I don't typically do this, but it's not often that a fellow author asks me to provide back-matter for an awesome read. Guess I'm just a sucker for dark novels and complex, interesting characters (Yup, cause who likes THAT?). So I have the pleasure of interviewing A.R. Torre about her debut THE GIRL in 6E. Enjoy!
My life, inside this apartment is simple. It works, as long as I follow the rules.
1. Don't leave the apartment. Not in case of fire, not to mail a letter, not to run an errand. The door stays shut, and I stay inside.
2. Don't get attached to clients. I take off my clothes, I stand in front of the camera, and I perform. What they want, I give. Their secrets, I keep. Everything I tell them, is a lie.
3. Don't kill anyone. I've obeyed that rule for over three years.
My life, inside this apartment was simple, and it worked. Then, I started breaking rules.
Enter a world of lies, thrills, fears, and all desires, in this original thriller from A. R. Torre.
CJ's Thoughts:
"An incredible debut. Gritty, unique, primal, full of angst, oddly feminist, and right up my alley. The Girl in 6E deviates from formulaic romance to deliver something truly special and worthy of praise and attention. A dark soul like me isn't often surprised by controversy or taboo subject matter, but this book delivers and I'll be reading more A.R. Torre books in the future. Kudos!" -- CJ Roberts, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author of The Dark Duet
1. What was your inspiration for writing THE GIRL IN 6E?
-- I stumbled upon the webcam industry in my research into fetishes, and was fascinated by who these women were and why they were in this business. I started thinking about a female character who was very different than the personality that she portrayed on camera, and that started the building blocks of Deanna. I also learned, from the camgirls that I interviewed, about the darker side of camming, the clients who made them lose sleep at night. I started thinking about 'what if?' What if you suspected a client of hurting someone? Would you investigate further? Call the police? At what point do you look away, and at what point do you involve yourself in a dangerous situation?
2. I really loved the premise of the novel. What do you think about the lack of dark/twisted/broody/strong female leads in erotic/romantic fiction?
--My biggest pet peeve, when reading, is a weak female lead. I think our industry is getting better... either that, or I am doing a better job of picking my author/reads, but I think we need more. More strong women. More intelligence, drive, and spunk. More depth. More of everything, and we don't have to minimize or weaken our male leads to do it.
3. Did you find it difficult to categorize your work? What lessons learned might you have for other authors?
-- I found it very difficult to categorize Girl in 6E. I consider it to be an erotic suspense, which is a category that doesn't really exist. And because the sex in Girl in 6E is all virtual... it's explicit but also isn't skin to skin so... I've had readers say that it isn't erotica. Which makes for a very confusing categorizing situation. :)
--Lessons learned / Advice for other authors: Be aware that, if you are stepping out into a category that doesn't exist, you might be sitting out there all by your lonesome. Your best bet is to clearly explain, through the cover and blurb, the different elements that exist in your book. Don't paint your book as a contemporary romance if it is dark and twisted. Also, consider using a different pseudonym if you are jumping genres. It can help readers understand your different types of work.
4. Do you have a favorite review?
--My most recent favorite review for the Girl in 6E is THIS ONE, only because it compares me to Gillian Flynn which makes me *swoon* :). And I also love THIS OTHER ONE, this reviewer is wonderful at creating a visual review.
5. What do you think about negative reviews and do you have a favorite? Personally, I enjoy negative reviews that a) offer constructive criticism or b) condemn the subject matter CLEARLY listed in the product description (Silly people make me laugh).
-- I don't mind negative reviews, especially intelligent negative reviews. My favorite negative review ever was from Pam Godwin, another author, whose constructive criticism was spot on, helped me to improve the book, and led to a friendship between us! (it was for a different book, not 6E). For Girl in 6E, I don't have a favorite negative review, but THIS ONE made me smile -- only because the reader doesn't understand why Deanna would fight her killing urges. It's one reader I wouldn't want to sleep next to at night. :)
6. Are there any release dates on the horizon you'd like us to know about?
--- YES! Black Lies is my next release, it is an erotic romance and will release on August 25th.
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