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Author Interview...Cougar Trilogy by Alejandro Morales
The best thing about being an author is that you get to meet and connect with other authors. When you are independent it is even more important, because we need to help each other out where we can - without getting in trouble with Big Brother aka Amazon.
The point is...
I met Alejandro through social media and we've helped each other in the simplest of ways, but with great outcomes. He suggested 'cross linking' our websites, basically; he has a link to my website and I have one on my website to his. It is a simple way to support fellow indie authors and it helps...a lot! Before I go on and babble about how cool he is, let him tell you more about his awesome trilogy; Cougar.
So here we go...
Alejandro Morales
Short Bio:
Alejandro Morales is an independent author born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. During his youth, he read the works of Stephen King and Anne Rice, influencing his writing style. Alejandro likes to incorporate different aspects of his personality into his characters and writing, making his work both entertaining and provocative. He is currently working on several projects and planning on writing a screenplay based on the Cougar Trilogy for on-screen production. He recently completed his fourth book, a murder-mystery entitled The Release, due for publication this year.
Questions:
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first book, Cougar when I was 37 years old, completing and publishing it when I was 39 years old. I started Cougar when I was in in the beginning stages of my divorce and put it on hold to focus on that very stressful period of my life. Once my divorce was finalized, I returned my focus to my writing and completed Cougar.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family is proud of what I have accomplished so far with my writing. No one ever expected me to become a writer, especially one that focused on Erotica. Of course, some of my relatives were shocked at how graphic my work was, but once they read my books, they realized that there is a story that is being told, not just X-rated pieces of literature.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
While trying to get my first book published, I learned how to keep believing in myself and don’t let the first person to say 'no' to me stop me from accomplishing my goals. I’ve learned how we writers are a community and we do help each other out. I’ve also learned how once I embarked on this journey of being a writer, this is my true passion. I hope that I can make this my full-time career and focus solely on writing.
Where did you get the idea for or what inspired you to write the Cougar Trilogy?
I was going through a very turbulent time in my life (my divorce). I can describe the idea that lead to me writing my first book, Cougar, as an idea that came into my head and manifested into a story. Most of us get an idea in our heads and it goes away. This one in particular, kept playing in my head, growing into an ongoing story that I had to write down. Next thing you know, I have a notebook full of handwritten pages that led to my first book, Cougar.
Once the first book, Cougar was written, I was going to take some time off to focus on another book in another genre. One late night, I was getting ready for bed when an image of Anna (the main character in Cougar) came into my head and she was with Nick (a minor character in Cougar who becomes a major character in Cougar II Triangle of Lust and Cougar III Endgame). The story just started to play in my head and I immediately grabbed a paper and pen, writing the outline for Cougar II Triangle of Lust.
After Cougar II Triangle of Lust was published and I saw/read the reviews from my readers, I had to continue and conclude the story. I left a lot of readers wanting to know more of what happened between Anna, Nick and Lisa (the woman that had an affair with Anna’s husband, Paul and also had a relationship with Nick). I started writing the outline for Cougar III Endgame and at first, I was going to end the trilogy as a “happily ever after” type of ending, but the excitement of having a twist at the end of the trilogy made me change the ending (and quite frankly, I’m glad I did). When your readers grow emotionally attached to your characters; hating Anna and Lisa like they are real people, men admiring and disliking Nick, because of his actions and the various emotions felt towards the other characters in my books, it makes me feel proud of my works.
Describe the Cougar Trilogy in your own words.
Cougar begins with Anna, a woman betrayed by her husband, catching him in their marital bed with a younger woman. Anna meets a younger man, an MMA fighter and has a passionate, intense relationship with him. Her estranged husband tries to win Anna’s heart back and succeeds in doing so when a mutual friend is killed. Anna’s younger lover cannot bear to lose Anna and he pays her a visit, assaulting her husband, forcing himself upon Anna and she in turn stays with her younger lover, forsaking her husband. Anna’s husband takes matters into his own hands, shooting Anna and her lover, bringing Anna closer to her the man that saved her life, betraying the memory of her deceased lover.
Cougar II Triangle of Lust continues to focus on the forbidden relationship that blossomed between Anna and her deceased lover’s best friend. Anna is dumped by her new lover over the guilt he feels from betraying his friend and Anna suffers a deep depression. With the urging of her friends, Anna goes to a club and sees the woman that she saw that fateful day in her home. Anna tries to confront this woman and instead of a confrontation, a new romance begins. During a night of passions, Anna’s former lover calls, angering her new fling and leads her back to her former lover, who in turn pushes Anna away with his jealously and anger. A love triangle ensues as Anna, her male lover and female lover confront each other individually and collectively, in turn creating a “Triangle of Lust.”
Cougar III Endgame brings our story to its conclusion. Anna and her two lovers continue to have wild nights of passion. Tensions rise between Anna and her female lover as they pine for the attention and affections of their male counterpart. He basks in the attention that he’s getting from his two lovers, but eventually loses them both when he won’t choose one over the other since he wants them both. Anna moves on, trying to focus on her life and goes on a date with her aerobics instructor. During their date, Anna sees her former lover and spitefully kisses her date. Her former lover calls Anna, confronting her, making her determined to sleep with her date. Anna’s plan falls through and she decides to try to rekindle her relationship with her former lover with the condition that they don’t see the former mistress of Anna’s deceased husband. Unfortunately, that cannot be avoided since the former mistress is carrying the man’s child. She tries to seduce Anna’s lover and convince him to leave Anna and he announces his intentions to marry Anna. This enrages the mother of his unborn child and she decides to take matters into her own hands.
What will happen? Will Anna find happiness and true love? Read the trilogy and find out…
How much of you/your life is in the Cougar Trilogy?
I incorporate a lot of myself into my characters in the Cougar Trilogy.
Sam is a 'Man’s Man', an alpha male that came from the streets and literally fought his way to the top of his profession. I myself have come from a very humble background, living in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn before it became 'upscale' (gentrification has spread there) where I walked through very bad areas to go to school and had my share of fights before, during and after school, so that kind of toughened me up. My father was a third degree Black belt in Tae Kwon Do and he taught me how to fight. When I was younger, I was a bit of a 'hothead' reacting before thinking and using my size and hands to intimidate others.
I also incorporate some of myself in Paul. Paul is an older version of Sam who has matured and learned to control his temper. He has climbed the ladder of success in his field, but is at a point in his life where he’s questioning his choices in life (like most people do). Paul is not too proud to admit when he’s wrong/made a mistake and when he professes his love/loyalty to someone, he’s sincere about it. I am like that (to a fault) and I also incorporated some of the emotional side of myself into Paul, how betrayed he felt when he discovered that Anna was still talking to Sam and when she eventually chose Sam over him.
Several readers and people in my personal life have asked me if any of the sexuality that is in my books is from personal experience. I can honestly say both 'yes' and 'no' to that question. For me to write a series like Cougar, I can’t deny that I have knowledge and experienced some of what occurs during the trilogy. My books wouldn’t be 'authentic' if I was writing about something that I have never experienced or witnessed myself. I know that’s a vague answer, but some things are best left to the imagination.
What was the hardest part of writing the Cougar Trilogy?
I would say that the hardest part of writing the Cougar Trilogy was finding the time to write without interruption. Having a full-time job, being a father and doing some freelance work leaves little time to write. But like most things in life, if you want something, you make the time to do it and I did it. I sacrificed a LOT of sleep and time in the gym to write my books, so I hope everyone appreciates it.
Anna is an odd lady in my opinion and I wondered if she was based on someone you had encountered in your life or just a character that came to you. So how did you actually come up with her?
Anna is a compilation of all of the women that I have encountered in my life. To clarify that statement, I mean ALL women that I’ve encountered, not just women that I have had an intimate relationship with. Being raised primarily by my mother, I have seen a lot of what a woman has to endure in this male-dominated World (at least in the 80’s, 90’s and some of 2000’s) and I used that to create Anna. She’s an empowered woman that knows what she wants and goes for it. She’s an emotional wreck, because she gave her heart, her body and emotions to men that treat her badly. She’s a selfish woman that only wants things to go her way, excluding the opinions and feelings of others. She’s a sensitive woman that cares about her loved ones and appreciates the relationship she has with them. Anna is complex; she’s beautiful, sexy and sexual, the modern woman that this story focuses on.
What are the main characters' back stories?
Anna - the main character of the story. She is in her early 40’s and is looking for someone that truly loves her after being betrayed by her husband, Paul
Paul - Anna’s estranged (and later deceased) husband. He is in his early 40’s and knows Anna since High School. He was the High School jock that won Anna’s heart then later broke it by having an affair.
Lisa - Paul’s mistress. She is in her early 20’s and was instantly attracted to Paul when she first met him at work. Paul initially resists Lisa’s advances, but gives in to his desires. Lisa is a wounded soul, looking for a man to love and take care of her, only finding men that only want her for her body.
Sam - Anna’s new lover. He is an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter, the ultimate alpha male whose passion in and out of the bedroom attracts and frightens Anna. He uses his hands to resolve his problems which in turn, proves to be his downfall.
Why did you select the setting you did for the Cougar Trilogy?
I chose Las Vegas as the setting for the Cougar Trilogy simply because that is the area in the United States where most of the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighters live and train. Most of their events are hosted in Las Vegas and it was a logical choice for this story.
Who designed the covers?
I designed the cover for Cougar. It was my homage to Anne Rice’s 'Interview with the Vampire', choosing a similar style for my cover.
Cougar II Triangle of Lust was designed by my father, Benito Morales. He is an artist and musician that has exhibited at several galleries and performed all over New York with various bands. He painted a portrait of Anna and Lisa for the cover and I used an imaging program to setup the background and lettering. My son Roberto took the headshot photo that is on the back cover of the book.
Cougar III Endgame was designed by my childhood friend, Levi James. I have known Levi for a very long time and he has always been very artistic. He is currently working as a certified personal trainer in New York City and is known as 'Mr. Abs.' He has appeared on television numerous times, providing lessons to the viewers on how to lose weight and tone their bodies. Levi did a great job drawing the cover for the book and I used an imaging program to setup the background and lettering.
If you had the opportunity to make a movie or series of the Cougar Trilogy, who would you like to play the key characters?
In a World where I have an unlimited budget and complete creative control, here is who I would like to see bring the Cougar Trilogy to the screen (big or small):
Anna: Roselyn Sanchez. She’s perfect for the role of Anna. She’s slender, tall and has the emotional range needed for the role of Anna. If she’s comfortable being nude on camera, I can see her giving an amazing performance in this role.
Sam: Tito Ortiz. He’s an MMA Hall of Famer who is known at the 'Huntington Beach Bad Boy'. The name says it all. He’s been in several movies, is still an active fighter and with his mix of athleticism, charm and 'machismo' he’s perfect for the role.
Paul: Jimmy Smits. He’s an established actor that can bring the emotion and passion needed for the role. I can see him and Roselyn having a good on-screen chemistry that is needed for their characters and a good rivalry with Tito as they both fight for Anna’s (Roselyn’s) affections.
Lisa: Selena Gomez. Yes, this is a shocking choice, but I believe that this could be a break-through role for her. Lisa is a complex character, full of sexuality and emotion, something I think Selena can bring to the screen. I believe that Selena wants to break out of this shell of being a child star and this role would do that for her. She’d have to dye her hair blond (or wear a wig) and be nude on camera, but this role will show the World that she’s grown into a strong women, ready to burst on to the scene.
MMA is something I think most who know a bit about you, instantly associates with you. As it has quite a big role in the series, was there a lot of research done for the fights or did you just go with your inner fighter?
I went with my knowledge of martial arts when I wrote the Cougar Trilogy. Even after I stopped my training in Tae Kwon Do, I continued to train in other forms (wrestling and boxing). When the Gracie family started the UFC about 20 years ago, I have watched their events since the first pay per view. I have watched fighters like Royce Gracie, Dan 'The Beast' Severn, Tank Abbott, Ken Shamrock, Mark Coleman, Vas Rutten, Tito Ortiz and others for many years. I have learned a lot from watching them, especially the names of the holds (actually using some of those holds when necessary) and the mannerisms of the fighters in and out of the octagon.
What is something you would like to accomplish in your lifetime?
I definitely want to have the Cougar Trilogy produced into a movie, mini-series, soap opera or worst-case scenario, a pornographic movie. I would love to have people see my ideas, my work brought to life for others to see.
Why do you think people should read your books? What can they take from it?
People are reading more and more works of Erotica. The success of the book, Fifty Shades of Grey is evidence of that. My books, the Cougar Trilogy can be categorized as Erotica, but I believe that my characters are much more relatable to the readers and my story does not involve S and M. The readers will see that there is a story behind the sex, a tale of a woman that is trying to find love when everyone else is looking for lust. A woman that is betrayed by her lovers and in turn betrays her lovers; empowering her. Anna is the modern woman, complex, strong and independent. I believe my readers will see this and have an emotional bond to Anna. You will either; love her, hate her, envy her, pity her or all of the above.
Links to check out:
This is really a great series, I myself very much enjoyed and would recommended to lovers of Erotica to read. I want to thank Alejandro for his time and I wish him all the best for the future.
We all look forward to reading The Release.
See you on the other side!
Chevoque
