Hi Ms. Okati. I would like to ask you a few questions to help our audience get to know you and your books a little bit better.

What is the first story/book that you ever wrote?

Dante's World 1: Black Leather Night and Other Tales. I had no clue what I was doing, but I'd read some of Changeling Press' titles, and loved shopping there. I sent in a query seeing if they would be interested in a single-author anthology. They were, and I think I just about did a cartwheel when they accepted the collection.

What do you use for inspiration when you write?

It depends - but I do often use images (French rugby players -- yum!) and sometimes music. I have all sorts of playlists for different types of stories.

Where do you get your ideas from?

They just come to me. I'll either think about a character who immediately demands his own story, or a concept comes to me, and I just run with it. It's a little different with series titles, of course.

Has being published changed your life? If so, how?

Has it ever! I was a secretary, in a job I hated, writing at night purely for the love of the game. Around the time I had my first novella published, I was fired. I still haven't found outside work, but the writing keeps me going. Vive la M/M!

What is the driving force behind your writing?

Pure love of the game, same as it was when I wasn't being paid for it *grin* There are stories in my head that want to be told, and I love spilling them out on paper. Sometimes they grow legs and turn into multiple stories, and that's the best. It's like watching a movie in my imagination -- I can see these people, and I just tell their stories.

I am a rabid fan of The Brotherhood series. Where did you get the inspiration to writethe first book Amour Magique? Where did you get the ideas for each of the following books?

Thank you! That's very kind of you to say. As for where I got the inspiration, there's a funny story behind that. I was sick and had to go to the walk-in clinic because my regular doctor was busy. I took a book with me about happy hook-ups, and as I waited for my name to be called it occurred to me that I could use this. After about three days, I had the outline for the entire series mapped out. Loose Id was kind enough to take a chance, and you see how far it's come already.

Something I think people should know is that I'm not only published with Loose Id. I generally have a monthly release with Changeling Press, and I also have some titles with Torquere Press and Samhain Publishing. The first release from Samhain won a gold star from JERR. It's one of my favorite books ever.

Could you give us any tidbits about the upcoming Brotherhood books?

The next story up is Christian's, Tunnel of Love, and we're going to find out what secrets he's been hiding. We'll find out something extraordinary about Liam, the master hand behind all these get-togethers as well. Christian is wonderful to write -- he's very alive. Younger than all the other Brothers, he has a certain vibe to him. Aside from David, which is my favorite yet (Single White Fang) and Bree (Bite Me), I think this may be one of my favorites.

Tell your fans something about you that they would never guess.

I play the Celtic pennywhistle! Each night as a break after I finish writing (which is usually a sunup to sundown thing) I practice playing for a while. Now I just need to find a guy with a bodhran, someone who sings…

What kinds of books do you like to read?

M/M, of course! Some of my favorite authors are Ally Blue, J.L. Langley, Julia Talbot and Sean Michael. I scan several sites for their weekly releases, and for some of them no matter what they publish it's an auto-buy. I use a handheld, and that's how I spend my late nights - cozied up with a new story.

What type of characters do you enjoy writing the most?

All of them? Well, seriously, sometimes I'll feel a "pop" when I start writing someone. They snap to even greater clarity, and they become real. I care about them as if they were alive. David in Single White Fang was like that, as well as Slate in A Year and a Day.

How do you choose the names of your characters? Do these names hold any significance for you?

I have a baby name book and a few websites marked. Often, though, I'll just make something up that suits the personality that's presenting itself to me. Each one has to be just right, though, or it throws the whole story off. The name has to "belong" to the character or things don't flow right.

Of the characters you have created, do you have a particular favorite? If so, why?

It's a toss-up between David and Slate. I couldn't choose between them.

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

Thank you for the interview! I don't talk much online, I'm afraid, but that's because despite what I write I'm terribly shy. However, if I'm approached, I'm friendly and I answer all my e-mail. People can write to me at willokati@gmail.com and they're welcome to check out my (a work-in-progress right now)website.

I wish to say thank you to Ms. Okati for spending the time to answer our questions and give us some insight about herself and her books. I will be waiting to read more into the world of The Brotherhood. Again thank you Ms. Okati for spending the time with us.

Interviewed by: Teresa