Dana Littlejohn's Seven Year Switch!

I'd love to welcome Dana Littlejohn to the blog today! We've got to talk with her many times, but this time she's tackling the subject of BDSM in books. Yeah, I can't wait! Oh, and you'll want to comment. Why? Dana will be giving away a promotional pen to one randomly drawn tour commenter and a promotional T-shirt to another during the tour. I'd love to win, so I'm commenting!
Now on to the post!

Hello everyone!

I am Dana Littlejohn multi-published author of sensual erotic romance. Wendi has asked me to stop by and talk about how I did the research for my latest book, The Seven Year Switch.

The internet is a major source of information for just about any topic you can possibly think of. I often make use of the internet, but I don't totally rely on it as the whole of my research. I also read factual and fictional books on the subject, interview people who know about the subject first hand when relevant and sometimes I experience it hands on if I can.

For this particular book, I did all of the above. I wanted this story to be relevant and as close real as I could get. I picks three well know known publishers two I have books at and one I didn't. I read novels sold there that weaved bdsm elements into the sex play between characters to see what was accepted or rather encouraged. After I was done with the fictional side, I turned to the factual to see if those books were accurate. I brought home so many books on role playing, spanking and female domination that my husband was getting a little freaked out. LOL

During my online research, I joined groups and blog sites as my character to ask questions. Some days I pretended to be my main female character and asked about what I should do when he doesn't do what I tell him, how my general persona should be toward him or how I should act when we're alone as opposed to when others were around. A few days I went back to the same chat room and pretended to be the husband that being dominated and asked questions from that pov. Their answers helped me build realistic scenarios and behavior characteristic traits in my head that would later go into the book.

I met a dominatrix in one of the rooms I frequented and she allowed me to interview her over the phone. I will call her Maxine for the purpose of this blog, but for the record, that is not her real name. Maxine was very pleasant to speak with and polite. We had much in common and agreed that if we lived in the same state we could possibly be friends. She was forthcoming and more than willing to help another teach a woman to dominate her man in this male dominated society. J I informed her of my real purpose and apologized for misleading. Maxine laughed merrily and forgave me instantly saying she would love to be the one to stroke my muse in this endeavor.

Maxine is 33, single, holds a 'normal' 9-5 job during the day and maintains 6 men under her boot. That terminology was hers, not mine. I learned lots of terms from our conversations. Yes, that is plural because there were many and much to learn. Things she told me about the life style that wasn't in the books I had previously read. This proves, at least me that you can't learn everything from a book. Some things must be experienced by the five senses. Before I ended one of our last calls, Maxine suggested a few experiments I could try on my husband to correct any behavior of his that I didn't like. She was positive that her techniques would work even though my relationship was male dominated. Of course I assured her that my husband was in no need of correction. He was absolutely perfect and I loved him just the way he was. *looks around conspiratorially, then winks at the women reading the blog* But, for the sake of research, I made sure to document every single word, taking the time to lock them away in my heart forever. J

I take the time to research every genre theme (bdsm, fantasy, magic, mythology…) for every story I write with as many sources as I can get my hands on. Even if it's something I already know. I still ask around or read up on it to make sure my own knowledge on the subject is current and accurate. My biggest fear is to say something in one of my books that can be verified as true or false and I'm called out for being wrong. So, before I say something that is fact and not my opinion, rest assured that my research is sound and it has been verified.

Thanks for having me Wendi! I enjoyed my time with you. If you're interested in reading the books I have with different elements of BDSM in them here they are:

The Seven Year Switch http://museituppublishing.com/erotica

Home with The Jones- http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com

Spanking Cupid- http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com

Reindeer Games- www.phaze.com

Dana Littlejohn has left the building!

I love her. Cracks me up every time. Grin.
Here's the vital stats for Dana Littlejohn:
Dana Littlejohn was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, but has called Indianapolis, In. her home for over ten years. She has always wanted to write since early childhood, but put that wish on hold to raise her growing family and have a career. With the encouragement of her husband, Dana picked up her pen again in 2003 and has no intention on putting it down. With 3 novels, 8 novellas, 4 stories in anthologies, 42 short stories published to date and a long list of wips (works in progress) she is literally living her dream. Join her on the wild journey through her imagination. It's a ride you'll never forget!

Website: www.danalittlejohn.net

Blog: www.authordanalittlejohn.blogspot.com

Facebook: search authordanalittlejohn

Twitter: follow authordanalittlejohn
Here's a little bit about the Seven Year Switch:
Could you make the switch from dutiful, submissive wife to paddle wielding queen bee to save your marriage?

Sonja Winters was enjoying the good life with a great job and being married to the man of her dreams. As she prepared to celebrate their seven year anniversary she came across a secret that her husband had been keeping from her that would alter the course of their marriage forever.