An interview with Rue Volley.
Having read, loved and reviewed Rue Volley’s book “The Devil’s Gate” I was eager to talk more with her about the book and what it means to her.
Thank you Rue Volley for taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule to talk with me.
CV: The Devil’s Gate is an amazingly rich and intriguing BDSM novel that’s due to be released in April. What is your interest in the BDSM scene and how do you feel it has been portrayed in fiction before this book?
Rue: I lived this lifestyle for many years. I love everything about it and contrary to some belief, submissives are not damaged creatures looking for acceptance. A submissive is usually a very strong willed individual with a solid sense of self. My interest in being submissive stemmed from being able to ALLOW myself to submit to someone. I am very controlling by nature (towards myself, not others). I am aggressive and strong willed. The seduction was finding someone who could make me WANT to submit. The psychological part of it was the most intriguing and stimulating part of the game for me, and yes, it is a game. I am a huge lover of chess and the relationship between a dominant and submissive partner is the best chess game that I have ever played in my life.
As far as BDSM portrayal in books goes, I think there are plenty of fabulous books out there on the subject that do it justice. I think the best thing to remember is that if you have a true interest in it then you should open your horizons and find a safe partner to practice the ritual of fetish play with. I would never suggest that you simply start this type of thing with anyone that you don’t know very well. There are strict boundaries set in this lifestyle or you could wander into dangerous territory with someone who may be abusive instead of seasoned at it. BDSM comes in different levels of play too. It is something that you build up to, not something that you simply go full throttle on.
If you really want to know about BDSM then do your homework on it. Read up on it to see if it is something that you would even feel comfortable stepping into. Like I said before, it has many layers, some are lighter and some are extremely intense. You need to understand what type of play you want and trust the person that you are doing it with to give you pleasure and the right amount of pain to make it exactly what you want it to be.
CV: Your hero (or should it be anti-hero) is a rich dominant while your heroine is a relatively poor submissive. Why did you choose to portray your lead characters in this way? And how do you feel the two lives reinforce the themes of your story?
Rue: Jack is rich but extremely complex. He is so damaged and I made sure that I built his character by showing and not telling. The only reason Jack comes from money is because I wanted him to be as foreign to Abigail as he could be without being a paranormal creature, such as a vampire. People who live that lavishly, with no needs or worry about money cannot possibly understand what it is like to struggle to pay a student loan or a bill. It isn’t that they are snobs, it is just not their world. Abigail is not damaged, except for one loss in her life. She comes from a supportive and loving household. Middle-class, average and secure in her knowledge of self-worth. She is a virgin and I did this to show how strong willed she actually is. She isn’t oblivious to sex, in fact she wants it very badly but instead of simply doing it she tends to live vicariously through her roommate, who is sexually active. Anyone who has been to college and dealt with raging hormones and stress can understand that situations occur that we may have otherwise not done if not placed in that environment. Abi puts her nose to the grindstone and wants a future, she skips the parties and boys. She chooses to save herself for the right partner. She is about as foreign to Jack as he is to her and that sets the pace for their torrid love affair. He is something she wants to understand just as much as Jack wants to understand her. The fascination is mutual but Jack is a dominant so he will play the game with her and try to force her to come to him. All of this is from personal experience as I mentioned that I did live this lifestyle for many years.
CV: Would you agree that you explore female sexuality in the book?
Rue: Yes. I feel that I explore it in great depth and still maintained Abi’s sense of self-worth and the natural nervous progression as she allowed her own sexual needs to morph. I think it’s important to point out that sex is not always penetration. To me, sex can be a touch, a tongue sliding into your mouth. A hand gently grazing your hardened nipple and words. Oh my God, words can make your come. That is the game. To climax without having to go all of the way. This book is all about sexuality and the female. It is dedicated to her pleasure just as intensely as Jack is dedicated to pleasing Abi.
CV: Which is your favourite of the minor or supporting characters in the story and why?
Rue: That is really hard. I actually love both supporting roles equally as well. Avery—Abi’s loyal and supportive friend, whom she lives with is both intensely aware of Abi and comically relieving when the situation calls for it. She is the perfect roommate. Someone that Abi loves and trusts and that bond helps hold together when the inevitable bumps in the road occur. Then there is Sam. Damn it. Sam is hot, sweet, endearing, loyal and the perfect catch. Sam plays a very important role in this storyline as he establishes the safety and Jack establishes the danger. Of course everyone would point to Sam and yell “Abi—go for him!” but you know what? Love can either be as easy as breathing or completely breathless. My desires and Abi’s push her toward the latter. It’s the not knowing that excites her the most so Sam balances this out. Plus, his character is deeply embedded in Abi’s past as you will find out as you read the story. Wink.
CV: The Devil’s Gate is the first in a series of books. Do you know how many you plan to write?
Rue: Yes, there will be three. Book two is called The Devil’s Fire and the final book in the trilogy is called The Devil’s Kiss. If any spin offs occur it will be fan driven in nature. Right now I have the entire storyboard mapped out and I know the ending to the series.
CV: You’ve had enormous success as an indie author including at least one film deal. Do you have any advice to others hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Rue: My advice is pretty simple. Never give up. If you get one no then keep going. If you can’t find someone to pen that screenplay then write it yourself. If you don’t find a director then start teaching yourself how to do it by filming snippets of your books and creating trailers. Just as in writing, film is a learning experience. You can read about it all day, but unless you pick up the camera and start to film then you will never teach yourself how to really do it. Another thing to keep in mind is that things with film happen MUCH SLOWER than with publishing a book. You could try to pitch your story for years but please don’t get so wrapped up in the thought of filming that you forget to write and keep working as an author. It is so easy to get obsessed with that type of thing and let your career wane. The last thing I will say is that this is the hardest job that I have ever had in my life. It is something that you have to dedicate yourself to all the way from honing your craft, editing, building a fan base, budgeting for promotion and so on. You always have to push a bit harder every single day because no one will do it for you.
CV: What would you consider to be your greatest literary achievement?
Rue: Oh man. Well, to be quite honest. The Devil’s Gate is the most polished piece of work that I have ever released. If we are talking technique and craft then this is it. I took six years of everything I have learned as an author and poured that love and knowledge into this series.
If we are talking length and world building then Blood & Light wins. If we are talking commercial success then it would be Hellhound, since it has been on the bestsellers list for over two years and got a movie deal.
CV: Is there anything in your history as an indie author that embarrasses you? What lessons have you learned dealing with that?
Rue: Oh man. Let’s see. The only thing that embarrasses me is the fact that I released my very first book in 2010 with no marketing plan, no promotion, no fan page, website, or vision and then wondered why it didn’t sell. I know now. Hahahaha
CV: Why should people rush out to read The Devil’s Gate?
Rue: Oh I hope they do! Well, I can say that the story is intriguing. The characters are real, the plot is solid and the editing is spot on. I took every opportunity to release the best possible product to the public that I could with this. Now…for the actual story. I think that anyone can relate to this. It does have BDSM, it does have detailed sexual situations, but it is so much more than that. It is suspenseful, humorous, laugh out-loud funny at times. It is mysterious and sensual. The characters are real, everyday people. Even Jack, who is immensely wealthy is relatable. He is not so foreign to the reader that you would feel disconnected with him. His flaws balance out his station in life. I took great care in building this world so that it consumes you. Every chapter has a reason to be there and pushes the story forward. I didn’t fill this book with scenes to simply accomplish page count. Every word and action counts and takes you on an incredible journey of self-discovery and sexual exploration. I do more showing than telling. I trust that the reader can pay attention to the characters and everything that is said and done. I put my passion for the art of storytelling into this and I can only hope that my love shines through on the pages for each person who takes the time to read it.
CV: Who is your favourite erotic author, either indie or traditionally published?
Rue: Anne Rice, she is mentor and idol.
CV: As such a successful figure you surely have your pick of publishers. What is it about Hot Ink Press and Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly that holds your heart?
Rue: The owner, Sarah Davis Brandon, and I go way back. We were actually signed together on another label before Sarah decided to open her own publishing company. When she did I gladly offered my assistance in helping her establish herself by writing a few shorts for her. I helped her launch Hot Ink Press with an anthology and placed some of my work on that label as it grew. I also head Marketing and Creative Graphics for CHBB. I handle the promotional plans and a majority of the covers for the authors. My love for this company stems back to my love for Sarah. She was an author FIRST and she understands the daily struggles as well as the ups and down of this business. Together we try to strengthen our corner of the publishing world by providing a healthy and thriving environment for authors to find success in. We also understand that the journey is different for each and every author. Some become bestsellers very quickly, while other build their brand and find success at a slower pace. Some sell hundreds of books and some sell fewer, but they are all successful in their own right. Of course this is a business, but it is also a family and we support each other one hundred percent and celebrate all wins, regardless of how big or small they may appear to others. To me, all wins are huge. This is not an easy business to be in. Simply releasing a book is a triumph in itself.
CV: Thank you very much for your time and thoughts. Having read The Devil’s Gate I would like to say that it is an amazing read that everyone interested in sensual sexual relationships is likely to enjoy reading. Do you have any last words before we conclude the interview?
Rue: Thank you so much. I do want to personally thank you for your support and in reading my work. Your suggestions helped me polish the book and for that I will be forever grateful. Love you. Rue x
origamiaround
theartofmadeline
annaxmalina
gummygunk
germansingergirl
yousharknotpass
andulkaphoto