The Key
The Key is about a woman who has to change herself or “become” someone else in order to feel comfortable enough to be who she really is inside. She doesn’t believe she can be her real self unless she dresses up and adopts a fake French accent. I think many women have self-confidence issues, which is why I chose to write about such a woman. We’re not all strong heroines who know exactly how to get what we want—although the heroine in The Key gives it a very good try!
You use three pan names why is this?
I write in different voices and genres so felt it would be easier on the reader if they knew what type of book they’d be getting. Geraldine writes humour, Natalie Dae the more serious BDSM, and Sarah Masters is gay romance. At least when readers see these names they’ll know what they can expect. If I wrote all my voices and genres under one name, there might be a few disappointed people!
You used to be an editor so how much has this aided your writing?
It’s made it easier. I no longer have to stop and think or to agonise over whether I’m breaking rules. When I break them now, I know I’m doing it! Plus, it always helps that the internal editor is on, working away in the background. It makes for a cleaner draft.
Why is dressing up so empowering for women as it is for your character?
I feel that if dressing up can transform you into that part of yourself who hides inside and draws out who you really are, then go for it!
You have been praised for your witty writing, so why is it important to combine erotica with a few laughs along the way?
I enjoy writing the witty tales every so often as it gives me some kind of relief from my other works. I don’t have to be serious, can be as whacky as I want to be, and it’s always nice to give a reader a chuckle. To know that someone else “gets” your sense of humour is quite refreshing!
Why do both of your books feature a transformation for the main protagonist?
For me it was important to get the message across that no matter who you are, somehow, with enough courage (or sexy clothes and a French accent!) you can achieve what you want. I also wanted to make sure that the men in my books fall in love with the woman no matter what she dresses or acts like—by the end they know who the “real” woman is and love her regardless.
What is next for you?
For Geraldine? I have no idea! I have to be in a certain kind of mood to write her stories, so until one of them tickles me, I’ll have to wait and see!