The Ideal Side Of Love by Blak Rayne

We have awesome Blak Rayne visiting and sharing. Blak please share a little bit about yourself.

Hmm, what to tell.... Well, I've always had a vivid imagination, and started writing in elementary school. I wrote my first novel in grade seven. And, beyond that, I love anything to do with the arts. Personally speaking, I'm forty-three and married with two adult children, one teenager and a grumpy cat. I'm passionate about everything I do.

How did you decide to enter the world of writing?

After years of writing, I'd accumulated a lot of incomplete and complete works on paper. But, my children came first, which means I had no time to submit a manuscript. Plus, my first husband wasn't overly supportive of anything I did. Once we separated and I created a new life for myself, the aspirations returned. Then, when I remarried everything came to a head. My second husband really encouraged me to write, as did my daughter. And, with the Internet making publishing so readily available to anyone with a computer, it seemed the perfect time to pursue my dreams.

What does your family think of your writing?

Everyone is very supportive. No complaints. :)

It awesome to have the support of your family. Where do you get your ideas?

Music triggers most of my ideas, but so can anything else really - a photograph, a piece of art, something said during conversation, a movie, and so on.

Blak can you tell us a little about your book? 

Here is an extremely brief synopsis: 'Four years after the death of his husband, Stephen Pritchard comes to a turning point, when he meets an enigmatic stranger, twice.'

Basically, after the death of his husband, Stephen struggles with the idea of either dating or remaining single for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, he has a defeatist attitude, and believes he'll never find anyone willing to date a middle-aged man with emotional baggage until Carson enters the picture, a man with an interesting past of his own.

What is your writing process? 

Honestly, the process varies from novel to novel. Sometimes the title and synopsis come to me first, then other times I'll write a paragraph and the story takes shape from there, or I might just have a character outline. There is no method to my madness. LOL 

What was the hardest part for you when working on your book? 

For 'The Ideal Side of Love' it was piecing together the chain of events. 

What influenced or inspired you to write? 

Well, I can't say too much otherwise I'll spoil the story, but 'The Ideal Side of Love' stems from a personal experience. Years ago I received a speeding ticket from an attractive police office that wrote his phone number on the back of the ticket. 

Was there a scene that you didn’t add or you removed in your finished work? 

Actually, there were two scenes removed that were written in Carson's perspective. TISOL was written in first person POV, Stephens, and the two scenes ruined the flow. 

Do you have a favorite character (from you're book)? Why?

Even though I love Stephen and his emotionally stunted opinions when it comes to life, I'd have to say Carson is the one who captured my heart. Carson doesn't express much emotion, and his humor is dark, but he's extremely loyal, and a demon in the sack. And, I'd say those are great qualities to have in any man! LOL

Blake do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us? 

Currently, I'm working on a novel called 'Older The Better', an interracial romance between an older Caucasian man and a young Native man. It should be complete in a few weeks then it's off for editing! 

Where can we find more information about you and your books? 

Blak Rayne Books http://www.blakraynebooks.com

Blak Rayne Blog http://www.blakrayneblog.com

Author's Den: http://www.authorsden.com/blakrayne

My website is in flash right now, but I'll be replacing it soon with a new HTML site, which (finger's crossed) will run much smoother.

Do you have any last words?

Whatever you do in life, do it with gusto!

Awesome advise, thank you for visiting and sharing. It has been a pleasure learning more about you and your work. Please come back and visit. 

Fun Questions ~ 

I love weekends because? I can write to my hearts content.

I hate? Abuse in any form.

I want to buy? I'd love to own a muscle car, like a '67 Acadian or a Shelby Mustang GT 500.

My favorite song is? I have many, but one of my all time favs is Protectors of The Earth.

My favorite precious stone is? Blue Sapphire.

I want to travel to? Why? Many places, but right now Japan; I had bought tickets back in 2011, but they had that major earthquake and tsunami, so my trip was cancelled. *sad face*

I want to meet?  Why? Yaoi artist and author Kazuma Kodaka; simply because I love her work.

I want to invite   -------------- to dinner. Why? Benedict Cumberbatch, just because I love to hear his voice. *drools* Well, actually I think he's a highly intelligent man and would be worth talking to.

My dream is to? I have two...to see my books hit the best seller list, and take the haunted castle tour throughout the British Isles and Europe, at night. LOL Strange I know!

My favorite book is? OMG, do you have a week? LOL Here's one: Joseph Wambaugh's 'The Blooding.'