For this week’s Author Spotlight, I’m joined by the fabulous Lynn Van Dorn. We talked flawed heroes, writing on her phone, always wanting to be writer, and squeaking in the occasional magic peen.

Take it away Lynn…

First things first, please introduce yourself!
Hi! I’m Lynn Van Dorn, aka Virginia Kelly, aka the Stabby Flamingo. As Lynn I write Contemporary MM romance. As Virginia I write dragon shifter mpreg-ish (or meggs) romance with Piper Scott. In addition, I work full time, which is where the flamingo being stabby comes from.

Tell us a little bit about your writing style.
It’s pretty idiosyncratic, which is why I’m unlikely to write with anyone besides Piper. In general, I tend to have flawed heroes with realistic problems who fall in love with a guy that’s their person. Along the way there is much snark and sex. Even the fluffiest of my books has angst. Even the angstiest of my books has fun and humor. All my books have lots of sex. You can’t fix problems with a magic penis* but it sure is fun trying. I also have a pretty big vocabulary, a love of history, and a great interest in science, especially medical science. That stuff tends to show up a lot in my books. Also, my characters are yappy. They even talk during sex.

*The exception is Bond, but since it’s fantasy, I think we can squeak by with magic peen in that one. I mean, why wouldn’t dragon spunk be magical?

Describe your books in only three words.
Fun, feels, fornication.

What’s your next book about and when is it coming out?
As Lynn, my next book was finished yesterday. It’s a longish novella or short novel at 41k, and it’s for a giveaway scheduled for the first of January 2022. It’s called Misconduct, and it bridges my two series: North Shore Stories and The Oleander Chronicles. The main hero is Maxie, a fan favorite from the Oleander books.

As Virginia, Piper and I are working on the last book in our dragon series, Raven. We have writing plans for after that, but they are Top Secret.

Out of all your books, which one are you most proud of?
Daddy Issues, which is a perfect and also terrible title. The main hero, Ryan, has literal Daddy Issues in that he’s shaped much of his life, to the detriment of his psyche, guided by the unreasonable demands of his father. It’s only after Ryan meets Marek that he begins to heal wounds he’s been holding onto most of his life. Marek is everything Ryan isn’t: young, confident, from humble origins, and a Dom. 

This is my only BDSM book and it’s very BDSM light. However, through Marek’s discipline, Ryan learns to give and receive consent, as well as finding care, self-worth, and peace. 

Also, the ending is super sweet and schmoopy.

What or who (or both) has influenced you most as a writer?
People, mostly. My fellow writers from my fanfic days. My fellow MM romance writers. The writing advice from Stephen King. He’s a master of characterization, immersive writing, and what he calls “the gotta.” As in, “I gotta read the next page/chapter/book.”

What inspired you to start writing?
I always wanted to be a writer. Even back in first grade. I just didn’t figure out how to make it happen until my forties.

What’s your writing process like? Do you have a typical “writing day”?
My “writing process” is pretty haphazard, largely due to my full-time job. I write on days off and in spare moments. I write a lot on my phone. I’m currently writing this answer on my phone.

<Waves from bathtub>

What comes first for you – the plot or the characters?
Most of the time it’s the characters, but sometimes I am struck by a plot bunny and I need to create a character just for it. Sometimes, it’s both.

What’s a book that you wish you’d written?
It’s a series, but the Hitman books by Alice Winters.

If you could only write one trope for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
If I HAD to pick only one, May/December.

What would be your three desert island books?
Delores Claiborne by Stephen King, Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, SAS Survival Handbook by John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman.

If one of your books could be made into a movie/TV series, which would you choose and who would you cast?
Wild By Nature because it’s essentially a porny MM Hallmark movie. 
Kurt, aka Daddy Thor: Alexander Skarsgård with long hair and a beard.
Hayden: Timothée Chalamet.
Dr. Tremaine: Jim Parsons.
Heather: Kathern Hahn.
Chris (the ex): John Hamm.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Do you have a secret passion or hobby that we don’t know about?
I love playing The Sims 4 and dicking around on social media. I’m also fond of naps, especially with my cat.

Finally, what’s your favourite dinosaur?
Velociraptors because they probably had feathers and looked like giant murderous chickens.

LYNN VAN DORN (sometimes also known by Virgina Kelly) was born in Ohio and left it for the wilds of Chicago in her reckless youth. She wanted to become a fairy princess when she grew up, but since there are few openings for that position, she makes do with being a writer and stabby flamingo.

In her spare time, she drinks entirely too much tea, snugs her cats, fills her house with flamingos, loves her husband and son, reads voraciously, and avoids housework. She loves to watch anime, travel, knit, bake cookies, and conjure up happy ever afters for handsome men who have trouble getting there on their own.

For more information on Lynn and her work you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Bookbub, her website, where you can also sign up for her newsletter. You can also join her Facebook Reader Group, Lynn’s Lounge and Twinkpit, for more news and updates.