Writing has always been a part of my life. Now, in my forties, I have ventured to publish my stories. I’m a working woman, mother of two, and a rider out of passion.

Muse: Ann, first of all, Whispers of the Muse welcomes you and “Living for the Act – Book One, Captured” to the site. Tell us a little about yourself. What part of the world do you live in? Tell us about your background?
Raina: I come from Germany, and I am a big city girl with much love for the countryside. While growing up, I already started to write stories. I took down my dreams and wishes and created stories around them. When the use of the internet became popular, I wrote fanfiction of several genres, about movies and TV series (in English). I also wrote novels in German and published the first one last year. At that time, my first erotic novel was published by eXtasy Books – Freedom in Chains. It was very satisfying to finally be a published author. A dream came true.

Muse: Who are your favorite authors?
Raina: At the moment I read a lot of novels by Tad Williams (i.e. The War of the Flowers) and Elisabeth George. Both authors combine great storylines with suspense and a touch of humor. When it comes to Science Fiction novels, I recommend Harry Harrison.

Muse: Why do you write?
Raina: I have always loved writing as a way to escape daily life. My childhood wasn’t all cream and writing was the door to flee problems, at least for a while. And I always had a very vivid imagination!

Muse: What is your writing regimen? How often do you work on a novel? Do you set daily time or word goals? What keeps you meeting your deadlines?
Raina: There are times when the lines come all by themselves. In those days, I sit down at my computer and write as often as I can find the time between work, kids and household. That’s when most of the plot is written. In the summer time, writing is on a full stop. I take down notes and write a sentence here and there, but most of the writing is done from fall to spring. Luckily, there are no deadlines to meet. I don’t know if I could work under pressure. For some it might be a challenge, for me it would be like a block right in front of my head.

Muse: Does the way you personally look at life reflect in your writing style?
Raina: I try to fit my style to the plot. While writing contemporary romance, I choose different expressions than while writing a history story. I don’t think that my personal look at life shows.

Muse: What are the creative jumping off points for you? Are you inspired by dreams? Music? Nature? The occasional black nightmare? What triggers your imagination?
Raina: You see me grinning at this question. The usual way for me from an idea to a finished story goes like this: I take my idea – born in a dream, a sudden picture or a scene from a movie – to my best friend. She’s my muse, the one who understands me and takes the idea a tick further. Within days, we add scene by scene, character by character until the plotline is finished. Since she doesn’t speak English, I do the writing and discuss the scenes and ideas, which come while writing, with her. In the end, the completed work is the result of two brains working like one.

Muse: Tell us about “Living for the Act – Book One, Captured”. What was your inspiration for this novel?
Raina: I have always liked Science Fiction novels, from Harry Harrison to Frederik Pohl. I wanted a combination of SciFi and romance that was forbidden. So I thought: What would happen on a planet if men are few? How far would the women go to save their people?

Muse: What is your favorite scene from the book and why?
Raina: Ferris was the first character we created. He’s a man from a moon, lived a simple life and was happy. Thrown into a very different society, he’s angry and rebellious. But then there is Mysan, a scientist. And she is the first to choose him as a mating partner. He likes that very much…

Muse: Have you written other books?
Raina: Within the last five years, I wrote seven longer stories and some short ones. Published are Freedom in Chains and Spice for Your Life by eXtasy books. Another Science Fiction novel is published in Germany. Right now, I search for a new German publisher for two more books waiting in line.

Muse: Tell us about your other books?
Raina: Freedom in Chains is an erotic love story set in Boston, 2021. Kyra, a firm owner, and Julian, a convict she takes in, find out that they are not only attracted to each other, but that they also like bondage. Supported by her neighbor, a very funny man who helps her with the equipment she needs (since he and his boyfriend have been in the BDSM department for years), she starts the love of her life. Truly, it’s not without hurdles…

Spice for Your Life is a short story about a man trying to change his way of life by venturing into a more dangerous liaison than he did before. It doesn’t turn out right.

My German Science Fiction novel deals with the problems of two societies divided by a wide river. While the one part of the people holds all technological equipment and uses science in daily life, the people on the other shore live with nature. When they learn of each other, the clash is unavoidable.

Muse: How do you feel about the current publishing marketplace?
Raina: With the economy reeling, people tend to keep their money for the more essential things in life. Here’s to hope that this will change sooner than later.