The Writing Life is pleased to welcome S.E. Rise, author of the erotic thriller, Simmering.
S.E. Rise is an author who enjoys writing in multiple genres: horror, thriller and erotica. He was raised as an Army brat and attended Austin Peay State University on a track and cross country scholarship in Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1991, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a firefighter. He became a Department of Defense civilian Firefighter/Captain of an ALS ambulance in 1996.
S.E. Rise wrote his first horror novel in 2006 and self published with Createspace in 2007. He has written ten novels and one novella. He is now with Booktrope Editions under the imprints, Forsaken, Entice and Edge.
S.E. enjoys adventuring and doing the impossible. He lives in Anchorage, Alaska with his wife and two children.
What is your book’s genre/category?
Simmering is an Erotic Thriller.
S.E., please describe what Simmering is about.
Here is the back cover blurb. I think that best describes Simmering.
Who would you rather find in your bedroom, a steamy hose-wielding fireman or a dangerously obsessed ex-boyfriend? What if you found both? Romance writer Allison Fairchild is growing frustrated with her first attempt at erotica until she reads a well-timed magazine article. What working man makes the best lover? The article sparks an idea and her eyes are irresistibly drawn to the top-ranked firemen just across the street. It might be coincidence or driven by fate, but it is all the motivation she needs.
Ali has herself assigned to a firehouse and is committed to doing her job; getting incredible sex stories from actual firefighters and, in the process, trying not to become one. At least that’s her intention until she meets the Captain, a by-the-rules professional with an enticing off-duty wild streak. Ali and the Captain put their wills to the test to resist the chemistry heating up between them. But unbeknownst to Ali, her cheating ex-boyfriend has set his eyes upon her again and if he can’t have her, no one can.
How did you come up with the title?
I wanted something subtle yet sexy. I thought the best way to describe the barely held- in-check feeling of desire was with a cooking metaphor. Like a pot of water slowly building up to boil. Even if you set it to simmer, it is eventually going to boil.
What inspired you to write this book?
I have been writing horror and thrillers for many years. I realized along the way that I can write some pretty steamy sex scenes. So, I figured why not. I did some research on how to write erotica, read some erotica, and came up with plot outline.
What is your favorite part of writing?
I love creating worlds from my imagination. I love to create worlds that people can envision just by reading my words.
What is the most challenging aspect of writing?
Learning and researching the things you write about. I do extensive research and never try to “BS” the reader.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Stephen King, Erik Stevenson, Glen Cook to name a few. I have a few favorites that I actually know, as well. I can’t name them all but here are a few. Duncan Ralston, JG Clay, Scarlet Darkwood, and Sheri Williams.
What authors or person(s) have influenced you?
My biggest influences have been Stephen King, Erik Stevenson and Glen Cook. By reading their works I learned an incredible amount about world building. As well as storytelling.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
I usually write at night in my room at the fire station. I only sleep four hours a night and that leaves me a lot of time between emergency responses.
Tell us something personal about you people may be surprised to know?
I am a Captain on an Advanced Life Support Ambulance. I work at a fire department in Anchorage, Alaska.
What surprises or learning experiences did you have during the publishing process?
That an author should always have their work edited by a professional Editor. I will never go without one, but some of us had to learn the hard way. I wrote my first book in 2007….it took me awhile to learn a hard lesson. All good now though.
Looking back, what did you do right that helped you with this book?
I just started writing it. I ignored the naysayers and my own apprehension about switching genres. I ignored my own self doubts and just wrote it. I guess you can say I believed in myself and that’s all I needed.
Any advice or tips for writers looking to get published?
Just write it. Don’t get caught up in whether it’s well written or good enough. That’s why we have editors. Write the story for you. If you are happy with the story then that’s all that matters. Write it for you.
You can’t publish something that isn’t written. There are plenty of avenues nowadays for writers to get published. but as I said you can’t publish it if it isn’t written.
Website?
Where can we find your book?
You can find my books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, as well as iTunes.
What’s next for you, S. E. Rise?
I am finishing up Sizzling Book 3 in the Simmering series. I am currently writing and publishing books in both the erotica genre and the horror genre.
He can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/S.E.RisewriterEroticThriller?ref=hl
He twitters as well under the handle @s_e_rise13
Great having you at The Writing Life, S.E. Rise. Best of luck with your books.
About Eleanor Parker Sapia
Puerto Rican-born novelist, Eleanor Parker Sapia, was raised in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Europe. Eleanor’s careers as an artist, counselor, alternative health practitioner, Spanish language family support worker, and a refugee case worker inspire her stories. She is a member of Las Comadres Para Las Americas, PEN America, and Historical Novel Society. When Eleanor is not writing, she facilitates creativity groups, reads, and tells herself she is making plans to walk El Camino de Santiago de Compostela a second time.
A Decent Woman, Eleanor’s best selling, debut historical novel, set in turn of the nineteenth century Puerto Rico, was selected as 2015 July Book of the Month for Las Comadres & Friends Latino Book Club. Book club members across the United States have enjoyed the story, as well. Eleanor is featured in the newly published anthology, Latino Authors and Their Muses, edited by Mayra Calvani. She is the mother of two awesome adult children and she currently lives in West Virginia, where she is writing her second novel, The Island of Goats.
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