TheWriter's Life Chats with Dangerous Lee

Dangerous Lee, HIV Prevention Specialist and Author of Keep Your Panties Up and Your Skirt Down – Six Erotic Tales of Safe Sex, is a brand with various projects in the fields of activism, writing, acting, painting, and internet radio. She lives in Burton, Michigan with her daughter and two pet rats!

Learn more about Keep Your Panties Up and Your Skirt Down by visiting www.pantiesupskirtdown.com. Follow Dangerous Lee on Facebook www.facebook.com/DangerousLee.Biz and on Twitter www.twitter.com/DangerousLee

Welcome to The Writer's Life, Dangerous Lee.  Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

A: Readers of Zane books may know me from her anthology, Succulent: Chocolate Flava 2. My short story is titled, Til’ Death Do Us Part. I am also a contributing writer for actress, Monique Coleman’s website, GimmeMo.com. I have been writing creatively since I was a child, and even then I said I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. I got sidetracked along the way, but writing is in my blood.

Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?

A: Keep Your Panties Up and Your Skirt Down is erotica with an emphasis on HIV education. The title comes from words my late grandmother used to say to me as a child in regards to not having sex. The book is dedicated to her.

What kind of research was involved in writing (please italicize book title here – no caps or quote marks)?

A: Before I became an HIV Prevention Specialist with Wellness AIDS Services of Flint, MI I had learned quite a bit about HIV, but after being hired I learned a great deal more about the virus. Inside the pages of the book I made sure to have a section dedicated to HIV Fact, HIV Fiction, and definitions of terms that I use in the book that people may not be familiar with.

Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing?

A: There were a few pot holes when I was in the process of finding a publisher, but when I decided to self publish it was smooth sailing.

For this particular book, how long did it take from the time you signed the contract to its release?

A: As a self published author I was on my own timeline.

Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is?  If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?

A: No, I do not have an agent, but I am definitely open to agent representation.

Do you plan subsequent books?

A: Yes. You have to see ahead. Writing is a career. I plan to have my second book published in 2012 and I have the concept for the third book in my mind as well.

Can you describe your most favorite place to write?

A: I need more writing options. At this time I use an old desktop computer. I recently purchased a lap top so that I can let the varying environments inspire me. I have found that being committed to my four walls causes my creative juices to dry.

If money was no object, what would be the first thing you would invest in to promote your book?

A: A huge ad surrounded in bright lights in Times Square for a month!

How important do you think self-promotion is and in what ways have you been promoting your book offline and online?

A: As a self-published author I do nothing but self promote. I have been featured on various radio shows on and off the internet, websites, newspaper articles, community events, and book signings. Each time I am able to book myself for something I am tickled!

What’s the most common reason you believe new writers give up their dream of becoming published and did you almost give up?

A: New writers give up because publishing is an over saturated field and the competition is thick. Writing is a labor of love because very rarely do authors make a living at their craft. It’s also disappointing to learn that the big publishing houses don’t come looking for you until you have proven you can sell a certain amount of books on your own. I never felt as if I wanted to give up because I knew that self publishing was an option. After so many rejection letters I got busy making my dream come true.

Any final words of wisdom for those of us who would like to be published?

A: Keep it Dangerous!

Thank you for your interview, Dangerous.  I wish you much success!

A: Thanks, I need it!

Read the Excerpt

from "Self Love and Pain"

I am in love with myself. That’s right; I turn my damn self on. As
I stand here in my black lace bra and panties I am turned on by my
full-figured image. I love my body. I’ve had this love affair before, but
now it’s permanent.

Unfortunately, my boyfriend died of AIDS. I am HIV negative.
We always had safe sex. I knew he had AIDS, and I also knew how to
protect myself. Winston was honest with me from the very beginning
and I made the decision aft er dating and getting to know him for three
months that I wanted to make love to him until the day AIDS took
his life.

Doesn’t sound romantic? That’s because you’re the type that
believes in fairy tales. Has a knight in shining armor ever tried to get
your phone number? Hell no! Real knights are usually in rusted armor
that require several cans of oil.

When I met Winston he appeared healthy as a race horse. Before
he got himself cleaned up and drug free he was an intravenous drug
user who shared needles with other IV drug users. By the time I met
him he was a very successful business man looking to make each
moment count.