First up, what is coming up for Jaiyde Thomas?

I just want to thank you for this opportunity. What's coming up, you ask? I have one gay romance novel coming out this year titled A Destined Christmas Miracle. It was the project that I created for NanoWrimo, and it is a special story about finding yourself and rebuilding after a traumatic event.

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I am also working on a new novel that follows A Destined Christmas Miracle for camp Nano. This story is the second book in the All Access series, and it is titled...well, you'll just have to wait and see, but I promise that it is a story that will hopefully raise questions and start discussions.

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You’re not only writing books but you have a podcast, tell us about this

I love creating, whether it's in written form or audio. The podcast, Kelanie and Jaiyde's Corner, is all about my books, blindness, and why I write. I write under another pen name, Kelanie Black, where I publish BDSM erotic romance. Now, your readers may wonder: why blindness? Well, I am an author who just happens to be blind.

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You are a blind writer who tackles the subject that people with disabilities can have varied and fulfilling love and sex lives. What feedback have you received about this?

Yes, disability recognition is important to me. A lot of the feedback that I have received has been positive, stating that my books have inspired them or that I have by creating worlds where disabled people can be free to express themselves. I have received negative feedback from one person who asked:

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"Why do you write about blind people?"

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In my head, when my VoiceOver read that message, I detected curiosity but also judgment or disgust. I write about blind/disabled persons because I want to inspire others with my books, but also because I want to raise questions and start discussions on the topic of disability and sex, which when you put them together, are greatly stigmatized. I write what I want, and it makes me happy.

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Can you give us an teasers on upcoming projects?

I can supply one from A Destined Christmas Miracle:

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"Hey, man. What's up?" Dennis's voice was groggy, and I gripped the phone.

"I think we have a problem." I wasted no time getting straight to the point. It was something that got me in trouble lots of times, but this situation was dire. "I need you to go on LeatherBoundMen's website. When you see the ad for Flame of Fury, let me know."

I could hear him sipping something, and then, he cleared his throat. My friend knew I meant business when I didn't greet him with a hello. I heard him tapping on the keyboard, and then, he spoke.

"I see the ad. What am I looking at here, man?"

"Open the comment section, and look at the last one. I need to know if that's Colin."

 

Silence followed, and my stomach turned. <i> Oh, please. Don't let it be him. God, please. </i>

"Oh my God." Dennis's soft whisper came from the other end, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my heartbeat accelerate.

"What is it?" I asked, my right fist clenching and unclenching. I couldn't sit still.

"That's him all right. He's the guy who almost punched me last night trying to get out of All Access. Oh, Stephen," he groaned. "I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you. Last night reminded me of how you described your first meeting him, and the description that Joey gave me back then matches this face in the picture."

 

Inside, I was pissed that Dennis hadn't disclosed the details of the incident with me. More importantly, that Colin had been the one who had almost punched him. My anger was replaced by fear. <i> Colin, what are you doing and why are you in Alabama? </i>

"This club looks..." Dennis trailed off, and I knew that he was thinking the same thing. He was a strict Dom, but even those acts didn't appeal to him. He could get by with making his submissives kneel on raw rice and hold books on their head while in the corner. Even golden showers was on his list of soft limits. "Why would Colin need to go here? He's looking for something different, but this..."

"I know, man," I answered, my head falling back against the couch. "Dennis, you know what needs to be done. I know that he's not my submissive, but if he is going to this club, he shouldn't be alone. How long ago was the comment posted?"

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"Um, about twelve hours ago. Do you think he actually went? He seems like the type to not follow through."

"I don't know, and neither do you!" I growled, slapping my knee. "My main priority is finding him, okay? This already has BAD VIBES written all over it. He can't be alone, Dennis. So, here's what we're going to do. You, my friend, are going to book us a round-trip from Columbus to Birmingham, Alabama. You'll then get back to me with the details, and we'll talk strategy. Understood?" My friend was a Dominant too, and I knew that I shouldn't be speaking to him in this way, but some situations called for the direct approach, and I didn't have time for Dennis's assumptions about Colin.

"Okay. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about last night." His voice was soft, and I sighed. I knew he felt bad for not telling me, but right now, it was the last thing on my mind.

"Get back to me when it's done. We'll talk soon, and it's okay, man."

 

When did you start writing?

As a young girl who loved music and TV shows such as The Naked Brothers Band, I was drawn to the idea of writing songs, just like the lead singer from that band. So, that's what I did. I had been given a Brailwriter, which is a machine that outputs Braille by pressing a combination of keys, by my elementary school, and the first song that I wrote was for that lead singer, who I had a major crush on. From then on, writing became something to do to pass the time, and when my teachers would give me a writing assignment, I was elated and attacked the project with gusto! In seventh grade, I wrote my first story about a teen pregnancy, and a year later, I started a seven-book series about an eighth grader who was section leader of the percussion section in marching band.

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What do you think are the most important elements of good writing?

Oh, I love this question! I feel that the writer's voice is of utmost importance. I didn't realize how important the author's writing voice was until a beta reader pointed it out. Your speech patterns affect how you talk in your mind, which in turn, is how you form your writing. I hope this is making sense.

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Well-rounded characters are another element of writing that I appreciate. If you finish a story feeling any type of emotion, it most likely is because of the plot or characters. I felt this exact way when I wrote Blind and Broken. My character had suffered from alcoholism, and the ending had me in tears. When you begin creating a new work of art, your characters become like family. You get to know them on a deeper level, which allows you to feel their emotions, their troubles, and their fears. It's fascinating how a story can make you feel so much.

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Lastly, a good storyline keeps the reader turning the pages until the end. With A Destined Christmas Miracle, I knew what I wanted to happen, and as I wrote, I thought about my readers and if everything that I was writing would hold their interest. That story was inspired by a book that I had previously read. It made me feel so many emotions, and that's what I want to do with this book. A good storyline will make you feel as if you're in the story with the characters, and that's another thing I appreciate about good writing.

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What is the most surprising thing you have discovered about yourself when writing?

Hmm, also another good question. Recently, I've discovered that taking time to get to learn your characters and story is freeing. I sometimes stress about the next chapter or the end, but with this last book, I was able to slow down and let the ideas and story guide me. I feel so confident about ADCM and its direction, and it is long, but it is that way because I took the time to listen to my characters and what they wanted instead of focusing on getting the story down.

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Which authors do you like?

For erotic romance, Rachel Kramer Bussell and Alison Tyler are my favorites. They were there at a time when I was confused about my interest in BDSM, and while my ex-boyfriend was making me feel bad about my exploration, these authors brought me into their world and showed me another side to sex and love.

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My favorite gay romance authors are K.C. Wells and Parker Williams. Their books have shown me that another genre is possible, that I can branch out and try something different. A Destined Christmas Miracle is inspired by one of the books in a series that these two have created titled Collars&Cuffs.  

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Do have other hobbies outside of writing?

I love music and singing. When I was growing up, I wanted to be a singer, which was why I wrote songs up until I joined marching band in eighth grade. Drumming is another hobby. I often dream of creating a drumline just for disabled persons. Marching band made me feel as if I had a purpose and that blind people can really do anything that we set our minds to. If it wasn't for the Ohio State School for the Blind marching band, I probably wouldn't have the attitudes and confidence that I do now. Marching band shaped me into a better person.

             

Can people find you on social media?

Yes! I am on Facebook as Jaiyde Thomas, and my facebook page is:

www.facebook.com/jaiyde.thomas2142/

I am on Instagram as jaiyde_thomas and Twitter as jaiyde_thomas.

My website is: www.trustsayyes.blogspot.com

My podcast is: anchor.fm/jaiydethomas

I also have merchandise, which is available on teeSpring.

Thank you so much for having me!

 

For extra bits from this interview including Jaiyde’s advice for new writers, how she gets the mood right to create those spicy scenes and where does inspiration come from, subscribe to my newsletter.