Elizabeth SaFleur on writing kinky erotica story "The Escape Room"

Elizabeth SaFleur is an erotic romance novelist known for her Elite Doms of Washington series. Her Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 6 adventure story "The Escape Room" closes out the book. Below, find out her inspiration for the story, how she got started in her writing career and what she's working on next.

How long have you been writing erotica? How and why did you get started? In my head, I’ve been writing erotic a looong time. In 1996, my first story, Elite, came to me while watching the sailboats on the Potomac from the Washington Harbor. I swear to this day I saw a woman lashed to a masthead. I remember thinking, “Does she like that?” Elite’s hero Jonathan Brond answered me with, “Would you like to find out?” It took me until 2015 to finally publish that story—my first—which was first titled Lovely and is now available as Elite. That story spurred an entire series, The Elite Doms of Washington. What was the inspiration for your story, “The Escape Room,” in Best Women’s

Erotica of the Year, Volume 6? I believe sexual adventure isn’t just for single people finding their way to one another. Married people deserve fun, too! So I wanted to give a new experience to one of my established couples from my Elite Doms series. The conundrum that arose right away, however, was this: what do you give a billionaire and his wife that they already don’t have? And something that can’t be bought with money? Bret and Ava’s adventure had to be imaginative, surprising and fulfill desires that had yet to be met. I think readers will be surprised to read how “The Escape Room” ends. This story wasn’t “just” about having a thrilling time. It had to bring a very close couple even closer. How does your story relate to the book’s outrageous theme? The title, “The Escape Room,” gives a clue there. Adventure comes in many forms-including how to get out of one. Ava, our heroine, has to use her wits to solve the challenges presented to her-and when she does, she is rewarded. Handsomely. What’s your favorite line or paragraph from your story? I have many favorite parts, but I think this piece perfectly sums up their relationship: “His fingers inched under her dress and hooked on either side of her panties-ones she didn’t give a fig about. When married to this man, a girl had to be prepared for lingerie-ruining fun.” What were the most enjoyable and most challenging parts of writing your story? The most enjoyable parts were the banter between these two. They are steeped in fun but know when something is serious. They took this story to places I had no idea they would. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, so I’ll leave it there but what started out as light-hearted turned serious in the best way. What are you working on next? I’m working on finishing up the Shakedown series, a steamy contemporary romance series set in a burlesque club. It’s such an interesting world full of ex-cons and ex-gangsters and dancers all looking for love under extreme circumstances and challenging, heartbreaking pasts! And, in early 2021, I have a few shorts coming out that are very similar to the fun in The Escape Room”—sexy, slightly comedic and romantic. Anything else to add? I like to tell everyone it’s never too late to start playing...either in real life or in your imagination! May the Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 6