Gun Brooke is a native of Sweden. A former NICU nurse, she has always enjoyed writing, and her first love was poetry in her native language. In 2001, she received an International Library of Poetry Award for her poem, "The Taste of Your Name." 

Gun first explored Internet writing when Star Trek Voyager and fan fiction captured her imagination. Since most fan fiction was written in English, this experience led to her interest in creating original novels for the English reading population.  
Her first published novel was Course of Action (Romance/Bold Strokes Books 2005),a high-stakes romance among the jet-set crowd of actresses, producers, and world-famous entrepreneurs.

Her second novel, Supreme Constellations: Book One—Protector of the Realm, (Science Fiction/ Bold Strokes Books 2005), is the first in a series centered on the world of Gantharat.  It is an intergalactic adventure filled with suspense and romance.
Gun has made the short list of the Golden Crown Literary Society's Awards for 2006 with Course of Action in the Romance and Debut Author category and for Protector of the Realm in the Sci-Fi Fantasy category.

Coffee Sonata (Romance/ Bold Strokes Books May 2006) is the story of four women whose lives unexpectedly intersect in a small town by the sea.  Despite tragedy, past and present, each learns that life holds more than she dared dream.
In addition to Coffee Sonata, Gun's upcoming works include Supreme Constellations: Book Two—Rebel's Quest and Sheridan's Fate.
Gun also has selections in the anthologies: Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen Moments (Bold Strokes Books 2005) titled "Aflame" and "Don't Call Me, Ma'am" in First-Timers: True Stories of Lesbian Sex (Alyson 2006).

The "Gun Brooke Fiction" web page is filled with mystery, adventure, and romance stories. This site has become popular on the net, not only for Gun's stories, but for the message board and chat room where Gun hosts her "guests" from around the world. Besides writing, Gun enjoys graphics and Web design, as well as spending time with her family and friends in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
You can find reviews of Course of Action and Protector of the Realm, and transcripts of interviews on Gun's Web site, www.gbrooke-fiction.com and Bold Strokes Books' Web site, www.boldstrokesbooks.com. You may email her at .

Which authors do you consider to have had the biggest influence on your own writing?

When it comes to writing lesbian fiction, no doubt I was inspired to try this myself, was reading fan fiction by G. L. Dartt and Tenderware. Their excellent Star Trek Voyager fan fiction kept me enthralled, and reignited my desire to write. Other writers who I find inspiring and influential are Radclyffe, Melissa Good, and Meghan O'Brien. As for mainstream authors, I love Elisabeth George, Minette Walters, and Dean Koontz, which all have the special gift of writing excellent portraits of women.

Were there any unexpected challenges involved in writing once you found yourself committed to doing so?

Yes, there were! If fan fiction was one of the reasons I started, it was also the reason I developed habits in my writing that was hard to kick, once I signed with Bold Strokes Books. My editor, Dr. Shelley Thrasher, is a wiz on picking up on these bad habits though, and I'm learning all the time from her. Then, I also found that I can be very much the procrastinator, in the beginning of a project. Before I find my stride, or momentum, I am easily distracted by such mundane things as laundry, snow falling, or reading the online Swedish newspaper. However, once I get into the swing of things, writing brings me so much joy, and I'm utterly dedicated to my characters and what happens to them. I am compelled to make the reader like them as much as I do!
What were your main reasons for writing in English as opposed to your native tongue, Swedish?

Again, in fan fiction, it is the language of choice, but that's only part of the truth. I have always loved the English language, and written poetry, song lyrics, and a few short stories, before fan fiction caught my attention in 2000. English comes naturally to me and I have come quite far, if you look at my earliest stories on my web site (http://www.gbrooke-fiction.com) and then the later ones. It is a remarkable journey that I find myself on, and the fact that I'm living my dream makes it even better.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on the next novel in the Supreme Constellations science fiction series, called Rebel's Quest. I also have a few short stories in the works, both to submit for upcoming anthologies, and for the Author Challenge at the Radclyffe-Writings mailing list. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Radclyffe-writings/) After the sci fi novel, which I have yet to finally name, I have another romance novel brewing in the back of my head.

With your latest book, Protector of the Realm (the first in the Supreme Constellations series) you've penned your first science fiction novel. What sort of research did you do in preparation?

I researched a lot of different aspects, and it was incredibly interesting. I began by researching the command structure within the current US Navy. I looked into the types of ships they operate, and what aircraft they utilize. I figured that the term spaceship suggests that any military space vessels in the future will fall under the Navy branch. I also researched terminology used by other science fiction writers, so not fall into the trap of copying them – at least no too much. Some are universal, but I enjoyed inventing new word and terminology that I hoped was self-explanatory.
I also researched the estimations and speculations regarding future space travel and then turned it up a notch. I worked very hard at not making this story into Star Trek, but of course there are parallels since they are set in our future. But this is undeniably how I imagine the future!
What do you find most appealing about the science fiction genre?

Oh, there are so many things! I love to speculate about politics, technology, and the possibility that we're not alone in this vast space. Also, writing about a future society, as I have chosen to do, where same-gender marriage is a natural occurrence and not frowned upon by anyone, gives me the freedom to explore it without today's boundaries. I also find it fascinating to make up alien people and societies; with all the interesting dynamic it can create between characters. Then there is my love for space…I sometimes think I may have been born in the wrong era. Perhaps I will reincarnate as a starship captain one day!

Were there any surprises throughout the writing of Protector? Characters acting out of…character? Not doing what they were supposed to?

Yes, there was. Kellen O'Dal turned out to be more scrupulous and calculating then I first envisioned her to be. She became much less victimized, and because of that, much more the strong, unbending woman Rae Jacelon falls in love with. Rae was easier to write, since I had her much more chiseled out, but even she surprised me by allowing herself to be more soft hearted when it came to young Armeo, and to Kellen. As for the supporting characters, Dahlia Jacelon, Rae's mother, acted way out of the frame I'd set for her initially, and kind of stole the show a few times, in my opinion. It is a fine line to walk, to allow the characters to take off sometimes, and other times, realize when it's time to reel them in.

Do you set yourself a strict routine when you're writing? What's your atmosphere like?

I have an understanding family, which is my No. 1 reason for being able to write. I hate closed doors, but I arranged a see-through curtain around my work area in my study, and they all know, when the curtain is closed, only to address me in a life or death situation. I have the radio on with easy listening music to drown out disturbing sounds. However, one little friend that I can't drown out is our dog. He has a way of sneaking up next to me and get between me and the keyboard, pushing it out of reach. But, he is forgiven since he was most useful when I wrote my upcoming novel, Coffee Sonata, as inspiration and model for the nature of a couple of dogs that play a minor part.

When I realize that I may be inclined to procrastinate, I refuse to start any chat programs, don't open my email, apart from my business stuff, and only open the pages I use for reference in my web browser. This way I set the mood of "I mean business" and get on with the work. I have learned to write whether I am inspired or not, and it amazes me that I have produced some of my best writing during such times!

Do you ever suffer from writer's block?

I have yet to experience complete blockage! I have had periods when life in general has thrown a wrench in the wheel, which has in turn made it hard for me to focus. But inner block, as in "I don't know what to write, and I fear I may never write again" – no. What I do to counter any such indications, because there have of course been times of self-doubt, is to put on music that I adore and that reaches me on a profound level, pour a large latte, light candles, and treat myself to some of my favorite munchies. It's when I feel I can put myself first and allow my creativity to soar, that I can keep going. Also, my family is ready at any given moment to say in a convincing, matter-of-fact tone that "of course you can do it – you can do anything." See, I told you I was blessed with wonderful people around me!

Has there been a particular book amongst those you have written that was particularly easy (or difficult) to write?

The one I'm writing now! Protector of the Realm was met with such praise from readers, that I feel the next one in the series must be even better. I find such thoughts unproductive though, and try to keep them at bay. I will simply try to write the story as it unfolds, and hope for the best. No doubt, Shelley, my editor, will help me over potential hurdles, and help me diagnose eventual weaknesses. I believe the story premise has great potential – it is merely up to me to coax it out, and make it as visible to the reader as it is to me.

Also, I found recently that the thing for me to write that is most "mood-sensitive," is erotica. I went through a period of time when I wasn't feeling well and certainly didn't feel sexy. It took some ingenuity to work around that, to deliver a good erotica story for the next Erotic Interludes III: Lessons in Love!

What are some of your favorite books from 2005?

I adored Ronica Black's In Too Deep. I also enjoyed Radclyffe's Justice-series. Dark Dreamer by Jennifer Fulton is the book I'm reading right now – and I love this story!

What do you think of the 're-imagined' version of Battlestar Galactica?

Alas – it isn't shown in Sweden. I'd love to watch it though, if I get the chance.

Tell us something about Gun Brooke no-one else knows…

Hm…well perhaps it isn't well known that I took singing lessons from age 8, and was in my twenties quite an accomplished coloratura soprano. I was never a professional singer, but I have sung at funerals, weddings, and graduations. I still sing, but age and life has darkened my voice now, so I tend to veer more toward soul and ballads these days.
Another thing that is not so known is that I love to bake! I used to bake ALL our bread, but these days I merely bake for special occasions. There is something satisfactory in an almost organic way, to slap around a huge piece of dough. The fact that it transforms into something delicious, and something which you can use to entice people into doing just about anything, since newly baked breads and cookies smell so wonderful, doesn't hurt either.

Are there any other genres that you would like to write in at some point down the line?

I would like to write a thriller, a suspense filled story, with elements of major foul play, one day. Also, I have the most persistent Viking story brewing. I wonder if there might be an interest among the readers regarding a costume-adventure-love-story among my ancestors.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you about the publishing industry?

It – and with it, I mean everything about the writing and publishing process should be fun! Radclyffe stated that very early on, and it stuck with me. So far, it has been fun, and still is. Even the editing phase is fun for the most part, perhaps with the exception for the final proofreading, when you are really getting filled to the rim with the story. Doing promotion is wonderfully fun, since that's when I get to interact with readers, which is a great experience. After all, we write to feel a need to express ourselves, but also to communicate, to be read. So – that's my advice to other writers too. It's such hard, and sometimes lonely, work – so make sure it's fun!