Phoebe Jordan: When did you know that writing M/M erotic romance was going to be the thing that you would do with your life? Which author inspired you to start writing romance? Reese Johnson: I don’t know how to answer that really. I don’t think there ever was a moment when I sat down and said, “I’m going to write M/M erotic romance!” I am friends with a few authors who write M/M and I found the concept interesting, so with that idea coupled with my prison background, I started writing and the original version of Sex & Chocolate just seemed to flow into an M/M relationship. Phoebe: Did you know what type of M/M erotic romance you wanted to write about or did you experiment with different genres before you chose the one that you felt was for you? Reese: I really didn’t do either. I just wanted to have an avenue where I could say what I wanted to say and when I addressed the issue of AIDS, M/M seemed the logical course to be able to show the disease from both a “straight” and “gay” perspective. Phoebe: What was the first fiction you ever wrote? And do you still have it with you? Reese: No, it’s long gone, but I think it was poetry or song lyrics or something just as horrible. Phoebe: How much research do you have to do for your novels and does it take you a long time to gather that research? Reese: So far all I’ve written has been two novellas and both are taken from life experience. Phoebe: How did you come up with the concept for your debut release, Sex & Chocolate? Reese: My sister-in-law has been trying to get me to write an autobiography since I spent so many years in prison and have seen a lot of things most people can’t even begin to comprehend, but for now, I’m not ready to delve into that part of my mind. So, I started thinking about some of the guys I knew who died in prison because of complications from being HIV positive. That got me to thinking that maybe I could write something that would address the issue of AIDS without being preachy, and once I started writing, the story just seemed to flow on its own. Phoebe: How did you come up with the concept for your latest release, Soul Searchers? Reese: I’m a big fan of sci-fi and all creatures of the night and thought it would be cool to write a werewolf story with a little twist, plus I could also use the story to address homophobia and prejudice. Gay werewolves have never been done as far as I know and the story just struck a chord within me and I began writing. Phoebe: How do you come up with each of your characters for your novels? How do you choose their names out of so many names out there? Reese: Hmmm, I don’t really know. They seem to have names when the character comes to mind. Phoebe: Do you have a favorite character that you really enjoyed writing about in your novel, Sex & Chocolate? Did you have a character that you felt you could really relate to in your novel, Sex & Chocolate? Reese: Alan. He is so flamboyant and arrogant and funny. I just love him. And he reminds me of someone I used to know who is now dead from AIDS too. Phoebe: Do you have a favorite character that you really enjoyed writing about in your novel, Soul Searchers? Did you have a character that you felt you could really relate to in your novel, Soul Searchers? Reese: In this one, I really don’t have a favorite character. I thought they were all great, but if I had to pick one, it would be Micah. He seems so vulnerable and like someone who needs to be taken care of, but he has an inner strength that allows him to carry burdens others probably wouldn’t be able to. I also like Hap, the little brother. I have a little brother and Hap is just fun to be with like my own brother is. Phoebe: Do you have a process of how you start to write your novels? Reese: No, I don’t. I wish I had some great answer for you, but I really have no idea how it happens. Phoebe: Have you ever considered writing a series or are writing stand alone novels your preference? How would writing each be different for you? Reese: No. No. No. lol I’ve written two novellas, so I don’t even know if I could write an actual novel at this point, so the word “series” is very scary for me. Phoebe: What process did you have to go through to get your first book published and did it take you long? Reese: My SIL is a writer, so I kind of had a bit of an idea what the process would be, but I had to go through the same submission process as everyone else. I didn’t get any preferential treatment at all, and I had to wait several weeks to see if the manuscript was accepted and then waited some more for cover art, edits, and all the rest of the things that go along with being published. Phoebe: Do you ever get writers block? What do you do to get rid of it so you can get back to writing your novels? Reese: Funny. I don’t even consider myself a writer so I don’t have anything to block! Phoebe: What is your biggest reader pet peeve, if you have any? (stock characters, unresolved endings, predictability, everything wrapped up hurriedly in the end, etc.) Reese: I like simple, everyday language in books. I don’t care for high dollar words that most people don’t use anyway. I like authors who keep it real. Phoebe: Which aspects of writing do you enjoy the most and why? And what is your biggest writing pet peeve? (overuse of exclamation points, adverbs, bad guys named Wayne, etc.), if you have any? Reese: I’m probably the last person you should ask for advice on writing! And I knew a few bad guys named Wayne, so you know, I’m good with that. Phoebe: What is the one writing tool can you not live without? Reese: Uhhhhh…spell check? Phoebe: How do you handle your writing schedule and your personal life without going insane? Reese: Oh, you think I have a writing schedule and a personal life. Thanks! Phoebe: What do you do to relax after having spent a long while writing? Do you have any hobbies? Reese: LOL I’ve never spent a long while writing! The questions should be “what do you like to write after you’ve spent a long day doing nothing?” I like to fish, garden, wrestle with the dogs, ride the 4-wheeler. I just enjoy being a free man these days and being with my family. Phoebe: Is there any advice that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you? Reese: I don’t know. I think getting to know other authors is very important and helpful. Phoebe: Is there any writing tips, research tips, promotion and marketing tips that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you? Reese: Hire someone to do it for you! I didn’t realize just how much goes into promotions for one single book. It’s exhausting and time consuming. Phoebe: Do you have a favorite genre you like to read? Who is your favorite author(s)? Reese: I like westerns, sci-fi, action, adventure, that kind of stuff. I read Louis Lamour, Stephen King, James Patterson, Dan Brown, Dean Koontz etc. Phoebe: What are you reading now? And what do you plan to read after that? Reese: I’m reading The Second Virgin Birth by Tommy Taylor and I don’t know what I’ll be reading after that.