INTERVIEW WITH Gun Brooke

November Newsletter 2005

By Connie Ward, BSB Publicist/Author Liaison

What made you decide to become a fiction writer?

I worked as a NICU nurse when I was diagnosed with MS at age thirty-nine. I moped around for six months after early retirement and then rediscovered my love for writing through fan fiction. Some of the stories I read online meant so much to me that I wanted to try my hand at writing in English. I’ve always written lyrics, poetry, short stories, and now I even found a ready-made audience! It was a magical feeling—and it still is.

What type of stories do you write and why?

I write romance and science fiction. There is always romance in my science fiction adventures too, of course. I fell in love with sci fi when I was sixteen, watching Space 1999: Moon Base Alpha. I went from that to discover Star Trek and so on. So, it started with television and moved on to books. I’ve read romance stories since I was ten years old, and I love them. I also love mysteries and suspense, so who knows; I may try that one day!

What does/do your family/friends think about your writing?

Oh, my goodness, they are so proud! My mother displays my books on the coffee table, even the Erotic Interlude which featured a short story of mine. I tried to tell her, “It is erotica, Mom.” She doesn’t speak or read English, but she dismissed my comment with an “I don’t mind, as long as you’re in it, my dear.” The only criticism I’ve had from a few people is that I write in English. They seemed to think I betrayed my mother tongue (Swedish), but writing in English is so much fun!

Where do you get your ideas?

Movies, dreams, talking with people, songs, experiences…pretty much anything can be turned into a story worth reading if you pay attention. It is just a matter of listening and watching what goes on around you, and then sitting down and engaging your heart and your brain.

How do you write? Do you plan everything out or just write?

Both! I write the character’s history right up to the point when the story begins, and that’s my base. I have a general idea where the story is going, such as events, timeline, etc. But how the characters get there, what happens in the dynamic between them, is something I discover as I write. I also get ideas while I write that turn out to be better than the original plot, and then I let the character lead. If I find they stray too much, I reel them in and have a face-to-face conversation with them, in a manner of speaking.

How much of yourself and the people you know are in your writing?

Ahem. I’m infamous for collecting characters. My friends have been known to warn unsuspecting strangers that I talk to that they should be forewarned—they might end up in my next book. The poor people look positively stunned and some, quite flattered, actually. Course of Action was a typical example where I used friends and family more than usual as templates. (No, guys, you’re not getting any of the royalties!)

As for myself, I try to keep my persona out of the story, but of course, there is a little bit of me and my experience in some of the characters. I think the hardest character to date to write about is Sheridan, in the Author Challenge story, “Sheridan’s Fate.” She lives with a disability and is confined to a wheelchair, and so am I, at times. It was quite hard to not make her into me, because she isn’t. Still, her experiences touch mine, of course.

Which lesbian authors inspired you most?

I read Tenderware and Gina Dartt online, first of all. If not for them, who knows if I’d be where I am now. I then moved on to Blayne Cooper, T. Novan, Radclyffe, Lori Lake, Melissa Good, and SL Bowers. Now I can add Ronica Black, Kim Baldwin, and Jane Fletcher to the list, among others. And I look forward to all the newly signed BSB writers with great anticipation.

Do you have any suggestions for new writers?

Write! Even if you’re not inspired, write every day if possible. Find a good beta reader that you feel comfortable with and that you trust. Develop as thick skin as possible; this will help you with the editing process/beta reading feedback. Don’t discuss the story too much while writing, perhaps not at all, or you might stumble into the adage “the story you told, you’ll never write.” Find out how to create a Web site, hook up with a free Web hotel, and post your stories there and to appropriate mailing lists. (There is some excellent WYSIWYG software that makes this really easy.) I would happily advise and point anyone who reads this interview in the right direction for what they need to get started!

When you’re not writing, what do you do for fun?

My gut reaction was to answer “writing”…*grin*

I love movies! I love certain TV shows, such as Alias, Lost, and CSI. Home improvement shows—can’t get enough. Computer graphics, creating and maintaining my Web site, and staying current with the latest technology are also in my top ten. I like cooking/eating/talking with friends and family as well. Spending quality time with my family is very important.