Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Writing Sex
Today’s topic is writing sex.
I recently finished the first scene of an erotic nature between Matt and Calvin. Now I don’t know whether you guys know this or not but this is the most difficult part for me. Not because I am a prude. Obviously I am far from it. But it has become the part I most dread writing in my books.
I’ve basically come full circle on this. In the beginning, when I was writing romances of the non-erotic kind I dreaded writing the sex part. Though even non-erotic books have become more explicit these days back when I was concentrating on them you still had to use words like manhood.
Writing sex back then was a struggle for me because I didn’t want it to sound like insert tab a into tab b and as someone who struggles with description in her writing most of all (characterization and dialogue are more my forte), having to do entire scenes describing sex was no fun. I did it and most of them came out all right, but still I would heave a sigh of relief when the scene was done.
Then, I had the great fortune of meeting Ava March. I don’t think either of us had a clue when we were first introduced how well we would work together and how good of friends we would actually become (we email each other several times almost every day).
If I had not met Ava, I would never have the confidence to write erotic romance even though that was what I myself liked to read. When I wrote my first to homoerotic romances, Another Chance and The Squire, I found the sex pretty easy to write for the most part. Easier than I expected. It was still a smidge difficult for me, but it was getting better.
Several books after the sex got easier and less burdensome. But then along about the summer of 2009 I regressed back to those initial days and it has become something I dread.
There are a few reasons. Most notable is you want each scene to be erotic without repeating the same sex every book you write. With as many books as I have out now you can see how this can become hard (smirk). Sure Alex and Craig are different characters from Calvin and Matt for instance but let’s face it they all have the same parts. Ask almost any homoerotic author and they will tell you they face this same dilemma.
Another for me is, like the point of view characters in my scene, I want to make the sex the best it has ever been for my hero. Both physically and emotionally satisfying beyond belief. This is IT for these couples. While in reality I know real couples break up sometimes and move on to other lovers, these guys will always be together and so their reward MUST be mind-blowing sex. Can you imagine the pressure? Lol.
I am only going to mention one other reason and I am going to mention it only very, very briefly. I allowed a comment made by someone to bother me so much that it haunts the scene every single time I write it. My dear Shayne knows what I speak of.
Obviously in spite of these mostly self-made obstacles, I still manage to get past the scene. I hope some day soon I won’t dread them as much as I do now, because I love it when a reader enjoys reading about the love between my men. It makes all the struggle well worth it.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Angsty Excerpt
Since I have no news I thought I'd post the first few pages of Twice in a Lifetime. I think you should all be fairly warned the story returns to some of my angst. I think you're going to find the "Only" series fairly light (with angst lite), but as you will see from the excerpt posted here, Jude's life doesn't start out very well. Don't worry it gets way better for him when he meets his hero, Rex.
The premise here, is Jude finds the love of his life, "Twice in a Lifetime""
Jude stretched out on the king-size bed, his limbs tangled in the soft, satiny black sheets. He couldn’t keep the smile from curving his lips. He pulled the firm pillow from the top of the bed and stuck it under his head, letting his eyelids flutter closed.
Smack!
His ass jumped with the hard slap to his cheek. His eyes opened wide. “Hey!”
Dr. Martin Andrews grinned at him. He stood next to the bed, his hands now innocently on his hips. “No sleeping, hon. Remember I’m taking you to dinner.”
His stomach growled at the thought of food. Still, he’d been having a great time in bed with Martin. “Are you sure you don’t want to get naked and back into bed with me?” He winked.
Martin laughed. “Don’t you ever get enough?”
He shook his head. “No, not with you.”
His lover sat on the edge of the bed and leaned down to kiss him. His heart leapt. “I love you, honey, but we’ve got a reservation where we are going. It’s time to celebrate. I’ll thoroughly ravish you when we return.”
Jude pouted. “Well, all right. Promise?”
Martin’s hand squeezed the same cheek he’d just slapped. “Most definitely.”
Jude swung out of bed and reached for his clothes. He grimaced as he caught sight of his disheveled, just-had-sex look in the mirror. “Do I have time for a shower?”
“Sure. I’ve some follow-up patient calls to make. Don’t take too long.”
***
Jude tapped his booted foot against the side of the pillar on the gas station island. It was a beautiful, sunny, slightly breezy evening in San Francisco. Next to him, Martin gassed up the car. They’d stopped here on their way to dinner by the wharf.
Happiness bubbled up in chest making him laugh out loud.
Martin smiled at him. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m just happy.” They’d been seeing each other for almost eight months now and it was only last night Martin asked him to move in.
When they’d first met, Jude wasn’t sure what they could have in common. Martin at thirty was ten years older than him and already an established cardiologist. He was clean-cut, well-groomed, and sophisticated while Jude had bleached his dark hair, wore diamond studs in his eyebrow as well as both ears, eyeliner and lip gloss. But love was love.
Jude bounced over to Martin and gave him a quick kiss. Martin’s hand closed around Jude’s neck drawing him into a deeper kiss. When they broke apart, Jude looked around, feeling heat in his cheeks. They were in San Francisco, sure, but he still got nervous displaying affection in public. No one seemed to pay them any attention.
“Where are we going for dinner?”
“Oh, no, I told you it’s a surprise.” Martin removed the nozzle and returned it to the tank. “I’m going to go inside and get a candy bar. You want anything, honey?”
“A candy bar? We’re going to dinner.”
Martin rolled his eyes. “It’s just a candy bar. I don’t think it’s going to spoil my appetite. You want anything or not?”
Jude shook his head. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Yeah.” Martin pulled him close and nuzzled his ear. “You are. Can’t wait for you to show me just how good later.”
Jude licked his lips, tasting just a hint of the cherry lip gloss he wore. He tingled all over, thinking of what was to come. He leaned into Martin, forgetting for a second his bashfulness in public. A revving engine startled them apart.
Martin grinned and pecked him on the cheek. “I love you, honey.”
“I love you, too.”
“Be right back. You can wait in the car if you’re getting cold.”
Martin headed to the gas station market. The glass door was closed and for just a moment he hesitated. It had been open when they first arrived. Shrugging, he opened the door and stepped inside.
A tall, thin man wearing a bandana around his head stood in front of the cash register. He turned when Martin opened the door. He held a gun which he pointed at Martin.
Martin raised his hands. “Oh, wait, I—”
The man pulled the trigger hitting Martin in the head.
Jude woke up gasping for air. His heart pounded so hard he thought it would burst open his chest. His head hurt as though he’d actually been shot and tears streamed from his burning eyes. He twisted the switch on his bedside lamp, bathing his bedroom in yellow light.
His bedroom. He was not at the gas station again. He wiped the tears off and got out of bed. Damn. Five years and he still had the dream. Martin had been the only one killed by the robber that day. The clerk had been shot, but survived and informed the police that Martin’s last three words were just Oh, wait, I.
He walked into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed water on his pale skin. The dream always started out like it had the day of Martin’s murder.
But then as Martin left to go into the market, Jude became him in the dream. He was the one walking inside and getting shot, but as Martin.
The psychiatrist told him it was because he wished it had been him instead of Martin killed that day. Jude didn’t know if that true or not. He just knew the dream was seriously fucked up.
He ran his fingers through his Kelly green curls, probably time to change his hair again, then his hand along his stubbled jaw. Dark smudges appeared under his eyes. He looked seriously jacked.
A black cat slinked into the bathroom, rubbing along his bare legs.
“Hey, Sebastian,” he said softly, bending down to scratch behind his ears. “I don’t think I can bloody well go back to sleep now.”
The premise here, is Jude finds the love of his life, "Twice in a Lifetime""
Jude stretched out on the king-size bed, his limbs tangled in the soft, satiny black sheets. He couldn’t keep the smile from curving his lips. He pulled the firm pillow from the top of the bed and stuck it under his head, letting his eyelids flutter closed.
Smack!
His ass jumped with the hard slap to his cheek. His eyes opened wide. “Hey!”
Dr. Martin Andrews grinned at him. He stood next to the bed, his hands now innocently on his hips. “No sleeping, hon. Remember I’m taking you to dinner.”
His stomach growled at the thought of food. Still, he’d been having a great time in bed with Martin. “Are you sure you don’t want to get naked and back into bed with me?” He winked.
Martin laughed. “Don’t you ever get enough?”
He shook his head. “No, not with you.”
His lover sat on the edge of the bed and leaned down to kiss him. His heart leapt. “I love you, honey, but we’ve got a reservation where we are going. It’s time to celebrate. I’ll thoroughly ravish you when we return.”
Jude pouted. “Well, all right. Promise?”
Martin’s hand squeezed the same cheek he’d just slapped. “Most definitely.”
Jude swung out of bed and reached for his clothes. He grimaced as he caught sight of his disheveled, just-had-sex look in the mirror. “Do I have time for a shower?”
“Sure. I’ve some follow-up patient calls to make. Don’t take too long.”
***
Jude tapped his booted foot against the side of the pillar on the gas station island. It was a beautiful, sunny, slightly breezy evening in San Francisco. Next to him, Martin gassed up the car. They’d stopped here on their way to dinner by the wharf.
Happiness bubbled up in chest making him laugh out loud.
Martin smiled at him. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m just happy.” They’d been seeing each other for almost eight months now and it was only last night Martin asked him to move in.
When they’d first met, Jude wasn’t sure what they could have in common. Martin at thirty was ten years older than him and already an established cardiologist. He was clean-cut, well-groomed, and sophisticated while Jude had bleached his dark hair, wore diamond studs in his eyebrow as well as both ears, eyeliner and lip gloss. But love was love.
Jude bounced over to Martin and gave him a quick kiss. Martin’s hand closed around Jude’s neck drawing him into a deeper kiss. When they broke apart, Jude looked around, feeling heat in his cheeks. They were in San Francisco, sure, but he still got nervous displaying affection in public. No one seemed to pay them any attention.
“Where are we going for dinner?”
“Oh, no, I told you it’s a surprise.” Martin removed the nozzle and returned it to the tank. “I’m going to go inside and get a candy bar. You want anything, honey?”
“A candy bar? We’re going to dinner.”
Martin rolled his eyes. “It’s just a candy bar. I don’t think it’s going to spoil my appetite. You want anything or not?”
Jude shook his head. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Yeah.” Martin pulled him close and nuzzled his ear. “You are. Can’t wait for you to show me just how good later.”
Jude licked his lips, tasting just a hint of the cherry lip gloss he wore. He tingled all over, thinking of what was to come. He leaned into Martin, forgetting for a second his bashfulness in public. A revving engine startled them apart.
Martin grinned and pecked him on the cheek. “I love you, honey.”
“I love you, too.”
“Be right back. You can wait in the car if you’re getting cold.”
Martin headed to the gas station market. The glass door was closed and for just a moment he hesitated. It had been open when they first arrived. Shrugging, he opened the door and stepped inside.
A tall, thin man wearing a bandana around his head stood in front of the cash register. He turned when Martin opened the door. He held a gun which he pointed at Martin.
Martin raised his hands. “Oh, wait, I—”
The man pulled the trigger hitting Martin in the head.
Jude woke up gasping for air. His heart pounded so hard he thought it would burst open his chest. His head hurt as though he’d actually been shot and tears streamed from his burning eyes. He twisted the switch on his bedside lamp, bathing his bedroom in yellow light.
His bedroom. He was not at the gas station again. He wiped the tears off and got out of bed. Damn. Five years and he still had the dream. Martin had been the only one killed by the robber that day. The clerk had been shot, but survived and informed the police that Martin’s last three words were just Oh, wait, I.
He walked into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed water on his pale skin. The dream always started out like it had the day of Martin’s murder.
But then as Martin left to go into the market, Jude became him in the dream. He was the one walking inside and getting shot, but as Martin.
The psychiatrist told him it was because he wished it had been him instead of Martin killed that day. Jude didn’t know if that true or not. He just knew the dream was seriously fucked up.
He ran his fingers through his Kelly green curls, probably time to change his hair again, then his hand along his stubbled jaw. Dark smudges appeared under his eyes. He looked seriously jacked.
A black cat slinked into the bathroom, rubbing along his bare legs.
“Hey, Sebastian,” he said softly, bending down to scratch behind his ears. “I don’t think I can bloody well go back to sleep now.”
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Minor Updates
I have nothing really very new to report. I am still working on Only His Heart and it's coming along.
I have decided once this book and Still the One has been completed I will return to working on Jude's book, Twice in a Lifetime. I have several people mention this to me lately (you know who you are), so I guess I'd better get to it.
But first, I must finish Only His Heart and Still the One. Still waiting on a cover for Only For Him.
I have decided once this book and Still the One has been completed I will return to working on Jude's book, Twice in a Lifetime. I have several people mention this to me lately (you know who you are), so I guess I'd better get to it.
But first, I must finish Only His Heart and Still the One. Still waiting on a cover for Only For Him.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sigh...Monday
Well, it's Monday again. It's a somewhat short week for me at the day job (evil) as I took Tuesday off for some doctor's appointments. Any day off is a good one, though.
I made a great deal of progress over the weekend on Only His Heart. I managed to finish three chapters. Go Me! At this rate I should be well on my way to finishing this in the near future. Yes, I know I was supposed to work on Still the One which is due March 01, but I didn't wanna. LOL. Seriously, that is my only excuse. I wanted to work on Only His Heart. It's working out well, I think, and I expect to perhaps be finished with that book by February 06. That still gives me three weeks to get Still the One done.
Today's picture is for Maggie.
I made a great deal of progress over the weekend on Only His Heart. I managed to finish three chapters. Go Me! At this rate I should be well on my way to finishing this in the near future. Yes, I know I was supposed to work on Still the One which is due March 01, but I didn't wanna. LOL. Seriously, that is my only excuse. I wanted to work on Only His Heart. It's working out well, I think, and I expect to perhaps be finished with that book by February 06. That still gives me three weeks to get Still the One done.
Today's picture is for Maggie.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Hooray For Friday
I want to thank everyone for weighing in on the eye candy and the title. Much appreciated.
Only His Heart it is and I've already re-written the first chapter. So far I am really, really loving these characters and I am wondering if Matt and Calvin may end up being among my favorites. I thought I should probably move on to Still the One, but Ava March has been trying to convince me to write the next chapter of Only His Heart and as much as I am loving the characters she may get her wish.
I hope everyone has a spectacular weekend.
Today's posted picture is a fun one. Enjoy.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
I Think I Have a Title (Only His Heart)
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So I think I am going to go with Only His Heart or His One and Only. Something along those lines. As D.L. pointed out, in order to go along with Only In His Dreams and Only For Him, I think the pronoun in the third book needs to match. I'm leaning toward Only His Heart.
I actually started it and have about 1,000 words done but now I think it needs work. Not sure I like the words I have so far and may redo what I have written. We'll see. I wanted to work on it and so I did, but really, I do need to work on Still the One.
I actually started it and have about 1,000 words done but now I think it needs work. Not sure I like the words I have so far and may redo what I have written. We'll see. I wanted to work on it and so I did, but really, I do need to work on Still the One.
PS. The middle picture is more my image of Calvin, although, perhaps just a smidge older looking, but fairly close. Last time on the Ash pics for a while since I need to do Still the One.
E.H., feel free to ignore my fantasy picture and make up one of your own.
And because Eyre felt bad, I put the first picture pack. Oh and there's Zac, too. LOL
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Need a Title
This isn't a contest, really, just asking for suggestions, and of course, if you suggest something you'll have my undying gratitude for whatever that's worth. LOL
As you know, I have finished two of my three books in the "only" series. The first two are Only in His Dreams and Only For Him. What this means is the third book needs to have "only" in the title. Anyone want to offer suggestions?
Here is the basic premise (subject to change on Shawn's whim):
Dr. Calvin Lassiter is an emergency room doctor who buries himself in his high stress job. He has no time for a relationship and most definitely is not interested in the new emergency room nurse, Matt Walton.
Matt is exactly what he doesn't want. An eyeliner wearing bad boy who rides a motorcycle.
Matt is intrigued by the stuffy, too beautiful for words doctor, but the good doc is as cold as ice. Matt's fellow nurses bet him he can't melt Dr. Lassiter and get him into his bed.
Too fascinated by Calvin not to try, Matt succeeds in breaking the doctor's hard exterior, but as their relationship gets serious, Matt can't help but fear the wall will come between them for good if his co-workers tell his sexy doctor the truth.
So, there you have it. Suggestion away, but please do think of something with "only" in the title.
As you know, I have finished two of my three books in the "only" series. The first two are Only in His Dreams and Only For Him. What this means is the third book needs to have "only" in the title. Anyone want to offer suggestions?
Here is the basic premise (subject to change on Shawn's whim):
Dr. Calvin Lassiter is an emergency room doctor who buries himself in his high stress job. He has no time for a relationship and most definitely is not interested in the new emergency room nurse, Matt Walton.
Matt is exactly what he doesn't want. An eyeliner wearing bad boy who rides a motorcycle.
Matt is intrigued by the stuffy, too beautiful for words doctor, but the good doc is as cold as ice. Matt's fellow nurses bet him he can't melt Dr. Lassiter and get him into his bed.
Too fascinated by Calvin not to try, Matt succeeds in breaking the doctor's hard exterior, but as their relationship gets serious, Matt can't help but fear the wall will come between them for good if his co-workers tell his sexy doctor the truth.
So, there you have it. Suggestion away, but please do think of something with "only" in the title.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Only For Him is Finished
Couldn't resist posting this one.
Only For Him is finished! Yeah! I've already sent it off and I have a release date of April 18, 2010.
The third only book starring Calvin, Barnaby's brother, has to wait just a little longer. I think you'll like Calvin too as he looks very similar to Barnaby but a little older and a lot more stuffy. But not to worry his hero, Matt, will definitely be a great match for him.
First up though is Still the One the sequel to The Best Gift. It's a look into Malcolm and Dusty's life five years later (probably out in June as part of a Best Friends Amber Pax).
Once that is done I will be returning to Calvin and Matt.
As soon as Only For Him has a cover, I'll let you know.
Only For Him is finished! Yeah! I've already sent it off and I have a release date of April 18, 2010.
The third only book starring Calvin, Barnaby's brother, has to wait just a little longer. I think you'll like Calvin too as he looks very similar to Barnaby but a little older and a lot more stuffy. But not to worry his hero, Matt, will definitely be a great match for him.
First up though is Still the One the sequel to The Best Gift. It's a look into Malcolm and Dusty's life five years later (probably out in June as part of a Best Friends Amber Pax).
Once that is done I will be returning to Calvin and Matt.
As soon as Only For Him has a cover, I'll let you know.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Progress Update and Only For Him Teaser
Barnaby's making progress and getting it on with Nathan right now. I hit the 10,000 word mark. I really have no clue what the word length will end up at for Only For Him. I'm thinking novella which starts at 18,000 but it might end up under that and make it to Extended Amber Kiss which is what Only In His Dreams was. This one will be just a smidge angsty but hopefully in the end you will all feel that Barnaby and Nathan deserve their Happily Ever After.
I still intend to keep my self-imposed deadline of having it done January 23/24. Wish me luck!
Before I get to Calvin and Matt's story, which will be the third "Only" book, I will then be working on the sequel to The Best Gift with Dusty and Malcolm five years later. That one will be called Still the One and should be part of a best friends/lovers Amber Quill sort of anthology (called Pax) in early summer.
Here is a teaser for you. The opening pages of Only For Him.
Barnaby Lassiter thought perhaps if he squinted his left eye and tilted his head a bit to the right the guy leering at him from the other end of the bar could pass for him. The man at the other end had dark hair and glasses like him. Maybe if he had another drink or two or three he could pretend.
The man, apparently feeling encouraged by Barnaby looking at him, got up and made his way toward him. Barnaby shook his head and took a sip of his chocolate martini. Nope, not even close to looking like Nathan.
“Hey, gorgeous,” the man said as he reached Barnaby. His hand smoothed over Barnaby’s jean covered knee. “Can I buy you another one?”
Barnaby smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, I’m meeting someone here.” Which was not a lie, actually. And he was glad of that.
The guy’s smile turned brittle. “Sure, whatever.” He moved away, but not before digging his fingers painfully in Barnaby’s leg.
Dickhead.
He sighed and glanced at his digital watch. Calvin was already thirty minutes late. Stood up by his older brother had to be the height of patheticness. Um…that probably wasn’t even a damn word.
The bell above the door jangled and Barnaby once more turned to look hopefully.
At last.
Calvin Lassiter, his older brother by seven years, was an emergency room doctor. Barnaby had dyed his hair bleached blond whereas Calvin’s was still milk chocolate brown. His brother, dressed in dress slacks, shirt and a tie, was the picture of conservative. No hair out of place, no earrings, no nose stud.
All more than he could say for himself of course. He had gone home from his work as an admin assistant at the Law Offices of Anderson, Llewellyn, and Stevens, and changed into jeans and a blue tank top, and a leather jacket. He had three diamond studs in his left ear and another one in his left nostril. He’d also applied eyeliner, mauve blush, and mauve lip gloss.
Calvin noticed him at the bar and walked over. He was already frowning. Not a good sign. His brother slid onto the stool next to him.
“Hey, I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
“I’m busy, Barnaby. I had a meeting at the hospital this afternoon and it ran late.” Calvin ordered a red wine from the bartender and then turned to Barnaby. “Did we have to meet at a gay bar?”
“You’re gay, too.”
“I don’t hang out at bars,” Calvin said, with that note of superiority he usually had when speaking to Barnaby. “And neither should you.”
“I feel comfortable here.”
Calvin glanced around the bar. “I don’t see why. All that these guys want is to get laid. None of them are looking for anything serious. And you have no idea if they have diseases or are serial killers.”
Barnaby felt the muscle in his jaw tick but he said nothing and took another sip of his drink.
“If you’re looking for someone, why don’t you try one of those online dating services?”
“Oh, yeah, right.”
“They have some for gay men, you know.” Calvin looked at him critically. “I can see how some of them might find you attractive.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Calvin sighed. “I just don’t like you in places like this. You aren’t careful, Barnaby.”
He drummed his fingers on the bar. “Look, I didn’t ask you to meet me to get a lecture on how I am going to be murdered by a serial killer.”
I still intend to keep my self-imposed deadline of having it done January 23/24. Wish me luck!
Before I get to Calvin and Matt's story, which will be the third "Only" book, I will then be working on the sequel to The Best Gift with Dusty and Malcolm five years later. That one will be called Still the One and should be part of a best friends/lovers Amber Quill sort of anthology (called Pax) in early summer.
Here is a teaser for you. The opening pages of Only For Him.
Barnaby Lassiter thought perhaps if he squinted his left eye and tilted his head a bit to the right the guy leering at him from the other end of the bar could pass for him. The man at the other end had dark hair and glasses like him. Maybe if he had another drink or two or three he could pretend.
The man, apparently feeling encouraged by Barnaby looking at him, got up and made his way toward him. Barnaby shook his head and took a sip of his chocolate martini. Nope, not even close to looking like Nathan.
“Hey, gorgeous,” the man said as he reached Barnaby. His hand smoothed over Barnaby’s jean covered knee. “Can I buy you another one?”
Barnaby smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, I’m meeting someone here.” Which was not a lie, actually. And he was glad of that.
The guy’s smile turned brittle. “Sure, whatever.” He moved away, but not before digging his fingers painfully in Barnaby’s leg.
Dickhead.
He sighed and glanced at his digital watch. Calvin was already thirty minutes late. Stood up by his older brother had to be the height of patheticness. Um…that probably wasn’t even a damn word.
The bell above the door jangled and Barnaby once more turned to look hopefully.
At last.
Calvin Lassiter, his older brother by seven years, was an emergency room doctor. Barnaby had dyed his hair bleached blond whereas Calvin’s was still milk chocolate brown. His brother, dressed in dress slacks, shirt and a tie, was the picture of conservative. No hair out of place, no earrings, no nose stud.
All more than he could say for himself of course. He had gone home from his work as an admin assistant at the Law Offices of Anderson, Llewellyn, and Stevens, and changed into jeans and a blue tank top, and a leather jacket. He had three diamond studs in his left ear and another one in his left nostril. He’d also applied eyeliner, mauve blush, and mauve lip gloss.
Calvin noticed him at the bar and walked over. He was already frowning. Not a good sign. His brother slid onto the stool next to him.
“Hey, I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
“I’m busy, Barnaby. I had a meeting at the hospital this afternoon and it ran late.” Calvin ordered a red wine from the bartender and then turned to Barnaby. “Did we have to meet at a gay bar?”
“You’re gay, too.”
“I don’t hang out at bars,” Calvin said, with that note of superiority he usually had when speaking to Barnaby. “And neither should you.”
“I feel comfortable here.”
Calvin glanced around the bar. “I don’t see why. All that these guys want is to get laid. None of them are looking for anything serious. And you have no idea if they have diseases or are serial killers.”
Barnaby felt the muscle in his jaw tick but he said nothing and took another sip of his drink.
“If you’re looking for someone, why don’t you try one of those online dating services?”
“Oh, yeah, right.”
“They have some for gay men, you know.” Calvin looked at him critically. “I can see how some of them might find you attractive.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Calvin sighed. “I just don’t like you in places like this. You aren’t careful, Barnaby.”
He drummed his fingers on the bar. “Look, I didn’t ask you to meet me to get a lecture on how I am going to be murdered by a serial killer.”
Monday, January 11, 2010
A Blog More Than Two Years Later
Recently, Sharon, one of my blog followers, mentioned she had gone back to read some of my earlier posts of my blog. I pretty much figured Sharon suffers from Insomnia and decided this might help.
Anyway, that sort of made me curious to go back to the beginning myself to read some old posts. Most of you following the blog now don’t know that it began over two years ago now on October 30, 2007. I had no Shawn Lane stories yet. I had just signed contracts for my two heterosexual historicals, Duke’s Project and Duke Pretender. I knew nothing about blogging and decided to start a blog because some other writers told me to do so.
I had no clue what to write and it showed. Eventually when at the very end of February 2008 The Squire won the Amber Heat Wave contest to become my first published homoerotic romance, I began to have a little more to say. Those earliest days were painful for me to read, though, lol.
As I have stated before, I decided to focus exclusively on Shawn Lane books over time, though initially that was not the case. My blog was originally called Sharon Writes Romance.
When I decided to focus on nothing but Shawn Lane stories (after discovering I didn’t like writing heterosexual stories much anymore and also realizing non-erotic romances just weren’t selling for me), I changed the name of the blog.
Anyway, as I read over some of the older entries I realized just how all over the place I really was. I’d talk about stories I planned on writing and then drop them and never mention them again or procrastinate endlessly over them. I realized I have been talking about writing Never the One for almost a year (cop partner love story with elderly serial killer). How can any of you muster any excitement for the stories I claim I am going to write and then never do?
I couldn’t help wondering how any of you can stand me, lol
I hope that I have improved in my blogging skills since then. I can only say that I am a work in progress. And thanks to Sharon (the anonymous one—not me, lol) for the unintended nudge to revisit my early blogging days.
Anyway, that sort of made me curious to go back to the beginning myself to read some old posts. Most of you following the blog now don’t know that it began over two years ago now on October 30, 2007. I had no Shawn Lane stories yet. I had just signed contracts for my two heterosexual historicals, Duke’s Project and Duke Pretender. I knew nothing about blogging and decided to start a blog because some other writers told me to do so.
I had no clue what to write and it showed. Eventually when at the very end of February 2008 The Squire won the Amber Heat Wave contest to become my first published homoerotic romance, I began to have a little more to say. Those earliest days were painful for me to read, though, lol.
As I have stated before, I decided to focus exclusively on Shawn Lane books over time, though initially that was not the case. My blog was originally called Sharon Writes Romance.
When I decided to focus on nothing but Shawn Lane stories (after discovering I didn’t like writing heterosexual stories much anymore and also realizing non-erotic romances just weren’t selling for me), I changed the name of the blog.
Anyway, as I read over some of the older entries I realized just how all over the place I really was. I’d talk about stories I planned on writing and then drop them and never mention them again or procrastinate endlessly over them. I realized I have been talking about writing Never the One for almost a year (cop partner love story with elderly serial killer). How can any of you muster any excitement for the stories I claim I am going to write and then never do?
I couldn’t help wondering how any of you can stand me, lol
I hope that I have improved in my blogging skills since then. I can only say that I am a work in progress. And thanks to Sharon (the anonymous one—not me, lol) for the unintended nudge to revisit my early blogging days.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Waiting, Waiting, Waiting
Yes, I am still waiting for my cover for Only In His Dreams (something Ava March can appreciate as she is waiting on her cover for From Afar). I admit I have grown spoiled at Amber Quill. In the past, I sometimes had my covers within a day and so waiting for a couple of months already is agonizing for me. It's not like I didn't have to wait for covers from other publishers, but AQ was always damn quick and since it's not as quick this time...well I am whining a bit. Come on guys with that the only book I have scheduled at the moment I need SOMETHING to look forward to.Only For Him is coming along. I'm going to start chapter 5 today and I have about 7,500 words done on it. I'm giving myself a goal of having it done and submitted to AQ by January 23rd. We'll see if I manage that one. lol.
Once it is done I have to move on to my best friends story due March 01. My original plan was to use my story with my police detective partners who are trying to solve the murders of the elderly in their city. I've changed my mind about this because I'm pretty sure that story is going to end up being too complicated to rush it and I think it is going to require me to do a little bit of...gasp...research.
I don't want to put too much effort into thinking up new characters either because I have so much work to do already. There's a shocking amount of stories I already have in the queue to be written. So, basically my best friends story will be the five years into the future story of Dustin and Malcolm. It's going to be a little bit more angsty then The Best Gift because the guys are more mature and are dealing with a long distance-absence issue (you'll see).
Once I have gotten that out of the way which I am hoping won't take me all the way to March 01, I'll be working on a couple of things at once. Probably my story with Ava March and either Calvin's story or finishing Waking the Prince.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Upcoming Characters
For those of you who might be curious about Barnaby and his brother, Calvin, who is also coming up in 2010 I thought I’d tell you a bit more about them.
Barnaby and Calvin were raised by their grandmother, who also named Barnaby after the Buddy Ebsen character from the 1970 show, Barnaby Jones. How they came to be raised by their grandmother will be revealed in Only For Him.
Barnaby is the younger brother, in his early to mid-twenties (I haven’t given him a specific age, lol). He is dramatic with spiky anime character hair, eyeliner, lip gloss and earrings. A born flirt. He works as the admin assistant for one of the lawyers of a law firm.
Unfortunately for Barnaby he has fallen for another partner of the firm, shy, Nathan, who wears Buddy Holly glasses (Drew you can google Buddy Holly, lol) and can’t think why someone as vivacious as Barnaby would give him the time of day.
To learn more about their relationship you will need to wait for Only For Him.
Calvin is five years older than Barnaby and an ER doctor. He has made himself quite clear that he would never get involved with anyone from the hospital nor does he find guys with makeup and earrings the least bit appealing.
Therefore, it stood to reason that his hero is Matt, a new nurse at the hospital who wears makeup, earrings, and drives a motorcycle. Trust me, Calvin needs just such a hero.
There you have it, my other two stories coming up in the Only series. First is Only In His Dreams, an interracial romance involving Travis (Barnaby’s boss) and the firm’s business manager, Darrell.
Barnaby and Calvin were raised by their grandmother, who also named Barnaby after the Buddy Ebsen character from the 1970 show, Barnaby Jones. How they came to be raised by their grandmother will be revealed in Only For Him.
Barnaby is the younger brother, in his early to mid-twenties (I haven’t given him a specific age, lol). He is dramatic with spiky anime character hair, eyeliner, lip gloss and earrings. A born flirt. He works as the admin assistant for one of the lawyers of a law firm.
Unfortunately for Barnaby he has fallen for another partner of the firm, shy, Nathan, who wears Buddy Holly glasses (Drew you can google Buddy Holly, lol) and can’t think why someone as vivacious as Barnaby would give him the time of day.
To learn more about their relationship you will need to wait for Only For Him.
Calvin is five years older than Barnaby and an ER doctor. He has made himself quite clear that he would never get involved with anyone from the hospital nor does he find guys with makeup and earrings the least bit appealing.
Therefore, it stood to reason that his hero is Matt, a new nurse at the hospital who wears makeup, earrings, and drives a motorcycle. Trust me, Calvin needs just such a hero.
There you have it, my other two stories coming up in the Only series. First is Only In His Dreams, an interracial romance involving Travis (Barnaby’s boss) and the firm’s business manager, Darrell.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Amber Quill December Best Sellers List
Made December's Best Seller's List twice. # 2 for Ticket to Ride and #5 for The Best Gift. Thanks to you!
What's Hot? December 2009 Best Sellers!
1. Wanting - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Contemporary)
2. Ticket To Ride - Shawn Lane (Gay / Suspense)
3. No Good Deed - Lynn Lorenz (Gay / Mystery)
4. Tango In The Night - KC Kendricks (Gay / Contemporary)
5. The Best Gift - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
6. Sins Of Omission - India Harper (Gay / Suspense)
7. Your Cheatin' Heart - Mimi Riser (Gay / Werewolf)
8. Dead Man's Curve - Vivien Dean (Gay / Contemporary)
9. The Devil Went Down To Georgia - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Dark Fantasy)
10. Cy Gets A Sex Demon - Angela Fiddler (Gay / Paranormal)
What's Hot? December 2009 Best Sellers!
1. Wanting - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Contemporary)
2. Ticket To Ride - Shawn Lane (Gay / Suspense)
3. No Good Deed - Lynn Lorenz (Gay / Mystery)
4. Tango In The Night - KC Kendricks (Gay / Contemporary)
5. The Best Gift - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
6. Sins Of Omission - India Harper (Gay / Suspense)
7. Your Cheatin' Heart - Mimi Riser (Gay / Werewolf)
8. Dead Man's Curve - Vivien Dean (Gay / Contemporary)
9. The Devil Went Down To Georgia - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Dark Fantasy)
10. Cy Gets A Sex Demon - Angela Fiddler (Gay / Paranormal)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Next Up For 2010
I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season. It's hard to believe it's over already. I swear the older I get the more time speeds up.
In just a short time (March), I will turn 45. I swear I don't feel different than I did ten years ago. Okay, I have a few extra aches, LOL.
Anyway, I said when I completed Only in His Dreams I would return to working on Waking the Prince, my fantasy fairytale. This won't come as a complete surprise to some of you that I lied. I didn't think I did, but well...
There were two secondary characters from Only in His Dreams that really wouldn't leave me alone, Barnaby and Nathan. I've been writing on them for days and things are going very well. If it keeps going well I should have Only For Him done in January.
Which also brings me to the announcement that their will be a third Only story. The third story will involve my flamboyant boy, Barnaby's more strait-laced brother, Calvin. Depending how strongly I feel after finishing Only For Him will determine which story comes next (other than Never the One which has to get done by March 01). Never fear, Waking the Prince will get done and published in 2010.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
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