslides and avalanches, to ski Tuckerman Ravine. No more romantic nights crammed into a lean-to, surrounded by a unisex cadre of other idiots, with a sleeping bag, thermals, and Gore-Tex to light her fire.
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5 Responses to “Meet Author Gianna Bruno”
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Gianna,
Great interview!
Good luck to you!
I admire the way you give yourself a punishing schedule! And thank you for the mention.
Hi Gianna,
Wonderful interview and I love your excerpt and the title, Hot Chocolate Kiss! I was thrilled to read that my novel is on your “to read” list. Hot Chocolate Kiss is definitely on mine!
Maggie
Great interview, Gianna! I love learning more about fellow EP authors! Best of luck with Hot Chocolate Kiss.
Cate
Thanks for stopping by Trent, Andrew and Maggie. It’s been a whirlwind month since the story was published. I’m not sure I have any more secrets to spill.
I got some encouraging news about The Journey today. Too soon to announce where, but it appears to have found a home!
Anyone following my Twitter? I don’t spam or send gazillions of messages.