Interview with Yvette Hines  

 When you first started writing, did you have any idea you’d be writing BDSM/kinky books? Do you write in any other genre?   I had no idea fourteen years ago when I started writing romance that I’d eventually begin to write BDSM. In 2007 when I began to pen erotic tales I still had no clue and didn’t really know much about it. Then I read a book by a good friend of mine and my eyes were open. I was drawn to the relationship and the commitment of a D/s.

Do you use a pen name? If yes (or no), why? Yvette Hines. When I originally started writing it was straight contemporary romance. I didn’t think that most of the readers of the genre would follow me to “the darker side of passion”. Which has been true for the most part, however, recently the “vanilla” romance world has opened up to incorporating the lifestyle stories. I was also in the military and wanted to keep my life separate from my full-time job.

Are you actively involved in BDSM? If so how do you identify yourself? Dom(me)/sub? Top/bottom? Switch? Active in the manner that I attend a lot of events and participate in a few activities for experience sake outside of my home. However, I’d classify myself as a sexual submissive. I love to be dominated in the bedroom.

At what point did you decide you wanted to write BDSM/kinky-themed erotica? Early 2007, my publisher put out a call for BDSM themed short stories. I had an idea and decided to give it a go. I researched my hind parts off and attended play-parties to talk with people in the lifestyle. Speed Dating is still one of my favorite stories to this day.

Was there something that happened to you in your life or career that made you want to begin thinking about writing BDSM/kinky-themed erotica? I can pretty much blame a book for always making me interested in things. However, when I started to get into BDSM I was in the military and feeling a lot of pressure with my weight and struggling with feeling good about myself. After going to my first event and seeing that people in the community were all different shapes and sizes, yet still were loved, respected and appreciated… I was hooked.

Is there one area of BDSM that you tend to write about more? Why do you think that area creeps into your writing more than some others? The male Dom and female submissive is a recurring theme in my stories. I do have Dommes featured in them, because I respect the female Dom. For me I think since I lean more to the submissive side by nature the male is always the top in my stories. If I attempted to analyze why that is, I would most likely link it to my growing up with no strong males in my life, so I am turned on by strong, bold, direct, confident men. A man that takes care of their woman in EVERY aspect.

Is there an area that is BDSM/kink-related that you haven’t written about yet that you’re interested in? Yes, one day I want to do a story about a second generation Dom or sub. It is a little more involved than that, but I don’t want to give too much away.  A good mummification story is rolling around in my head.

Do you write BDSM/kink erotica based on what you find interesting or sexy, or do you write more for your audience? Both. If I first don’t find it sexy or interesting then my Muse will give me nothing for it. However, more importantly than in my vanilla writing, I want to please the community that I am writing about. Never want to offend or show an untruth of the lifestyle.

What have you written in the past that you think your BDSM/kink fans might find interesting? Well, I’m known as the Christmas BDSM author. I usually try and put out two BDSM holiday stories a year, in July and December. If I had to choose I think I would say my Trusting St. Nick, Speed Dating and my two connected stories Holiday Fantasy and A Gentle Christmas.

Do you do any “hands-on” research when you’re writing BDSM/kinky themed erotica? Yes, if I’m interested in writing something, I go to an event and talk to the Doms and subs. I usually ask to experience it. Then I watch a full session from beginning to end taking in everything, how the Dom talks and touches, the response of the sub with voice and body, etc.

What is your favorite fetish? Why? Flogger. I didn’t even have to think on it. I enjoy the sound and feel of it. Even though I can’t wield one worth anything… I like holding it in my hand and feeling the weight in my palm. Next would be spanking with an open hand. Although, I recently saw a whip Master at an event that was amazing, I mean he captivated and took my breath away.

What might be something of interest to your fans that you don’t think they know about you? When I write my BDSM scene I write it to hard hitting music. Something with a fast beat and naughty lyrics. I wear headphones and drown out every other sound. Which is interesting because the scenes are usually very sensual and intimate. Strange, I know.

At this point in your career, do you think you’ll write more BDSM/kinky erotica? Absolutely. I don’t think there will be a time that I don’t. I truly enjoy writing it.

What’s the most surprising piece of feedback you’ve ever received from a fan of your writing?
A reader was telling other readers who were nay-saying about BDSM stories that they should read Yvette Hines because my stories are both sensual and informative. The reader said she thought I allowed readers who were a little nervous about what BDSM was all about to experience and get to know the lifestyle in a way that made them want to know more. That was an honor to me and let me know I was doing what I set out to do every time I allow a story to be published. I want to tap into the inner heart of readers and allow them not to be afraid or put down people in the lifestyle, but to understand why people get in it and stay in it. There is so much out there on the net and mainstream that isn’t the truth of the community that causes people to judge and close their mind, I want to show differently.

Have you ever heard that a fan might have tried something from one of your stories and liked it? Did you take it as a compliment? I get readers telling me about how they let their spouse or significant other spank them or tie them up and how much they liked and enjoyed it. Also, I have a few readers who have asked me to help them find groups in their area because they want to learn more and have always been secretly interested. I’ve taken a few local readers with me also to events and introduced them to people. Those things are always great to find out.

When you’re writing BDSM/kinky-related erotica, is there a particular movie or music that you might watch or listen to that helps you get in that frame of mind? The Secretary, I love that movie. The music always changes but Christina Aguilera and Robin Thicke are a few of the standard pieces I have in my playlist.

If someone new to your work is going to start with a story, which one would you recommend they read first? That is hard, but I think I’d say Trusting St. Nick.

Do you attend BDSM, kink, or fetish conferences? Or do you attend any other “vanilla” type of conferences? Attending any in the near future you want to mention? I go to various events, but as a standard I’m at LeatherFet, FFF, Authors After Dark and I’m going to try to make Frolicon this year.

What is your favorite BDSM/kinky website that you have shopped at online? Collar n Cuffs.com. I like to shop at events because I can hold it all in my hand first.

Who is your favorite BDSM/kinky author? Movie? Bridget Midway, Eliza Gayle, Qwillia Rain

What is your favorite flavor ice cream? And since this interview is for BDSM Book Reviews, vanilla is not an option! Strawberry or anything with caramel in it.

 Website, links info: http://yvettehines.com

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