Does every word that comes out of your mouth have to do with sex?”
“Usually, eighty/twenty, but with you, it seems more ninety-eight/two.”
“And the other two?”
“The other two I have spent trying to convince you.”
“And do you think I’m convinced?”
“I think you’re getting there.”
“And when I do? What happens to the two percent? More sex?”
“I think when you get there, you’ll never want to leave. One thing about guys—we like sex. How long has it been, Tate? I’ll give you the best sex you’ve ever had.”
Take by Ella Frank
It’s no secret that I have been obsessed with everything Ella Frank since I first discovered her Delicious Series way back in 2012. Then she introduced us to Cole Madison in Edible and I have been forever worshipping at her pervy altar since. If you’ve read any of her books, you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t, where have you been?! Seriously. When I think of my very top favorite authors,her name is always in my top 5. Allow me to introduce you to the pure awesome that is Ella Frank…
DGR: Ella, thanks so much for being here at Dirty Girl Romance today and allowing me to pick your brain 🙂
EF: Hi there, Lana! Thank you for inviting me to stop by. Feel free to pick away, but beware of what you might find. It’s scary in there.
DGR: Let’s start out simple. Can you introduce yourself to the readers?
I like that, starting nice and easy, let me see.
My name is Ella Frank. I am originally from Australia but have lived over here in the USA for the last twelve years. I’m married, and own a cat that acts more and more like a dog every day. I spend most of my time, writing, reading, or reading about writing, and I’m fortunate enough to be able to do what I love as a living. Most days I still can’t believe I get to do this, and I can’t thank the readers enough for making my dream come true.
DGR: You’ve written so many different books; you seduced us with your Exquisite Series. You’ve enticed us with the deliciously erotic boys in your Temptation Series. You’ve captivated us with Blind Obsession. And you’ve shocked us with Veiled Innocence. And the best part? You did all those flawlessly. So many different genres and books, do you have a favorite to write?
EF: First of all, thank you. That means a lot to me.
I really like writing in all different genres. I like to challenge myself and find that if I stay in the same comfort zone I get bored, and start repeating myself. So for me as a writer, it’s imperative to try something new. To stretch my brain and its limits, and see what I can do, and I am continuing to try different things with the new series I am currently writing.
DGR: If you had to pick your favorite book out of your backlist, what would it be? I know, I know, it’s probably like asking you to pick your favorite child 😉
EF: It IS like asking about children. I can’t possibly pick one, they have such different memories and stories linked to them, that I find each one, in some way, is a favorite of mine.
The most surprising though, is the Temptation Series with Logan & Tate.
DGR: Here’s an important question: are you a tea or coffee type of girl?
EF: Ahhh, definitely coffee and creamer. Caramel in any kind of caffeine has my name all over it.
DGR: What’s your writing process like and where do you get your inspiration from?
EF: My process has become somewhat of standard for me now.
When I first started, I was learning what worked best when it came to putting words on paper, and as I am now ¾ of a way through my eight book—I find that I have a very definite process.
I don’t tend to write an outline (having said that with this new series I have). I usually write out my first draft, and have my critique partners read my chapters as I go, just to make sure the plot in general is exciting, not slow, or roll your eyes boring.
Once that is complete we do full on critiques, which means they pick it apart. This is where my second layer of skin is put on and I let them have at it.
What is working and what isn’t. What’s funny and sexy and…what isn’t.
Then after that, I do one more read, send it to the editor and sit on my butt for two weeks. Once that comes back, I go through edits, read it over for the millionth time, and then it goes out to beta readers.
This is the stage where the book should be 98% ready to go. Their job is to find any typos or missed words that have been skipped during edits.
Then ARCS go out to you wonderful bloggers, and at this stage I am hoping against all hope it is 99.9% done (because let’s face it, even with ten thousand eyes we are all only human)
Then I hit publish J
As for my inspiration…that really depends. Sometimes it can be a song, an image,a friend’s personality. I saw a t-shirt once that said, “Be careful what you say. I’m an author and you may end up in my next novel.” ß– This is very true. I will use names of people I know and little characteristics without even realizing I’m doing it.
DGR: What first got you into writing? Did you always want to be an author?
EF: My love of reading, I think. I was reading romance novels as young as twelve (Thanks Nan!) After that, I decided I wanted to try writing my own sexy heroes who would come and kiss me, and sweep me off my feet.
By age sixteen I was writing and loved it. I actually wrote a very PG version of what is now Blind Obsession, when I was around that age.
It’s amazing to think that I now get to do it everyday as a career. I couldn’t be happier.
DGR: What’s your favorite part about writing and being an author?
EF: Getting to createcharacters and tell their stories. I love the endless possibilities you can take. It’s also very rewarding when someone reaches out and tells me how a story I created has touchedthem, and how they interpreted it.
Often they will help me see it through new eyes, in a different way I never would have thought to look at it, and that is always special to me.
DGR: Now for my most important question. You have written some of the hottest erotic love scenes I have EVAR read. I’m talking about scorching! Cole and Rachel, Logan and Tate, Gemma and Phillipe…I can go on and on. Where does the inspiration for THAT come from? *waggles brows*
EF: Umm my pervy brain? Can I plead the fifth? No? Okay, in all fairness I’m half serious when I say my pervy brain.
I’ve always loved the steamier romances and tended to gravitate towards them, and I was always a curious person. So…I have to believe my brain has something to do with it.
I find that if you can take a love connection with a couple and tease the reader into really wanting that first kiss between the two, after that, in a contemporary romance or erotic book the sex needs to be burn your fingers hot.
If it’s not…why bother?
If it isn’t making me squirm when I’m writing it, then how can I expect others to believe it?
DGR: I know I’m sitting in pervy anticipation for the 3rd book in the Take series. Any hints you can give us about when we can expect to get our grabby little hands on it? Or maybe just any juicy morsels to tide us over in our wait?
EF: I would love to say yes…but I have to stay strong and say no, for now. All I will say is that the title is a T word. It will be revealed by the end of this year, and Logan and Tate will pick up exactly where they left off in the beginning half of 2015.
I really wanted their series to be different in that no time elapses that you as a reader don’t know about. We all know them very intimately, and I wanted that from the beginning and hope my readers continue to fall for my guys.
DGR: Anyone that follows you knows that there’s something in the works for this winter. (Stay tuned because my blog is participating in the Cover and Title reveal) Can you give us any more clues about it?
EF: Yes. I have book one of a new series coming out. This is one of those new genre moments for me. It is Ella Frank dipping her toes into the world of Fantasy Romance and I am having a blast doing it.
I’m very excited to reveal the cover, trailer and title for the first book in The Arcanian Chronicles.
DGR: Anything else you’d like to leave the readers with?
EF: I’d like to thank everyone who has ever picked up a book of mine. I’m incredibly fortunate to do what I do, and I can’t wait to bring more stories your way.
You can look for my new book this winter, and the third book in The Temptations Series in the beginning of 2015.
Thank you so much for having me!!
Xx Ella
I can't wait to see what happens w Tate n Logan. I fell for them quick
Have read all of Ella Frank's Books. She never disappoints. Blind Obsession was the best book hangover. Love Tate and Logan!!!!
I absolutely love Ella Frank's books. I have read most of them but Blind Obsession is my absolute favorite. Thank you for all the work you do!
LOVED Try and Take <3 thank you!!!!!!!!! 😀
I'm Obsessed with Blind Obsession! I dream about it <3
I am sorry to say I haven't read any of the books..but I want too!
I am dying to read Blind Obsession and loved Veiled Innocence!
LOVE LOVE LOVE ELLA! AND esepcially her boys Logan and Tate!! xo
Very awesome! I love your writing. I haven't read Blind Obsession so a signed copy would be amazing. Best of luck and more mm romance!!
I have loved Ella since Exquisite and have read all her books! I think my personal favorites as a stand is Blind Obsession. ♡♡♡
I havent read any, but I want to