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Q & A with Collette Gale

Colette Gale is a lover of all things. She is an avid bird watcher as well as an amateur beekeeper. She’s a Gemini, likes long walks on the beach, and enjoys the company of big, burly men in tight leather pants.

Please leave a comment for the chance to win a copy of Unmasqued, her totally hot book inspired by The Phantom of the Opera. Damn, All I Ask of You just started playing in my head right now and I just know it’s gonna be playing in a loop all day. I blame this on Colette Gale.

————————————————

B: Who are you and where did you come from?

C: I am the figment of your imagination, and I just happen to write very dirty sex.

Actually, Colette Gale is the pen name of an author of historical paranormal novels who wished to keep the two types of books separate because the genres are very different.

She chose the name Colette because of the famous erotic novelist Colette. Figured it couldn’t hurt!

B: In your opinion, what is erotica and how does it differ from erotic romance?

C: Great question, and one that definitely bears answering.

Bearing in mind that this is my opinion… I consider erotic romance to be super sexy, super hot romances in which the romance is driven by the sexual relationship of the hero and heroine, or that the premise of the story itself is sexy. In other words, lots of hot sex between the hero and heroine, but not necessarily sex that ventures into bondage/domination/submission (BDSM), menage a trois, girl on girl, guy on guy, whipping and spanking, and other even more (what I consider) hardcore things like golden showers and bestiality.

But in the end, it’s a love story between a man and a woman, and they have a happily ever after.

To me, erotica is a genre that may venture into any of those avenues listed above, and is a story–yes, there’s definitely a plot there–that is completely driven by sex. Every motivation, every scene, every character is driven by sex. Yet there’s still a plot. There’s still a story to tell.

I consider Unmasqued to fall smack dab between these two definitions. And, in fact, so does my publisher.

We had quite the discussion about how the book should be marketed–as an erotic romance (because, ultimately, it is a love story between a man and a woman, and there is a happy, satisfying ending), or as a straight erotica, because the sex does push the boundaries of what is usually included in an erotic romance.

I also believe that besides telling a story, erotica is also meant to titillate and arouse the reader. At least, that’s my goal, and that of many of my other erotica author friends, when writing erotica. (Erotic romances may, and often do this as well, but I’m not sure that’s always the specific intent of the author.)

We all have sexual fantasies, whether we want to admit them or not–and reading erotica is one way of experiencing them in a safe way. To me, it’s healthy to examine and experience them. And believe it or not, many of the scenes in my books are representative of common fantasies of women (maybe not specifically the harp scene, though), as well as other erotic novels. Case in point: The Story of O, which is one of my favorite erotic novels, was written by a woman.

Nancy Friday did a study in the ’70s, and then updated it again in the ’80s about women’s fantasies. She collected stories from women that told their greatest fantasies–and there were many common themes and situations. I often use these two books (My Secret Garden and Forbidden Fruit) for inspiration.

B: What do you think distinguishes erotica from porn?

C: Erotica has a story, a plot. Porn doesn’t. In my opinion, porn is simply scene after scene (in whatever media you choose) of sex, sexual imagery, and sexual situations. There’s little or no cohesiveness, no story. Just people doing other people (or things, or animals, or whatever) for the pure purpose of titillation.

B: Why “Phantom of the Opera”? What made you decide to write this book?

C: Very simply, because I love Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, and I always hated the way it ended. I always wanted Christine to be with Erik (the Phantom).

Now, I know there are Phantom of the Opera (POTO) purists who are rolling their eyes over that comment–but I’m sure they were rolling their eyes over the ALW stage and film versions too, because, yes, Webber did romanticize Erik from the obsessive, ugly, horrific, murderous creature that Leroux created.

And that’s absolutely fine with me—I have some literary favorites that I would hate to have anyone mess with and recreate. To each his own, and I absolutely respect that.

But, since I was so dissatisfied with the ending of the “romanticized” version, and I felt that there was an untold story between Christine and Erik (I mean, even in the original book, you have to wonder what happened when Christine was in the Phantom’s lair for the week or so that she was there). I wanted to try and tell it, and I chose, as the artist, if you will, to tell it in a very erotic fashion.

It’s above all a love story between two lonely people who finally find their happy ending.

B: In what ways are your characters similar/different from the source material?

C: Christine is a fairly naive young woman, of rather delicate composition, in the Leroux book as well as in Webber’s musical (which, admittedly, is as much of an influence as the original). I kept her young and somewhat fragile (though she doesn’t faint all the time in my book as she does in the other versions), and less of a strong female character than I’m used to writing. (That was hard to do, actually.) But she does show her strength when her lover’s life is on the line, when she’s forced to make decisions about his safety versus her own freedom. So, once she finds something worth fighting for, she fights–even to her own humiliation.

Erik is a tortured soul in all three versions (Leroux’s, Webber’s and mine). In Leroux’s, he’s a murderer, a corpse-like creature who’s a bit crazy (well maybe more than a bit) who’s also intelligent and genius in music, engineering, and physics. We don’t see as much of his genius in Webber’s and my versions, (although it’s implied through the stage set and descriptions of his lair). Webber made Erik more sympathetic, and much younger than Leroux’s original version, and I took it a few steps further.

After all, if he’s going to be a hero in an erotica/erotic romance, he’s got to be hawt.

Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, to me, is a complete wuss in Leroux’s version and Webber’s as well. I never liked him–Leroux’s version gave me the impression of a weak young man always crying and pleading over Christine (although, granted, he thought she was going mad). Webber made him little better, and I hope that I gave him some depth so that we see why Christine is attracted to him, at least as a friend. I mean, there are men you might care for and be attracted to…and then there is The One Who Makes Your World Stop. Raoul was never the latter.

In the book, Raoul’s older brother the Comte is the true villain (in Leroux’s own words) because he conspires to keep Raoul from marrying beneath him to Christine. He tries to keep them apart. For anyone who knows the Webber musical, you know that the Comte isn’t even a character. However, I kept Leroux’s tradition by making the Comte, Philippe, the ultimate villain. He’s quite loathsome, actually.

B: Why do you think readers have found “the Phantom” to be such a sexy figure?

C: I don’t really know what inspired Webber to make him sexy, but it sure worked for me!

The original Phantom in Leroux’s book isn’t sexy at all, I’m sorry to say.

B: What can your readers expect from this book?

C: As I mentioned above, this book falls between my definitions of erotic romance and erotica. It leans more toward erotica; the only thing that keeps it from swinging all the way there is that it’s definitely a love story, and the hero and heroine do not have intercourse with anyone but each other.

Other than that, we have some (light) bondage, some ménage a trois, some whipping, some domination/submission, voyeurism and an orgy. Or two.

An attentive reader will see the love story between Christine and Erik developing through each of their love scenes…his fear of being rejected, his desires to please her, yet to protect himself until he is sure of her. Her response to him as opposed to Raoul, her willingness to use the thing the Comte wants most of all—her body—to save her lover.

Readers will find a love story intertwined with lots of sex. At least one orgasm per chapter, if I recall correctly (the characters, not necessarily the reader).

There is some comic relief in the form of Madame Giry, who in my book is the ballet mistress and is also a nymphomaniac. She simply loves sex and partakes whenever she can.

B:What other projects do you have lined up?

C: I’ve just finished my second book, MASTER, which is an erotic version of The Count of Monte Cristo (based on the book, not the movie with Jim Caviezel). That book will be released in May 2008.

And I’m currently working on a proposal for a third book, hopefully to be released in 2009.

Thanks so much for having me Bam! I’ll be happy to take questions from the commenters.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 at 4:39 am and is filed under Guest Author. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

33 Responses to “Q & A with Collette Gale”

  1. kardis
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 5:07 am
    1

    Oh, this book sounds right up my alley! I have always preferred the Phantom over boring old Raoul. The beautiful cover has been taunting me from your sidebar, Bam, and now I really can’t wait until it’s available. (As an aside, why do you always feature things that make me squee with nerdy delight, why??)

  2. Andrea
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 5:41 am
    2

    Hi, I’ve never seen the Phantom Opera movie/musical or read the book, but now I’m looking forward to reading Collette Gale’s version since hot sex is involved!

  3. shuzluva
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 5:42 am
    3

    Wow. I can’t wait to read this. Am so happy you made the Phantom HAWT, which dovetails nicely with the fact that I caught part of the movie on some cable channel after realizing Gerry Butler was the phantom. Mmmm…Gerry Butler.

    On another note, now I’m looking forward to your second book (not even having read the first, mind you) because I’m slowly making my way through The Count of Monte Christo for the first time.

    Great interview, ladies!

  4. Bonnie Dee
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 6:33 am
    4

    Sounds divine! I have no problem with an author taking classics and updating them to please herself. I’ll definitely check this one out.

  5. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 6:57 am
    5

    Kardis, thanks for your compliments on the cover! I think it’s beautiful too, and (shhh!) though the book’s not supposed to be released until the 7th, I’ve been getting email from people telling me they’ve seen it. The cover is even more gorgeous in person, if I do say so myself. :-)

    Andres, I hope you enjoy the very hot sex! One of my friends, author Jane Lockwood, had never seen Phantom before either. But she was reading my book and told me she was so into it that she missed her Metro stop on her way home from work! A big compliment, coming from another erotic author.

    Shuzluva, I so agree with you about GB. He’s incredibly hot, and I must admit, was some of the inspiration for my Erik (physically anyway). How can you go wrong???

    Bonnie, thanks for coming by! I hope you enjoy it! I always thought the Phantom sort of begged for a sexy retell. :-)

  6. Tumperkin
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 7:08 am
    6

    This is one of those books that make me go “I wish I’d thought of that”, I’ll be checking it out.

  7. SweetNSourGirl
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 7:46 am
    7

    Sounds interesting! What inspired your current version of the Phantom visually speaking?

    “MMM Gerry Butler” No way is he hotter in “Phantom of the Opera” than in “300″! King Leonidas is delicious. Can’t wait to buy that movie and watch it over and over.

  8. Jaime
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 8:17 am
    8

    You gotta love Amazon.com pre-order…it makes me happy! I am looking forward to this one…

  9. Jen
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 8:30 am
    9

    I’m super excited for this book- I pre-ordered after following the link on Bam’s sidebar. “Phantom” was the first musical I ever saw way back when, and I’ve loved it ever since.

    In the meantime, can you tell us a little bit more about your “Monte Cristo” book? That also sounds really interesting…

  10. LesleyW
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 8:42 am
    10

    I’ve been impatiently looking forward to this one too. Saw the cover in the sidebar and read the excerpt on Colette’s site. Very interested to see how the story has been updated. As I always wanted Christine to end up with Phantom.

  11. Collette
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 9:46 am
    11

    This sounds really interesting. When the musical first came out, I listened to it over and over on my cassette tapes (yikes!!!). And who wouldn’t want the Phantom to be with Christine–what was that guy’s name? Michael something. Man, what a voice. Raoul was a punk.

    I love this quote–Colette Gale is a lover of all things. I of course immediately took it places it should probably not go…

    And I think I should get an extra entry to the drawing, you know, just on general principle. Sincerely, COLLETTE ;-)

  12. Collette
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 9:54 am
    12

    And, I just went to your website. It’s beautiful!

  13. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 10:46 am
    13

    Tumperkin, thanks so much. I’ve had those moments before too–wishing I’d had a certain idea before someone else did. I’m sure I did it much differently than you would have, but I hope you enjoy it just the same!

  14. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 10:48 am
    14

    SweetNSourGirl, I haven’t seen 300 yet, but it’s on my Netflix queue. YUM. I loved GB in Phantom and also in Dracula 2000. He was gorgeous there, with the longish hair. GB was definitely my physical inspiration for the Phantom in my book, because he looked just right.

    Jaime, thank you for using Amazon.com pre-order. :-)

  15. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 10:51 am
    15

    Jen, thank you so much for pre-ordering the book! You’ll see some familiar things, and some unfamiliar things, if you’re a fan of the movie. I hope you enjoy it!

    And for you and Shuzluva, here’s the back copy for MASTER, the Monte Cristo story:

    Betrayed his friends, Edmond Dantes spent fourteen years imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, miraculously freed, he returns as the rich and powerful Count of Monte Cristo, seeking revenge on the four men who sent him to jail…and determined to have the woman he has never been able to forget.

    Mercedes Herrera was devastated when the man she loved disappeared and was never heard from again. After searching for Edmond, she had no choice but to marry one of his friends…and for the past fourteen years, she’s lived in an empty, abusive marriage, mourning the loss of her love.

    When the Count of Monte Cristo arrives in Paris to put his plan of vengeance into play, Mercedes alone knows Edmond Dantes has returned. But this harsh, angry man sends chills down her spine even as his very touch reminds her of the passion they once shared. She realizes soon enough that his plan to avenge himself on the men who incarcerated him also includes another sort of revenge…on her.

    From the seaside town of Marseille…to the exotic caves of Monte Cristo Isle…to the glittering ballrooms of Paris unfolds an erotic battle of wills and unquenched passion between one of literature’s most famous pairs of star-crossed lovers.

  16. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 10:52 am
    16

    Lesley W, I’m so glad you’ve been intrigued! I hope you enjoy the read.

    Collette, you’ll have to take it up with Bam as to whether you get double entries in the drawing. :-) And thanks for your compliments on my Web site. I love it too!

  17. shuzluva
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 11:11 am
    17

    Colette, I’m already excited. I have to wait until ‘08? GAH!

    SweetNSourGirl: I agree, nothing is quite as hot as King Leonidas. I’m purchasing 300 so I, too, can watch it until it burns out the DVD player. I can’t wait to see him work out in the outtakes. I might pass out from excitement. However, when it comes to kids, work and other obligations, beggars can’t be choosers - not only did I catch part of his performance in Phantom, but Mrs. Brown was on NY55 a few weeks after I saw 300, and I watched an hour of it (in the middle of the movie, no less) just to see him!

  18. Cory
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 11:24 am
    18

    I can’t wait to read this book, as well as the next one you have coming out. These are both stories that I have really enjoyed, and I’m sure I’ll just love reading them from this angle!

  19. Heather
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 11:25 am
    19

    This sounds wonderful! I love the comments on erotica vs. porn vs. erotic romance. I swear we need some sort of graph for stories to show where they fit on the various scales of romance/sexual content! This sounds like a fun take on the original story.

  20. Erica R
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 11:37 am
    20

    Wicked cool! Cannot wait to read this!!!

    *waves at C.G.*

  21. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 11:46 am
    21

    Hi Cory and Heather! Thanks for tossing your name in the ring!

    *waves back* to Erica.

  22. Cathie
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 12:40 pm
    22

    Hi Collette! My hubby ordered a Phantom Of The Opera movie so I can watch it before the book! I am so excited about this one! I’ve been reading about it for a while now and its finally here soon! Congrats!! We are hoping the movie is closed captioned and it says it was (but sometimes it does say that but it ends up not being captioned) but it will be beautiful too, just to watch the movie. I’ve learned alot about this anticipating the book! I decided that I wanted to go directly to watching the movie and then to your book. I heard there are others, but I wanted to learn more directly this way. Its how I’ve read alot of historical fiction as well sometiems.

    Collette, sometimes when people ask me the different on romance and erotic romance and erotica and all that, I can’t put it into words but you did that beautifully. I love to read them all. I go where my mood brings me or the blurb brings me and I’m into the story!

    Collette, you said you write under another name, I think thats what you meant, but if I got it mixed up, let me know. If not, can you tell us your other name you write under with your historical paranormal romances?

    Too your book for next year already too sounds unique and exciting! Do you too have some favorite authors you enjoy reading who write in this genre and sensuality you do? Thanks.

    And I’d love to be in the contest!

  23. Teresa W.
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 1:01 pm
    23

    I am so looking forward to your take on the story and I’m hoping to get a copy! Saw the play many times and throughly enjoyed it!

  24. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 1:34 pm
    24

    Hi Cathie! Thanks for coming by. You sound as excited about the book as I am! Thanks for asking about my “other” name. It’s not a huge secret, but I do try and keep it out of the public forum. If you email me through my site, I’ll let you know.

    As for some of my favorite authors who write in the vein of erotica….I love Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty series, Bertrice Small’s older historical romances, Pam Rosenthal, and Jane Lockwood (her first book is coming out in Oct, I think).

    Teresa…good to see you over here. :-) Hope you enjoy the read!

  25. Kimberly
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
    25

    This sounds like an interesting take on the story! And I enjoyed your take on the distinction between erotica and erotic romance. Thanks!

  26. Cherie J
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
    26

    Great Q&A! Sounds like a great book. Love the Phantom of the Opera theme.

  27. Katie Ann
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 3:03 pm
    27

    Wow, this book sounds so cool! I read the book too long ago to remember, but I saw the film version and was totally rooting for the phantom…this sounds great!

  28. Kaitlin
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 4:14 pm
    28

    Hi! Colette, this book looks fantastic! I’ve always been a fan of the Phantom. Is it available in paper form or only in e? Since I can’t download anything, will I have to wait for months? :)

  29. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 4:18 pm
    29

    Kimberly, Cherie J, and Katie Ann….thanks so much for coming by! Good luck on winning a copy!

    Kaitlin, I’m so glad you asked–I neglected to say that the book will be available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and bookstores everywhere by next Tuesday! It’s due out on the 7th, but some people have already seen/bought copies, so it may already be in a store near you!

    PS I’d love to hear from any of you where you see copies (and how many), so do let me know if you come across the book!

  30. Jen
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 5:49 pm
    30

    This book sounds interesting. I was never particularly into Erik, but maybe if someone else is really the (sexual) villian, I think I could make it work.

    I wonder what Collette thought of the POTO movie verses the musical?

  31. Jen
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
    31

    (A different Jen than who wrote above)

  32. Colette Gale
    Posted: Aug 1st, 2007 at 6:00 pm
    32

    Hi “different” Jen!

    I liked the Webber movie better than the musical, simply because the relationship between Christine and Erik was even more obviously passionate and romantic. Plus, by virtue of the different media, we could see the facial expressions and better understand what was going on there in the movie, better than in the musical.

  33. Jackie
    Posted: Aug 5th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
    33

    I’m in the middle of UNMASQUED now, and I LURVE it!!!

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