Spending a little time with author Charisma Knight to learn her secrets…

What is your most current work out?

My Serbian Wolf, publisher is Amira Press.

Tell us a little about My Serbian Wolf, what inspired you to write My Serbian Wolf?

This story started off as a dream, so I added it as a free read on my website. Well, the story expanded because of the awesome flow, and I wanted to publish it. I must admit, it turned out rather nicely.

When you start writing, do you already have the story plotted out or do you let the characters dictate what will happen?

Usually, I allow my characters to dictate what happens. Sometimes, I must plan everything out, and make an outline.

What inspired you to write in your genre?  Is this the genre you started writing in or have you morphed to this one?

I’ve always enjoyed reading paranormal erotic romances. The urge to write one was overwhelming, and of course, the inspiration from another author encouraged me to follow my dream.

Do you have a favorite character you have written?

If I must choose only one, it would be Magnus Abernethy from my story, Spiritwalker. This will be released sometime in mid-August.

Do you have a character that you look back on now and don’t like as much as when you wrote them?

No, I adore all my characters. Some I’m closer to than others.

Do you draw inspiration for your characters from real life? Any fun stories you could share?

My characters are sometimes a mixture of many different people.

Name one thing that your readers would be surprised to know about you.

I enjoy writing, but I must take a few days off to replenish myself. When I first started writing, I allowed my muse to take total control, so staying up all night was nothing to me. Twice a week, I would stay awake until it was time for me to get ready for work.

Now, there are some nights I actually go to bed after my daughters, or I’ll set a curfew of 1:30 a.m. for myself.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Yup, snacking when I know darned well I shouldn’t be! I love those fruit snacks. I buy them by the bulk simply because there isn’t enough in those little packets.

What do you need before you start writing?  Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice don’t flow?

Well, I just need my imagination and to focus, and I’m pretty much good to go. I have no special rituals when writing.

Does music influence your writing?  If so, do any of your stories have a theme song?

Music does influence my writing, although not all the time. I would have to say that one story I submitted a few evenings ago, My Dark Lord and Master has a theme song, but it isn’t based entirely on the song.

If your story was optioned for a movie, who would play your characters?

Hugh Jackman and Sanaa Lathan

Halle Berry and Jimmy Thomas

I couldn’t choose two people, and the couples above can be switched. ; )

Where were you when you got your first contract?  Who did you tell first?

I was home when I received my first contract. My girls found out because I was jumping up and down and doing the crazy dance around the house. Then, of course I had to tell them why their momma was acting like a fool.    ; )

How old were you when you read your first romance book?

OMG, I was thirteen years old! My aunt could open a library if she had kept the extensive amount of books she had. She would let me pick through all her old ones, and I’d go through, picking out the ones that stood out to me the most.

What are you currently working on, and what else is in the wings?

I’m currently working on Revealing Thorn for Amira Press’ Bad Boys Inc. anthology. Other books include the sequel to my current release with Sugar and Spice Press, The Beast Within. I hope to have this story out by November. Then, there is The Witch and Her Master, and Forbidden.

Spiritwalker is another story of mine that will be released on August 17th. I can’t wait, as it is a reincarnation book about love that was doomed in twelve sixty-three Scotland.

Where can readers find you?

I can be found all over the net:

http://yolasite.com

http://charismaknight.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/CharismaKnight

http://www.myspace.com/CharismaKnight

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000161794355

And for the silly side – What is your favorite type of chocolate?

Dark Chocolate