As part of the Dirtyville/Kinkyville interview series, today’s interview is with Shanna Germain, who wrote the story Weather Man in the Dirtyville anthology. She shares with us how travel has influenced her writing, what projects she’s working on next and her definition of a geek.

LUX ZAKARI: What initially prompted you to submit your story, Weather Man, for the Kinkyville collection?

SHANNA GERMAIN: I actually wrote the story with Sommer’s call for submission in mind. I was thinking about the weather and small towns, and then I was thinking about the way that rain can kind of cover and protect us from prying eyes. I thought, “What if this long-term couple has a secret little tryst whenever it rains?” The fact that he is a weatherman kind of came in by accident, and I thought it worked, so I kept it.

LZ: According to your web site, you’ve traveled all over! How have your travels influenced your work?

SG: I do travel a lot, and I think it has a huge influence on my work. When I’m in an urban US setting, my writing takes on a quick, clipped, very modern feel. In other countries, my written language begins to change to echo the sound and structure of whatever spoken language I’m hearing. If I’m near the ocean, I find myself writing more water-based stories. When I wrote Weather Man, I was actually staying in a very small town, kind of out in the woods, listening to the spring rain drum on the roof every morning.

LZ: What is one of your favorite stories in either the Dirtyville or Kinkyville collection and why?

SG: Ooh, that’s a tough one. There are so many that I really like. One of my favorites is definitely Dentist’s Wife by Scarlett Greyson. It’s so short and eloquent, and I’m a fan of erotica that includes people’s compulsions in a sexy way.

LZ: You’re a self-proclaimed “geek”—in what ways?

SG: Well, I’m a serious gamer. I like technology and sci fi and gadgets. Parties make me nervous. I like geek boys too. Smart, sexy men who get all excited about electronics. My ideal evening would involve myself and a fellow geek partaking in yummy food, yummy fuckings and a whole lot of geekery, usually in the form of Rock Band or WoW.

I’m not a geek of the carnival performer variety, though. Biting the heads off chickens? Pass.

LZ: As a fellow Rock Band geek, I have to ask: Vocals, bass, guitar or drums?

SG: Vocals all the way! And a bit of bass. Watching me on the drums is just… sad. Although, did you see that the next version will have keyboards? I’m pretty sure I could rock those in a bad way!

LZ: What can readers expect from you next?

SG: I’m working on a couple of collections from my publishing company (MindFuck Fiction), I’ve always got my fingers in about a million story and poetry pots, and I’m working on an urban fantasy novel. So, as usual, a little bit of everything!

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To purchase the Kinkyville collection, Dirtyville collection or both, visit dirtyvillecollection.blogspot.com.

For details about Shanna Germain, visit www.shannagermain.com.