Get ready to learn more about the book I Dare You to Love Me in this discussion with sapphic author Lori G. Matthews.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Lori G. Matthews about I Dare You to Love Me, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Bisexual / Pansexual Character category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write I Dare You to Love Me?
Out of the blue, I started writing fanfics on AO3 in 2016. I mean, really out of the blue. I’d never written anything before. My works were all romantic comedies because I love to make people laugh. I Dare You to Love (known as Sleepless in Seattle in the Clexa-verse) was my second story and will always, always be my favorite. Writing the fanfic was truly one of the best times of my life. I met so many people from all around the globe. I replied to every reader’s comment and sometimes our conversations lasted pages. Readers didn’t just read, they participated. I asked for pet pictures, and they sent them to me and were posted in the next chapter. We had a “purple-chicken-cook-off contest” with hilarious results. There was just so much laughter. Since the whole experience was so near and dear to my heart, I knew I wanted the story “in print,” so I submitted it to Bella Books and the rest is herstory. When the book won a Goldie in 2023, it was icing on the cake.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Zoey, the bestie of one of the main characters, is my fav. She drives most of the comedy in the story. She’s a goofball and can find humor in any situation, like Moi. All the crazy stuff she does in the golf chapter, I’ve done. She hits golf balls in the water, and so do I. I swear there’s some sort of water GPS inside every ball I buy. If there’s a pond, I’m in it. A creek? Yes, please. The ocean? Do you have to ask. A puddle? Nailed it. A dog bowl? I bet I could. I hit my ball into a resort pool once, but that’s a story for another day. Don’t worry, nobody died.
What part of I Dare You to Love Me was the most fun to write?
The question should be, “What part wasn’t fun to write?” because that would be easier. I could never pick just one that was fun. The slow dance, the golf scene, the dildo demo, the paint ball, and every time the two mains threw verbal zingers at each other. And I’m such a weirdo, I still laugh when I read these scenes today, three years later!
How did you come up with the title for your book?
This is funny. I’m really bad at titles. Like, super bad. But the universe intervened. I had a reader reach out to me on Twitter (I refuse to call it X.) She had just read my first novel, #Cassinova, loved it, and was looking for more of my work. At the time, Dare was not submitted to a publisher and still up on AO3, so I sent her the link. We established a bit of a rapport, and I told her I was having trouble coming up with a title. The next day I had ten suggestions in my DM box. So, Dot from Ireland came up the title. Thank you, Dot!
What is your writing process like?
My first two books I was a pantser. I knew my endings, knew my beginnings, but had no idea where the characters were going to take me. My third book coming out in October is a historical romance, set in 1878. I knew how these characters would meet, but wasn’t sure how their story would unfold. For months they filled my head and slowly it came together, so I created an outline before writing. Can’t say which is better for me, plotting or pantsering, but I’ve done both, so that makes me sort of ambidextrous in a writer-ly kinda way.
Where do you usually write, and what do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
I do my best writing at work. I’m not very focused when I’m home. Having one cat that likes to scream through a shut door while his twin brother low-key whines doesn’t help. No peace or alone time in our house. So how do I get away with writing at work? I’m the boss. Insert winky emoji.
Do you have a pet who helps/hinders your typing?
The aforementioned screamer is Jasper. He screams. Constantly. Non-stop. I have no idea why. I’m sure I failed as a pet parent at some point in his development. But despite the noise, he is also Mr. Personality. He’s basically a dog in a cat’s body. He greets people when they come in. He loves strangers. When we were getting construction work done inside the house, he screamed at the dude running the table saw. I guess he’s got a lot to say. He also fetches. We’ll hide a bunch of toys on the second and third floor, plushy fluff-type toys, and he brings them back down, one at a time, his little scream muffled by the fluff. They’re not little, they’re big dog-like toys. Doesn’t matter. He’ll find them and be so damn proud to drop them at our feet. Then the wife insists we gush over him for his fetching prowess. It doesn’t matter that I’m about to find out who did it in “Presumed Innocent,” everything stops for the cat who needs his little ego boosted because he brought down Mr. Peabody.
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
I’ve already told you that I write at work. Well, picture me eating my lunch at my desk. I cut a tomato, because who doesn’t like a tomato with their cheese sandwich, and I underestimate the squirt zone. Seeds and juice spray all over my keyboard. That is a hindrance, people! And effing messy.
If you could be mentored by a famous author (living or not), who would it be?
I’m gonna date myself here. Humorist Erma Bombeck. When I was young, like grade school age, my favorite books were about Greek Mythology and horses, (hello Misty of Chincoteague.) When I became a teenager, I discovered Erma Bombeck, and she was FUNNY. I had never laughed while reading a book before. She would’ve been a wonderful mentor.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
I love reading a good lawyer/court room drama book. My wife always said I should’ve been a lawyer, because I love to plead my case ad nauseam. You see, I need to win the argument. Ten minutes later, she’s moved on, and I’m still hammering home my point. (She’s a pro at selective hearing.)
Thriller/spy type novels also enthrall me. I admire any author who can write a thriller and surprise you in the end. Now that I’m a writer, I can appreciate the skill it takes to do this.
What books did you grow up reading?
When I was a teenager and not reading Erma Bombeck, I was drawn to romance novels. At that time, I was struggling with my sexuality, and back then sapphic fiction was not exactly sitting on the shelf at Barnes and Noble, so I had to read mainstream straight romances. I read a lot of books that were grand and long and always a slow burn. All of my books that I write are slow burn, because I love it when the emotion and attraction have a chance to really build up and then explode.
