Sunday 7 with Carole Archer

Hi all! We thought we’d kick off the week with an interview with the lovely Carole Archer. We have 7 questions this Sunday that will hopefully give us a peak into what makes Carole tick and introduce us to her latest book, The Charles Smith Scholarship. Thanks for joining us and sharing Carole!

1) Tell us a little about yourself and your background? 

I am forty-four years old and I live in the North-east of England with my husband, Louis, and our gorgeous Bearded Collie-cross dog, Boo. I work full-time as a typist for the local police force, but my dream is to be a full-time author. It’s an impossibility at the moment, I just never find enough time to write, but hopefully in the future I might make it a reality.

Louis and I have been married for over sixteen years. He discovered my spanking fetish early in our relationship, but although he had a go he really wasn’t into it. As a compromise, he arranged access to the internet for me and helped me to find spanking websites and chat rooms. He took me to spanking parties and gatherings, and allowed me to fulfil my fantasies by playing at such events. He also gave me his blessing to meet spankers on a one-to-one basis. I realize our marriage is slightly unconventional, but it works for us and we’re both truly happy.

For a while I met various spankers, not always with great success! I got myself into a few sticky situations and was ready to give up when, almost ten years ago, I met my current ‘Sir’, after chatting to him for a while online. He is now my spanker, my mentor, but most importantly my friend. In fact, The Charles Smith trilogy is dedicated to him. HIs initials, M.A.S., are highlighted through the titles of the three books – Method, Academy and Scholarship. We only meet approximately once a month, but talk online regularly. He’s a true friend and has helped me in so many areas of my life. The spanking’s great, but I know that one day he’ll be unable to travel to visit me anymore. He’s quite a bit older than me (hopefully saying that will earn me a trip across his lap!) and I know that eventually the spanking will end, but I truly believe I have a friend for life in him. He proof reads everything I write, and he gives my characters many great quotes. I wonder if he realizes that often, when I’m across his knee, I’m constantly taking mental notes of things that my characters can say and do!

2) How long have you been writing? What draws you to this genre?

Let me answer the second part of the question first, then I can lead into how long I have been writing.

I am drawn to this genre by childhood memories of spanking. I went to a mainstream, mixed primary school between 1975 and 1982, when spanking was legal and a fairly common practice in the UK. Spankings with hand, slipper and ruler were regular occurrences, and I remember a feeling of excitement and anticipation when one of my classmates was going to ‘get it’. I always watched when someone was chastised, unable to tear my eyes away, and my heart would race, though at that age there were no sexual feelings. When I was in the final year of primary school, aged 10/11, our teacher was the one feared by all in the school (even some of the teachers). He was a strict disciplinarian and ruled his classroom with an iron hand and a cane. Only the boys were caned, bending over his desk, but girls were spanked on the seat of their clothing, either bending over his desk, bending over in front of the class, or he would keep them back during break time for a private spanking.

I once received a break-time spanking, when I had played up for a supply teacher. I was stood in front of the blackboard when our regular teacher returned, the class were dismissed and I was told to stay where I was. Although I’m certain the spanking comprised of no more than a few painful and embarrassing swats to the seat of my skirt as I struggled across his lap, made more humiliating because the supply teacher was still present, in my mind I have exaggerated this greatly. I have vivid memories of him punishing students, and can picture his cane striking the squirming seat of an unfortunate male, or his hand slap down on a girl’s bottom. I recall oddly feeling ‘cheated’ when I stood beside his desk one day, in front of the class, and he swatted my backside twice. Though I would have been mortified if he had bent me across his desk, I was disappointed for some reason I could not understand.

I used to replay spankings in my head away from school – and sometimes I would daydream during classes. These were nothing sexual, though it was definitely a thrill for me. I also started to write them down in a diary, who had been spanked and how, and I would smile as I re-read them and recalled the incident.

I then moved on to comprehensive school, and in English Language classes I would sometimes base my characters in essays on my primary school teacher. My earliest recollection of writing something ‘kinky’ was at age 14/15 when we were told to write about absolutely anything, so I wrote about that teacher. I don’t recall the actual essay now, and I really wish I still had it, but I believe it was based around my OTK spanking from him. I don’t think I gave any lead-up as to why I was being spanked, just that this male took me across his lap, pulled my skirt up (which he did not do in reality) and spanked me soundly over my panties as the other male watched. He then caned me while I was still held across his lap (which again did not really happen). Needless to say my teacher did not ask me to read that essay out for the rest of the class; instead she kept me back after the lesson to ask if I was being abused at home. Of course I wasn’t, but she seemed unconvinced it was simply a recollection of a spanking at my previous school.

I was sent to the headmistress, a bad-tempered, evil, cane-wielding nun, to explain myself. Her way of dealing with this – and most other things, it seemed – was to slap me around the head and scream at me. I was told that I would burn in hell if I continued to write such vulgar filth, and then she sent me outside with an empty box – the standard punishment for a misbehaving student. You were not allowed to return until it was filled with rubbish, though most of us simply walked around the grassed areas, put a few pieces of rubbish in while she watched, then went to the waste bin and filled it up, hung around out of sight for a while, then returned to her. I recall I had my hands caned on that occasion, which was not a pleasant experience. Apparently that was supposed to deter me from writing such things. I have news for you, Sister – it didn’t work!!!

Needless to say, after this experience, I kept my writing hidden away. I recall at this time my bedroom carpet was purple tiled squares, perfect for secreting my short stories under. I would take them out and read them from time to time, but through fear of discovery I would tear them into tiny pieces and throw them away.

When I was a bit older, late teens, I would still write, but then I kept my snippets of stories in a folder. They were always based around that spanking from my teacher, though the setting changed. It now was sexual and I found this very difficult to understand. There was no internet then, and I couldn’t talk to family or friends about it, so I hid my dirty little secret away, while continuing to fantasise and write about it. I did have boyfriends who would spank me, but just to heighten lovemaking, certainly not to the extent I wanted. Although I shared a bit of my writing with one of them, I was generally too embarrassed about it.

When my husband introduced me to the internet, just before we were married, I found to my great relief I wasn’t abnormal, nor was my writing. I would post short stories on websites, and I received great feedback. It took many years before I was brave enough to get myself published, and for a couple of years I was content with writing a few short stories to go in spanking anthologies for a British publisher. I was thrilled when my stories were accepted, and I started to look at other ideas I’d had.

I then decided to write The Charles Smith Method properly. I had several scenes written, but it wasn’t a story at this point. I sent it to my British publisher in late 2011 and they started to work on it with me, editing the first two chapters and changing the title. They then told me it would be a couple of years before they could publish as they had a backlog of books, and maybe I might like to try somewhere else. I did a search for spanking publishers and the top of the list was Blushing Books. I told myself I would try them, if they refused that was it, I would give up. I sent my story and two days later I got an acceptance. Eventually I had The Charles Smith Method published in June 2012.

I can’t believe that in April 2015 my writing’s still going well and I’ve just had my thirteenth book published. I already had The Charles Smith Scholarship part written when I was asked if I would like to complete the trilogy. I always wanted to do this so I could dedicate it to my ‘Sir’, but I felt too much time had lapsed since those two books. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to do this by Blushing Books.

3) Where do you gather most of the inspiration for your works?

A lot of my inspiration these days comes from TV, or people I see. I might see characteristics in someone that I think I could use, or I see a place or setting on the TV and think I’d like to base something around that, so I research the topic to see if it’s do-able.

I’ve always had a real fascination with the Titanic, and after watching one of the numerous films about it, and seeing all the ladies and gentlemen in the fine clothes, I came up with the idea for The Delinquent Bride. Shelley came from a privileged home, and I could picture her boarding the Titanic after fleeing her pre-arranged marriage, later starting a new life in America.

4) Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

My favourite character from The Charles Smith Scholarship is Hazel, and she has been throughout the three books. She has been Charles’ housekeeper for many years, but she did not have a good life prior to meeting him. He was a father figure to her, and she absolutely adored him, though I think he might have secretly hoped a romance would develop between them. She is openly bisexual, and likes to indulge in sex with more than one person at a time. She has so much love to give (both sexually and emotionally), and I find her such a warm and likeable character. She seems so confident, but there’s occasional flashes of neediness and vulnerability that, for me, add to her charm. I have sketched out plans for a stand-alone book for Hazel – Hazel’s Honeymoon – which would include hints of medical play (quickly becoming one of my favourite genres since I wrote Melissa’s Medical Examination), and age play (another thing I briefly dabbled with, and enjoyed, in Naughty Immy’s Punishment). I really hope I get the opportunity to write this as I would love to devote a whole book to Hazel, with not quite so many supporting characters, and without the main schooling background of ‘The Charles Smith Academy’.

I also loved the little girl in The Delinquent Bride, Jessica. She was so adorable and I felt she added the ‘cute factor’ to scenes where she was involved. She also added a touch of fun to a not so nice topic (the sinking of the Titanic). After they had been rescued, she quickly bounced back and the others around her found it impossible to sit around feeling sorry for themselves when she wanted to play.

5) How about your least favorite character That you’ve written ?  What makes them less appealing to you?

Some of my female characters now seem a bit whiny and bratty, but definitely my least favourite has to be the vile Percy in The Lady and the Sheriff. I tried to make him – and his mother – as obnoxious as I possibly could, and I took great delight in meting out justice to him later on. Although he was my least favourite character, the parts of that book I most liked writing were when he was involved, as I enjoyed writing something not quite so nice. He was a truly nasty person, only out for himself and what he could get. He didn’t care about anyone or anything, and his mother was equally as bad – showing where he got the bad traits from.

6) Can you share a favorite quote or picture that inspired you for your latest book and why it inspired you?

Not so much a quote, but I’ve read many things about the ‘short sharp shock’ relating to borstals at that time, and also ‘learning the hard way’. The Charles Smith Academy isn’t a borstal, it is nowhere near as harsh as those institutions, but it did give students one final chance before finding them in such places – or possibly even prison. Stories come out regularly these days about how students were mistreated in borstals, being beaten and abused by those who were supposed to be reforming them. The Charles Smith Academy is a kinder alternative, though I don’t imagine the spanked students would share that view. However, given an insight into borstal, I’m sure they would opt for the Academy’s firm but fair discipline regime.

7) Tell us about your latest release. What can we expect from you in the future?

The Charles Smith Scholarship picks up five years after The Charles Smith Academy. Whereas The Charles Smith Academy concludes The Charles Smith Method, tying up some loose ends in the first novel, The Charles Smith Scholarship can be read as a stand-alone book. The characters do follow on from the previous books, but there is enough background given to simply read this book only. However, if readers enjoy my writing and can afford all three, I would be tremendously grateful if they purchased them all!

The Academy has built up over the years, taking in eighteen to nineteen year olds who have committed crimes and been given one final chance – the alternative is a custodial sentence. The youngsters are schooled at the Academy, with the aim of getting them into gainful employment/accommodation/further education at the end of it.

The Charles Smith Scholarship is based in the late 1970s, when corporal punishment was still legal in the UK, and Judge Walker delivers the new batch of students to the Academy. Jamie, Belinda, Aaron, Roberta, Abigail and Eve are partnered up with Jenny, Hazel, Mrs Hutchinson, Harry, Mr Hutchinson and Mr Bainbridge. The six students are competing with each other for a chance to win a scholarship to Florida the following year. It is the first time the Academy has taken in male pupils, and Mr Bainbridge has his doubts. Jenny and Hazel, although part of the teaching staff, still act like students themselves at times and also find themselves receiving discipline from gardener Harry and headmaster Mr Hutchinson (the headmaster is based entirely on my primary school teacher). There are problems along the way, dealt with effectively by the committed teaching staff, and highly sexed Hazel adds a bit of spice to the book.

This book does conclude The Charles Smith trilogy, but as I’ve already mentioned, I believe there’s scope for a book about Hazel and I hope to write it some time in the future. At present I’m working on a sequel to Melissa’s Punishment Education. I have tentatively titled this Melissa and the Medic, but this is a temporary title until I can come up with something more suitable. I introduced a character, Jason, to help Dr Williams and his wife, Barbara, punish Melissa. I left it open for him to become a part of Melissa’s life, and I decided it was time to write that sequel, especially as I enjoyed my first go at a medical play story. I haven’t quite written four chapters yet, but I hope to get going with it again soon.

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This is a small snippet from early in the book, when the students are individually introduced to their mentors. Eve meets Mr Bainbridge and finds things are not going to be as easy as she imagined:-

Meanwhile, down in the basement, Mr. Bainbridge perched on the edge of his desk. He waited patiently as Eve walked around the six small desks, toyed with the ink well on one, flipped up the lid and looked inside. Picking out a fountain pen, she held it up. “These are a bit old-fashioned,” she stated, screwing up her nose.

“Mr. Hutchinson prefers that students don’t use disposable biros,” Mr. Bainbridge explained. “I must admit I have a preference for a fountain pen too. Writing looks so much neater.”

Eve then moved to a large bookcase and leafed through several textbooks, before returning to sit down in front of her tutor.

“I teach English and maths,” Mr. Bainbridge said, by way of introduction. “Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

Eve crossed her arms over her chest and fixed her gaze on him. “My parents expect me to get a job,” she said, frowning. “Daddy’s loaded, but he was very mean and stopped my allowance. He refused to buy me any make-up, which I desperately needed,” she added, pouting and tipping her head back, removing her glasses and fluttering her thick black lashes. “So I had to go to the shops and get some.”

“You stole it?” Mr. Bainbridge asked, crossing his legs at the ankles and gazing at her. Eve nodded, showing no shame. “He gave me no choice, did he?” she reasoned.

Sighing, Mr. Bainbridge shook his head. “Stealing is wrong. Surely you know that.”

Rolling her eyes, Eve shrugged her shoulders. “I can’t believe they’ve sent me here. It won’t be long before Daddy comes to take me home. He’s just trying to frighten me.”

“I’m afraid you’re wrong,” Mr. Bainbridge replied. “If you don’t remain here, you’ll go to court to face shoplifting charges, and may well go to jail. This is your only other option. Your father will not be taking you home.”

“No,” Eve whined, shaking her head. Her eyes wide and cheeks pale, she raised her hands and covered her face, her confident attitude quashed with only a few words.

“Eve,” Mr. Bainbridge said, getting down from his desk and touching a hand to her arm. “I understand you like English literature. I’m a huge fan, too.”

Eve lowered her hands and nodded. “I love poetry,” she admitted.

“That’s great, I believe strongly in the carrot and stick approach,” he said with a smile, walking around his desk and taking his paddle from the drawer. Eve frowned in confusion.

“This is the stick,” he said, holding the paddle in front of her. “The carrot can be any reward you wish, perhaps tickets to a poetry recital?”

Eve nodded with enthusiasm, her smile reappearing. “Okay, this is how it’ll work,” he told her. “You do well in your studies between now and Christmas, I’ll take you to a poetry recital. If you don’t knuckle down, I’ll bend you across my desk and smack your bottom,” he warned, holding the paddle out.

“Daddy spanked me once,” she said with a sigh. “It didn’t hurt. He tried to blackmail me too, but I always get what I want, one way or another.”

Mr. Bainbridge shook his head and gripped Eve’s wrist. Pulling her to her feet, he turned her to face his desk. “Let me tell you, young lady, I am not blackmailing you. I am offering you an incentive to do well. If you don’t behave, all you will get is a sore bottom,” he said, pushing her over the table.

“Your father didn’t spank you properly if it didn’t hurt,” he added, cracking his paddle against her behind. Eve screeched and tried to get up, as the paddle landed once more. Mr. Bainbridge pressed firmly against her back, flipped up her skirt and landed another two firm smacks over her panties. Eve howled in pain.

“I won’t take your panties down today,” he said, resting the paddle against her squirming backside, “but any future spankings will be on your bare bottom,” he warned, smacking the paddle twice against her unprotected thighs.

Mr. Bainbridge stepped back and watched Eve jump to her feet, her hands rubbing her stinging flesh, tears rolling down her cheeks as she whimpered.

“So, young lady, I guess that did hurt?”

Eve nodded miserably, stamping her feet as she tried to rub the burn away.

“Come on, let’s go to your room,” he said, taking the distressed young woman’s elbow, guiding her from the classroom and up the stairs. She lowered her gaze when Judge Walker wandered into the hallway, and was relieved when he said nothing, stepping aside to allow Mr. Bainbridge to lead her up the main staircase.

“Sir, I would really love to go to a poetry recital with you,” Eve said with a sniffle, stopping as they reached the top of the stairs. She gazed into his eyes and was pleased to see a smile form on his lips.

“Well, as long as you behave yourself,” he promised.

The door was open when they reached her room and he ushered her inside. Belinda lay on the top bunk, facing them.

“You might like to think about the behaviour that led to your spanking,” he suggested. Eve’s cheeks reddened and she turned away from Belinda. “Yes, sir,” she whispered, crawling onto the lower bunk and cupping her tender buttocks. “I’m sorry,” she added, blinking back tears.

Mr. Bainbridge patted her shoulder and smiled. “Be a good girl and it won’t be necessary again,” he said, closing the door on his way out.

“Oh, my God,” Belinda shrieked, clambering down from her bunk. “Did Mr. Bainbridge really spank you?”

Eve nodded, pouting. “Yes, and if you’ve got any sense, you won’t make him angry.”

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