Author Interview Questions – Scarlett Chase

About the Book

1. Anything You Want is a kinky, why-choose romantic comedy with a professional Domme at its center. What sparked the idea for this story?

So funny story. Back in 2022, many of us were outraged by the overturning of Roe v. Wade. A couple of authors came together to spearhead a limited anthology that came together quickly and was called Fuck the Patriarchy which released Nov. 8, 2022. Our theme was strong women who were sexually empowered. I had been working on an outline for a totally different story, but this anthology called my name. Once I shifted gears, the scene I typed out for the anthology came to me pretty quickly. Catalina has a roommate who asks if they can explore “the kinky sex” as he calls it the day they celebrate their 1 year roommateversary. So many readers asked when the full story was coming out and I happily wrote book 1 for this duet.

2.Your heroine finds herself with both a new roommate and his friend—what do you love most about writing the why-choose dynamic?

The fact that she doesn’t have to choose! See, I’m pretty greedy myself and why choose is one of my absolute favorite tropes. Beyond having more peen to go around, I loved the different personalities of each character and the dynamics of each relationship. Catalina has a medium fast burn with the friend who is experienced in the BDSM life and a slow burn with her roommate who only knows vanilla things. It was very fun to write.

3.Romcom and kink don’t always appear together—how do you balance the humor with the steam?

They really don’t and after my debut I decided to kick things up a notch. The sequel is even kinkier and hotter (currently writing that and I’m just over 85k words). As far as balancing between the two, I don’t really know if I did. I didn’t set out to. I just wrote the story I watched unfold before my eyes. In real life, I’m very easily amused so the humor comes naturally. Same with the steam to be honest. I figure if it makes me all hot and bothered, then it will hopefully do the same for my readers.

4.What do you hope readers feel after finishing Anything You Want—besides maybe a little blush?

😉 Perhaps a localized throbbing. Maybe slight dehydration LOL In all seriousness, I hope the story makes them laugh, makes readers want to become friends with Catalina, and makes them want to bang the MMCs. This story is meant to help people escape their worries for a while and bring them a bit of joy.

Characters & Chemistry
5. Tell us about your Domme heroine—what makes her unique in the romance space?

 Catalina is unique because she is sexually empowered. She knows what she wants and doesn’t settle for less. Not only that, but there aren’t many books out there where the woman takes control in the bedroom or where she shows her love interest the ropes on kinky sex. Usually it’s the guy showing her something new. So even though, she only shows one of the MMCs the ropes, she takes control with them both.

6. What do her love interests bring to the table (or… other surfaces 😏)?

There are quite a few more surfaces than a table 😂 The cinnamon roll roommate brings his friendship and sweet nature to the equation. The silver fox brings his BDSM life expertise to her and a sounding board/wingman help for his friend. They both bring their intelligence and good looks too.

7. Opposites attract, found family, spice—what tropes can readers expect to savor in this book?

 Besides why choose, with the silver fox surgeon there’s a 14 year age gap and he falls first. With the cinnamon roll roommate, there’s roommates to friends to lovers and a toxic ex. 

Writing & Inspiration
8. What drew you to blend romcom vibes with kink-positive storytelling?

Well, I love TV shows and movies. Though I love many genres, RomComs are go to feel good movies. But the fade to black annoyed the crap out of me. Then 50 Shades came out and broke the kink on screen ceiling (though any person in the BDSM life will tell you that’s a very inaccurate and terrible portrayal of kink and such but I digress). It made me wonder if I could combine the RomCom feels with accurate kink and on page spice. I had brought spice and RomCom vibes together already with my debut so kink was the next logical step. 

9. Were there any real-life inspirations (funny, awkward, or steamy) that helped shape your characters?

 If TV shows count as real life then yes 😂 the cinnamon roll was actually inspired by  Dr. Spencer Reid from the TV show Criminal Minds. The silver fox was inspired by Dr. Mark Sloan from Grey’s Anatomy.

 
10. How do you approach writing banter and comedic timing alongside emotionally charged romance?

 My books haven’t been emotionally charged yet…at least not in my opinion. So it’s been more about balancing humor, spice, and everyday stuff. Though between all the books I’ve read in my life along with all the movies and TV shows, stuff must’ve stuck because it’s quite natural for me. I’ve been told I have good comedic timing from people who’ve studied improv for years and it comes through on page I guess. I outline and when I sit down to write it plays in my head like a movie so I just write down what happens.

Author Life & Next Projects
11. What’s your current WIP—and can you give us a tiny tease of what readers can expect after Anything You Want?

 My current WIP is the promised sequel to Anything You Want actually. I’m 85k words in so far. The sequel introduces the third and final MMC and packs way more kink. I wasn’t ready for the heat and I’m writing it 😂 After the sequel, I’m going to channel all my emotions of the trash fire that is this timeline into books that introduce my feminine rage era. These FMCs will go through some tough, traumatic events and get their revenge as well as well deserved O’s.

12. You mentioned launching a direct shop with ebooks and merch—what kind of goodies will fans be able to grab?

So far, ebooks and merch will be available once my website shop is live. Though, the merch is actually already available to buy from the website of the awesome lady I’m working with (my website would just redirect to hers). Currently, there are bookmarks, tote bags, mugs, coasters, pen bags, and tumblers. Eventually, I’ll also have audiobooks narrated very unprofessionally by me and signed paperbacks as well on my website shop.

13. How do you engage with readers on TikTok and social media while promoting such a bold, playful brand?

 In my reader group on Facebook, I post teasers and news comes here first (though once my newsletter is up and running, all news, teasers, cover reveals, and exclusive sneak peeks will go to subscribers first. Subscribers will also have access to more exclusive content such as bonus/deleted scenes, first dibs on ARCs, video chats where I actually show my face, and more!). On TikTok, I post videos from author advice, my book teasers, random questions, and controversial takes. On all social media, I reply to as many comments as I can. I also answer PMs via Messenger. Once I have more readers following me, most of my interactions will be with subscribers and those in my reader group to save time for writing.

Fun & Quickfire
14. Coffee, cocktails, or champagne while writing spicy scenes?

 If anything, it’s weed and water to help prevent dehydration 😂

 
15. Do you draft with a playlist—and if so, what’s the ultimate “why-choose anthem”?

All of my books have a ‘soundtrack’ (it’s what I call my playlists) to go with them and they’re at the front of the books. Some key songs come to me as I’m doing the pre production work for the story and some come to me as I write. Currently, my choice for a why choose anthem is actually in the playlist for the sequel I’m writing. Blow by Ed Sheeran, Chris Stapleton, and Bruno Mars. Each dude has his own verse so the foundation for a why choose anthem is right there.

16. One word to describe your heroine?

 Empowered
17. One word to describe her partners?

 Yummy
18. If Anything You Want were turned into a Netflix romcom, who would you cast as the leads?

 Funny story, one bullet point of the character bios is who they look like (because I need to watch the scenes unfold so I need to know what everyone looks like. So I actually know this! Catalina would be played by Andrea Londo, Roban would be played by Matthew Gray Gubler, and Sam would be played by Eric Dane.

19. Favorite trope to write: accidental roommate, found family, or spicy power dynamics?

 Between those 3 choices? Spicy power dynamics for sure.

20. If your book came with a warning label, what would it say?

 Warning: may cause flash floods so have clean underwear handy 😉