In this new series, we ask lesbian and bisexual authors to talk one-on-one about their work and their worlds. In this first one, Jamaican-born novelist, Fiona Zedde— the author of six novels, including the Lambda Literary Award finalists Bliss and Every Dark Desire — and Memphis-based author, screenwriter, and playwright Skyy — who has been dubbed the next E. Lynn Harris for her three urban novels, Choices, Consequences and Crossroads— talk about vampires, black lesbians, fans, and constipation.
Fiona Zedde: Skyy, you and I both write novels featuring black lesbian characters, but you approach your stories from a different angle. Tell me about these women of yours.
Skyy: My three books Choices, Consequences and Crossroads tell the story of a group of friends attending college in Memphis, Tennessee. The series provides a unique and realistic look into African-American lesbians in the South. One thing that makes my books stand out is that they also feature butch/stud women, who are overlooked a lot in society. I wanted to write something very realistic, a book where anyone can say, “I know how she feels” or “I know someone just like that.” Your readers relate to your books in a slightly different way.
Well, they do and they don’t. Most of my books have been erotic fiction featuring a Sex in the City-style collection of friends in Miami. Their world is glossy, sexy, an escape and an indulgence. But the characters themselves are relatable — the mother dealing with cancer and its aftermath; the daughter kicked out of her house for being gay; friends trying to reconnect after drama.
That’s true.
I love telling my realistic city-girl stories, but it’s also fun to tackle our human issues using otherworldly creatures like vampires, werewolves, or fairies. I had sucha great time writing my novel Every Dark Desire that used vampirism as an allegory for lesbianism and gayness. Have you thought about exploring something similar with your future writing?
I am absolutely in love with the idea of jumping into the mystical, paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy world at some point. The geek in me wants to write something that is Comic-Con/Dragon-Con worthy. I’ve been researching various mythical creatures and folklores because if I do decide to do it I want to do it right, or come up with some completely new species, maybe Skyytopians. [Laughs]
I’d love to read something like that from you! I agree that the research component is really important. Even though paranormal is still relatively “hot’ right now, it'll be good to see some other kinds of creatures out there and find existing legends to base them on. For me, writing vampires was fun and I got excellent feedback from my readers but delving into a whole new world of creatures, maybe even exploring African-American/Caribbean folklore, sounds wonderfully tempting.
On that same note, do you plan to write a continuation of Every Dark Desire? We need one more vampire book, Fiona.
I’ve actually already started the sequel. After many of my readers reached out to say how much they enjoyed my vampires and wanted more, I decided to do a follow-up. But although I’m at least 50 pages in, I’m not sure when the sequel, called Desire at Dawn, is going to be ready. I have at least two other books I’m finishing now.
I'm already hooked with the title.
[Laughs] Titles were never my strong suit but hopefully your reaction will be everyone else's too. And I hope I can finish Desire at Dawn before something else distracts me. Sometimes, I think I have writer A.D.D. As soon as I have one idea for a book and start that book, another idea pops up and I want to pursue that one as well. Maybe meds should be in my future.
I suck at titles, too. Right now my fourth book is titled “The 4th book.” Since you mentioned author A.D.D., which I also need meds for, a person on Facebook asked how we continue to consistently put out books that readers enjoy? Do we ever have writer's block?
Isn’t that first one the million-dollar question? I hope to always put out books my readers love. I think the key to writing consistently enjoyable books is to keep writing books that interest us. I’ve written something I wasn't truly taken with and my readers could tell. Their reaction ranged from shocked and disappointed to, What happened to Fiona? As for writer’s block, I battle it every now and again but it’s relatively easy to push through.
I wouldn't say I have writers block, I have writer’s constipation. I’ll have so many ideas in my head that the passage from brain to pen becomes blocked. I need a writer’s laxative. The key to my writing is that I try not to force it. I wait on the characters to start talking to me and I write what they say. And although I love my fans I don't actually write for them; if I did Denise would be with Lena at the end of Choices. I write what I think is best and luckily people also seem to enjoy it.
Eew, on the constipation thing — although it's a good problem to have, but only in that instance though.
[Laughs]
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People have definitely been enjoying what you've been putting out! I've gone to a particular store over and over to get your books and been told they're out of stock. People just keep buying them as soon as they come in. You said you don't write specifically for your fans but what about critics and reviews; do you pay attention to book reviews?
I learned early on that you can’t please everyone. However I do love hearing from fans and finding out what they think because in the end they are the ones who truly matter. I know I will not please them all. I expected a huge backlash when Crossroads came out due to the changes I made but for the most part people understood the reason for the change and have enjoyed the book.
Fans are so fabulous! For me, they help to balance out any bad reviews with their endless enthusiasm. In general, I don’t pay attention to critics but when I get a good review, I definitely do the cabbage patch around the living room.
What has your reader response been to your new projects?
So far, people have been incredibly supportive. I recently put out Dangerous Pleasures, which was another one of my erotic romances, and a few months later released a young adult novel called Dreaming in Color that talks about bullying and gay parenting. I was nervous about what the reaction would be. Until now, though — the book has been nominated for five awards and is selling well.
That's awesome! I have yet to be nominated for any awards but my awesome fans are reward enough for me. I swear some of them know my books/characters better than I do. I’m asked daily if I’ve finished the fourth book or will I be making a movie or series.
So will you make any of your books into a movie?
My number one goal right now is actually to bring Choices to life. I’ve always been dialogue-driven in my work, which is why so many people say my books read like a movie. I love writing scripts and really want to transition into TV and film writing. I think that we need more Queer as Folk and L Word-type shows out there. Hopefully I’ll be writing for my own show or other TV shows sooner or later, but hopefully sooner. Do you have any movie or TV aspirations?
Sort of. I’ve already written the screenplay for Bliss with a couple of friends. We’re shopping it around now. But, as for what’s on my immediate writing horizon, I have a novella called Nightshade coming out in late March or early April. It’s an erotic thriller set on an international playground and features my lesbian assassin who made appearances in two previous novels.
Well here's to our futures, may both of our lights shine bright for years and years to come.
About the authors:
Jamaican-born novelist, Fiona Zedde, is the author of six novels, including the Lambda Literary Award finalists Bliss and Every Dark Desire. She’s also written three novellas and a short story collection. Her stories have appeared in various anthologies including Best Lesbian Romance, Wicked: Sexy Tales of Legendary Lovers, and Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica. Under the name “Fiona Lewis” she has published a novel of young adult fiction called Dreaming in Color. To find out more, see her website.
Skyyis a 28-year-old author, screenwriter, and playwright from Memphis, Tennessee. Her debut novel, Choices was released in 2006, which was been followed up by two more novels, Consequences and Crossroads. Touted as the next E. Lynn Harris, Skyy gained popularity in both the LGBT and urban communities with her work that blurs the lines between lesbian and straight by speaking with intimate familiarity about the striking commonalities of loving and living as African American women in urban America. The self-proclaimed “weirdo” writes books with heart that resonate with truisms among women of all ages and gender identities. In 2011 all three novels were re-released by Urban Books and are available at major retailers such as Barnes & Nobles, Amazon and in all e-book formats including Kindle and iBook. Find more information on Skyy’s website.
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