Interview with Jolie Du Pre, editor of SWING!

It is rather fitting that on the day of release of “SWING! ADVENTURES IN SWINGING BY TODAY’S TOP EROTICA WRITERS” we post an interview with the dynamic Jolie Du Pre, editor of SWING!

Jolie is one the hardest working authors/editors in the industry. She is also a leading source of information and resource on swinging and GLBT.

1. Describe your experience getting published for the first time. Would you have done anything differently?
My first published story appeared on-line in Cara Bruce’s Venus or Vixen website.  I wrote about a housewife who spent her day fucking other women while her husband was at work and her children were at school.  Venus or Vixen was a recommended erotica source during its day.  It was thrilling to see the story on the site.

2. What is one of the nicest things a critic or fan has said about your work?
To hear that I satisfied something they were looking for.  It feels good to give a reader what he or she wants.

3. What is your philosophy on writing?
My philosophy is to stay true to your style or your voice.  Don’t strive to write like someone else.  Make nurturing and respecting your own style your number one goal.

4.   Does your family/significant other know and support your writing? What do they think?
My husband is one of the greatest supporters of my writing.  It makes a big difference when your spouse is supportive.  My immediate family members all know.  Some are supportive.  Others would rather not talk about erotica and sex.  My dad is a strong supporter.

5. Name a few references every writer (or writer in your genre(s)) should have
I have plenty of reference books, but The Elements of Style (Strunk and White) is the only one I return to.  As stated by The Boston Globe – “No book in shorter space, with fewer words, will help any writer more than this persistent little volume.”

6. How do you overcome writer’s block? Any suggestions?
Just write.  If all you can produce is a load of nonsense, that’s fine.  The process will ignite your brain to produce more, and eventually, you will produce something you can use.

7. How/where do you do your research?
My research is a combination of personal experience, observations and reading.  It would be difficult for me to write erotica if that combination were not present.

8.  Who or what has been your best teacher when it comes to writing?
The experiences of those who kept going and never quit.  If you want people to read your work – writing is more than just writing.  There’s a hell of a lot of promotional work involved, and that takes a tremendous amount of time and energy.  It’s difficult to achieve a balance when you have family and friends.  You sit in front of the computer a lot.  Your eyes will hurt.  Your back will hurt.  But hopefully, the reward is worth it.