Reviewer & Author Interviewer, Norm Goldman. Norm is the Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com.
He has been reviewing books for the past twenty years after retiring from the legal profession.
To read more about Norm Follow Here
Today, Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Becky Komant author of The Controlled.
Good day Becky and thanks for participating in our interview
Norm:
Please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.
Becky:
I am a mother to four
awesome kids, two girls and two boys.
Actually, I shouldn't call
them "kids" because they are teens now, and
as they are
dealing with all of the things teens go through, I find my
days
filled with jumping from one teen challenge to the next!
When
I am not busy with them, I am busy with my clients. I am a life
and
fitness coach and truly love helping people. I ventured into
the world
of writing a few years ago and here I am with my first
novel, The
Controlled. In my spare time I enjoy the
pleasures of the outdoors --
sports, sun, sand.
Norm:
How did you decide you were ready to write The Controlled?
Becky:
I had a chance
meeting with a client at an airport. We chatted
briefly (he is an
author) and while talking to him, I had an epiphany.
I shared with
him some of the storyline idea I had for my fiction and
when he
encouraged me to go for it I knew in my heart it was time to
begin.
Norm:
Why have you been drawn to erotica? Does it have a particular form?
Becky:
The storyline that
was brewing in my mind had elements of
erotica in it.
The
Controlled deals with some of the darker sides to
human nature
when it comes to sex and control.
The timing was perfect because
50 Shades of Grey really opened up Erotica to the world.
My story
just happened to coincide with it, so I've just gone with the
flow.
I don't think The Controlled has a form, it’s just sexy.
Erotica
can be harsh or a little softer -- depending on which
direction
the author goes.
Norm:
How difficult or easy was it for you to create the sex scenes in The Controlled?
Becky:
I didn’t find it
difficult at all, but they were scenes that I
had to put a lot of
thought into.
I wanted them to be tasteful, but yet very
real so the reader could connect with the emotions.
Sex and control
can go hand-in-hand. And it can become twisted so quickly.
That is
a major element of the plot. There are sex scenes from one end
of
the spectrum to another. I never wanted to say too much or be
too
repetitive. I think I found a good balance making them very
real to
the reader... or at least I have been told!
Norm:
Becky:
My book ideas evolved for
a few years. Originally I wanted to
write a health and
wellness book. Well, got a little sidetracked from
that!
The plot gets a lot of its punch from real life issues that
I
have seen people deal with directly and indirectly. The people
are
fictional, but their emotions and actions are real. I wanted
to make
it not only entertaining but a story that people can
relate to on
different levels.
Norm:
How did you create the characters of Sarah Ruiz, her husband Alex and Gabe Benoit? Are they based on anyone you know? Did you use a set formula?
Becky:
I took some of the
elements of my own life (fitness
competitor, mom of a few kids)
and used them as Sarah's foundation.
She is a mom and has 5 kids.
Some of her dialogue and witticisms are
things I probably would
say. From there, though, the rest is fiction
and all developed
according to how the story needed her to be. Alex
was
birthed straight out of the plot, as was Gabe.
You could say the plot
drove the character development, I didn't model them on anyone.
They
took on a life of their own and it was obvious how I needed to
write
about them once I knew the storyline.
Norm:
What would you say is the best reason to recommend someone to read The Controlled?
Becky:
The Controlled is a book
that not only entertains with its
crazy plot, it has many real
life issues that people can relate to.
It was a featured read at a
book club and I was told it was the most
talked about book they
have ever read -- having so many different
elements that they
discussed. That was a great compliment -- knowing
that it
stirred up emotion. Being able to bring the reader into the
story
It is erotic, along with being full of intrigue. You have
no
idea where it’s going, you can’t comprehend how far the
players will
go! It will definitely leave you wanting more.
Norm:
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Becky:
Writing The Controlled was
a huge learning experience for me
on many levels. First off,
I realized how much work writing and
publishing a book is.
I had no idea. Writing takes time, discipline,planning, creativity, thinking about things on a different level.
Publishing is
different kind of hard work with attention to details
that I
didn't know existed! And the PR to get the book out there on
shelves
and into the hands of readers is even more hard work.
Norm:
In fiction as well as in non-fiction, writers very often take liberties with their material to tell a good story or make a point. But how much is too much?
Becky:
I think you can take more
liberties in fiction than in non-fiction.
With The Controlled, I
can push the story and its characters to their
limits. When I am
writing an article in my life coaching or training
realm, I have
to be more cautious and diligent because someone is
taking my
words and using them to better their life. I have a
responsibility
as an authority or teacher to be sure what I put out
there is
based in truth and solid principles.
Norm:
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Becky:
I love the feedback
I have been getting from my readers, and
there has been a LOT of
it! I am actually overwhelmed by that part.
The number one thing I
am asked is, "When is the sequel coming out?"
That’s a
positive for me because it means they want more! Most of
them
tell me it is a book they couldn’t put down. I have been blamed
for
more than a few sleepless nights. They like the fact that they
never
really know what is next. One reader told me he is normally
all
about reading history books, but he read The Controlled. He
loved it.
That was so great to hear.
Norm:
Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)
Becky:
Currently I am working on
the sequel to The Controlled. I am
super excited on the
direction the storyline is going. I am also
working towards
having The Controlled go from print to the big screen.
Who
knows -- maybe a mini series. Fun stuff and lots of work.
Norm:
Where can our readers find out more about you and The Controlled?
Becky:
You can check it out HERE and HERE
Norm:
As this interview draws to a close what one question would you have liked me to ask you? Please share your answer.
Becky:
Who is your biggest supporter?
Most definitely my biggest supporter is not just one person, it’s my entire family. Even though my kids are too young to read The Controlled, they support me so much. They are always excited when they hear me on radio interviews and see my book on the shelf of a bookstore when we walk by. It’s really sweet. I tell them they can’t read it until they’re 25!
Norm:
Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors
Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of The Controlled
Follow Here To Purchase The Controlled