TNA: Hi, Algenon, thanks so much for being here with us at The Novel Approach today. Why don’t we start off by having you tell us a little bit about yourself: hobbies, interests, odds and ends things that make you, you?
Algenon: Hi Lisa, and thanks for having me! :D
So, a little about me; I’m a Londoner, but actually a country-boy at heart. Man, I can’t wait to get out of the city and back to those rural fields. I love being outside with the dog and doing a spot of gardening when I’m not writing – it helps me pretend I’m not totally surrounded by city life. Actually, there’s forest at the end of my road, so it’s pretty suburban.
I’m a fan of film and television, particularly science fiction, so I’m often watching repeats of Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica or obsessing over the new Star Wars movies-to-come. My head’s always pulling inspiration from these shows and starting to concoct new stories too, so I’m at the keyboard every day.
TNA: Who would you say is your biggest influence as a writer? Do you have a favorite author(s) who inspired you to become a writer yourself?
Algenon: My writing influences aren’t at all from the M/M world, and I love people like Kim Stanley-Robinson and Hugh Howey. Of course, I like to indulge in a bit of M/M too, and for that, there’s nothing better than some Sue Mac Nicol or Kindle Alexander.
I think I was actually inspired to write way back in childhood, when books from Colin Dan and Brian Jacques really started stories percolating through my head. From then on, my mind’s just being filled with dreams.
TNA: Do you remember the first creative story you ever wrote? What was it about?
Algenon: I actually found a few stories a little while ago – about animals; much like the Animals of Farthing Wood stories. In my teens I dabbled with a point horror-type book set in the Australian outback, but it wasn’t until recently that I actually sat down and wrote something from start to finish.
TNA: We have you with us here today to talk a bit about your 52 First Dates series and the recently released third book, Seeing Double. Would you give us an overview of what the series is about and how you came up with the idea for it?
Algenon: Ahh, 52 First Dates. The entire story was actually a concept I created in real life and actually carried out. When I say it’s based on a true story, I really mean it. I was bored with life and waiting for ‘the one’ to land in my lap was taking forever, so I developed something that would make me go out and meet new people.
The overall idea was to go on a first date, every week for an entire year. I was allowed second and third dates with the same person, but HAD to have a first date unless I got really romantically involved with someone. It was a great challenge and I met a huge range of people. The 52 First Dates books follow David’s journey as he searches for a husband by going on dates and dealing with the aftermath….and some pretty passionate hook-ups too. Though, they don’t count as dates. :P
TNA: If you were to describe David, the MC in the series, in just a few sentences, what would you tell us to help us know him a bit better?
Algenon: I’d say he’s a fairly driven individual who’s optimistic about his future. He can fall in love quickly, which is a huge downfall, but he’s also laidback to dating. David’s also an extremely loyal friend.
TNA: Are any parts of the series at all autobiographical? If so, which parts most closely resemble you and your life?
Algenon: As mentioned, the books are based on my dating life so pretty much everything resembles something from my past experience. It’s not all in chronological order – my life isn’t quite that exciting – but from the hookups and dates, to the dramas with David’s friends, nothing’s too far from the truth.
TNA: How many books do you have the series planned out to, or are you a more freestyle writer than an outliner?
Algenon: I’m definitely a more freestyle writer. Of course, there’s a definite outline with these books as David heads towards, hopefully, a happy ever after. There ISN’T going to be 52 books; goodness, that would be far too long. But whilst the story’s moving itself forward and there are tales to tell, I’ll keep at it. I normally find that a good book has a funny way of telling the writer when it’s time to conclude.
TNA: Would you care to share an excerpt from Seeing DOUBLE with us?
Algenon: Of course! How about the first 500 words? I warn you; it’s juicy!
Book blurb:
The man-hunt is under way, and David’s keen to a snag a husband without having to complete every date of his 52 First Dates challenge. With several successful meets behind him, there’s a growing feeling of confidence that his search could actually work. But now that the novelty’s worn off, finding the motivation to keep going is about to become harder.
David finds himself trying to juggle meeting new men and providing a shoulder to cry on his to battered and pregnant friends. And, with a plethora of hotties vying for his attention, things are about to get more complicated.
Chapter 1
I’ve always been a bit of a hermit. I have close friends that I see every few weeks. I had an actual proper boyfriend, rather than just a hook-up, but that was over a decade ago. I’m quite the happy singleton. However, as I lay here with the weight of a man on top of me, a safe and protected feeling flowing through me, I briefly worry that I’ve missed out on years of this sensation. My blood’s pumping, carrying adrenaline and excitement around my veins as the heady mix of pheromones arouses my senses. Rav shifts his position, and I feel his lips on my neck. He’s as hard as I’ve felt him, and he’s sliding back and forth over my arse cheeks, grinding slowly as if to purposefully tease me. Every thrust forward pushes my hips into the soft mattress below, squeezing my own hardness against the bed sheets so I feel, once again, the wet and sticky patch that’s a sign of my sexual desire. He thrusts forward again, but this time his extremely hard cock catches against my hole, and I gasp out loud as pleasure rushes through my body. Rav seems to realise my intense enjoyment, for he pulls back and uses his hand to align his throbbing dick into the right position so that it’s pushing against me, tantalising me, with each forward gyration. I moan again as he reaches out and puts his arm around my throat gently; nothing aggressive, but just enough to give me an extra ripple of excitement. I can feel my cock dripping with anticipation as he continues to grind against me, my hole feeling wetter by the minute.
“You have to fuck me,” I groan quietly as I can’t bear the touch of his cock against me any longer. It’s not enough to have his throbbing head gliding slickly over my hole. I need it in me. I reach out to the bedside table where I’ve already got a couple of condoms out of their wrappers and ready to go. There’s nothing worse than being in ‘the moment’ and then having to spend a few desperate seconds fumbling with rubbers in a drawer. He doesn’t stop grinding as I’m pulling the protection towards him, and I momentarily dream of the day when I have a husband to thrust his bare dick deep inside me without any cause for alarm. Uhh, God. Just the thought of such a scenario sends a quiver through me and I moan again.
“You sure?” Rav whispers in my ear, though the speed at which he snatches up the condom makes me realise that his question is more etiquette than actual concern. If it was our first time, I probably wouldn’t fuck. Good fucking, for me anyway, requires a degree of comfort; something not normally found when sleeping with someone for the first time. But I’ve been with Rav twice before now and I’m more than ready to feel his beautiful brown cock pushing deep inside me.
TNA: What would you say are the best and worst parts of the writing process for you?
Algenon: I’m loving the nostalgia with these books, and because they’re heavily from experience, it makes writing them pretty simple. Also, my beta readers have made the editing process a dream, so I can’t thank them enough.
The worst bit? Getting down to actually write. I’m a huge procrastinator, and will do everything to avoid sitting down; even housework. Once I’m at the desk and have opened the file, I’m fine. But getting that far can be a challenge.
TNA: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Algenon: I’d love to be able to fly. You can get away from trouble if need be, and I love to travel. Flying would allow me to explore the entire planet SO easily!
TNA: If time travel were possible, where would you go and why?
Algenon: Did I mention I was a SF geek? I would go forwards, for sure. Not only to see starships and space travel (hopefully), but to see if the world was a better place. I’m a huge advocate of conservation, recycling and being eco-friendly. I’d like to see whether we could actually achieve living on Earth in a harmonious way with nature – even though I think it’s not likely.
TNA: Would you care to share a little bit of information on any of your current WIPs?
Algenon: Well, now that Seeing DOUBLE is here, it’s on to the next installment. You’ll see that things got emotionally tricky for David in this latest book, but there are few new men on the cards to tug at his heartstrings. I’m looking forward to see how that plays out.
TNA: And finally, would you kindly share with us all the places we can find you on the internet?
Algenon: Of course. You can find me at Facebook and Twitter (links below) and my work is on a variety of sites.
About the author:
A. Lusch lives in London and has been though much of the same path as David – in fact – this series is based around true events.
Of course, there is MUCH more to come in the tale, but, don’t worry, now the scene is set, there’ll be many more dates per book. Is there a happy ending in sight? You’ll have to keep reading to find out.
A. Lusch fully believes in never settling, always striving for the perfect match, and never giving up on your man once you’ve found him – oh, and eating A LOT of donuts!
Social Links:
Facebook
Twitter
Books sites:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
AllRomanceEbooks
B&N
Smashwords
GooglePlay
TNA: Thanks again for being our guest today, Algenon.
Algenon: Thank you so much for hosting me; I’ve had a great time chatting!
THE GIVEAWAY: Click on the Rafflecopter icon to enter for a chance to win one of three e-copies of Seeing DOUBLE or a Boxed Set of the first three books in the series!
