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ABOUT LILLITH PAYNE
Having been born
and raised on Long Island, New York, my husband and I were
both eager to leave the urban lifestyle behind and explore
our futures. With his encouragement I’m living my dream of
writing romance novels full time.
Our new rural setting allows us to enjoy time together
and gives me guiltless hours in my imagination indulging my
other passion. When I realized my works consistently tended
towards the erotic, I gave myself permission to explore
places I might not venture in real life.
INTERVIEW
Q: What is your writing day like?
A: Over the years my husband and I have found a general routine
that works for both of us. I try to check my e-mail around 9:00
a.m. to see what the overnight brought. Since retiring, it’s a
treat to have breakfast with my husband and linger over a second
and third cup of coffee. Than I’m off to the computer room while
he heads to his work shop.
I generally check the mail around noon and after taking
care of any required business details I settle down to write.
Every day is different depending on the project I’m working on.
I check the mail one last time and by five, we meet up on the
back deck for a glass of wine to discuss our afternoons. The
evenings are strictly private time, I’m never on the computer,
but I do hand write notes in spiral notebooks with thin point
pens to reference the next day. (I use different color inks to
determine characters in dialogue while drafting.) I also paper
edit in the evenings, generally not the story I’m currently
working on but a project that was put aside for breathing space.
Q: What is your work environment like?
A: I hate daylight savings time! I prefer a dark, cave like
atmosphere to drown out the real world and explore the ones I
create. In summer, the blinds are drawn and I usually have a few
candles lit year round. I find citrus and peppermint scents work
best for me. My desk has to be clean, only the project I’m
working on can be scattered around me.
Q: Do you outline your stories?
A: Sometimes. Most stories are researched and outlined before I
sit down to write, especially the historical details. Other
stories push their way forward and I write and research at the
same time. I prefer to outline, but it doesn’t always work that
way. And yes, I am the lady with her shopping cart pushed to the
side of the isle scribbling notes on the back of my shopping
list.
Q: When did you know that you wanted to write?
A: I’m ashamed to admit I wasn’t a reader as a child, rather
watched the movies to classic stories. I was babysitting in my
teens and picked up a Harlequin novel when boredom struck; this
was before the days of cable.
It was a Betty Neels romance and I was hooked. Through
strife and struggle, the gal always got her guy. That was it for
me, the happy ending. While not possible in real life, in the
land of Harlequin I knew they’d come together. My love for
reading was born.
Q: Who is your favorite author?
A: Nora Roberts, without question. I’ve never been disappointed
by her stories and always long for the next one due.
Q: What do you like about writing?
A: The control.
Q: What don’t you like about writing?
A: I hate my computer. I wasn’t brought up with them and
used my first one as a word processor. I have a love/hate
relationship with the internet. When it works it’s an amazing
tool, when it’s cranky as my dial up often is it becomes my
nemesis. I’ve often thought to chuck my monitor through the
window but refrain when I realize the cost and work to replace
the window! I’ve learned to walk away, make a cup of coffee and
try again.
Q: What is your ultimate goal for your writing?
A: For me writing is inside, pushing outward usually at the most
inopportune times, (remember the grocery store). I want my
readers to know there will be an interesting story with a
sensual and erotic twist. I hope when they finish a novel of
mine, they’re content with the short escape from reality and
look forward to the next one. One day I’d love to have my erotic
fiction go hard cover.
Q: If stranded on an island, what four things would you
want with you?
A: My husband, beyond sex, he’s a handy guy to have around. A
never ending supply of chocolate, a solar powered computer with
internet and spiral notebooks with thin point pens. The rest
would work itself out.
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