A Few Questions with Maya Banks

By Candace Havens

A couple of weeks ago I drove home from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Texas where I live. It's a long drive to make by myself in a day, but I don't remember much about it except for Maya Bank's amazing book, Rush. Well, that and the fact that the state troopers stopped me in Kansas and Oklahoma. I was so into listening to the book, I sort of forgot to check my speed.

I had a chance to chat with Maya, who is absolutely the sweetest. Here's our conversation:

1. What was your inspiration for the story?

I really loved writing my Sweet Series but I also adore the stories I write for Harlequin Desire which features wealthy, alpha heroes (well and so does my Sweet Series for SOME of the stories) so for me it was the perfect opportunity to blend the elements from both types of stories. Basically to have a longer, more eroticized story than the Harlequin Desires but with elements of the Sweet Series too. For me it was a PERFECT fit for me and I thoroughly enjoyed writing the Breathless trilogy.

2. How do you keep someone as dominant as Gabe from becoming too overbearing? You strike such a great balance with him in the book.

While Gabe is intended to come across rather cold in the beginning, he still has a soft, caring streak for Mia that he battles for most of the book. For me, a dominant male has to have that soft spot for the heroine even when he's being demanding or overbearing.

3. Mia is such an interesting contrast. Unlike some of the other women in "other" books (not slamming, just saying) she's stronger and seems to know what she wants. Can you talk about creating her, and why you felt it was important that she be the one to make the choices in her life?

I wanted someone who although young, had sexual experience and previous boyfriends/relationships, and even at least one really good sexual relationship. I didn't want her to come across as a "victim" or helpless against the hero's demands and to make a few of her own.

4. Why do you believe there has been such an interest in BDSM love stories? They've been around a while, and you've written some of the best.

I think with anything that hits "big" there is and always have been stories that came long before that break out book. Authors have been writing BDSM stories for ages. But perhaps it never hit a broader mainstream audience until now which leads people to think that "this was the first" and everything that comes after it is a copycat when that couldn't be further from the truth. MANY authors have been successfully writing in the genre for years. And it's good that a book brought more attention to the genre because authors who've been writing those stories are now gaining wider recognition. It's good for authors AND readers because now readers are discovering new authors and enjoying their stories.

5. What do you hope readers take away from the story?

I always hope readers take away a sense of romance and emotion

6. Can you talk a bit about how you write? What is your process? (Do you write fast, slow, in bits and pieces.)

I'm very linear in my writing. I write in sequence, never out of order and I only work on ONE story at a time. Whatever book I'm currently working on gets ALL of my focus and attention and I immerse myself completely in those characters. I don't allow myself to even think about what's "next" because then it detracts from what I'm currently working on.

7. What advice do you have for those who want to write romance?

Read widely in the genre. Understand your audience and what romance readers WANT. And then write what you love to read. If you hate historicals, don't try to write one. If you have paranormals, don't try to write them. You should always write something you're passionate about. Readers are very savvy. They know when an author is passionate about what they've written.

8. What is your favorite kind of hero?

I love a tender, very protective alpha hero who when he meets the heroine she is IT for him. He's a complete and utter goner and he'll do anything at all the possess, cherish and protect the heroine.