Author Interview ~ Kelli Zel

Hey, y'all, it's been a rather hectic week, but I'm here. And today on the couch we have The Wild Rose Press author Kelli Zel hangin' out with us. Let's all make sure she feels welcome.

Welcome to The Menagerie, Kelli. It's great to have you here. If you're comfortable let's get started: When and why did you begin writing?

After attending a number of writing workshops and hearing over and over- ‘write what you know’ –I decided to try my hand at erotica. I’ve never lived in a Regency period, been rich, famous or even had amnesia with a deadline to get married-but I have had a number of erotic experiences.

I’ve also spent years dieting and I decided the world could wait for me to write: “The Post It Note Diet Plan”

LOL, I wonder if you eat post-it notes on the post-it note diet. It's a thought. Do you think have a specific writing style?

I like humor and to keep things light, which has been a challenge when writing erotica – words like: wet, hard, deep, penetrating, and gasping – Don’t pair up well with laughed so hard…

Oh, I dunno... I think you could make it work. "She laughed so hard she was gasping and her face was wet with tears." Just for example. Yeah, yeah, I know... not quite what you had in mind. How did you come up with your title?

The leading man is a Master Sergeant in the Army and master at making Lola…smile.

Works for me... heck he'd make ME smile. Are the experiences in your book based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I’ve attend a number of writing workshops and you know what they say…Write what you know…?

So that would be a yes... lol. What are your current projects?

I am polishing another short story…”Buyer’s Market”

Ooooh, since I enjoyed this one I'll look forward to Buyer's Market. Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, and I saw raising children as a job…my only hope is that writing pays more than mothering.

Again, I dunno, mothering pays in squeeze hugs and sticky kisses. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The pesky day job…and I don’t see that as a career, but it pays more than mothering and writing… but I’m an optimist and I believe that in five years I will be a bestselling author and be on the Oprah show…(I bought the cutest skirt from a little shop in Galena IL and I plan to wear it on the show)

Hey, optimism is just knowing it will happen. What does your family think of your writing?

Shhhh…they don’t know. I am a closet erotica writer. Kelli Zel is not my real name for a number of reason…the 1st one being my parents had a different last name and they didn’t choose Kelli for my first name.

I received the name Kelli Zel from a psychic, a number of women from work and I went out to a local bar over a year ago where a local psychic performs – I told the psychic that I was thinking of writing in another genre and she said, “Well, you can’t write under your own name…Use Kelli Zel.”

So, I did. And a year later with a copy of Master Sergeant written by Kelli, I returned to the bar. The psychic turned white when I handed her a copy of the story…”Do you know who I had an affair with?” the psychic asked.

“No.” I think she forgot I wasn’t the psychic.

“Sam Zel, he owns the Cub, Los Angeles Times and Star & Tribune newspaper…” she babbled.

I think I’ll switch genre again to murder mystery… Psychic Found Buried in Newspaper at Wrigley Field. (Just Joking)

WOW, poor thing. Here she was probably joking and you ran with it. Serves her right. LOL, Don't worry, your secret is safe with us... and our readers. Not like they'd know your real name anyway. Now, on to the "Absolutely Nothing To Do With Writing" questions: Do you hate how you look in pictures?

Actually, I think and a camera are more flattering than harsh lights and full length mirrors reflecting my naked body.

I completely agree. When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?

I need to clean the bathroom mirror.

LOL, something we can all relate to. What’s a saying you use a lot? Where did it originate from?

When someone asks, “how’s it going?” I reply “living the dream.” I have never been hungry or homeless…I have always had enough money to at least pay a portion of my bills…I am loved and have had the opportunity to love. It doesn’t get better than that.

Amen, sistah! What is your favorite pizza?

Onions, green peppers and tomatoes on a thin crust.

Ummm... If you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?

For everyone in the world to feel that they are loved and valued.

That is a great wish, and one that we can all be on board with. Thanks so much for being with us here today, Kelli. It was great fun getting to know you better, and I could definitely use the laughs today. I loved your story, by the way. It was very hot and made me smile. Can't ask for much more in an Erotic Romance.

You can keep up with Kelli at her website.

Master Sergeant by Kelli Zel

When Lola stopped at the grocery store, she had no idea she’d be picking up a Master Sergeant...

After a brief flirtation with a mouth-watering hottie in the produce section, Lola hurries to her car, hoping to beat the predicted snow storm. Instead, she accidentally runs down the sexy soldier with her cart. Though he assures her he's fine, concern for his condition along with her body's sizzling reaction to his heated touch prompts Lola to take him home and administer a bit of personal first aid.