Lyrical Press author Gina Gordon has agreed to let this bunny pester her with questions…

What is your most current work out?
My latest release is Temptation In Lingerie, the second novella in my Bare Naked Designs series published by Lyrical Press.

Tell us a little about Temptation In Lingerie, what inspired you to write Temptation In Lingerie?
Temptation In Lingerie is a friends turned lovers story. Each book in my Bare Naked Designs series begins with the hero walking in on the heroine in a sexy piece of lingerie. In this story, when Aleks finds his best friend Carrie scantily clad in black satin and lace, she is a temptation he just can’t resist.

When you start writing, do you already have the story plotted out or do you let the characters dictate what will happen?
I’m a big plotter so before I start writing the bulk of the story I have the entire thing plotted out. However, I do make last minute changes and additions if necessary.

What inspired you to write in your genre?
Megan Hart LOL. She made me fall in love with the genre as a reader and it stuck with me so deeply that when I started writing, my characters demanded to have lots of hot, sweaty sex.

Is this the genre you started writing in or have you morphed to this one?
I gave up on writing for quite a while but when I was younger I wrote children’s books and poetry. Now, I write strictly contemporary romance but I have hopes of branching out. Possibly paranormal or romantic suspense.

Do you have a favorite character you have written?
My favorite character that is published is Aleks Turko from my latest release Temptation In Lingerie. He’s a guy’s guy. He’s tall, dark and handsome which is completely my type (:  has a great sense of humor but most of all is a complete sucker for the woman he loves despite his cool, confident front he presents to the rest of the world.

Who was the toughest character for you to “get right” that you have written so far?
I’m writing a new character right now who has a haunted past. She is a survivor of sexual abuse.  I want her to be “real” and strong so I’m doing a lot of research and analyzing every detail because I want to make sure I get her motivations right.

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

Definitely real life is used as inspiration. My co-worker keeps coming up to me and giving me ideas LOL. Her stories always seem to start with “So, I was at the…”. And then of course two people end up naked on the hood of a car or in an office. The inspiration behind my short story Her Five Favorite Words came about after watching a guy hit on a girl in Starbucks.

What do you find the hardest part of writing?
Writer’s block. There is nothing worse than having a million ideas racing around in your head but for some reason can’t translate those ideas on to paper.

Name one thing that your readers would be surprised to know about you.
I know how to read a horse racing form and bet–triactors, boxes and all the other combinations. A lot of my childhood was spent at the race track LOL

Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Other than reading romance books?  Buying romance books.  I’m really not exciting at all.  LOL  I feel guilty spending so much money but nothing gives me a bigger rush, it’s like a sugar high.

What do you need before you start writing?
I need to be in the mood. I have to be inspired with a line or scene before I can write. There is no forcing it. However, whenever I go to this small cafe in my town I always seem to get work done no matter my mood. I try to go there as often as I can.

Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice don’t flow?
It’s weird, but I have mojo LOL. A few crystals that supposedly keep the creative juices flowing  J

Does music influence your writing?
Music does influence my writing. I only have one novella that was specifically written based on a song. Otherwise, music is more about setting the mood.

If so, do any of your stories have a theme song?
The plot for my novella, The Only Exception, is loosely based on the song of the same name by Paramore. So I guess that could be a theme song.

If your story was optioned for a movie, who would play your characters?
If Temptation In Lingerie was optioned for a movie, Carrie would be played by Natalie Portman and Aleks would be played by Ian Somerhalder. Oh yes, definitely Ian!!

Where were you when you got your first contract?
I was at home just leaving to go out for dinner with my husband. Because of the good news, there were quite a few more drinks consumed that night than originally expected  J

Who did you tell first?
My husband was first to know and then half a minute later I emailed my critique partner, Lindsay Below. She’s my biggest cheerleader.

How old were you when you read your first romance book?
If Sweet Valley High and VC Andrews counts then I was in my early teens. If not, then I was much older–mid twenties. I was a late romance bloomer. I didn’t have a grandma with a trunk full of books in the attic to steal from LOL

What is your favorite genre to read if you have time?
I love reading contemporary romance which is probably why I love writing it. I’ve got a bit of paranormal overload going on right now.

If you still have one of those pesky day jobs what is it?
I do have a pesky day job and I work in the Customer Service field.

What are you currently working on, and what else is in the wings?
I am currently working on a new novel about reunited lovers who meet again at a wedding ten years later. I’ve also been plotting a romance about two radio dj’s–one jilted the other and now must do everything and anything to get the other one back.

What is your reaction to people who say one of the following…”Oh you write romance, I thought you were a real writer”, “Romance isn’t a real writing career” or the ever popular “Oh, one of those books”.
My real comment is not something you can print (: but….I educate as many people as I can about the romance writing industry because comments like those above stem from ignorance. But I try and avoid confrontation so I just try to remember the source and shrug it off.

Where can readers find you?
My website: www.ginagordon.net
My blog: http://blog.ginagordon.net
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GordonGina
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorGinaGordon

And for the silly side – What is your favorite type of chocolate?
I love Kit Kat! That’s my fave!