My guest author today brings a story she started out writing for a college thesis, similar to my own Undying Love (original thesis title: Traces). And both of us kept working with those stories until we got them where we want them. Please help me welcome, author Tara Conrad!
Tara Conrad is a collared submissive and married to her Dominant, George. They are high school sweethearts who are still madly in love. Tara has always loved reading and was encouraged by her husband to start writing. Tara writes a little bit of sweet romance and a whole lotta steamy romance. It’s been an incredible journey so far and it’s just starting. She hopes to share many more stories with readers.
Author Social Links: Facebook | Instagram
Betty: What inspired you to write the story you’re sharing with us today?
Tara: Submitting to Him was born from two places: my story with my husband and it was also my thesis novel for my MFA program. I wanted to write a novel about the BDSM lifestyle that didn’t depict it in a sensational way but showed more of what a true-to-love Dom/sub relationship might look like.
Betty: What, if any, new writing skill did you develop while working on this story?
Tara: I learned the importance of letting myself be vulnerable while I’m writing. To not hold back or be afraid when I’m putting words on paper—the magic will happen. I also learned that my characters have a mind of their own and some of them can get pretty loud and demanding at times.
Betty: Did you struggle with any part of this story? What and how?
Tara: I struggled with Natalie. She struggles with self-confidence and people pleasing. It was a fine line to walk between making her a pushover and accurately showing how she struggles and is easily controlled by her parents, from an unending desire to please them. It’s something I know many people struggle with. I wanted her character and her personal story line to reflect that and to show her growth throughout the story.
Betty: Which character(s) were the easiest to get to know? Why do you think?
Tara: Viktor. He wasn’t supposed to be anything other than Alex’s driver but somehow his voice got very loud, and his story became crystal clear. He was so easy to get to know.
Betty: What kind of research did you need to do to write this story?
Tara: Because this story started as my MFA thesis, I had to research EVERYTHING!! I’m certain I got some interest from the FBI for my internet searches. LOL I had to research everything from Russian history and human trafficking all the way to can motel doors have a broken safety latch?
Betty: How many drafts of the story did you write before you felt the story was complete?
Tara: A LOT. There were at least three or four while I was in school. Originally this book was published through a small publisher, when I got my rights back, I did a big re-write. I’ve honestly lost count of how many drafts I wrote.
Betty: How long did it take for you to write the story you’re sharing with us? Is that a typical length of time for you? Why or why not?
Tara: Because this was for school first, I spent close to two years working on it while I got my degree. It took a lot longer than my books take now. I usually get a book written in about four weeks. Then, it goes to my beta readers and editing. After that all comes back, I spend one or two weeks polishing it, so in total about six weeks to have a book ready for publishing.
Betty: What rituals or habits do you have while writing?
Tara: I don’t know if this counts, but I read every draft to my husband. He takes notes of problem areas as we read. For some reason, he started writing them from the bottom right corner of the page and working up to the top. Now, it’s just become a “thing” we do.
Betty: Every author has a tendency to overuse certain words or phrases in drafts, such as just, once, smile, nod, etc. What are yours?
Tara: Just, that, and really. LOL
Betty: Do you have any role models? If so, why do you look up to them?
Tara: My son, Jacob. He’s on the autism spectrum. He was diagnosed when he was four. We were told he probably would never talk, let alone read and write. He’s struggled all his life with schoolwork and social situations. As his mom, it was so hard to watch. Today, he has a college degree and a full-time job. He still has barriers, but he doesn’t let them stop him. There are days he gets frustrated and discouraged, but he always picks himself up and destroys anything that tries to stop him!
Betty: Do you have a special place to write? Revise? Read?
Tara: I love to sit at my desk, which is in front of a big window. I have a hummingbird feeder there—which often ends up in my being distracted watching those little wonders.
Betty: Many authors have a day job. Do you? If so, what is it and do you enjoy it?
Tara: Other than being an author, I’m a stay-at-home mom to 4 young adult children and a wife/submissive to my husband.
Betty: As an author, what do you feel is your greatest achievement?
Tara: I was super excited to get a publishing contract for my Fire and Ice series, but soon learned not all publishers are honest and fair. It was a very difficult time for me. These books were my heart and soul. Literally blood, sweat, and tears. I had to fight to get my rights back and to regroup from that mess. I could’ve thrown in the towel and walked away, but I didn’t. So far, my greatest achievement is fighting for my books back and taking my career into my own hands. With my husband by my side, I’ve done major rewrites on the first three books in my series. My husband (Dominant Designs) designed all new covers and did the interior formatting. Together we self-published (re-published) the first three books in my series: Submitting to Him, Fighting with Him, and Living for Him. After getting those back to us and published, I’ve gone on to write several more books. Have had multiple Barnes and Noble signings and am living the life of my dreams!
Betty: What is your favorite genre to read?
Tara: Romance- I love a good happily ever after!!
Betty: Success looks different to different people. It could be wealth, or fame, or an inner joy at reaching a certain level. How do you define success in terms of your writing career?
Tara: I’m not going to lie, a big part of this career, for me, is to earn money. I’m hoping to earn enough that my husband can quit his full-time job. Aside from that, I want to continue to write books that people love to read.
An act of betrayal, a call to 911, and a note from the brother she lost give Natalie the courage to embark on a journey of self-exploration.
Unknowingly set up by their friends, Alex and Natalie spend the evening together at New York City’s Fire and Ice BDSM club.
Neither one is looking for love, but their chemistry is too strong to ignore.
They agree to a Dom/sub contract with an expiration date—the insurance policy both believe will keep their hearts safe.
Distance makes the heart grow fonder, or so they say.
Forces outside their control seek to pull them apart, but they find their way back to one another.
The couple’s connection is stronger than ever until tragedy strikes Natalie’s family.
Mistakes are made. Words that can’t be taken back are uttered.
Sometimes it takes the love of friends to pick up the pieces.
Can two broken souls find their way back to one another?
Buy Links: Books2Read
Tara, thank you for emphasizing how your contemporary novel included researching to ensure the details are accurate. Sometimes, people think only historical novels require research, which is far from the truth Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story!
Happy reading!
Betty
Award-winning Author of Historical Fiction with Heart, and Haunting, Bewitching Love Stories
Visit www.bettybolte.com for a complete list of my books and appearances.
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