Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Shelley Bradley. Thanks for being here today Shelley!
Can you tell us about your first novella A Little Payback?

Actually, this has been retitled Watch Me. Here’s a blurb:

Shanna York was set to achieve her glittering ballroom dreams and become a dance champion—until her dance partner gets tangled up in scandal and blackmail. With the clock ticking and all her ambitions at stake, the last thing she needs is the gorgeous owner of a sex club tempting her with the forbidden.

Or maybe that’s the very thing she needs…

Alejandro Diaz has sizzled for Shanna since he set eyes on her months ago. Her repeated rebuffs will make her surrender that much sweeter. She’s ambitious and driven…but so is he. When she asks for his assistance to ensnare a voyeuristic blackmailer with a video fetish, he doesn’t hesitate to help her stage a bedroom trap. But neither is prepared to face scorching, endless passion, the blackmailer’s real identity—or the undeniable love that grows between them.

What are some of the challenges with writing a novella compared to a full length novel?

As Jaci likes to say, I’m a word whore *g* It’s impossible for me to say “good morning” in less than 10,000 words, so for me to tell a whole story and develop a satisfying relationship and characters in about 30,000 is a real challenge. But I wanted to try. I’m always looking to conquer something new.

You have Watch Me coming out in July as part of a two author anthology with Jaci Burton titled Sneak Peak. Can you tell us about it?

The blurb for my novella, Watch Me, is above. Jaci’s story, Show Me, will be connected. Her hero, Del, is Alejandro’s friend and a co-owner of a club for voyeurs and exhibitionists called Sneak Peek. These are seriously hot guys!

What was the hardest aspect of writing Watch Me? How did you overcome it?

Getting a handle on this heroine. Shanna is a complicated woman, and a very private one. I write characters by gut instinct, by “feel.” But Shanna was a very difficult-to-reach woman, so getting her to tell me her issues and explain her reluctance to fall in love took a while. I kept listening and asking questions. Finally, she began talking.

Is it hard for you to balance your life as a writer? How do you manage it?

Every day is hard. Some days, I’m more successful than others, since I still work a full-time job and have a little munchkin. I manage by compartmentalizing time. There’s work time, family time and writing time. I try to avoid cross-over as much as possible. It divides my day into 3 distinct activities and enables me to mentally focus on what’s in front of me.

How many books have you published to date?

13, with an additional 3 new releases and a re-print scheduled for later in 2007.

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment at a book signing?

I’ve felt a little ill prepared at times, when I’ve arrived and realized I brought everything BUT a pen. I had an odd moment once when a man tried to pick me up by saying that he could tell I was married, then asking if I was happily married. I’ve had some terrible signings with weather so bad, no sane person was out on the streets, much less rushing to the bookstore. I think the worst was at a Wal-Mart, where they put us between the American flags, beer coolers and portable toilets on display in the aisle.

You also write under the name Shayla Black, Is it hard to keep both works separate?

No. Shelley writes sexy, adventurous romances between a man and a woman that capture both heart and a little sense of humor. Shayla is dark and erotic and delves deeper into characters’ psyches. These romances may or may not between one man and one woman. My October release, Decadent, explores a ménage relationship and some reason why people would engage in one. There’s lots of sex, of course, but it’s more than a boinkfest.

What is the biggest misconception about being an author?

A big misconception is that when an author finishes the book and turns it in, the publisher can have it in the readers’ hands within a week or two. This is, of course, easier with e-publishing, but still not likely. With print publishing, it’s impossible. It’s a MINIMUM of six months between the author handing over the manuscript and the bookseller putting it out on the shelves. The more common schedule is 12-18 months.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I learn something different with every book, so that’s hard for me to answer. I’ve learned about everything from how to undress a woman from the skin out in 3 different centuries to how best to make Microsoft Word behave.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your fans today?

Thanks for your support, your wonderful emails. I can’t express how much it means to me. If you haven’t read either a Shelley or Shayla book, I hope you’ll try spending a little time with me!

Thank you for taking time to speak with me today Shelley. Readers be sure to check out Shelley’s website and Shayla’s website.

Interviewed by: Tammy