by CJ Roberts
Jen
I found Caleb to be incredibly compelling and such a fascinating contradiction. What is it like to be in his head? And how do you ever come out?
CJ
I love Caleb. I think at first, he started out as some sort of super-sized version of my male alter-ego, but as the years progressed, he really became his own person. He kept me up at night with what he might do. He made me laugh because he could do anything and had no one to fear. He made me cry because he’d gone through so much to get to be fearless. Honestly, now that “Seduced in the Dark” is over…I don’t hear him anymore. I don’t know how to feel about it.
Jen
What can we expect next from you? Do you have any other exciting projects going on right now?
CJ
I am currently working on an edit of “Captive”, as well as an audio book. At some point, I would like The Dark Duet to branch out into a series of graphic novels, but I’m still trying to find the right collaborating relationship. Beyond that, I am trying to formulate a storyline for my sexy FBI Agent, Matthew Reed. I find that now I’m in my 30’s – I like the idea of a male sub and a strong fem Dom. :D
Thank you so much for having me! I keep saying it – but my heart is just so full of gratitude toward all those who have nurtured my talent, not only by purchasing my work, but by unabashedly endorsing it. I have the best fans ever (suck it, other authors :P)!
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WORD Book reviews and promotions
Monday, December 3, 2012
I got CJ Roberts to sit down and do a little interview for Word. She is a rockstar. And we love her to death. CITD and SITD are high up on our list of favorites! Enjoy!
First off, thank you for taking a minute to do an interview for us. Your smutty bitches appreciate it.
CJ
Thank you! I appreciate every one of my smutty bitches. LOL!
Word
Where did the inspiration come from for CITD and SITD?
CJ
I’ve answered this question a lot and each time, I think the answer is a little varied. I suppose, in the end, it was a combination of things. I’m a nervous person and often worry about things that are implausible. I was lonely and bored. I often think about my own nature and the nature of others. I have a thing for bad guys. No one was writing the story I wanted to read. But ultimately, the answer is simply this – I HAD TO WRITE IT! I couldn’t sleep until I started, and for many, many nights until I finally finished.
Word
How long did it take you to write your badass books?
CJ
I started in 2002 and wrote ‘The End’ on July 4th, 2012.
Word
Did you rehearse any naughty scenes with the hubbs?!
CJ
As a writer I attempt to employ all my skills in the creation of my art. LOL!
Word
How is Agent Reed coming along?
CJ
Slowly. I never intended to be a full-time writer. I’ve always loved to write, but I never thought it would be a career. The Dark Duet was a burst of pure inspiration and it was a story I was compelled to tell. I thought I’d quit writing when it was finished, but to be honest, the fans have really inspired me to try and continue to outdo myself and to reach for the next precipice. That takes time, so I’m really trying to dig deep for what I want to accomplish with Reed.
My books have a solid cult following, but mainstream success has been nearly impossible to achieve. I’m hoping to break through with my next novel, while at the same time remaining true to myself and the fans. I would be nowhere without them.
Word
Will you spank me/can I spank you?
CJ
Come to my next book signing and we’ll see. ;)
Word
Why isn’t there a picture of you doing something inappropriate to Charlie Hunnam?!
CJ
LMAO! First, my husband was there and he could give two craps about someone being famous if he were to get angry. He takes a lot from me, but I TRY to take it easy on him when possible. Second, I wanted him to take me seriously when I approached him about the books. Like I said, I’m trying to make this shit happen!
Word:
These next questions are for Caleb
Do you miss being a dominant?
Caleb
I’m offended by the question. Next.
Word
How is Livvie doing?
Caleb
Sophia – is fine. I take care of her and while I don’t know too much about these things, I think she’s happy. You should ask her yourself.
Word
What is your favorite position, past and present?
Caleb
The one where I make Sophia beg me to stop making her cum. *smirk* Whatever you might think, I’m still fond of the begging.
Word
Say something naughty to me, please master.
Caleb
I’m not anyone’s master. Not anymore.
Word
Will you spank me/can I spank you (this will be our secret, we don’t want CJ to find out I’m cheating on her.)?
Caleb
I know, CJ. She’d find out. Also, you’re out of your mind if you’d presume to spank me and as for me spanking you…well, there’s only one person to have earned the privilege of being spanked by me and I’m fairly certain you aren’t her.
Are we done now? I promised to do this for Sophia, but really.
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Litmusicgirl Interviews CJ Roberts
Posted: September 29, 2013 in Author Interviews
The Dark Duet Series
Her brilliantly dark, extremely well-written, Erotica genre novel series, The Dark Duet (Book 1- Captive in the Dark, Book 2- Seduced in the Dark, Book 3- Epilogue The Dark Duet) contains this cautionary label: WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence.
*This interview will also have a warning label: This interview is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age*
This interview contains adult conversation, cursing, lots of adult fun, not suitable for little eyes! This is not a ploy to get you to read my stuff- I mean it;) Also, if you’re easily offended by language or sexual conversation, please turn away now, this is not for you. Kindly come back for the next Litmusicgirl interview, please. I will always be respectful to all by giving a warning label regarding content on Litmusicgirl—Alison
Litmusicgirl
How did you develop the character Rafiq? Who inspired that character?
CJ
Writing is a manifestation of one’s inner turmoil. At least, it is for me. I began writing Captive in the Dark in early 2002. I was in the military and following the events of September 11th, 2001, we were deep into the war on terror. Though I didn’t PLAN it the way I did, I suppose my subconscious found it natural to cast a character like Rafiq as a villain.
Looking back on it, I’m glad the story took me so long to write (nearly 10 years) because I had the opportunity to explore some of my own prejudice and evolve as a person. The Dark Duet helped me see that there are several different sides to a story. Each person brings a history and that history can shape us in strange ways. I almost want to compare it to Star Wars and its obvious Cold War overtones.
Litmusicgirl
Historically, you’re obviously not the first woman to frequently use the word in your writing, but as far as I’m concerned you are responsible for making the word, “pussy”, more mainstream and acceptable in Women’s Literature, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Thriller (all the multiple genres barriers you break down!). The 10% conformist side to my personality, winced quite a bit when I first started reading Book 1. I applaud you for pushing readers out of their comfort zone, it is such an admirable quality to you and your writing. I feel like every novel one reads should push the reader out of their “comfort zone.” How do you feel about this? Do you agree?
CJ
I us
ed to hate the word pussy. Men use it to demean each other, “Don’t be such a pussy”. They use it to shock women. I used to HATE it! Then I grew up and realized that there is nothing wrong with my pussy. There is nothing wrong with being a woman. There is nothing wrong with accepting my sexuality. There is POWER in referring to it as my PUSSY. My pussy is not delicate, it is not fragile, it is not ‘less than’. I can call it whatever I want, because that’s MY choice. Pussy confidence is pussy power!
Litmusicgirl
When you created this series, did you set out to break down genre barriers?
CJ
I did not. I’m not even sure that I have. I set out to unburden myself of a story that had rooted itself in my soul. The fact I get to share it with all of you is more than I could have hoped for and more than I dared dream.
Litmusicgirl
In Epilogue, “Sophia is self-aware and she doesn’t take shit from anyone.” How much of you and your personality if any, is in Kitten vs. Sophia?
CJ
These characters grow as I grow. In the beginning Livvie is self-conscious and insecure because I am. As I become my own person, so does she. There is a lot of me in both Livvie and Caleb, things you wouldn’t necessarily expect. I would say Livvie is my soft side and Caleb is my cut-throat alter ego. Caleb takes me where I need to go and Livvie keeps me human.
Litmusicgirl
The visual imagery you create, particularly Kitten’s time in Mexico in Book 1 is incredible! Your writing is so superb that I feel transported and a bit possessed. What writer transports and possesses you?
CJ
I’m actually not that big into scenery, I find it difficult to write. My critique group gave me a lot of help in the creation of scenery. That said, a room can have so much influence on how a character feels. I think of the feelings I want to convey first and then build the scene from there. I draw inspiration from the people that make me feel the most: Anne Rice, Anais Nin, Quentin Tarantino, Joss Whedon, Patsy Cline, and a host of others.
Litmusicgirl
Does it feel strange to write from the perspective of a man? I think that would be pretty tough to pull off, but you do it perfectly. Was it a tough decision to make to write Book 3 that way? I like the way you make James more informal with the asides you add to the text. How did you come up with that idea?
CJ
I have some pretty serious issues with gender roles. Most of my life I felt put down because I am a woman. I felt like ‘less than’ a man. For that reason, I’m more like ‘a man’ than I am ‘a woman’. I cuss, I drink, I write about sex, I’m an insufferable flirt (ask Tarryn Fisher), and I take shit from no-fucking-body. Writing as Caleb was the easiest thing I’ve done. However, I’m grateful to all the women in my life who’ve helped me accept myself as a woman. A woman is strong. A woman knows how to sacrifice. A woman knows what pain is and doesn’t let it keep her down. A woman handles her shit, her man’s shit, her kid’s shit, and the world’s shit, and she does it without letting people see her sweat.
Litmusicgirl
The whole book-draft incident you experienced, does that deter you from self-publishing in any way? I would still think the risks are worth it, are they?
CJ
I will do it again. I have no choice but to be indie if I want to write as myself. To be honest, there are exactly zero publishers pounding down my door. The ones that have knocked have passed on me because my content is too rough, violent, dark, crass, raunchy, REAL, and fucking awesome. No matter what 50 Shades of Grey has done for erotica in the mainstream, the big publishers still aren’t ready for the likes of me and Kitty Thomas. But the minute they are…I’m running for that door because I DO think readers are ready. Give me a book deal and I’ll prove it!
Litmusicgirl
I read a really interesting quote by a random woman on Instagram that made me think of you, your writing, James, Sophia, etc.- “This is an important lesson to remember, when you’re having a bad day, a bad month or a shitty year, Things will change: “You can’t feel real joy unless you’ve felt heartache. You can’t have a sense of victory unless you know what it means to fail. You can’t know what it’s like to feel holy until you know what it’s like to feel really fucking evil. And you can’t be birthed again until you die.” This quote more or less explains why I like to read about fucked up and interesting characters the most! Do you agree?
CJ
Completely. One of the things I hate about myself is the never-ending bombardment of emotions I experience. I have epic highs and lows, sometimes all in the same day. However, it is this never-ending see-saw of emotions that make it possible for me to write the way I do. I have felt joy and sorrow. I have experienced evil. I have wanted to do evil. I know what it is to forgive against all good sense. I know what it is to give of myself until it hurts and then have someone take it for granted. I know what it is to pick myself up time and time again. I know what it’s like to rise from my own ashes and take destiny by its fucking balls!
Litmusicgirl
Name an author, books series, or genre that your readers would be surprised to find out you’re a fan of.
CJ
CJ Roberts: My favorite genre is M/M Paranormal Romance, followed by M/M Romance. I love hot dudes, I love it even more when they’re kissing each other. :D
Litmusicgirl
If you could be locked up in a room with any writer in history to collaborate with on a piece of writing, who would that be and why?
CJ
Dead: Anais Nin – Ahead of her time and a fucking hedonist to the core!
Alive: Anne Rice – I wouldn’t have made it through high school without her books and I wouldn’t be a writer.
Litmusicgirl
Do you have music playlists that help you to create connections to music in your writing? What were you listening to when you wrote The Dark Duet series?
CJ
Many have asked me for this. There are A LOT of songs that inspired my writing process, but these are my top 11:
Russian Roulette, Rihanna
Sail, AWOLNATION
Closer, Nine Inch Nails
Night of the Hunter, 30 Seconds to Mars
Wala ala balo, Amr Diab
Fallin, Michael Grimm
Bedroom Hyms, Florence and the Machine
Closer, Kings of Leon
Lollipop, Framing Hanley
Waiting, Shiny Toy Guns
Empty Walls, Serj Tankian
Litmusicgirl
Is your man/ the love of your life similar at all to any of your characters? (HAHA! I realize that’s a weird question!)
CJ
Hmmm. Well, I was deep into this story before I met him. However, I’m an astute observer and I have to admit that what I’ve learned about how men REALLY think/feel (not my womanly preconceived notions) I’ve learned from him. Men are truly much simpler than we think. Most days he just wants a sandwich and a nap.
Litmusicgirl
What kind of new stuff are you working on?
CJ
I’ll be working on my next book featuring Agent Matthew Reed. It should be released next year if I can ever convince myself to buckle down and let the writing consume me. Writing a book (for me) is like having a new born: I can’t sleep, I’m always worried I’m going to ruin it, and it takes over my life. I have to amp myself up for it.
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BOOKS RECS, INTERVIEW - CALEB FROM CJ ROBERTS DARK DUET SERIES ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS!
DECEMBER 13, 2012 KARI 19 COMMENTS
We wanted to thank CJ Roberts for letting Caleb stop by and answer all of the questions you readers sent in for him!
Here’s Caleb…
1. When Livvie was living her own personal hell on earth in the interrogation room, where on earth were you hiding?
Well, you don’t hold back any punches, do you? I suppose I deserve this, among other things. Still, consider what you know of me and know this – I wasn’t hiding. I was keeping Livvie safe while I a
ttended to some private matters. And as for the ‘hell’ of the interrogation room, I’ve known worse hells. It was the safest place for her. If she’s forgiven me, I think you can too.
2. Caleb, would you ever consider kidnapping me, a leggy blond? I would love to play with you and your kitten.
