Please help me welcome Author Serena Akeroyd to my blog today!
Bio:
What is your name? Do you use a pen name
(if so, why?)?
Serena
Akeroyd is a pen name. I use a pseudonym
mostly because my real name is a bit of a mouthful, but also, my pen name is a
mixture of ancestral names. I feel like
I’m keeping it in the family that way. J
Tell me a bit about yourself:
I
love what I do and writing makes me happy.
In a way, I’d say it defines me.
It’s my future and my present.
That sounds a bit intense, but I love the written word. Whether I’m the one doing the scribbling or
whether it’s someone else and I can sit back and enjoy.
What type of genre do you write?
I
write romance, but erotica predominantly.
Everything has to have love threading through it, as that’s what I enjoy
as a reader. And really, that’s how I
started writing. I wanted to write
something I myself would enjoy.
What genre do you personally read?
Mostly
romance and erotica. Although I do enjoy
classic authors such as Jane Austen or even Shakespeare. Fan of Sebastian Faulks too.
Tell me about your latest?
Fall
Into Love is the first in a twelve part series called Naughty Nookie. Simone is the heroine and it’s about one
night that changes her life. That takes
her from the mundane to a world that she never even imagined existed.
I’m
currently writing part two of her tale, Crazy Little Thing Called Lust.
What sparked your passion for books and the
art of a good story?
Enid
Blyton. I’ve loved reading since a child
and mostly, her books. From Mallory
Towers to the Secret Seven. She sparked
my passion and the love of stories. And
then, believe it or not, when I was around 18, Mills and Boon! I became hooked on Happily Ever Afters!
Is there a particular book that changed or
affected your life in a big way?
Once
upon a time, I’d have said Birdsong, by Sebastian Faulks and then I read Girl
At Lion D’Or by the same author. That
story really affected me and in a way, made me realize at a pretty early age
that Happily Ever Afters don’t exist and that life can and does get in the way
of happiness. It was my coming of age
tale, I think. A fabulous read; one so
good that I daren’t read it again for fear of it having changed in some way.
Is there a message in your book that you
want readers to grasp?
Mostly
that life can be fun; live it in the here and now, be aware of the future and
the past, but before anything, enjoy the present.
What challenges have you faced in your
writing career?
I’m
facing it at the moment actually; I’m a bit of a hermit! And pushing myself out there and my book on
to the social networking scene is a bit daunting!
What has been your best moment as a writer?
That
moment when Amazon updated its systems and my book was online and ready to
sell. More so than when I actually sold
my first book. I felt as though I’ve
finally done it and I was relieved as hell!
Who is your author idol?
Nora
Roberts. I love how she’s diversified
and changed the romance genre, tipping it on its head and radicalizing it. In a way, her romance is different to my idea
of romance, but I love the Eve Dallas series.
Do you see yourself in any of your
characters?
No. Never.
Each character comes to life in my head thanks to circumstances and at
first, pick of the draw! For example,
Simone has waist-length hair. That just
popped into my head followed by the colour.
Sometimes, my characters’ appearances reflect their personalities.
Do you feel like your dream has come true
or is there much more to do?
No,
there’s so much more to do. Naughty
Nookie has twelve parts and I’m nowhere near reaching the twelfth part! I need to get my writing cap on!
What does your workspace look like?
I
write better in bed, believe it or not.
And no, I’m never neat. My sheets
are always scuffed and messy and I just sit in the middle of it! :D
Have you ever had a day when you just
wanted to quit?
I
get tired, so I just switch off and do something for me. Mostly, reading regenerates my energy levels
so that’s what I do. I can’t quit, because
writing is who I am.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I’m
boring. And I admit it!
What are the most important attributes to
remaining sane as a writer?
Remembering
why you’re a writer. Because you love
telling stories. You can’t let negative
reviews get to you; you can’t feel lost because a percentage of people don’t get what you do. Keep on, look onwards and upwards and
remember that you’re a storyteller.
Did you have a moment when you realized you
were meant to be a writer?
No,
not one specific moment. The idea has
become concrete over the last seven or so years.
What advice would you give to aspiring
authors?
Write
what you want to read. If you want to
read it, you won’t be the only one and you’ll have a ready-made audience.
After this book, what is next?
Crazy
Little Thing Called Love; part two of the Naughty Nookie Series and a
continuation of Simone’s story.
Your website?
www.serenaakeroyd.net
Your blog?
Other websites?
www.facebook.com/serenaakeroyd
@SerenaAkeroyd
Where can your book be found?
Kindle UK: http://ow.ly/nFn7f
Kindle US: http://ow.ly/nFnfk
Please thank Serena for joining us today. Check out her links and pick up her book!
Keep Writing!
Jodie Pierce
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