October Author Interview with Donna Gallagher

 Twolips Reviews welcomes author Donna Gallagher!

 

 Having been married in the past to a professional sportsman, Donna Gallagher has a unique insight when it comes to her writing projects; you might even say she has a competitive edge.  Her wildly popular League of Love series pits sexy rugby players against their toughest opponents - the women that come to love them, and we love to love these couples!

TLR: Hi Donna, and welcome to TLR - we’re so happy to have you with us!  If you could describe your work in twenty words or less to someone that’s never been exposed to your work before, what would you say?

DG: I should start off by saying G’day but that would be really cheesy! So I’ll just say hello and thank you for having me J

I write contemporary erotic stories set in Australia with true blue Aussie heroes and heroines searching for their happily ever after.

TLR:  Do you see yourself in any of your characters?  If so, would you share what parts?

DG: Mandy or maybe Laura, it’s hard to decide. Mandy (Mandy’s He-man, book 2) and I have a lot in common, struggling to survive away from home early on in life and maybe not making the best of decisions. Laura (Laura’s Light, book 3) on the other hand is so strong and capable. As a single mother she has worked hard to give her son the best life she could. Having spent a few years as a single mum I can appreciate her efforts.

TLR: Have you developed a favorite among your characters, and if so, which one?

DG: I have to say JT from Mandy’s He-man – otherwise he will never let up. JT is an ever present voice, it doesn’t matter what book I’m writing JT always has something to add. I love his sense of humour, his loyalty and even though he is feared by many opponents for his size, toughness and ability on the sporting field, JT has a soft heart.

TLR: If you were able to switch places with one of your heroines, which one would it be and why?

DG: Mandy – I’ve always had a bit of a crush on JT. I’ve never been able to draw or create anything that resembles art so it would be nice to have that ability and then there is the whole sleeping with JT thing…

TLR: Tell us how you typically work through a story - are you the type to plot it all out and fill in the details, or do you fly by the seat of your pants?

DG: I am ruled by my muse or should that be muses. The voices in my head tell me what to write. Usually it’s the male hero that tells me his story and I just type the words. Often characters from previous books also add their opinions or try and distract me with a new idea. It can be difficult keeping them all under control. I was so relieved to find other authors have the same problem – With all the conversations happening in my head I was starting to think I was losing my sanity ;)

TLR: Do you have any special routines to get you in the mood to write?

DG: I tend to write in the mornings, usually after my shower, that seems to be the time the voices are the loudest. I always have the television on the sports channel in the background.

TLR: What first inspired you to become a writer?

DG: I never had any aspirations to be a writer - that’s my sister’s field (she’s a sports commentator in Australia). Leaving school at such a young age left me feeling insecure when it came to my literacy skills. I struggled trying to write an absentee note for my children, I still remember the principal at my son’s primary school lecturing me on the difference between ‘would you’ and ‘could you’. To be honest I still don’t know which one to use. So it came as a complete shock when Brodie first started talking to me. It nearly drove me crazy I had to write just to get him to be quiet. Luckily for me my Total-E-Bound editor liked my stories and was only too happy to help me with my grammar and punctuation problems. I struggled with the editing process in the beginning the amount of red involved scared me but I’m very happy with the end result.

TLR: Do your family and friends know that your work is on the spicy side?

DG: Yes, my eldest son and sister were the first to read Caitlin’s Hero. If not for their encouragement I would never have submitted to a publisher. It still took me nearly two years to work up the courage. My husband took a little while to warm up to the idea, now he likes to brag to friends that he helps me in my research. He hasn’t read any of my books and that’s probably for the best. He may have questions I wouldn’t like to answer ;)

All my friends and family have been very supportive. Luckily, as I write under my real name, could have been awkward otherwise! My youngest son is fifteen and while I haven’t let him read my books, for obvious reasons, he helps me with computer related issues. Middle son is probably the most embarrassed but he doesn’t hide the fact his mother writes erotic fiction. One of his friends does body building and has supplied me with yummy photos for my Facebook author page.

TLR: Though you have first hand exposure to the world of Rugby, would you consider taking on another competitive sport or another genre in future works?  If so, which one?

DG: I am a massive sports fan and watch all kinds of sport. When my television is on it’s on a sports channel. On a recent trip to the US I went to a baseball game - I’m hooked. The problem for me, with trying to write about a different sport, would be connecting with the characters. I lived the rugby league life so had an insight into some of the problems faced. I have been asked to write an AFL story (another popular type of footy here in the land down under.) Maybe one day.

I did manage to pen a story that doesn’t involve rugby league – I know it’s a bit of a shock to me too!  ‘A Fruitful Intimacy’ is part of the Edible Delights Anthology, Volume 1, published by Secret Cravings Publishing, a contemporary erotic novella about a married couple trying to re-ignite their love life when family and responsibility get in the way. There are three volumes of Edible Delights so far, and all stories are written by Australian authors.

I’d really like to try writing a paranormal. I love a good werewolf or vampire tale but seriously there are so many great authors already doing that, I’m not sure I’d come up with anything that would come close to being good enough.

TLR: What authors or titles do you consider “classics”?

DG: My “classics” would have to include everything written by my favorite author N.J. Walters. My favorite Aussie authors are Jess Dee and Lexxie Couper. I just love reading, any genre. Wuthering Heights, Little Women and The Time Traveler’s Wife all have to rate high on my list and the first book that gave me nightmares was Stephen King’s The Shining. (TLR/Leanna: I have to say, Lexxie and Jess are definitely on my “go to” list of favorite authors as well!)

TLR: Would you ever consider a collaborative work with a partner?  If it could be anyone you chose, who would it be?

DG: If I could pick anyone it would be N.J. Walters, although I have such a crush on her that I probably couldn’t concentrate long enough to write anything. There would be lots of squealing involved though.

TLR: What do you do keep the erotic elements in your stories fresh?

DG: Hmm! I probably should answer that question with some reference to my husband…

TLR:  I’d like to do what I like to call, rapid fire responses - are you ready?

DG:  I’m always ready…

TLR: O.K. , here we go!

TLR: What is your favorite color?

DG: Black – my youngest always hates this answer because black is not a color!

TLR: What is your favorite food?

DG: Pasta.

TLR: What do you prefer on a man - boxers, briefs, or the "suit" he was born with?

DG: It really depends on the man. Hubby wears boxer briefs, a bit tighter than the usual boxers – I ‘m sure he won’t mind me telling you all.

TLR: Do you own any pets?

DG: I have two turtles and just recently we added a mini dachshund to our family. It’s just like having a new baby in the house and considering I just turned fifty I have to admit I’m struggling, but she is a little princess.

TLR: What is your favorite way to enjoy a rainy day?

DG: Watch sports or read. Not really much of a surprise there! (TLR/Leanna: Again...I am right with you, Donna!!)

TLR: Last, but certainly not least, what do you have coming up on the horizon?  Is there any exciting news or releases you can tell us about?

DG: I do have a new release coming up, Cassie’s Choice, book 7 in my League of Love series will be released in January 2014. I can give you a sneak peak at the tag.

One night had haunted Cassie for over two years. Agreeing to something she didn’t feel sure about, all for the sake of a man – or more correctly, her fear of losing him.

And, I’ve just booked my flights for another trip to the US in May. I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans and decided the time was right. I hear there is a convention on around that time J I can’t wait to stalk some authors!

TLR: Donna, on behalf of the staff at TwoLips Reviews, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to answer our questions - we look forward to seeing where your career takes you!

If you're looking to keep up to date with Donna Gallagher’s news and releases, you can find her here:

Website: http://www.donnagallagherromance.com/home.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donnagallagherauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnag63