1.) When did you know you wanted to write this story?
My old man was after me to write this for quite a long time. The idea was born when I would hear the song "Tuesday's Gone" every day on my Pandora at work. I knew she had to be a character and began to envision her. I already had her half-sister Barely in mind, and knew her backstory, so I decided to put them together. We wanted a story we could collaborate on--and this is it.
2.) How is this story different from others in it's genre?
I haven't read a lot of the M.C. genre, and only slightly more of the BDSM genre. I intentionally don't read what I write so I don't accidentally adopt another author's style. That being said, I've been told my voice is unique, but beyond that, the combination of an M.C. with the BDSM world (completely intertwined, and based in the BDSM lifestyle) is from all reports (from readers to me) completely unique. These guys are no longer an outlaw M.C. (but have their roots there.) They are true, lifestyle Masters, and live by a very specific code of dominant "ethics" (for lack of a better term.)
I live both lifestyles--simultaneously--so it isn't about researching two genres, its about the worlds I exist in.
3.) How did the development of the cover come about?
It began with the main cover picture--the biker's back, with the 4 pc back patch tattoo (top/bottom rockers, center patch and M.C. patch) It went from looking more like an actual tattoo and developed into the brighter, more eye catching blue (of the club) as I made the teasers. I like to do some things off centered (graphically, it makes the eye look instead of being lazy and filling info in.) Once he was off centered, it made sense for me to put the female lead, Tuesday, under his arm, like a baby bird being under his protection. The gold/blue/black and silver are the colors that make up the patches of the club. The co-founders have the gold/silver/black and the regular patched guys have the black/blue/silver.)
4.) Do you have a writing process?
My first answer to this is always--chaos! In short, I use music, atmosphere, nature, experiences and weave it all together. Then, I go back in and layer (sometimes hidden meanings, profound things--sometimes sensory inclusions, other times emotional things.) I type, hand-write, record, listen, use Dragon--whatever method that works that day--to get the story out of my head and onto the pages.
5.) What's your favorite story?
Probably the Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I've read it more times than I should ever admit to. Its the reason I hide things in deeper layers in my stories--for people like myself, who read and re-read books.
6.) If you could give one of your characters advice, who would it be and what would you tell them?
Wow, this is a hard question. I grow my characters across the story or series--everything that happens is a catalyst for something else, a molding experience coloring who they are.
I suppose, to any of them--enjoy the beauty in the pain, learn the lessons of all that happens, take the color you've been painted by the experience and use it in your future. Where there is darkness, light will soon shine--anything awful will be temporary--use the fertilizer and grow!
7.) What is your writing advice for other writers?
Write was you feel--what calls to your heart. We all have a different idea of our own personal mission statement in writing, but as long as you're true to yourself it's all good.
8.) What was the hardest past of writing this book?
There is a very intense fight scene (the second of two) that really pushes the hero, Colt Daniels, to adhere to the code of his club. I struggled--Colt struggled. It was difficult, but well worth the outcome. The other intense part is a backstory thread that I had to weave very carefully through the story. If I wrote the wrong thing here or there it could've been all for nothing. I grew a lot as an author during this book.
9.) What are you working on now?
I'm working on the final in the Not Even Death series (Forever Your Master.) I'm also deep into the follow up to my new release, The Masters M.C. #1-Property Of, (working title The Masters M.C. #2- "Beautiful Insanity"
10.) What's the best way for readers to reach you? Facebook, my main profile page (friend me, I don't bite!)
INTERVIEW with the co-founders of the Masters M.C. Colt Daniels (president) and Kash Kendrick (the first sergeant at arms/enforcer)
I took a list of questions over to the Whipping Post, the dungeon owned by the Masters M.C. Rather than interviewing Colt myself; I decided to ask the girls in my Facebook group, Old Ladies of the Masters M.C., to come up with questions they’d want answered. I gave the lists to Kash, and he’s doing the interview while I hang out with the ladies (I’ve missed them!)
KASH: "Dude, okay, so B.B.'s girl Crafty Minx wants to know if you're pumped for this book to come out." (Kicks back and throws his feet up on a stool) "Chick asks a good question, I mean, the world is gonna know our shit."
COLT: "They'll only know the shit I told B.B. Ya know—club business is club business." (Exhales cigarette) "Besides brother, the old shit I told her is so ancient and no one can prove dick..."
KASH:"Oh, ya don't say? Since when was there a statute of limitations on murder, dude?"
COLT: "Don’t get your boots in a bunch! You told her your shit too, brother. That was some fuckin’ darkness there!" (Swallows his beer hard, takes a drag on his smoke.) "Like I said, nothin' can be proven. I'm not worried."
KASH: "I got your back, brother, ya know, just in case."
(Colt rolls his eyes, thinking back to the last time he heard that statement.)
COLT: "The club is gonna explode after this--we think we got a lot of chapters now. Hold on to your apes motherfucker—this shit is just gettin' started!"
KASH: “Dude—ya know with this comin’ out there’s gonna be some attention rollin’ in your direction. Do you think the green-eyed gremlin is gonna creep up and fuck with you and your girl?”
COLT: “You know better than that, brother.”
KASH: “One of the old ladies…chick by the name, Sweet T, asked. I know how shit is—but I also know you’re a possessive sonofabitch!”
COLT: “No one is gonna get near my girl—period—end of story! She knows that, I know that, and any man who tries will learn it in a New York second, brother. You know we take care of shit.”
(Colt stands up and walks around the play area, past the tractor and over to Tuesday. He kisses the top of her head and goes to sit back down.)
“There’s no need for jealousy. She knows I’m not going anywhere—and neither is she. People look—whatever…put your hands on what’s mine and bad shit happens.”
KASH: "Speaking of jealousy, dude, another one of the chicks in the Old Ladies' Clubhouse wants to know...." (Holds paper against his chest and smirks) "If she can lick your abs..." (Chuckling)
COLT: (Smiling, swallowing a sip of beer.)
"Yeah, she can lick my stomach… (Laughing,)…I mean she has to drink somehow right?" (Colt looks to Kash who nods in agreement.)
"Lemme see that paper, what's the chick's name(Colt looks at the questionnaire,)....Edith...okay, baby...get a glass of water…not too cold…and get down and crawl to me…don’t spill or you’ll have to go refill it."
KASH: "Dude, she's got a glass of water, how is she gonna crawl?"
COLT: "Edith baby, you wanna figure it out don't you?" (To Kash,) "Where there's a will, there is a way. Rember, you get them, to come to you."
KASH:(Still laughing, rolling his eyes at Colt.)
Tough Cookie and another one of the chicks, ‘Nilla, wanna to know if the club is what you visualized, like was it what you expected. Would you have done anything different? Did you imagine your life like this when you were a little punk-ass hangin’ around the clubhouse? (Kash bursts into laughter.)
COLT: That’s a question for both of us, brother. We did this shit together…but, I think B.B. covers a lot of that in the book—don’t wanna step on toes here. And, what makes you think I was a punk-ass? I was Redhook’s kid after all! I dreamed of bein’ president of the Malevolent M.C. one day. All I knew was club life—biker born and bred baby—it’s all I ever imagined.” (Colt drags hard on his cigarette and slugs back some beer.)
“I could never imagine this thing we started—who the fuck could? Well, now maybe some kids might, but no, not in our day.”
KASH: “From my side, how ‘bout this brother…We fuckin’ grew up in this shit, this was who we always were…Shit changes man, we totally changed. The dude I was when we started this shit is totally not who I am now. I was a kid—now I’m a man with a mission. The club changed me.”
COLT: “Look at you getting’ all philosophical and shit—damn, brother, have you been talkin’ to your dad?”
(Scratches his goatee, sips some beer and swallows.)
“As for changin’ shit—no, I wouldn’t. The shit that went down had to happen. It’s the life, ya know, man? Now, it’s all worth it—blood under the bridge. We are who we are—have the bonds we have—because of all the bullshit, all the bloodshed.”
KASH: “Dude, I’m gonna put a few of these questions together. They’re about your girl, Tuesday.”
(Kash shuffles the paper, looking for the questions to merge, sitting up in his chair.)
“They wanna know how you feel about parading her around, like showin’ her off and shit…” (Kash looks over the paper at Colt.) “Not that anyone minds seein’ her all hooked up to the St. Colt’s Cross or the tractor—just sayin’, dude.”
COLT: “And? Not for nothin’, but that’s just part of bein’ in our family. I don’t get the question.”
KASH: “Brother, I get it, but people who don’t know the club may not it. The whole world could know about all your personal shit, man. How do you feel about that?”
COLT: “Around our place—bein’ naked and on display, bein’ here at the Post on display—it’s just day to day life. Doubt you’re breakin’ out with wood when you see her—it is what it is.”
(Sips beer—looks over at Tuesday sitting at the bar with Serenity and me.)
COLT: “And what I’ve got with that girl—I fuckin’ want the world to know! Never thought I’d find a chick like her, a slave like her—well, there isn’t another Tuesday. That little fireball is my reason to live, breathe and be a better fuckin’ man. So, fuck, tell everyone—I will! …Tuesday Grace—I fuckin’ love your fiery little ass!
(He calls to Tuesday, who beams with pride.)
KASH: “Okay, Casanova, are we gonna do this or what?” (Kicks his boots back onto the stool and looks over the questions.) “These ladies have more questions…about us.”
COLT: “Where did Kash go? You’re bein’ all fuckin’, Mr. Secretary. I’d think Hard Drive was here.”
(Colt shoots a look in my direction. Maybe I should’ve done the interview)
KASH: “No, dude, I am not uptight like that.”
(Kash leans into Colt and whispers.) “Dude, she’s writin’ my shit now, I don’t wanna piss B.B. off—chill the fuck out.”
(Back to the interview questions.)
“They wanna know how we became friends. Be careful with what you say here, brother. I’ve told B.B. the heavy bullshit that really cemented things with you and me. She’s puttin’ it in my story.”
COLT: “Long story short…my Pops, Redhook and Kash’s dad, Graffiti, came up together in New York. They went to ‘Nam together. They were part of two different clubs—one west coast, the other east—and from that, we were sorta friends by birth. Our brotherhood—true friendship—is something B.B. will tell ya about. Again, not gonna piss in her cereal.”
KASH: “Okay, okay—don’t go pissin’ in anyone’s cereal, besides—you know that’s my move!
KASH: “Here’s a lighter question and, dude, this one’s funny. ‘Colt, would you ever cut your hair?’”
COLT: “What’s so fuckin’ funny? I do cut it, for Locks of Love, but then I grow the shit right back. I’m almost allergic to scissors—they’ll bury me with my hair—but for a good cause, yeah.”
“Gimme that, brother! You’re makin’ shit up now….” (Colt grabs the paper from Kash) “Oh, here’s one—I think it’s for you…” (Colt chuckles and looks at Kash.)
COLT: “Kash…brother, what is your darkest fantasy?”
KASH: “No, dude, this is your interview! They wanna know about my dark fantasies they need to meet me in your story first—you know I’m not lyin’, brother!”
COLT: “Point taken, brother—you’re right on with that.”
KASH: “What about your darkness?”
COLT: “I don’t look at my stuff as being dark or light—it just is what it is. I’d wanna know…” (Colt grabs the paper,) “Who asked that…?” (Scans paper.) “Bats, what do you consider dark, babe? I don’t think of what I do, or fantasize about as being dark.”
KASH: “While you’re talkin’ to Bats, she had another question.” (Points to the list,) “Right here, what do you look for in a slave?”
COLT: “That girl right there—my old lady—Tuesday. (Colt points to Tuesday.) What made her so special was that beautiful strength she has—just fuck—it really is incredible. I love that once she knew the deal, she was open minded and trusted enough to let me control the ride—she was still a handful, but I like her that way. I mean controlling a breeze is one thing, but for a motherfuckin’ hurricane to rest at your feet because it wants to, can’t help itself—at the end of the day—that makes it all the sweeter!”
KASH: “This is a good question, dude. What fact about us surprises people the most?”
(Kash raises his hand, stands, and scoots over to the bar, still talking.)
“What the fuck doesn’t surprise people about us? How much shit do people get totally wrong? Fuck, dude, right?”
(Kash returns with two beers)
COLT: “No shit, where to begin? They think we’re criminals—well, we were, but not like what they thought. We took care of shit within our world—we didn’t fuck with Joe-Blow Citizen.”
(Colt lights another cigarette and slips the new beer into a koozie)
“They think ‘cause we’re all tatted out, and ride bikes with loud pipes—we’re scary. Fuck—be more worried about the motherfucker at the bank, the one fidgeting in line with the suit and blank stare. That sonofabitch doesn’t have a soul. Those pricks can play dress up—wolves in fuckin’ wool suits—but it doesn’t change who the fuck they are.”
(This question obviously hit a nerve.)
KASH: “They have no idea about the good shit we do—for our own and for the community—right, dude? They don’t hear about those things.
Fuck that shit, man! That’s why we live in a world we fuckin’ created.”
COLT: “Next question, brother. We could rant about this shit all damned day!”
KASH: “This one is different,” (Kash shows Colt the paper. Colt looks a little uneasy.)
COLT: “Damn, we haven’t really talked about kids—not sure it’s in the cards for us—but never say never, right?”
(Colt looks over at Tuesday, rubbing his goatee, and smoking.)
“If I was gonna have a kid—it would definitely be with her…we’d have to make a separate place for family activities—away from everything.”
KASH: “We never put this into the plans—I guess it could happen to someone. Dude, it will not be me—that is not my bag! Can you imagine more of me runnin’ around?”
COLT: “Fuck no! Brother, you’re right—don’t procreate—parenthood wouldn’t suit you. Back to the question though…If I ever had a kid—boy or girl—and they wanted into this, I’d be all for it! A girl child couldn’t be safer with our group around to protect her. A boy would probably come up like we did….”
KASH: “I think this is the last one…we can both answer this. What is your pet peeve?”
COLT & KASH:(In unison.) “The fuckin’ Satan’s Scavengers M.C.!!! Hands down!”
Links
The Masters M.C. #1-Property Of
Angel to Butterfly #1-Golden Doll-
Not Even Death #1-Eternally Your Master-
Not Even Death #2-Still Your Master
Not Even Death #3-Always Your Master
WEBSITES
TRAILERS for NOT EVEN DEATH series
