Diana Copland: September 2014

Hello, all!

First, I feel like I ought to clarify who 'the Dirty Dozen' are. We are twelve authors who have joined together who are appearing at GRL in Chicago this year as 'Supporting Authors'. Supporting authors, by GRL's definition, are at the beginning of their careers in LGBT romance or still attempting to build a backlist and fanbase. So, new kids. Like me. And I'm so proud to be in this company. Max Vos, JC Wallace, Wade Kelly, Carter Quinn, Morticia Knight, Jeff Adams, Rafe Haze, Tempeste O'Riley, Ethan Stone, L E Franks, and the lovely T.M.Smith. See, awesome company, right?

For the next month, we will all be making appearances on each other's blogs, giving readers a chance to get to know us. Today, I'm proud to host T.M. Smith!!

Author bio:

A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. She now calls Texas home from her small town on the outskirts of the DFW Metroplex. Most days you can find her curled up with her kindle and a good book alongside a glass of something aged and red or a steaming cup of coffee!

At 42 years young, she's decided to enter the next phase of her life by adding the title of "author" to her list of accomplishments that includes single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Smith is and outspoken advocate for Autism and equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

Her Opposites series is based outside the normal parameters of social acceptability, examining a 'what if'... What If to be gay or lesbian were the norm? What if to be straight labeled you as an Opposite and made YOU the Outkast?

And now, T.M.'s answers to the interview questions:

~ What inspires you most when you are writing?

Music first and foremost for me. While I like to research the web, books, TV, movies and music; I have several playlists ready for when I’m writing. I especially like to listen to David Garrett, he just gets me in the mood.

~ What brought you to write m/m? What keeps you writing in this genre?

It’s one of my favorite genres to read, so I merged that love with my interest in writing to create my stories. For the most part the fans and my fellow authors are so kind and supportive, it really keeps me going. When a review ends with “Can’t wait for the next installment in this series!” it really makes me want to write it for that person even more.

~ Of all the characters you've written, who is your favorite and why?

While that is like asking me which of my children are my favorite, Aiyan and Kaden, my soul mates, are at the top of the list. Their relationship is probably the most balanced of all my couples. They are versatile and strive to be complete equals in every way. They also have a knack for breaking things, which can be quite fun to create.

~ Many of us have pen names that we use and there are an infinite number of ways and reasons behind them, but I doubt many of them reflect the names we wish we’d been born with. If you could micro-manage the ultimate do-over, what birth name do you want? What nickname?

First, I do write under a pen name, but it’s not because I don’t want people to know that Tammy Middleton is actually TM Smith. TM Smith is my birth name, the name my parents gave me, so I use that name for my writing to pay respects. Second, I don’t think I would change anything. My name has so much meaning. My mother’s favorite movies when she was a little girl were the Tammy movies, with Debbie Reynolds. And my father’s favorite song for a time was Michelle my bell, so my name reflects a lot of personality from both my parents and I’m proud of that.

~ Name one unusual fact about yourself that you think your readers would be surprised to learn.

I have to bless the house before I watch scary movies, don’t want to let the devil in.

~ What do you do that most injurs the progress of your writing, and why do you do it?

Social Media! It’s a black hole I swear. I think, “I’m just going to check my facebook really quick.” and three hours later. I need to find a way to block facebook and twitter while I’m writing.

~ If you had to trade writing for another creative pursuit, what would it be?

Graphic Design for sure. I’m actually pondering the idea of buying a better design program and working my own covers. I love to create banners and promo pics online, the little finite details fascinate me. And I’m always so happy when I make something pretty or eye catching.

~ In one sentence, write the beginning of a sex scene using some kind of food. Think of it as your hook.

He followed the trail of ice cream that was trickling out the corner of Aiyan’s mouth with the tip of his tongue, before diving right back in to the warmth of his mouth for another sweet kiss. {psssssst. I wrote an entire chapter around this actually, Secret’s and Ice Cream, it can be found in The Library an Opposites novella}

~ Name one of your favorite characters of all time that someone else wrote. Can be M/M or any genre.

Rosalee Hale, the Twilight Saga. I do LOVE a bitch on wheels!!

~ If you could be one of your characters, who would you be and why?

Maeve, again, I love a bitch on wheels.

~ How many versions of a book do you usually write before you arrive at ‘the

one’, and how does your editor impact that?

I’m self published so I don’t have an editor. As far as how many versions, I’ve never kept an actual count but thirty or so I’m sure. I write the book in pieces and then go back and put them all together, which sometimes means I have to rearrange things to fit them in order. I’ve never been able to write chronologically because the ideas come to me sporadically.

~ If you came with a warning label, what would it be?

Fiesty!