Please give a warm welcome to Jess C. Scott, author of 4:play.

Q: What genre do you write in, and why?
A: I like writing erotic fiction, digital fiction, young adult fiction, and contemporary fiction. I like writing contemporary fiction because I like “keeping up with the times”… though I don’t really like to think in terms of the “genre” while writing — the story’s of more importance to me than the genre (though I understand the importance of the other when it comes to the marketing bit!).

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?
A: I started writing my first novel when I was 20 (finished it a year later). I sold some short stories later; and decided to get my work out there (self-publishing route), rather than sit around waiting for an agent/editor to get things going (I’d already tried with around 600 agents). Technology empowers the individual, and I’m all for making full use of it.

Q: So, if you don’t mind sharing, would you tell us about your latest work in progress?
A: I’m currently working on a young adult series. The tone and setting is geared towards teens/younger readers, but I think adults who like mainstream fiction might enjoy it too. I’m going for something more mainstream than my first two books (which are more innovative).

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?
A: I like them all, for different reasons. Maybe Evolution and Smooth (a speculative fiction, and erotic/solo masturbatory piece, respectively) — they were technically interesting pieces to write, and the words came forth quite naturally.

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
A: Some peace and quiet is always nice. I’m a very intense worker, so if I need to take a break, I’ll step back and let my mind have a rest.

Q: What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story?
A: Real life is always the best and “strangest” source of inspiration ;).

Q: If you could offer one tidbit of information for new writers, what would it be?
A: Don’t be afraid to develop your own writing style/structure/voice. Yes, there will be people who’ll judge you, but that’s a part of life. Work hard, and play hard. Too much work burns you out.

Q: Do you have an evil day job or do you write full time?
A: If all goes well with my second university application (had some problems with transfer credits at the first school), I’ll be concentrating on completing an English/Business degree, and completing my next book. I’ve been a private English/Math tutor in the past, which was fun.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: The following — Yoga, baking/cooking, listening to music, drawing, swimming, pondering on “my next project”, fiddling around on Photoshop, attempting to be multi-lingual (I’ll succeed one day)…and resting.

Q: Name one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you.
A: I’ve never played a game of tennis in my whole life. I do like table-tennis though.

Q: What’s your favorite dirty word?
A: Probably “fuck”, but I prefer it being used subtly, and/or sparingly. I like intensity and versatility, and I think that word covers both.

Q: What’s your favorite holiday, and why?
A: Chinese New Year — great, great food. I salivate from just visualizing the goodies.

Q: Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
A: Single ear piercings — had doubles in the past, but they got infected and closed up after a while. Have considered eyebrow, nose, and upper ear piercings, but never went ahead. Have also considered a tattoo (below ribcage, or somewhere on the upper butt), but it’s currently still more of a fantasy than a reality.

Q: If you could be intimate with three people (not necessarily all at one time *g*) without getting in trouble with your significant other, who would they be?
A: I would first coerce the S.O., but to get to the point –

1) A good dancer 2) A sensitive person 3) A horny person

All four in one would be the best (S.O. + good dancer + sensitive + horny!).

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?
A: 1) Sunblock/moisturizer 2) A small tin to boil water 3) Swiss Army Knife

Q: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you spend the money on?
A: Probably a trip to somewhere luxurious and exotic; just the way I like it.

Q: Which household chore do you abhor and why?
A: Packing my room. I enjoy washing the dishes, vacuuming the floor, but packing is annoying and time-consuming, and no matter how hard I try, it gets messy soon enough. It’s organized clutter though — I usually know what’s lying where.

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food?
A: Junk food (varies from chocolate to potato chips. I like the more exotic flavors).

Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures you feel comfortable sharing?
A: It requires mirrors, and a certain level of stamina + dexterity + flexibility…

Q: Do you have a favorite book or movie?
A: Seven Samurai (movie), and Edgar Allan Poe’s collected works. Things that will “always do it” for me.

Q: In closing, tell us a bit about your latest release (& share a yummy excerpt for those who aren’t yet familiar with your work)
A: I launched my sophomore novel in August 2009, an erotic short story collection entitled 4:Play.

Here’s an excerpt of ‘Smooth’:

It’s one of those nights. Closed the curtains and locked my room door from the start. Now I’m bringing the lights down a little lower.

This is how I like it.

I look at myself in the mirror. I love having a big mirror. I like the undivided attention.

The gear, the get-up? Nothing too fancy – no leather, feather boas, spikes or handcuffs for me. I saw a couple chained to each other by the wrist with a set of cuffs once. They were making out on the street at night.

I’m standing in a simple white camisole. The only other item I have on is a ruffled leopard thong.

I start thinking of what it’d be like, if there was a boy here.

“Hello, foxy,” he’d greet me in a low, smooth voice.

He’d be standing behind, holding my hand, the other circled around my waist.

He would lean in to nudge the loose strands of hair off the back of my neck so he could place the side of his face on the exposed area of skin there. Start kissing, exploring round the neck, gradually going up to the ears. His hands over my milky-white breasts, the tips of his fingers instead of mine, working the nipples, now becoming erect. I see them, hard and prominent against the thin silken fabric.

The first wave hits me, quick as a lightning bolt.

Things…start to spin, a little. What if this wasn’t actually my room? Where would I be? Who would I be?

~ from Black Velvet/4:Play; originally published as ‘Smooth’, by Bare Back Magazine.

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For more information about Jess C Scott, please visit her website: http://jesscscott.wordpress.com/