Interview with Alice Clayton, Author of The Redhead Series…

I was so happy when I asked Alice Clayton if she would do an interview with me for Bookish Temptations and she said yes. Her books are on my favorites list, and I wanted to get to know her better as a person.

I present to you…Alice Clayton…

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Alice, welcome to Bookish Temptations. Thanks for agreeing to do an interview with me.
Let me do a little bit of fawning right off the bat, and say that you’ve been added to my favorite authors list. I adore your writing…all of it, the humor, the sexy, the schmaltz…

Thank you so much! It’s so rewarding for me to know that someone is “getting it”, that someone is truly enjoying these stories. And remember, just a little schmaltz.

Are any of those easier to write for you and why?

Are any of these easier? You mean humor vs sexy vs schmaltz? I suppose the sexy is the easiest for me, close second is the humor. Schmaltz is hard for me…that’s what she said.

How long have you been writing and what got you started?

I only started writing a few years ago, I’m still just a wee babe. I always had ideas for stories, little romance novels in my head that didn’t seem like anything else out there, I just assumed only I wanted to read something that was funny and smutty at the same time. Comedic erotica is what I like to call it, and once I realized that I could tell my own story my own way, look out.

How did the storyline for The Redhead series come about?

A quote by Robert Pattinson. He said “I really like Tina Fey. She is,like, the sexiest woman.” And I remember reading that and thinking, what if the new Hollywood It Boy, the guy that every woman on the planet was trying to land, was actually spending his evenings on a couch somewhere up in the hills of Los Angeles, eating Chex Mix and watching the Golden Girls with a woman considerably older than he was? What would that look like, what obstacles would they face that would be different from any other new relationship? And it wrote itself.

Did you have any specific inspirations for Jack and Grace, or any of your characters?

I always saw Debra Messing in my head, that zany but equally sexy kind of gal about town. Of course Robert Pattinson was an inspiration, he inspires just by walking across the room sideways. The character of Holly was influenced by many of my own girlfriends and my sister actually, but very specifically by my friendship with my best friend Keili. She is Holly 100%, from the wise cracking to the smack you in your face/call it like she sees it attitude. You can actually hear us back and forthing with our other bestie Ashley Iglehart on Not Your Mother’s Podcast, or head over to notyourmotherspodcast.com for the details! And yes, there is a real Michael from back in the day, don’t we all have a Michael?

Who’s your favorite character and why? Did any of the characters start off one way and then take you in a direction you weren’t expecting, or did they behave themselves?

I have to say, Michael is one of my favorites. I wanted to write someone that you wanted to not like, but couldn’t help but kind of feeling for, you know? Someone that was a strong solid choice for Grace, someone else that really got her. Of course I knew there were Kindles being thrown across the room every time he showed up, but that’s actually what made me want to really play with these two. When your past becomes your present, it’s hard to separate.

Was it easier or harder to write either book? Did you feel more or less pressure if at all when you were writing the second book?

They were actually written together, it all flowed from one to the next. It’s the first piece of fiction writing I have ever attempted actually, and it’s been the easiest thing to write to date by far!

What inspires you in your writing in general? In your life?

The oddest things. A recent trip to a Farmer’s Market here in St. Louis had me making notes on my phone as the ideas began piling up, poor Mr. Alice was left holding his cucumber…

Do you have any specific routines as far as your writing? Quiet or noise? Outline or panster? A.M. or P.M.?

I prefer to write, especially if it’s an all day session, at my local Panera. I have my favorite booths, I know the regulars, they bring me free cookies, it’s a great space! I put my ear buds in, and I am in the zone. If I’m at home, I start playing with the cats, laundry starts calling, too many distractions oddly if I’m at home.

What were you doing when you first found out you were going to be published? Did you do anything special to celebrate? What were the reactions of family and friends?

Everyone was really excited and proud as I tried on this new hat, although some were a little hesitant to “read”, knowing the content got a bit steamy. My Dad was the best, he said “I’m buying 10 copies, but I hope you’ll understand when I tell you I won’t be reading them!” The day The Unidentified Redhead released Mr. Alice and I went out for pizza and beer, very classy.

Do you have a favorite genre to read?

I go through phases, for the last year or so I have been reading a lot of paranormal romance and contemporary romance. For the longest time I didn’t think I liked “romance novels” because I had this idea in my mind that they were all about pirates and heaving bosoms and tattered blouses. While there is that, the light and quirky (and steamy) stories that I have found in the last year or so have banished that thought from my head.

What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t writing?

We are homebodies in my house, we love to cook and watch movies, go for drives in the Spring and Fall with the top down, have game nights with friends, that kind of thing. We live 2 blocks from one of the nicest parks in St. Louis, so I’m there a lot.

What were the biggest changes in the book(s) from when you first wrote it to when you finished? Are there scenes you wish you had left in?

I changed only small things here and there, and while there were scenes I had to cut out, in the end they were right to stay behind in laptop land.

Are there any deleted scenes from either book that you might share someday? (peeps love deleted scenes btw? LOL)

Oh. My. Yes. Stay tuned…

Book 3 of The Redhead series is coming in Spring of 2013. Can you tell us anything about what else you’re working on?

I have a new novel that will be released this November, not related to the Redhead Series, but same brand of smutty hilarity;) I’m really excited about it, it’s pretty entertaining if I do say so. And I do say so!

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

This is an impossible question, because I tend to think whatever I’m reading that day is the single best piece of writing in the history of pens. But overall, I am a sucker for a Stephen King novel. Always.

Fast and Furious- 1st thing that pops into your head

Boxers, briefs, or commando?

Boxer/briefs. Commando is its own category for sure btw.

Pens or pencils?

Pens.

PC or Mac?

I want so badly to be able to say Mac because they’re so sexy, but P to the C.

Favorite vacation spot?

As of today, Maui. But we are planning a trip to Thailand so I have a feeling that’s going to change very soon.

Favorite curse word?

What I say most often when I am irritated or pissed off is “Suck a dick!” Emphasis on the dick. As a rule. Also a good rule in life.

Favorite alcoholic beverage?

Bloody Mary, lots of lemon and pepper, splash of soy sauce, NO horseradish.

Favorite #, sound, song, color?

My favorite #? I honestly have no idea on that one…

Song=Bad by U2Color=Green

Coke or pepsi?

Coke hands down. Pepsi tastes like flat Coke.

Sweet or salty?

Big. Time. Salty.

Twitter or Facebook?

Twitter, but I now have a new Facebook account so it could change soon!

If you could have any man real or fictional for one night who would it be?

At the moment the one that is occupying every thought and daydream is Michael Fassbender. Holy Lord, I honestly can’t handle it.

Thanks again Alice. I appreciate getting to know you better, and I’m sure my readers do as well.

Thank you so much for asking! I appreciate any time that I get spend with George and Gracie lovers;)

Alice xoxo

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If you haven’t read Alice’s books yet The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed do yourself a favor and go read them. You’ll have a great time!

Tamie Xo

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4 thoughts on “Interview with Alice Clayton, Author of The Redhead Series…

  1. katiebirdie says:

    Oh I loved listening to Alice’s thoughts on the Twigasm podcast, so long ago. Glad to hear she’s still sharing on another!! She was my original go-to person for fan fic and books, before JAG. But I’m REALLY excited to hear that she’s writing more Jack and Grace!! *happy dance* Can’t wait to hear what her new book is about!! Is November here yet?!?!?

    Great interview Tamie!! xxoo

  2. Kahlen Aymes says:

    Great interview, Tamie & Alice! Looking forward to the new book! :-)

  3. shay aka 50shayds says:

    Great interview. I Love LA, was my first rob fic and i just fell in love with it. I was i needed to read something else besides edward cullen but could not stop. Luckily i heard a lot of peeps talking about it on RAOR blog.
    Now, im so excited for the redheaded series. Cant wait to read it.
    Miss Clayton, i like the fact the you say “suck a dick”. Its so crude but gets the job done. My sis in law and i say “lick the crack of my ass”. That ALWAYS shuts them up. Lol

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