Today I'd like to welcome SL Carpenter to Fallen Angel Reviews! Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for us today.

No problemo.

Let me start by asking you what's your favorite part of being a writer? The least favorite?

I love creating something from nothing. Writing a story that is fun and turns up the heat. If I can take a reader someplace, have them feel part of it and bring a smile to their face, I have done something special. Least favorite is the lack of time. I get ideas at night usually and there’s never any time to sit down and type it up. I work nights at my real job.

I can see from your web site that you design book covers. Is there one that's your favorite?

Yes, I do a lot of covers. More now then before. I do all of the Samhain Publishing covers and have done work for a lot of other publishers. I have a gallery at my site www.slcarpenter.net. I’m really proud of my work. Go take a peek. My favorite from my own books is Learning To Live Again. It’s black and white and shows so much with a simple image. From others I have done, I plead the fifth. To be honest every one is so different it’s hard to choose.

How long does it usually take you to design a book cover?

It is different each time. Probably about three hours would be average. Some take forever because I want to really hit the right look and feel for the author. I want the author happy with what they get. Other times it all falls together. These I love. Where the concept and look all hit.

Can you tell us more about your latest release Haunting Love Alley and how you came up with the inspiration for the story?

It started with Sahara and I throwing around some ideas. We wanted to write something different. We have the Partners in Passion series but thought we should try something new. I wasn’t in the mood for a vampire or strange paranormal but when we said ghost story, I agreed that we could have fun with it. Boy did we. It’s set in New Orleans and there is this one scene where . . You’ll have to read it.

In your writing career, have you received any awards or nominations for your work you'd like to tell your fans about?

Was just nominated for a CAPA award for the book Detour that Sahara Kelly and I wrote. I have received some awards for my covers from Predators and Editors and a few others.

How important is research in your writing?

The sex research is an ongoing voyage for me. I try every position . . .Oh you mean the other type of research. For Love Alley we did a lot of research. There was an orchid we had that was a symbol and we made sure it grew there. The house had to be right. I liked the Forrest Gump house and wanted this one similar. I write more contemporary stories then anything else so the research is usually about where it is. The newer stuff I am doing now is different times and stuff so I am checking more out now.

Of all the individuals you have created, do you have a particular favorite? If so, what appeals to you the most about this character?

Rich in Broken. People will all scratch their heads at this one. He’s just a no nonsense, no bullshit kind of guy. In the story, he tells the main character what an idiot he is. He’s real. Despite the fact he’s a little person doesn’t effect what impact he has on the story. Being his profession is totally cool helps.

How do you keep your ideas fresh and imaginative?

Good question. I have been told I am a mood writer. I write whatever strikes me at a certain moment. Some books have taken me a year or so to write. Others a few months. If an idea hits you, you need to just write it. I have this little plastic bag filled with ideas. Some great, some really weird, but all of them are ideas and thoughts for stories. It is my little secret stash.

What do you consider when buying a book for your library?

If it is by Sahara Kelly or Marly Chance, I buy it. Other then that I tend to buy books that have a humorous tone. I have read parts of a lot of books I do covers for or if an author asks me to read something for them. I don’t read as much as I should. There are so many good writers and stories out there.

What can you tell us about your Ellora's Cave Release, In The End?

That was me going crazy. It actually was a really fun story to write. I wanted to do something paranormal. It ended up being about a journey to Uranus. I used a lot of Uranus jokes and modeled a character after the Carson guy on the Queer Eye For The Straight Guy show. People really liked the book and said it made them laugh and squirm. So I was a happy man.

How do you know what to name your books or the characters?

Ahhh, names. The books names come from nowhere in particular. A song, a phrase, a joke. Something in the story. Toys 4 Us is about a woman selling sex toys. I wanted the title to be fun. In The End is a paranormal/sci-fi story about the planet Uranus. I wanted URANUS IS BURNING but that wasn’t accepted. Character names are mostly friends and acquaintances I have. People from online or like the story I am writing now is my son’s, best friends, parents. If I can’t use my friends to abuse in a sexy story, then who can I use?

What makes a great book to you?

The story. It has to have a good story. I push for realism in what I write. Sometimes my writing partner shakes her head because I’ll say it doesn’t sound realistic. The sex is all what we wish it was. Except for myself, cough, cough, I write from true-life experience. But I like the people to be a little real. Not falling in love at first sight and things like that. I was at an interview and asked the readers what they liked and they all said the same thing. Good story that captures their attention, hot sex and a nice ending. I think that says it all.

Do you have any indulgent behaviors one might find surprising?

You mean the kinky stuff? I thought we were going to keep that between us. I know whipping out my rubber chicken made you scream. But I did show you what it could do.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I have a new book entitled AMUSE ME coming out at SAMHAIN PUBLISHING on April 4th. It’s a cute story and I had fun writing it. It’s an inexpensive book for those that like a quick read and a laugh or two.

Thanks for taking the time to answer some of my questions today! Readers, be sure to check out SL Carpenter’s website at www.slcarpenter.net where you can sign up for his Yahoo group, read excerpts from his books, and see the great book covers he designs.

Interviewed by: Tammy