Interview with AP Miller

A.P. Miller is the combined name for Andrew and Patti, a husband and wife writing team.

Hello A.P. Miller – thanks for taking the time to answer our questions.
 
1. What do you think makes a GREAT erotic story?

Patti: There are many elements to a great erotic story: First of all you need to look at the situation you place your characters in…do they have an instant connection whether it be sexual or intellectual? What type of jobs they have, how promiscuous they want to be, so on and so forth. The sex is always the main point in any erotic story that’s a given but the fact that your characters work well together are three dimensional and your readers can connect with them is what counts.

Andrew: A good story, erotic or otherwise, has to emotionally involve the readers. They have to care about the fates of the characters. They have to root for the hero, hope the villain gets their just desserts, and ache to see loose ends tied up. Yes, the eroticism is the main point, just as the technology is the point of science fiction and the magic in fantasy, but unless the readers are emotionally invested in the characters, they won’t care who sleeps with whom, how advanced that mecha is, or whether the white magic can rival the black. It’s the storyteller’s job to draw the reader in, to make them care, to make them want these specific people to get together for the lust crazed scenes they’ve been aching for.

2. Tell us more about your style of writing and what inspired you to write ‘twisted fairytales’?

Patti: As a child I always read Grimm’s fairytales and became fascinated with the gruesome stories, some believe these are children’s tales but if you look a bit deeper you will see the famous Brothers Grimm wrote these tales for an adult audience and over the year’s publishers decided to tone them down a bit for a young audience. I liked the idea of making the stories even darker as we did in our story of Snow White and Charming in Chains, both stories in Beyond the Looking Glass.

Andrew: I’ve always been partial to the sci-fi and fantasy genres, and of course I grew up with Disney and with fairy tales told in school (Both the Brothers Grimm as well as non-European stories. Don’t be overly surprised if a future anthology involves Coyote or Anansi or a few playful and mischievous kitsune). However, fairy tales are also morality tales, encasing the morals of the day. Red Riding Hood isn’t about a wolf, it’s a cautionary tale about trusting strange men; Sleeping Beauty is about the challenges of courting a lady of quality. And of course, morality itself has evolved over time. The “twisting” of our version of these stories reflects this. Red Riding Hood is no longer an innocent girl requiring rescue by a strong man, but an independent woman seeking her own satisfaction and happiness on her own terms. Alice jumps down the rabbit hole herself in search of her own truth.

3. Where do you tend to go to write? Do you have a set routine you stick to?

Patti: I don’t have any special place. I write at my desk in our master suite next to Andrew’s desk, or sometimes I like to take the laptop out in the yard weather permitting. During the cold weather or even the holidays, I tend to take the laptop in our family room and sit with all the holiday lights on in the room, with a glass of eggnog mixed with a bit of Kaluah and topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon and the fire place ablaze. Mmm sooo nice!

Andrew: I generally sit at my computer, which has almost everything I might require. Access to the vastness of the internet for research into whatever minute details I might require for a story. Entertainment to relax into “writing mode.” And if need be I’ll cook something and bring it up. There’s room on my desk for plates and a pitcher of iced tea.

4. Who, in your mind, is begging to written next? Tell us more about what we can expect from A.P. Miller?

Patti: Well from my part I am working on several horror stories, a Knights Templar series, Zombie and vampire comedy. I am also writing the novel version for Night Life which is a vampire film being produced by Riwayat Films. But the book I am finishing is my ghost story, No More Roses for Lily which will release around Halloween with Dark Roast Press along with All Hallows Eve that released last Halloween.

Andrew: I’m working on a few fantasy novels; Unpredicted Prophecy is a deconstruction of certain aspects of the genre (as well as fantasy video games) that seem quite morally questionable upon closer examination. Another, as yet unnamed book, takes aim specifically at Dungeons and Dragons, and the fantastic racism and static technological and sociopolitical levels of the typical campaign setting; the peoples of this one have renounced the gods of evil, exchanged genocidal conflict for peaceful trade, and are now enjoying an enchanted renaissance society that promises to segue into a magical industrial revolution.

5. Do you, or have you written short erotic stories? Would you consider doing so for Every Night Erotica?

Patti: I’d love to write a few for you! Actually I’d be honored! And yes both Andrew and I have written and are writing short erotica for a few publishers right now.

Andrew: Likewise. Short and sweet is always good. As long as the story is engaging and the readers enjoy what they purchased, then I’m satisfied.

6. What is your favorite sexual position?

Patti: LOL! I’ll never tell! But what I can tell you is that Andrew and I love to roleplay!

Andrew: *Grunts into a ball gag and rolls his eyes helplessly*

BEYOND THE LOOKING GLASS: WHEN EVIL RISES

by A.P. Miller

EXCERPT:

She was finally dead. The snowflakes fell like little white feathers from the night sky, capping the mountaintops. She sat beside her window, which was framed in burgundy and black damask drapery. The new queen stared at the descending crystals as a serene smile fanned across her lips. She drew the glass from the evening tray toward her mouth, swallowing the warm, red liquid.

She would hunger no more. Never have to run and hide. Her protection would lay within the boundaries of the vast forest to ensure her safety. The full moon illuminated the starry night sky. Silver wisps over midnight blue clouds floated freely like flowing cotton.

Just beyond the tree-lined entrance of the castle, she heard the heavy, frightened rustle of a large animal in the underbrush and the roaring sounds of the hideous, evil laughter from the seven little hounds of hell while they continued their chase.

“Run my little children,” she whispered against the glass before turning away.

Snow White lifted the Queen‟s arm from the floor once more, opening the bite marks on it and filling her glass. “Well stepmother, if you loved me more than yourself, this never would have happened. But surely, more‟s the pity… because you did deserve this.”

Laughing, she allowed the cold, lifeless arm to fall to the floor with a thud, leaving her in the same stiffened position. Having replenished her glass, she lifted it high in a toast toward the corpse. “Now who is the fairest of them all, Mother?” She glanced up to where the magic mirror should have been and frowned bitterly. “You treated me like an animal and that‟s what I have become. And now…just look at you… so natural lying there.” Baring her white incisors, she walked around the corpse and then paused.

Snow could smell the scent of the woodsman as he neared the castle walls. “Come to me my love…my mate…my master,” she whispered, running the glass across her breast. If evil had a face, it would be his. When she opened the window on the side of the castle peak that peered across the lands, he was already there, heavy with breath and the scent of fresh blood attached to his dark fur.

“I heard you a mile away, M‟lady,” the woodsman replied in a harsh whisper, while he soaked in the scent of this fierce woman before him. Lord Hayden wrapped his arms around her small waist, forcefully, roughly, sliding his tongue inside her cold and wanton mouth. “Bitch,” he growled.

Desire filled her to the very core, more intense than it did before. He lowered her to the floor, next to the newly-chilled body.

Hayden felt her fingers weave through the fur on his back and growled, biting down into the flesh of her bare shoulder. Snow hissed and then pushed him off. He bounced back on all fours baring his pearl white fangs.

“Take her beyond the castle walls into the woods. The animals will feast upon her decayed flesh. But first kiss me again,” she commanded.

He obliged, then released her.

“This castle belongs to me now and things will be run properly.” She placed a final kiss on her stepmother‟s cheek. “Farewell, you wretched woman…rot in your hell.”

   ____________________

Synopsis of BEYOND THE LOOKING GLASS: 

What happens when Walt Disney meets the Brothers Grimm in a series of twisted, dark, horror-filled fairy tales in a world of Vampires, Werewolves, Goblins and the Gnome King.

In the dark forest Rhed Riding Hood finds her way to Granny’s house. Years later her passion is awakened by something so dark and sinister that no form of witchcraft can ever prevent.

Prince Charming’s Princess is thrown to the ground as her once elegant coach turns into a pumpkin and becomes surrounded by mice at the stroke of midnight. Suddenly Charming isn’t so charming any longer.

Snow White is sent into the woods to be put to death, but the woodsman has other ideas, and the pure step daughter is thrown into a realm where even evil itself cannot touch her, but becomes her.

Beyond the Looking Glass finds Alice set in an underground world she would never expect through the very nature of it, which forces her to find her way back through Wonderland with the help of the Cheshire cat.

Will you take a look thru the glass to see what pops out?

About A.P. Miller: We are the husband and wife writing team of AP Miller. We live in sunny and mostly warm Las Vegas, Nevada with our two dogs and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Our writing is based on the belief that our readers’ needs are of the utmost importance. We are committed to meeting those needs. Our readers are very important to us and we enjoy meeting and hearing from each and every one of you! 

Patti has been a long time published author since 1989. Her very first trilogy, “Thief of Hearts” was published with a small press in NYC. The company was purchased by a larger one, and the series was forced to sit back on her shelf collecting dust. The series will make its debut shortly.

She has a twenty-eight year background in fiction and script writing, newspaper and magazine writing as well as publishing, which has enabled her and her husband to become the prolific bestselling authors they are today.  Currently she is a co-producer working on a vampire movie script in conjunction with Riwayat Films.

Andrew has been actively writing since he was twelve years old; and writing stories that are worth reading, instead of simply using for toilet paper, since he was nineteen. His beliefs about equality, libertarianism, and personal potential lend his works direction and endings that often quite differ from the formulas seen in most other literary works. Andrew has studied and experienced a wide range of pursuits, ranging from courses in emergency medical procedures to several decades of training in martial arts styles from around the globe, to baking and sushi making. He is currently an amateur mui thai kick boxer hoping to go professional (in the ring or in the NHB cage, depending), and thinks boots were made for walking…unless they’re high heeled boots worn by statuesque dommes.

You may find A.P. Miller here: www.apmiller.weebly.com

Buy Beyond the Looking Glass here: http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=262&products_id=32