FT: Where did you grow up?
MN: Hmmm. That's a toughie. I call 'home' wherever I lay my hat,figuratively speaking. My dad was in the Air Force,
so we moved a lot. After dad retired we moved to Crossett, Arkansas, but I don't consider it home since there was much I didn't like about the place. But
Crossett was interesting as far as the place I lived. We lived deep in the woods, called the 'boonies' here in the States. It was a small farm and all the
kids had to help out. My jobs were to cook every night for six people, try to keep the house picked up, and run after my little sister. I also had chickens
I raised and that was great fun, I helped water the cows and 'slop' the hogs. Working with the animals were jobs I thoroughly enjoyed.
FT: Who was your best friend at school?
MN: Best friend was a girl named Diane. She was very nice, and even though her father was the optometrist - only
one of two in town - she didn't cop an attitude.
FT: And your worst enemy?
MN: Worst was a girl named Lisa who was the daughter of the other optometrist. Wonder if that means anything?
FT: Who was your first love?
MN: My first husband. We don't need to go there. I was 17 and didn't know much about anything since I ended up
marrying the loser.
FT: What is your least favourite foodstuff?
MN: Seafood.
FT: Do you find yourself drawing on your own life experiences in your work?
MN: Yes. Emotional issues, romance, and even descriptions of how one feels when you make love. I also draw on
my experiences as a counsellor. I feel this is what makes my characters 'jump off the pages' as one reviewer noted.
FT: You say that you sometimes 'dream a story' how does this work?
MN: I dreamed 'Love's Captive' all in one night.It was like a video playing in my head. I saw most of the action,
characters, and even remembered snippets of conversations. My novella, 'Demon Killer' was created from a dream. I dreamed about a woman who faced a
horrendous monster. But instead of being frightened, she went toward the thing and stuck out her hand. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and I felt
her great sorrow. The beast's stomach ripped open, and a fragile hand shot from the monster. She knew it was her son. She was there to save him. So when
I awoke, I knew the mother and her son's story had to be written. I also found I had cried during the dream along with the mother because it was as if
I were in her head and felt her pain.
FT: What did you dream about last night?
MN: All I remember is my husband was dressed in a black leather shirt and pants, and he was very sexy.
FT: Why do you think you're drawn to fantastical worlds and strange beings?
MN: Simple. I grew up reading science fiction and fantasies, before I discovered romances. So I love to combine all or parts of the
genres together. The two authors who had the biggest influence on me were Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard. I loved reading these
action/adventures, with strong heroes and heroines, monsters, and sometimes dark magic.
FT: Do you believe that humans will ever travel through time?
MN: Yes, I do. It's amazing when you look back at great authors like Jules Verne and see what he wrote -has come true.
Sometimes I wonder if he had a crystal ball.
FT: What do you find attractive in a man?
MN: Intelligence, a sense of humour, confidence in himself as a man, and sensitivity.
FT: You describe your husband as an 'alpha male' what does that entail?
MN: A strong man who believes in himself, who loves his woman with every fibre of his being, who would give his
life for her, who often thinks he knows what's best for her - is bossy, and aggressive. I also see alphas as often being warriors, and that's what my
husband is. He is a soldier, is very strong physically, and he has a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. But, I also think for an alpha to be someone who
is lovable and not obnoxious, they need certain qualities to offset the strong ones mentioned above. That's what I do when I create my alpha males.
And that's how my husband is. You need sensitivity, such as understanding when your mate is not feeling well and doing something nice like volunteer
to do the dishes. He needs a caring heart so the heroine doesn't lay her head on a stone chest for comfort.
FT: Does your husband have nice legs?
MN: Oh boy, does he ever. He's a body builder, so his whole body is great. Simon looks like a cover model. And for
that matter, my legs are my best asset too. I always get stares when I wear something short - from both sexes.
FT: What is the least erotic thing in the world?
MN: Bad manners. Simon has flawless European style manners. For example, he always opens the car door for me, even
on the vehicle with an automatic door opener.
FT: Do you find Chevy Chase attractive? (And if not, why not?)
MN: I think he's cute. But, even though Simon and I love the National Lampoon movies, I find Chevy's behaviour in
some is less than attractive. He's married to a very sweet, very lovely, sexy woman, yet he gets attracted to other women. I am a strong believer in
monogamy, so I dislike that part of his character in the movies.
FT: Do you find the writing of love scenes a turn on?
MN: Oh yes. If you're not squirming in your chair by the time you're through, you're not doing it right.
FT: Do you use fantasy in your own sex life?
MN: Sure do. Not all the time, who has the time for that with the hectic lives we live? But whenever I can and feel
in the mood. If I'm tired, I certainly am not interested in 'dressing up' or playing games. Favourite thing hubby and I like that I do for him: I dress
in something sexy and give him a lap dance. And yes, I know how to move.
FT: What is your favourite book?
MN: The Stand by Stephen King. The characters are so wonderful and seem so real. The story premise is also fantastic.
And seeing what people choose to do with their lives after they get a chance to start over, is fascinating.
FT: Tell us about your latest project.
MN: I'm doing a final edit on 'Heart of the Dragon'. It's a futuristic erotic romance, the sequel to
'Love's Captive', and is due out in June as an ebook from New Concepts Publishing. In print December. I am also finishing 'Future Lost 1: Marielle's
Quest'. This is an erotic futuristic, the 1st of a series. It's set in far future Earth, where animals and humans have mutated. It will be released by
Ellora's Cave in August.
FT: Why is escapism important?
MN: I worked 24 years in helping professions - nursing and counselling. I have seen tough and horrendous things.
When I read, I want to be taken to another place - preferably another planet or dimension. Fantasy really does take you away from the harsh realism
of the world. Adding romance to a fantasy world gives the reader the beauty of both genres.
FT: Have you ever been to Peru?
MN: No, sorry, I haven't.
FT: What would be your advice to someone setting out to become a romance writer?
MN: Persistence and motivation are the most important qualities. It's hard to get published and it may never happen,
but it certainly never will if you don't practice these two. Also, you should do it because writing is something you love to do. Very few writers,
regardless of genres, make lots of money writing. So don't expect to make a million off your first book.
FT: Which would you prefer to be: a pigeon, a parrot or a duck?
MN: Wow, what a question. I never would have considered any of them. But, if I have to choose, I guess a parrot.
Parrots are intelligent and some sport some fine plumage. So I guess going through life being smart and beautiful, even if you're an animal, wouldn't
be that bad!
Myra has a website (http://www.myranour.com) which contains details of all her
writings, and some nice pictures of her hunky hubby. Her slightly saucier writings are to be found here:
http://www.myranour.com/erotic
...where you can sample such delights as 'Shifter's Desire':
'...being a snakewoman definitely had its advantages, especially for the lucky male on the receiving end.'
...and 'Mystic Visions':
"Are you giving me a bath before we start?"
"No, I'm washing you in my magic."
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