A few quick, candid and very interesting questions with my friend and author of It’s A Crime, CE Hansen

Did you ever think you’d ever become an author? No. To this day I don’t believe it. I just can’t get over actually having such a profound dream of mine come true on such a personal level. I always wanted to write…I’m proud of myself for actually doing it. My house is littered with all the things I’ve started and never stuck with…My husband will tell you I’m certifiable, I guess he’s right. Smart people like authors for instance tend to be unorganized and eccentric. So, that is you, which in my book is awesome

If you could work with any author who would it be? Unfortunately, she died years ago, but I broke my ‘romance book’ cherry on Kathleen Woodiwiss. So I would have to say her. 

Who is your favorite author and is your writing style similar to theirs? Again, Kathleen Woodiwiss and no I wish I could write like that!  I’d be I heaven!

Who is your target readers/audience? Anyone who likes their sex hot and their men hotter! OK so no knitting ladies or Jessica Fletcher types.  

not her but her right?? 

 What’s your favorite part of a book? I really enjoyed writing the sex scenes and the suspense…for some reason, blood, murder and crazy hot sex go together in my mind…sounds a bit odd doesn’t it? (I will sum it up SEX, Cole, Grace and the shower) I agree but the first major scene with Cole and Grace in the bar was my favorite. She stood up and had confidence. I loved the way she was not just ok, sort of wandering around saying “I’m too short, too chubby, why would he be looking at me” NOPE Grace was like “Im sexy and I know it” So the major theme is?  Suspense, sex, and more sex.  I also love developing characters.

Any recent works that you admire? Tangled – by Emma Chase. I love her sense of humor. Me too I think you and her have a similar style in that regard. You are both gifted debut authors too!

 How have your personal experiences affected your writing? I was always told you have to live it to write it. So, yeah, I guess a lot of my personal experiences come out in my writing. That does not seem to be a denial nor admission. I think you have had a lot of sex in your life and use that to draw on your characters. I should have asked for a picture of your shower.

Do you use facts and/or events from your own life? Of course…as I said before, you can only write what you know…and add a teaspoon of imagination… and you get the picture. At least I try to give you the picture…(please tell me you had sex like that at some time)

What genre of books do you like to read?   Oh I have many. I’m reading Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes right now, SHIT can that woman write scary suspense.  I love when I’m so invested I’m yelling…or laughing at the characters. I was invested in Cole myself. I can hear him singing Suit and Tie to me

Were you always good at writing?  I wouldn’t say good. I always wrote, short stories, songs for my guitar, but I don’t think I was really any good until I got to High School and began reading…oh my did I read.

How do you get started with writing a story? The people in my head start talking and literally keep me awake. I grab my phone and quickly record what they say and try to get back to sleep.  Sometimes, they chatter away into the wee hours…I really got to do something about them.

When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning? None at all. I always did love the name Grace though, almost named my daughter that.  

Any advice for people who have writer’s block? Look around you…there is always something to write about. It doesn’t have to be a happy story…as long as your writing, the creative juices will start to flow.

How did you come up with the plot? Good question. I really don’t give it too much thought. I talk out loud a lot which could really be annoying to the people sitting next to me, but **** it. When an idea hits me I got to talk to myself about it. Must be interesting to see you walk the NYC street babbling to yourself, you really fit in well I guess LOL Get on the F going to Coney Island babbling about sex in the shower with Cole, clang clang Belleview!