Today we have science fiction author, AE. Roud, visiting. AE. Roud who writes under S. Behr for
scripts and general fiction, assigns meanings to the letters of her name depending upon what she’s writing, such as: AE. Roud, An Earthly Realm of Universal Designs – or – An Earthly Realm of Universal Desires. Her bio: I live in New Mexico, North East of Roswell. I have a connection thing going on with that area. I have been married 22 years to the same man. We have no children, unless you also consider as your children, the domestic four legged, furry animals. We have three dogs, three house cats and at any time a various number of barn cats. My house is in the middle of a field but I don’t have a rodent problem, and if a rodent problem does surface, it’s not a problem for long.
* So, AE, what inspired you to become a writer?
I wrote journals and stories from the point I could write and understand. I became serious about writing, when I was offered a job of writing 3X works for the adult industry. When that began to fade, I stepped back from writing, did not do any writing for several years then read a book that just flat angered me. It was a moment that I said, “I can write better than that.” That started my latest writing adventure and I have been at it now for around nineteen years.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first attempt of a story was a real bad. I began writing on it in the early 90’s. I knew what I wanted to say but I could not say it in a way that was acceptable to the publishing community. Oh the pain those first rejection slips brought me, OUCH. It hurts just remembering. At that point, I needed to make a decision, do I go on, or do I quit? I decided to go on but I made some changes to the way I did things. As I knew how to write a script, I put the story in script form and when I was finished with it, I set it aside, and when I was ready, I returned to that script and wrote the book manuscript. This did not always work but it helped me to get around the writing bare and lean.
I will mention here, that it is difficult to go from writing scripts to writing a book manuscript. Why? In a script you write bare/lean, only what a scene or character needs, no emotion, no color, nothing unless it is integral to the scene. The director and actors take that script and put their take on it. By the time, your script is in the can, you don’t recognize your own work. A book is very different. You must describe everything to show the reader a scene, to write full and flush, colorful and with emotion and description. That is hard for a writer to accomplish when their training is to write bare and lean. Even now I still have the bare/lean problem and one of the reasons I love book editors.
I still have that work, still in the original script form. Over the years, I have written it out in book format and rewritten it in the same file numerous times, as my ability to write for publication has grown and matured. It is a story that I will never finish and never submit for publication. That story is in single line format, and that single file is now over 700 pages. It is on a CD in my writing library.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Numerous. The thing about my first published work is it is a short- short with a sizzling erotic theme, titled Shadow Pleasures. The work still has a very personal meaning for me. It found publication in an online Romance/Erotic magazine, that I ran across while surfing the web.
The site management put out an immediate call for submissions from anyone. I was hesitant, fearing a sharp worded, skin slashing, gut ripping rejection slip, but I put it out there anyway then sat and ate the tips of my fingers waiting for what I knew would be a scathing, rip me apart rejection. I remember I was overwhelmed when the notice came that my work, management liked. I did a quick revise of the work for them, and at the next round of updates to their site, my work hit the web along with I don’t remember how many other works. I thought my work was the best of the best, of the best, of course.
There was no contract, there was not cover art, there was no payment, but I was, in some form, published! At that time, I had no idea of the intricate ins and outs of the publishing industry, and all that the web would unleash in and upon the publishing industry and other art industries. Frankly at that moment of realization, I didn’t care if the World ended, Hot damn, I was published. I regret I do not remember the name of the publication that gave me that first overwhelming warm feeling. They probably do not remember me either, if they are still afloat.
For your reading pleasure, here is my first published work, circa 1993, published 1996 if I remember right. Back then, I went under the name of Secrt Pleasures.
Shadow Pleasures by Secrt Pleasures © 1993 —
Shade me with your shadow of pleasure. Let our tongues begin the experience of our fantasies as we explore the secrets leading to passionate penetrations.
In my hand, I caress him to strong and hard, preparing for the pleasure I will give with the hot moist depths of my mouth. Around his tip, I caress with my tongue then engulf him slowly. A moan of pleasure as I tickle and massage with lips of fire as pleasure zings from my nipples, which his caress taunts into standing tall rods.
His tongue teases the hot nature of this woman who for so long remained hidden. He strips away the veils I hide behind, revealing my longing for a lover when the tide of need rolls in under the cap of desire.
Our union is the lost treasure of passion into which we dive. I guide him to my shadow of pleasure in hopes that together we will rejoice in the passion of paramours.
* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
Science Fiction and Fiction, is the short answer to the first question. I am a Star Trek fan and over the years have found several series or shows in that genre that I like. My favorite to write in is Science Fiction for general audience or for the adult venues. I am currently writing in the Science Fiction genre with environmental themes to my work.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best advice was not just one or two items, but a multitude. Have patience and be willing to make changes within reason. Never give up, get some thick skin, and practice makes perfect, (see comment about 700-page work for my way of practice).
The worst writing advice I received, came in the form of rejection slips. I still use them for wallpaper around a dartboard. Need to have some form of exercise and I am horrible at throwing darts. :)
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
It is not so much of a celebration but more a feeling of relief when something I wrote, a publisher accepts for publication, because it takes me a couple years to put a work together for publication. Yes, although I write Science Fiction, I do research.
Rejection slips, well they go with the territory and after I digest any good information from them, if there is any, they still go on the wall around the dartboard.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
As a writer of scripts, I see all my works as a series for television. It is the way I do things. I still on occasion write a scene in script form so I can come back to it, because what I am working on at the time, it does not fit. Some people that have read my works comment that I write visually which to me, as a scriptwriter, is a compliment. That however, is also a pet peeve with some editors and I have received comments in the editing phase like, “why are you writing as though the reader is dense?” It is one of those good thing/ bad things and an area you need flexibility with to work around and make changes to present a better piece of work to the readers.
When I think about characterization, I think about what actor/actress would fit the character. I like to change thing up and a show that does that, is Dr. Who. I like the idea of changing out characters every so often to give a fresh face to the series. The difference between my works and Dr. Who, the main characters in my works can be played by either male or female and I like to mix things up. The points of retirement, rebirth, regeneration or sudden death are good areas to change out actors and mix things up. There would always be someone in the two main character roles to lead the series on into the future, but they may not be the same gender as the actors from the previous season.
* Is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
I try to write stand-alone works. Each book needs its own set of characters and events to deal with. The first two books, Tevi’s Legacy, and Beyond the Nebula, are tied together by the characters and is a point of contention within me, because if a reader picks up the second book first, I don’t want them to feel that they have missed something by not reading Tevi’s Legacy. At this moment in the writing phase for BTN, I plan several “remembering scenes to bring the reader that did not buy the first book, Tevi’s Legacy, up to speed on events. That is proving to be a bit tricky but I am slogging through it. In my works, retirement does not mean the old characters will die off. They just move to the side for the new set of characters to take the forefront. Then again, I might decide to kill off the first set of characters. Right now as the second books is a work in progress, nothing is set in stone at this point.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite color?
I like a rainbow of colors. The color I prefer more than others though, is green. Green is life, grass, plants, animals, and seen in nature, a lot.
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
I have never met a flavor of ice cream I did not get along great with.
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I have both, cats and dogs and they live in the same house. That is a point of fear for me, because I learned the hard way that cats need that inset fear of dogs to survive. I have lost more than a few cats to wandering dogs, because they did not fear the dog, and those wandering dogs, have killed my cats because they are cats. My dogs will chase a strange cat, such as the barn cats. They will chase them but I have never seen one of my dogs catch and kill one of the barn cats. I have seen them get one cornered then let off and the cat goes on its way. I would not allow one of my dogs to kill a cat if I could stop the event from happening. My dogs do not run free, they are contained and on occasion, I tie them outside the front door. When the dogs are out there, the barns cats don’t hang around the house.
* Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
Does a hybrid Timber Wolf / German Shepherd count? If so then yes and her registered name was Willow Poco Lobo. I still have her collar
and I miss her very much. She was a friend, protector, and she traveled this country. She rode in the truck when we drove for a major trucking country out of Commerce City, Colorado. She left her mark in all states but two, North Dakota and Maine.
One time when she was on the truck with the hubby, I was home with his dad who was having some medical problems, hubby went into the truck stop and got cleaned up, shave and a haircut. He did not wear his hat when he went back to the truck. Willow would not let him in the truck. His comment on the phone to me was. “I unlocked the truck, opened the door and saw nothing but her pearly whites, a big furry head, her staring at me with those black eyes, and heard that growl. I shut the door.” He got in the truck finally but it took a while to get his hat out of his bag and open the door enough to slip it through to her so she could smell his scent. The hat took a beating before she realized whom that man standing outside was, and when she did, she started howling, crouching and asking for forgiveness. All was forgiven and she got her treats on a gold platter that night I can tell you. :)
* Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I like a good Thunderstorm, with the lightning and thunder. No tornadoes please, been there done that and it is no fun. I am not a fan of real cold weather, because my arthritis acts up real bad. I prefer mild winters with not much freezing cold or snow. Grew up in the Eastern Plains of Colorado and I got tired of eighteen foot tall snowdrifts.
* Are you a morning person or night owl?
This question depends on what I am doing when I am doing it. Like right now, it is 10 pm at night and I’m yawning. I was up at 230 this morning though and napped during the day. It’s been one of those days that if I could, I would have slept through.
* What’s your favorite day of the week?
My favorite day of the week is the one I can sleep without getting woke up every three to four hours.
* What’s your favorite number?
My favorite number is 13. I was thirteen when I met Shelly Layers.
* If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
I would live on a Marrott because in my work, they are space capable sentient beings and can travel. I would see the universe in the safety of their shells, the planets, nebulas, different parts of the galaxy. Oh, to be a character in my works in reality, wow. I’m actually jealous.
* If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
I’m laughing at this question because as soon as I read it, the thing that popped into my mind was toilet paper.
*** About her book … ***
Tevi’s Legacy is due out in 2011 through Devine Destinies Publisher. The environmental theme in this work is extinction, of the oldest living humanoid cultures in my universe. Queen Tevi and her Marrott put their lives on the line to save their own.
Recently a species indigenous to the United States became another name in the extinct category. The cougar, mountain lion, puma, whatever name you prefer to call it is now officially extinct. That happened in our lifetime and not an animal that no one knows about. Cougars are part of the heritage of the United States like the Wolf, or I should say, they were.
***Find AE. Roud here***
* So, AE, what inspired you to become a writer?
I wrote journals and stories from the point I could write and understand. I became serious about writing, when I was offered a job of writing 3X works for the adult industry. When that began to fade, I stepped back from writing, did not do any writing for several years then read a book that just flat angered me. It was a moment that I said, “I can write better than that.” That started my latest writing adventure and I have been at it now for around nineteen years.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first attempt of a story was a real bad. I began writing on it in the early 90’s. I knew what I wanted to say but I could not say it in a way that was acceptable to the publishing community. Oh the pain those first rejection slips brought me, OUCH. It hurts just remembering. At that point, I needed to make a decision, do I go on, or do I quit? I decided to go on but I made some changes to the way I did things. As I knew how to write a script, I put the story in script form and when I was finished with it, I set it aside, and when I was ready, I returned to that script and wrote the book manuscript. This did not always work but it helped me to get around the writing bare and lean.
I will mention here, that it is difficult to go from writing scripts to writing a book manuscript. Why? In a script you write bare/lean, only what a scene or character needs, no emotion, no color, nothing unless it is integral to the scene. The director and actors take that script and put their take on it. By the time, your script is in the can, you don’t recognize your own work. A book is very different. You must describe everything to show the reader a scene, to write full and flush, colorful and with emotion and description. That is hard for a writer to accomplish when their training is to write bare and lean. Even now I still have the bare/lean problem and one of the reasons I love book editors.
I still have that work, still in the original script form. Over the years, I have written it out in book format and rewritten it in the same file numerous times, as my ability to write for publication has grown and matured. It is a story that I will never finish and never submit for publication. That story is in single line format, and that single file is now over 700 pages. It is on a CD in my writing library.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Numerous. The thing about my first published work is it is a short- short with a sizzling erotic theme, titled Shadow Pleasures. The work still has a very personal meaning for me. It found publication in an online Romance/Erotic magazine, that I ran across while surfing the web.
The site management put out an immediate call for submissions from anyone. I was hesitant, fearing a sharp worded, skin slashing, gut ripping rejection slip, but I put it out there anyway then sat and ate the tips of my fingers waiting for what I knew would be a scathing, rip me apart rejection. I remember I was overwhelmed when the notice came that my work, management liked. I did a quick revise of the work for them, and at the next round of updates to their site, my work hit the web along with I don’t remember how many other works. I thought my work was the best of the best, of the best, of course.
There was no contract, there was not cover art, there was no payment, but I was, in some form, published! At that time, I had no idea of the intricate ins and outs of the publishing industry, and all that the web would unleash in and upon the publishing industry and other art industries. Frankly at that moment of realization, I didn’t care if the World ended, Hot damn, I was published. I regret I do not remember the name of the publication that gave me that first overwhelming warm feeling. They probably do not remember me either, if they are still afloat.
For your reading pleasure, here is my first published work, circa 1993, published 1996 if I remember right. Back then, I went under the name of Secrt Pleasures.
Shadow Pleasures by Secrt Pleasures © 1993 —
Shade me with your shadow of pleasure. Let our tongues begin the experience of our fantasies as we explore the secrets leading to passionate penetrations.
In my hand, I caress him to strong and hard, preparing for the pleasure I will give with the hot moist depths of my mouth. Around his tip, I caress with my tongue then engulf him slowly. A moan of pleasure as I tickle and massage with lips of fire as pleasure zings from my nipples, which his caress taunts into standing tall rods.
His tongue teases the hot nature of this woman who for so long remained hidden. He strips away the veils I hide behind, revealing my longing for a lover when the tide of need rolls in under the cap of desire.
Our union is the lost treasure of passion into which we dive. I guide him to my shadow of pleasure in hopes that together we will rejoice in the passion of paramours.
* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
Science Fiction and Fiction, is the short answer to the first question. I am a Star Trek fan and over the years have found several series or shows in that genre that I like. My favorite to write in is Science Fiction for general audience or for the adult venues. I am currently writing in the Science Fiction genre with environmental themes to my work.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best advice was not just one or two items, but a multitude. Have patience and be willing to make changes within reason. Never give up, get some thick skin, and practice makes perfect, (see comment about 700-page work for my way of practice).
The worst writing advice I received, came in the form of rejection slips. I still use them for wallpaper around a dartboard. Need to have some form of exercise and I am horrible at throwing darts. :)
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
It is not so much of a celebration but more a feeling of relief when something I wrote, a publisher accepts for publication, because it takes me a couple years to put a work together for publication. Yes, although I write Science Fiction, I do research.
Rejection slips, well they go with the territory and after I digest any good information from them, if there is any, they still go on the wall around the dartboard.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
As a writer of scripts, I see all my works as a series for television. It is the way I do things. I still on occasion write a scene in script form so I can come back to it, because what I am working on at the time, it does not fit. Some people that have read my works comment that I write visually which to me, as a scriptwriter, is a compliment. That however, is also a pet peeve with some editors and I have received comments in the editing phase like, “why are you writing as though the reader is dense?” It is one of those good thing/ bad things and an area you need flexibility with to work around and make changes to present a better piece of work to the readers.
When I think about characterization, I think about what actor/actress would fit the character. I like to change thing up and a show that does that, is Dr. Who. I like the idea of changing out characters every so often to give a fresh face to the series. The difference between my works and Dr. Who, the main characters in my works can be played by either male or female and I like to mix things up. The points of retirement, rebirth, regeneration or sudden death are good areas to change out actors and mix things up. There would always be someone in the two main character roles to lead the series on into the future, but they may not be the same gender as the actors from the previous season.
* Is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
I try to write stand-alone works. Each book needs its own set of characters and events to deal with. The first two books, Tevi’s Legacy, and Beyond the Nebula, are tied together by the characters and is a point of contention within me, because if a reader picks up the second book first, I don’t want them to feel that they have missed something by not reading Tevi’s Legacy. At this moment in the writing phase for BTN, I plan several “remembering scenes to bring the reader that did not buy the first book, Tevi’s Legacy, up to speed on events. That is proving to be a bit tricky but I am slogging through it. In my works, retirement does not mean the old characters will die off. They just move to the side for the new set of characters to take the forefront. Then again, I might decide to kill off the first set of characters. Right now as the second books is a work in progress, nothing is set in stone at this point.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite color?
I like a rainbow of colors. The color I prefer more than others though, is green. Green is life, grass, plants, animals, and seen in nature, a lot.
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
I have never met a flavor of ice cream I did not get along great with.
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I have both, cats and dogs and they live in the same house. That is a point of fear for me, because I learned the hard way that cats need that inset fear of dogs to survive. I have lost more than a few cats to wandering dogs, because they did not fear the dog, and those wandering dogs, have killed my cats because they are cats. My dogs will chase a strange cat, such as the barn cats. They will chase them but I have never seen one of my dogs catch and kill one of the barn cats. I have seen them get one cornered then let off and the cat goes on its way. I would not allow one of my dogs to kill a cat if I could stop the event from happening. My dogs do not run free, they are contained and on occasion, I tie them outside the front door. When the dogs are out there, the barns cats don’t hang around the house.
* Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
Does a hybrid Timber Wolf / German Shepherd count? If so then yes and her registered name was Willow Poco Lobo. I still have her collar
One time when she was on the truck with the hubby, I was home with his dad who was having some medical problems, hubby went into the truck stop and got cleaned up, shave and a haircut. He did not wear his hat when he went back to the truck. Willow would not let him in the truck. His comment on the phone to me was. “I unlocked the truck, opened the door and saw nothing but her pearly whites, a big furry head, her staring at me with those black eyes, and heard that growl. I shut the door.” He got in the truck finally but it took a while to get his hat out of his bag and open the door enough to slip it through to her so she could smell his scent. The hat took a beating before she realized whom that man standing outside was, and when she did, she started howling, crouching and asking for forgiveness. All was forgiven and she got her treats on a gold platter that night I can tell you. :)
* Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I like a good Thunderstorm, with the lightning and thunder. No tornadoes please, been there done that and it is no fun. I am not a fan of real cold weather, because my arthritis acts up real bad. I prefer mild winters with not much freezing cold or snow. Grew up in the Eastern Plains of Colorado and I got tired of eighteen foot tall snowdrifts.
* Are you a morning person or night owl?
This question depends on what I am doing when I am doing it. Like right now, it is 10 pm at night and I’m yawning. I was up at 230 this morning though and napped during the day. It’s been one of those days that if I could, I would have slept through.
* What’s your favorite day of the week?
My favorite day of the week is the one I can sleep without getting woke up every three to four hours.
* What’s your favorite number?
My favorite number is 13. I was thirteen when I met Shelly Layers.
* If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
I would live on a Marrott because in my work, they are space capable sentient beings and can travel. I would see the universe in the safety of their shells, the planets, nebulas, different parts of the galaxy. Oh, to be a character in my works in reality, wow. I’m actually jealous.
* If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
I’m laughing at this question because as soon as I read it, the thing that popped into my mind was toilet paper.
Tevi’s Legacy is due out in 2011 through Devine Destinies Publisher. The environmental theme in this work is extinction, of the oldest living humanoid cultures in my universe. Queen Tevi and her Marrott put their lives on the line to save their own.
Recently a species indigenous to the United States became another name in the extinct category. The cougar, mountain lion, puma, whatever name you prefer to call it is now officially extinct. That happened in our lifetime and not an animal that no one knows about. Cougars are part of the heritage of the United States like the Wolf, or I should say, they were.
***Find AE. Roud here***
I am on Face book as Aeroud and at my website Aeroud.com. I will have a page for my works on Devine Destinies after publication of Tevi’s Legacy. I am starting a blog which people can find at my web site or directly at www.aeroud.com/blog.
Thank you for joining us here today, AE! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.
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