I find it very difficult to figure out what I should write in a bio, so below are a list of questions I get regularly. I think that by answering them you’ll get a better idea of what makes me tick. I enjoy hearing from people so please email me at beth AT bethdcarter DOT com

1. How old were you when you decided in your heart that you wanted to be a writer?

I was living in Baltimore, Maryland, sitting in traffic going nowhere fast and it hit me like a bolt of lightning... I wanted to be a writer. I was twenty-four years old and working as a pharmacy technician in the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Pharmacy. I went home and told my (ex) husband and I remember him laughing at me. Notice I said the word "ex". Then it only took me twelve years later to get published!

2. When writing a novel, do you outline the entire book first, or write free-hand?

I outlined a book once, and then never wrote it because in my mind it was finished. So, needless to say, I never outline. I jot down notes as I go and sometimes I write whole scenes and reconnect them later, but I never consciously sit down and record everything from A to Z.

3. How do you keep yourself focused on your writing in the day-to-day world of work and family?

It’s tremendously difficult and sometimes very frustrating. There are days when I am not able to get any writing in at all. I work full time as a surgical technician in private practice, I have a three year old who demands A LOT of my attention (and I freely give it), and in my spare time take care of a home. Writing is a luxury and also a relaxant. Sometimes, at work, I take a piece of paper and jot notes down that come to me, and sometimes I forego sleeping when the words pour into my head.

4. What exercises do you practice in order to mentally prepare for a writing session?

None. If I’m trying to write something emotional I get out my mp3 player and listen to sad songs, or I get some books out of my library and reread the sad parts, but there isn’t anything I do to prepare for writing.

5. When writing your characters, do you base them on people you know? Further, how do you create brand new characters?

This is a question that can get me into trouble! I have been known to take people who have pissed me off and turn them into the "bad guys" of my novels. (But I’ll never name names!!!) Brand new characters are hard, and their names come from some place special to me. I give them meaning, I guess. For instance, in Kismet, Evie’s last name is "Rhoton", which is the name of a surgical instrument. I was working in a hospital at the time I was trying to figure her out and so her name comes from that creative place she was born in.

6. Is it a long wait to hear from a publisher after you have submitted your manuscript?

My first book, Black Leather Pants, took about four weeks to hear from Siren-Bookstrand that they would love to publish the book. And then it was another four weeks until they contacted me again with a contract. Seriously, I though they had changed their minds! Spirals took about a week, and An Innocent Heart took about three weeks.

7. What's next?

As I write this, I am working on the sequel to Spirals titled Kismet. This is going to be Kris, Hyde & Evie’s story. Plus I have a ton of editing to do. Then I’ll have to write the sequel to Kismet, which is the last book in that trilogy. I have a few ideas for some stories after that, but I’ve got a solid year of writing and editing to do before I even think about adding to my plate.

8. What inspires you?

Music is my number one inspiration. Each segment in a story has a musical track. Spirals was written to Linkin Park.

9. What was the first genre you wrote for?

Sci-Fi. I wrote several Star Trek stories and actually made publication into several fanzines. That was a huge learning experience because I didn’t have a computer, only a typewriter and some white-out. I still have those stories, and I still love Star Trek.

10. Why erotic romance?

I love romance and erotica is just a way of writing romance with no blinders on. It feeds on fantasy and imagination, and I love transporting myself from my own hum-drum life into one of pure sensation. I love being turned on, and so when I write I want my readers to get turned on. Why is that so wrong? Sometimes, when I tell people what I write, I see the eye roll and the little smirk on their lips, and that just pisses me off. Why is it wrong to want love and hope and happy ever after? Wouldn’t the world be a better place if romance was a little stronger?

11. Any regrets regarding Black Leather Pants - would you change anything in the story?

No regrets. Not a one. I wrote that book in Paris, when I was living off the Boulevard de Magenta in an apartment located six flights up without an elevator and the only access was a spiral staircase. Yes, that made it into the book. It was a tiny thing, but heavenly. I had a tiny balcony where I hung my clothes to dry and a window that looked down and into a neighbor’s, and I played voyeur many times as I watched him undress and take showers. It was never a sexual thing, but it was a sensual thing. I think he even knew I watched him.

12. How do you develop a story - start with the characters, locality, genre or...?

I start with a great idea. None of the details matter except that idea. And then it’s the execution because if you don’t write a terrific story then nothing else really matters. Spirals started out with an idea of how I could walk into the fancy Los Angeles homes I drove by every day and what would need to happen for me to do that.

13. What countries have you visited?

I have been to New Zealand, Australia, England, France, Italy, The Vatican (though technically, this is in Italy) Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Monaco, Sweden, Finland, Liechtenstein, and Germany. Plus I’ve traveled back and forth across the US about five times.

14. What have you learned, and how have you grown, from being a mom?

I have learned patience above anything else. Hadrian was a demanding baby and he’s a demanding little boy, but I love him more than my own life. I never could have been a mom in my twenties. I was very selfish before Hadrian, and when you’re a mom you can’t really be selfish. I value those rare, few moments when I am free of being "mama" but I would never trade the life I once had for the one I have now, with him. He’s a constant amazement, especially now at the age when he’s a sponge and absorbing everything around him.

15. What advice can you give to people wanting to write and yearning to get published?

You need to have a manuscript that doesn’t raise the red flags that initial readers look for. Initial readers are those people who have to wade through the tons of manuscripts looking for something that captures their attention and thus will turn over those they like to someone higher up. You are unknown and in this day and age and it’s hard for people to want to take a chance on an unknown. The only way to sell yourself is to have a wonderful, completed manuscript. Read other books, learn how other authors write and notice the use of adjectives in the right places at the right time. Give different characters different voices. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read stories from friends and each character was basically the same. People are different and writing them should be the same way. Be careful of point of view. Since you are an unknown you can’t switch POV’s from person to person. Once you’re Lisa Kleypas it’s perfectly okay, but until you sell 14 million books you have to watch the POV. And lastly, don’t have your hero or heroine be something that you know nothing about! If you aren’t a genius and don’t know how to write mathematical equations, then don’t have your hero be John Forbes Nash, Jr. Characters need to be believable and if you can’t pull that off then you won’t have a wonderful manuscript.

16. What writers inspire you?

I have my set favorites. Judith Tarr is amazing. Her book Avaryn Rising is a must read if you want to learn beautiful prose. JK Rowling was the first author who made me want to write a series. But to name a few in my personal library: Lisa Kleypas, Stephanie Meyers (The Host is simply fantastic!), Lisa McMann (Fade makes me cry every time), Maya Banks, Amber Carlton, Missy Martine (my friend). I also love Japanese Manga and have a whole collection of certain titles. Mainly, I just love books. I love stories that push buttons and takes you into emotions that catches you off guard. I want my own books to do the same with other readers, and maybe one day I’ll be in someone’s list of "What writers inspire you?".