Month: October 2016

It’s been a long time in the works….the writing…the working out the cover…the edits…and I still don’t have a nailed down date for release, exactly, but soooon! And in the meantime?

Actor Alex Lockhart’s career is in a good place. The roles are coming in, the work is steady, and everything is falling into place. Even his sex life, since Alex finally hooked up with another hot actor, Spencer Johns, and Spencer pushes every one of Alex’s buttons. Just when Alex is on the verge of landing an exciting role, he learns the part went to Spencer. And Spencer didn’t even bother to mention he was up for the part.

Feeling furious and betrayed, with one punch Alex takes their sudden feud public. Hollywood is abuzz with their rivalry. But when a chance at a great independent movie comes up, Alex can’t turn down the role, even if Spencer is also slated to be in it. Beneath his outward hate and loathing for Spencer simmers hurt and a desperate want Alex can’t seem to quell. But as he tries to hold onto the hurt and anger, Alex learns Spencer isn’t quite what he thought. Can burning desire and want be enough to put out the flames of Alex’s rage?

I’m a storyteller, and there’s a certain part of my craft that is instinctual for me. Not only the inspiration for plot, that sparking of a story, but the progression of a tale, the growth of the characters, and advancing of the plot, which just comes naturally to me.

I work hard at what I do. I’m constantly evolving as a writer, learning about the craft, honing my skill, and striving to improve. I’m always working to perfect my author’s voice, to let it grow and change as I do. But there’s a base level that works without conscious thought.

As I’m proofing His Needs, I’m reminded rather strongly of how a story evolves. But as I think back on it, I remember how it wasn’t a conscious choice, or at least it didn’t feel like it.

In this case, I’d sent the publisher a little two paragraph blurb, a very short synopsis of what I wanted this story to be to reserve a spot in the holiday line up. At this point, I’d barely started writing it. I think I, maybe, had five thousand words. From there, I wrote my rough outline (my process for which I’ve never really talked about. Perhaps another blog post.) and had the basics of the story. After that, I jumped in and started putting the words on the page. The story built and built. And with each passing chapter, I watched the word count climb, my characters evolving and getting closer…and the boys STILL not having sex.

It’s funny to me now, looking back. But at the time, I kept writing the words, knowing in my soul it just wasn’t time for them to get to it yet. And when they finally admitted their interest, I thought we’d finally get to the sex. But nope. It took them even longer to get to the physical point. When it happened, I just knew it was finally the right place for the guys to take that step. But I didn’t consciously chose the arc, it just felt right.

I also didn’t consciously choose Noah’s filthy mouth in the bedroom, but that felt right too.

There’s a lot about this story I shaped on purpose. Picking certain words, omitting others, using certain imagery to invoke specific feelings in my readers. But there’s also parts that just felt like they happened. That evolved naturally because of who the characters are. Who I am. I suppose that’s the reason I’m a writer in the first place.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And Noah really does have a filthy mouth. 😉

So once again I’ve gone a little MIA, so I’d like to take a little time and fill you in on what’s been going on.

GRL is just five days away, and while I won’t be going (for a number of personal reasons), I will have a small presence there. I think I’ve mentioned a time or two that I knit. (I crochet as well) So I sent a little something along with a friend for the annual Cock Walk. So if you’re attending, have a great time, and maybe check out my contribution. —–>

Something Like Want is off for edits. Looking forward to getting that one back and making it the shiniest it can be. I’m still intending for the end of the month release. I have a gorgeous cover, which I’ll share very soon along with the blurb. My plan is to release this one exclusively on Amazon as part of KU for 90 days, and then go with the wide release. More details coming soon!

His Needs is still looking like it’ll be released mid-December, and I’m super excited for this one to hit the shelves as well. It’s all my favorite things wrapped up into one package and I loved writing it and editing it and the characters and just every bit about it. Holidays and friends to lovers and care taking. Again, I’ll give you more details as things get firmed up and the time gets closer.

I’ve broken ground on the next story! Hearts and Hazelnuts is coming along nicely. Check the word meter in the WIPs tab to stay updated on my progress. I’ve chosen 30k as the goal words here because right now, that’s what it feels like it’ll be. And I say feels like because I don’t have an exact way to figure out how long a story will be. It literally just “feels” like a certain length. It’s not set in stone, and when the story is done, it will be done. Whether that’s at 15 or 30 or 50K. (though no more than 50 because that’s the max limit) But yeah, I’m shooting for 30-ish.

So that’s where I’m at, writing wise.

Personal life has been intruding a bit, as the EDJ moved to a new location and it’s been one mess after another. But we’re sorting it out and making it work. The new space is so much smaller than the old space, and we are all a lot closer than we used to be. Not to mention, we don’t have as much actual desk space as we used to. It certainly been an adjustment. We’ve been there just one week. It still feels unreal. But also, it’s been a long time coming, and considering the upheaval that work has been for the past year, it almost feels like it’s the last leg of an incredibly taxing journey. We’re in the home stretch and hopefully now, things will settle.

So that’s all the big stuff. Hope all is well with you, and check back here if you’re looking for info and updates from me.

In a burst of words this past weekend, I finished writing a short novella. And I adore the ever living crap out of it. It’s sweet and fluffy and I got to really embrace that whole thing. I adore both the characters so much I can’t even decide who is my favorite. Eli, as the narrator, has a special place in my heart. But Chase, oh, there are moments when he just steals my heart completely. Not to mention, there’s also a secondary character who just makes me grin. So I adore it a lot and I need to make it pretty and tweak it and fix some stuff. I’ve got time before deadline and I want to make it the best story it can be before that.

Want will be heading to the editor soon and I’m super excited about getting this story out there to you. There are moments when I actually think it’s my favorite (though I think that about different parts of every book in the series) and I hope you all will enjoy it as well. Alex and Spencer…man, their story has been such a long time coming and it was a little bit of a departure for me. I love it though. As it stands now, this is the last book in the series. Though I do have an idea about a potential fifth book, I’m not going to make any plans for it now. I won’t say never.

And then there’s the fact that I now know more about hazelnuts, and the farming and processing of them, than I ever thought possible. Why hazelnuts, you ask? My next project is to write a story that takes place on a hazelnut farm in Oregon’s gorgeous and lush Willamette Valley. If all goes according to plan, it’ll be my contribution to Dreamspinner Press’s States of Love series. But I have to write it first, and even when I do the pub might not contract it, so nothing is yet written in stone. I spent several hours last night researching, answering the questions I had, jotting down way more information than I’ll ever use in the book, and writing up a general outline. The thing that is different about this one? I see it rather clearly from both MC’s POVs. And though usually when that happens it sorts itself down to just one, I don’t see that happening here. But I love writing first person, and so my intent is to write this one in alternating first. Also not written in stone, but that’s how it feels right now. We’ll see how it all shakes out when I actually start writing it. Which will be soon. I just need to get some other things taken care of first.

At any rate, I’m excited about that one a lot too. Like pumped up fired to get started on it, and on the edge my seat to see how their love story plays out. (Yes, I know, I’m the author and I orchestrate it. But it definitely is different, watching it play out).

So that’s the scoop from me!