Ask the Author: Claire Cray
Answered Questions (14)
Claire Cray
I'm so sorry it took me so long to see this question—especially since it's so amazing! First of all, thank you so much for calling my books "quality horror romance." I've really been trying to grow in that area, so that's the coolest compliment ever. To your question: YES, as a matter of fact, I am extremely, 100% interested in writing a book with a serial killer love interest. It's something I explore a lot, but haven't quite managed to settle on a shape yet. It's great to hear at least one person would want to read it! :)
It's not quite the same since it's a paranormal/vampire story, but this is part of why I'm so excited for my current top project, 'Theo.' I am a strong proponent of "hot vampires who actually kill people and don't feel bad about it." So for now, I'm sort of looking at Theo as my chance to attempt a genuine, full-length love story where the love interest is an unrepentant killer and still gets an HEA. I guess we'll see how it goes!
It's not quite the same since it's a paranormal/vampire story, but this is part of why I'm so excited for my current top project, 'Theo.' I am a strong proponent of "hot vampires who actually kill people and don't feel bad about it." So for now, I'm sort of looking at Theo as my chance to attempt a genuine, full-length love story where the love interest is an unrepentant killer and still gets an HEA. I guess we'll see how it goes!
Claire Cray
Haha yes, Ken vs. Jackson over Jin is 100% going to be central to what comes next. I've already seen it go down. The first scene played out in my head as soon as the OG series was done, which made it super hard to take a break from writing it!
I can't pick one favorite character, because there are so many and I love them all when I'm writing them. But Jin and Ken together are SUPER addictive to deal with, so maybe them followed by Sky. I also like Lip and Jen a lot more than you might guess (considering how little of their POV came into the books). David started to surprise me in the end, so I'm maybe most excited to play him off of the others and see what he does.
Thanks for writing and hope I don't keep you waiting tooooo long for it :)
I can't pick one favorite character, because there are so many and I love them all when I'm writing them. But Jin and Ken together are SUPER addictive to deal with, so maybe them followed by Sky. I also like Lip and Jen a lot more than you might guess (considering how little of their POV came into the books). David started to surprise me in the end, so I'm maybe most excited to play him off of the others and see what he does.
Thanks for writing and hope I don't keep you waiting tooooo long for it :)
Claire Cray
I'm so glad you love HT! I've already written more, here and there, in bits and pieces. Not sure when a whole story will come together. But there will definitely be more because those characters never leave me alone. What would you look forward to getting more of?
Also, there's a new and final volume with all of HT cleaned up and remastered in one megabook. Here's a freebie link for ya -- feel free to share (and definitely feel free to review!) https://t.co/tEylY7dVL5
Also, there's a new and final volume with all of HT cleaned up and remastered in one megabook. Here's a freebie link for ya -- feel free to share (and definitely feel free to review!) https://t.co/tEylY7dVL5
Claire Cray
I'd apologize for taking so long to see and answer this question, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the universe was hiding it from me until this exact moment, when it would have this unlikely effect. Because you know what? I can't believe I'm saying this, but yeah, I think I'm about to write more tentacle erotica. And I'm gonna blame it on you, because I really had no desire to do so until I saw this question and suddenly got a whole thing in my head. Did you do some witchcraft or something?
Just so happens I'm currently putting together a collection of short, spooky, smutty stories. It would fit right in. Stay tuned. And remember this is your fault.
Just so happens I'm currently putting together a collection of short, spooky, smutty stories. It would fit right in. Stay tuned. And remember this is your fault.
Claire Cray
It's not your computer! I pulled the entire original series a couple of ago because it has now been massively re-edited and reworked as a trilogy of novels, which I'm releasing through Back Hall Press.
The entire trilogy will be out this month. Likely November 24, Dec 1 at the latest. There will be no wait between installments! I'm verrrrryyyyyy excited about this relaunch.
If you email me, I can send you a copy of the old HT9 as well as an ARC of the new Book 3! I'm thrilled to send ARCs of the new Hidden Talents Trilogy to all the OG fans. :)
clairecray@gmail.com
The entire trilogy will be out this month. Likely November 24, Dec 1 at the latest. There will be no wait between installments! I'm verrrrryyyyyy excited about this relaunch.
If you email me, I can send you a copy of the old HT9 as well as an ARC of the new Book 3! I'm thrilled to send ARCs of the new Hidden Talents Trilogy to all the OG fans. :)
clairecray@gmail.com
Claire Cray
Hi! Thanks for asking! I've thought about it, but I don't know. I'd love to do like a stylized collection of short stories and vignettes, with Yuuta following Kazuo deeper and deeper into his kinky, eccentric corner of the underworld. But I'm afraid if I stayed in the Aniki's Garden universe I'd end up fetishizing Japan in ways I'm not comfortable with.
SAYS THE WOMAN WHO WROTE YAKUZA TENTACLE PORN, I KNOW
I do love that retro Japanese fetish/yakuza-movie aesthetic. TONS. If I could figure out a way to play around with that responsibly, I'd be on it immediately. I lived in Tokyo for a few years and would love to write some freaky underworld stories in that vein, but I also don't want to be another white loudmouth feeding stereotypes about Japan. Aniki's Garden definitely felt edgy for me in that respect.
I'm thrilled you liked it enough to ask for more, though! :)
SAYS THE WOMAN WHO WROTE YAKUZA TENTACLE PORN, I KNOW
I do love that retro Japanese fetish/yakuza-movie aesthetic. TONS. If I could figure out a way to play around with that responsibly, I'd be on it immediately. I lived in Tokyo for a few years and would love to write some freaky underworld stories in that vein, but I also don't want to be another white loudmouth feeding stereotypes about Japan. Aniki's Garden definitely felt edgy for me in that respect.
I'm thrilled you liked it enough to ask for more, though! :)
Claire Cray
Thank you so much! I'm so happy that you like it. I do want to write another book for Theo and have a few ideas. I'm thinking about how I want to handle moving the spotlight from William and Merrick over to him.
Someday I might do something from Merrick's POV. Long ago I considered writing William from Merrick's POV and it didn't pan out, but I'd like to try it on another story. Maybe even a novella retelling the first book from his perspective might be fun.
Hope the second half of William goes well for you :) Thanks for writing!
Someday I might do something from Merrick's POV. Long ago I considered writing William from Merrick's POV and it didn't pan out, but I'd like to try it on another story. Maybe even a novella retelling the first book from his perspective might be fun.
Hope the second half of William goes well for you :) Thanks for writing!
Claire Cray
Bless you for being such a loyal Hidden Talents fan. It's coming out at the end of the month and you can read the first chapter (!) on my WordPress, clairecray.com!
Claire Cray
As soon as I decide who should top this sex scene. I feel like this happens to me a lot. Living the dream!
Claire Cray
Thank you so much for writing, and sorry to make you wait for an answer! Yes, I have a big update on William: It's done! DONE-done. Check Amazon within the next day or two -- it will be there any minute!
Claire Cray
Thank you so much for those kind words! And sorry to have let this sit for so long. I was in the cave, FINISHING WILLIAM! It has been submitted and will be live for purchase any second within the next 12 hours!
Claire Cray
The exact release date is not yet decided, but William will be available by Halloween. I'm so glad you're loving Merrick and hope you'll like the sequel just as much!
P.S. The cover will be revealed next week! I'm absolutely in love with it.
P.S. The cover will be revealed next week! I'm absolutely in love with it.
Claire Cray
The next Hidden Talents book will be coming out around Halloween. Sorry for another delay, but 'William,' the sequel to 'Merrick,' is getting top priority for fall release.
Thank you for your interest and I hope you can stand the wait -- big, big, big things happening in HT8!
Thank you for your interest and I hope you can stand the wait -- big, big, big things happening in HT8!
Claire Cray
First: I tell myself to get over it and just fucking write what I'm supposed to be working on.
Second, if that doesn't work: I give myself a break and move to writing something else -- either an easier chapter, a different project, or just a 5-10 minute free write to loosen myself up.
Third, if THAT doesn't work: I change rooms or go to a cafe. Environment really matters! It might border on superstition, but I think once you've had writer's block for long enough at your desk, your brain starts to associate your desk with block. Changing the scenery helps knock your brain into a fresh spot.
Fourth, if even THAT doesn't work: I switch from computer to pen and paper. This can work miracles.
Fifth, if I feel just completely fucked for the day and cannot get myself going but really really want to, I pull out my secret weapon. Straighten up my bedroom, lay out some cute loungewear. Draw a bath with several drops of rosemary and cedar essential oils. Light a candle. Put on some Simon & Garfunkel. Soak. Read a few pages of an easy book. Lay back and write some stories in my head. NEVER FAILS (and is also just, you know, real good times!).
Second, if that doesn't work: I give myself a break and move to writing something else -- either an easier chapter, a different project, or just a 5-10 minute free write to loosen myself up.
Third, if THAT doesn't work: I change rooms or go to a cafe. Environment really matters! It might border on superstition, but I think once you've had writer's block for long enough at your desk, your brain starts to associate your desk with block. Changing the scenery helps knock your brain into a fresh spot.
Fourth, if even THAT doesn't work: I switch from computer to pen and paper. This can work miracles.
Fifth, if I feel just completely fucked for the day and cannot get myself going but really really want to, I pull out my secret weapon. Straighten up my bedroom, lay out some cute loungewear. Draw a bath with several drops of rosemary and cedar essential oils. Light a candle. Put on some Simon & Garfunkel. Soak. Read a few pages of an easy book. Lay back and write some stories in my head. NEVER FAILS (and is also just, you know, real good times!).
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