Rallying Point, Food for Thought, & (Over-) Editing Validation

It’s with a light heart I report that, for now, Tilly the cat is breathing easier most of the time and still acting healthy in all other respects. She appears so comfortable I’ve left her sleeping alone on the low-set heating pad to spend time around Jezebel. You see, yesterday afternoon that elderly grey kitty acted a fool for attention despite her age, racing around for me to chase. Of course the napping brat acts all casual about my presence now (~grin~) but I’ve no doubt she appreciates it.

Jezebel in Full-on "Monkey Mode"

In other news, exchanging emails with a very talented and oft published writer, I confessed my ongoing obsession with re-re-re-editing older stories. This kind mentor’s reply validated my quirk with uplifting, if disheartening wisdom:

“Never feel guilty about fiddling with old stories. Taking your own work to pieces is one of the best ways to sharpen your skills -- it also gives you fresh perspective on the work of other writers. (One of the pitfalls is that one can become quite critical of books in print, particularly the best sellers, where the actual value of the book can be secondary to the marketing hype, spectacular cover, and writer's reputation, all of which go together to make a best seller out of a work that ... shouldn’t have been. They do say -- and I believe it -- that the best books are lying in desk drawers, unpublished. These days, they're probably languishing on the Amazon servers, having sold 35 copies and then been forgotten for want of an advertising budget!)”

Thanks, my friend.

More on that note, I’d like to share a snippet and would appreciate knowing what you think if you care to comment. This scene from “Man’s Best Friend (BloodMoon #8)” follows a violent home invasion and the protagonist’s efforts to move past it, surprising her reunited lover with the renovations.

Story:

Nickolas ripped off the scarf blindfolding him. He took a step back, jaw dropping, and shook his head.

“Wow. You do like yellow.”

“And I remembered you like blue. Is it too much like a circus tent?”

“Not at all. It’s psychedelic.” Looking to me, he fanned out the fingers of his right hand like a conjurer. “Where on earth did you find this cool carpet?”

“There’s a hotel supplier in town that sells remnants.” I uncrossed my fingers, no longer worrying that blue and yellow paisley pile might be too much. “I figured it would hide dirt and hold up well.”

“I am kind of a slob.”

“You and me both,” I said, snickering. “What do you think of the furniture?”

“What happened with the old stuff?”

“We donated it to charity. It… I…”

“Wanted a fresh start?”

“Yeah.”

I gave him a look I hoped showed my gratitude over his understanding. Neither of us speaking, he looked around the room. I could sense him wanting to touch me and took hold his hand, swinging our arms child-like between us before continuing my narrative.

“Anyway, everything matches now. I figured solid yellow upholstery and curtains toned down the carpet,” I prattled, “as well as the blue sheets.”

“I can hardly wait to see you in them.”

Letting go his hand, I feigned a need to show him which drawers contained his socks and underwear. Nickolas smiled walking to the replaced window. I appreciated him ignoring my discomfort, whether out of civility or male oblivion.

~

Final paragraph revised:

Longing rumbled in silent echoes. I let go his hand, darting forth to show which drawers contained his socks and underwear. Nickolas smiled walking to the replaced window and I appreciated the disregard, whether out of civility or male oblivion.

~

Now I need to stop editing this. Heh… It’s time I go to the gym and lift weights.

What are you up to today?

-

Where Am I? Happy News, &, What’s That You Say?

During this month’s Camp NaNo writing challenge, I decided to count hours instead of fresh words. That flexibility offers a chance to work on edits and new story as I see fit.

Yesterday and today I made minute changes to a short story. Finished reading those words, I moved back to a WIP with different characters. In one amusing moment this afternoon, I recognized a mistake. Switching between Nickolas and Alex in Cincinnati, I set Arick and Lita in that same region instead of their native US state of Idaho.

I rectified that with a chuckle. Meanwhile, I am enjoying this ongoing dedication as a writer sans the stress of attempts to publish. We shall see what the future holds in that department.

In other happy news, lunch with someone considered the little brother I never had and a lady who has been making him very happy rounded out another successful and rewarding day. Now I’m about to join my husband for some YouTube video content. On a less pleasant front, a few days ago his hearing seemed to take an abrupt and sever downturn.

Deaf in one ear for several years, attributed to otherwise asymptomatic mumps (shocking considering he received inoculations in the Air Force decades ago), my spouse has been turning broadcasts up to the point it makes me flinch on occasion. To combat this, I put cotton in my ears.

Even that proved inadequate the other evening and I located Styrofoam ear plugs. When spotted, that did not go over well. He stormed out of the room and got on his computer. Today I implored him to get a hearing test. He met that with stoic dissatisfaction. I guess we all are in denial over something.

Any suggestions for what I should do next? How far should I push, and how fast before things deteriorate further?

Anything exciting happening in your neck of the woods?

-

Rainbow Snippet for December 9, 2018

It’s been a while since I posted six sentences from an LGBTQIA+ body of work. My November project ended up being pure het, and kept me too busy to read from the other talented authors of the Rainbow Snippets FB page. I’ve missed these folks and hope you’ll check them out.

The following is a bit of ugliness from a disturbed mind. I hope you enjoy nonetheless!

Snippet:

Nickolas turned his head as if to say more. Shadowed by ruddy carmine and burnt caramel waves, his stoic wide-eyed face in profile was the most beautiful, erotic, and damning thing I’d ever seen. If I could pin him to a butterfly board and look at him forever like this my soul wouldn’t even scream sliding into hell.

That made me feel more unworthy, uglier and dirtier than my bastard of a father ever managed and I cursed this cocky kid for his silent, smug dismissal. Why was his body so slim and perfect, hair long and shiny while I got stuck with this doughy body and a crappy crew cut my father wouldn’t let me grow out? Nickolas taunted me with a placid smile.

~

If he could read this mind, do you think Nicky would run?

#rainbowsnippets

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Not Technically a ‘Rainbow Snippet’ Snippet (Borderline NSFW)

As mentioned in the title, this post is not exactly family friendly. And if you are ill at ease reading intimacy, please feel free to give the following a skip. It’s a little beyond suggestive. Instead, feel free to enjoy once again a boy in a dress during this past LA Fashion Week.

~grin~

Remington Leith of Palaye Royale

If you are hanging in there, let me first say I’m sorry that I did not participate in the Facebook group Rainbow Snippets the last several weekends, in part due to our long trip out of town. Today I am too busy trying to get back into (re)writing and catching up on laundry to do those talented authors justice (reading their snippets and commenting).

But in the process of working on “The Cat Who Ate the Canary” this afternoon I decided to take a minute and share something anyway.

The five sentence snippet is meant to illustrate the weakness of a character who breaks off relations with his morally ambiguous, manipulative ex-wife. I’ve struggled with the sentence/paragraph structure before. Today I think I may have gotten it better.

If you have a minute, please read the former and latter incarnations and tell me what you think. I appreciate constructive feedback. As for back story, Jackson is getting turned on by a stranger and wonders if he should have continued relations with his ex. Thank you, Lisa, for mentioning the confusion.

Before today:

Lighting a cigarette, Pamela announced her pregnancy by the fertile new husband lying in post coital infidelity. Jackson held his breath and his tongue that day. He walked out that motel room door with socks stuffed in his jacket pocket and became a devoted hermit at the ripe old age of twenty-seven.

He had not regretted the decision for one minute. Until tonight.

My revision:

Lying with her ex-husband in post coital infidelity, Pamela waved a lit cigarette announcing her pregnancy by the fertile new spouse. Jackson held his breath and his tongue, and walked through that motel room door with socks stuffed in his jacket pocket.

A devoted hermit at the ripe old age of twenty-seven, he had not regretted the decision for one minute. Until tonight.

~

In the first one, doesn’t it read like the new husband is lying with his wife in post coital infidelity? ~snicker~ I hope you’re having a lovely weekend!

-

Summer Bounty – An Accounting of Blessings

In my human frailty, I have done quite a bit of complaining this season. And granted, I’m still beyond ready for the onset of autumn, but I thought it time to readdress and assess some of the bountiful goodness.

For one, I’ve (most weeks) achieved a good deal of rewrites. Today I’m having fun reworking “The Wolf at Your Door”. I plan to contribute toward the incomplete ending before closing down for the evening .

The new deck, finished within a single week (!), turned out very nice. For the first time we can remember, it’s a safe and attractive structure. We’ll just have to get some of the lumber painted or stained to protect it from the elements once the green has bleached away.

Composite Floorboards Should Hold Up Better

At Last We Have Safe, Comfortable Stairs!

I’ve mentioned gardening numerous times. Stashed in our freezer are bags and bags of processed tomatoes ready for stews and casseroles or chili alongside others loaded with roasted jalapenos and parboiled chard. We also have leftover West African peanut stew and, as of yesterday, several servings of homemade tomato basil bisque ready to defrost. My next task is to cook up Buffalo chicken chili with some refrigerated fresh tomatoes and freeze half of that. I like having plenty of meals on hand.

Yum

If you think the above looks like fortune cookies, check out how I managed to freeze individual packets of the thin bisque without inconvenience or mess. Ice cube trays are so useful, even though my experiment in freezing cubes of fresh herbs didn’t work out so well. The soup bagged up quite nicely. I’m pleased with having thought to try this.

Three Bowls Full Ready to Go

Yesterday we shut down two of three Earthbox gardening containers for winter (tomatoes and rainbow chard). We’ll harvest the hot pepper plants in the next day or so. Once dehydrated, the spicy Thai dragon pods will fulfill our recipe needs for a couple of years.

There may still be some marglobe tomatoes to harvest ripe from the corner patch. We’ll see what the weather does. Those plants grew taller than my five foot two inch self and just look at my colander full! How beautiful are these tasty globes?

Prettiest Tomatoes We Have Ever Grown

Also, potatoes! We shall see how these little purple guys cook up. They will be part of dinner tonight.
 

A New Experiment Using Potato Growing Bags - !

And while my heart goes out to all those who have or will face hurricanes this season, I’m thrilled to know my favorite vacation destination (more home away from home, really) has weathered quite well. We look forward to returning to the Kill Devil Hills region of North Carolina’s Outer Banks yet this year.

Our Beets (Upper Right) Were Disappointing
But Who Wants Fried Green Tomatoes?

Last but not least, Palaye Royale is about to drop their sophomore release “Boom Boom Room: Side B”. I’ll be seeing them live in November, too. That should be fun.

PR's Underwater Album Cover Shot

Now the question remains, what should we plant in place of Thai dragon peppers next spring?

-

Rainbow Snippet for September 1st and 2nd

Welcome to September! It’s time again for me and some very talented writers to share six sentences from an LGBT related piece. Please check out the Rainbow Snippets Facebook page where you can find all sorts of genres.

Mine, as usual, comes from my BloodMoon series of erotica. Here, young lovers are visiting the parents of one. The older couple ran their guests ragged in an effort to pack as much Greek culture and fancy socializing into the week as possible. Desperate for intimacy, the pair skipped out on yet another cocktail party the night before this scene.

Here we have an understanding mother addressing her son’s love interest. I hope you’ll find it amusing.

Snippet:

The very next afternoon Mrs. Gravan called me into the kitchen. She said she heard I made excellent tea, which I considered an absurd pretext even as I pondered why she could possibly want to get me alone. Clara did not leave me in suspense long.

“Of course, dear, I know why you two wanted to stay in last night and I’m sorry for our thoughtlessness. I remember young love, though we aren’t dead yet,” she added, winking, “though next time you might want to light some incense. Or maybe a lot, for that matter.”

~

Do you like using incense?

#rainbowsnippets

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Rainbow Snippet for August 25th and 26th

Having looked at the same story again and again, I am setting it aside to let a better ending percolate. To get the juices flowing, I decided to start a new story and see where it goes. Below is the opening of the new tale, in which my characters take a vacation. I’m not sure how it will fit into my BloodMoon universe, but writing feels good whatever the case.

I hope you’ll join me in reading other LGBTQIA+ snippets gathered on our Rainbow Snippets Facebook page. There are some super authors there.

Without further ado, here are this weekend’s six sentences:

I closed my eyes toward the sun, clutching the ship’s railing. The wind changed direction. Instead of the sea I smelled a hint of something very much like cardamom drifting from behind. Head turning, I took a deep breath without looking.

My lungs expanded to hold in the spiced air. No doubt well aware I swirled his scent over a more than human olfactory organ, Nickolas chuckled, the low sound lifting the hair on my arms.

~

Have you ever been drawn to someone by the scent of their skin?

#rainbowsnippets

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Marital Bliss

This Concept Cover Better Fits My Latest Story

A relationship between a writer and her characters can be a little like marriage. Well, maybe a lot. After years of ‘hanging out’ with my favorite OC, I just discovered that he has a true addictive personality.

And I’m his enabler. Maybe I’m codependent and that’s why I can neither quit him nor share our stories with the world.

Yesterday I placed him and a lover on a cruise ship with a gambling deck. I bet you can guess what happened.

Have you ever vacationed on a luxury cruise liner?

-

Rainbow Snippet for August 11th and 12th

It’s another weekend, time to share a bit of LGBT related story alongside several lovely authors at Rainbow Snippets on Facebook. Please check them out for more six sentence tidbits. Here, I am relating an early, early scene from my hoarded “BloodMoon” series.

Snippet:

Watching the extra swish to her hips I slapped my laminated menu down hard enough to make the Formica sing. Nickolas acted oblivious to my discomfiture. Shrugging back shining locks he leaned into the table, a relaxed grin on his face. I supposed fawning and jealous females were commonplace as oxygen to a burgeoning rockstar.

Once we were alone I focused on how to continue. How could I make small talk with someone like Nickolas Gravan, his perfection so far beyond angelic as to be godlike?

~

Though trust me, it waxes and wanes in dramatic fashion, do you think there is too much hero worship going on here?

#rainbowsnippets

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Rainbow Snippet for July 28th and July 29th

I almost didn’t post a snippet today. It’s been a trying week and I wondered if staying off social media for the day would be advisable. But then I remembered how friendly are the other writers in the LGBT genre who gather on the Rainbow Snippets FB page. And so many other bloggers have been super kind, too, so here I am.

This is actually a fanfic crossover with my original character (I really wasn’t kidding about a crappy week, so when inspiration struck I ran with it to boost my word count for Camp NaNo). Of course, this would not make it into my vampire free series, but I hope you enjoy this little scenario in which werewolf Nickolas is hoping to be dominated by an antiquated undead male (or two, as he just learned!) in some playful power exchange.

Snippet:

“He is everything Nathaniel said he was.”

“Oh, mon ami,” the scarred blond purred, “Nathaniel said many things.”

The implication wrapped in that velvet delivery raised the hair on my arms further than the undead brunette’s magical appraisal of me. I’d been in the scene long enough to appreciate mental manipulation, had employed it from both sides of the spectrum. But two master vampires? I stayed silent and still as possible, willing my heart and lungs to slow down.

~

Making sure to mention no names here but a common one, I can’t help wondering if anyone recognizes the vampires. Have a great weekend!

#rainbowsnippets

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Rainbow Snippet for July 21st and 22nd

Welcome to another installment of Rainbow Snippets. A friendly and talented bunch of folks writing in the LGBT genre gather here on Facebook every weekend, so please click on the link and check them out.

Today’s tidbit is banter between shapeshifters from this month’s Camp NaNo project. I’m just writing whatever the mood strikes and this angst popped up toward the end of yesterday’s endeavors. I hope you enjoy.

Snippet:

“Don’t push me away. Not unless you want me gone for good.”

“I don’t know what I want. Don’t you get that?”

“Can I just tell you what I want? I think all of you will like it, both the primitive and the…”

“I don’t think I have a civilized side.”

“I was going to say lascivious.”

~

Do you think I should include a wry grin in a dialog tag with that last line?

#rainbowsnippets

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Rainbow Snippet for July 14th and 15th

Wow! It’s almost mid July but feels like August with this heat. At least the vegetable garden is happy. We’ll be making fresh salsa later this afternoon. Yum.

Thanks to the lovely Facebook writers of Rainbow Snippets being so welcoming and encouraging, I have another bit of LGBTQIA+ oriented prose to offer this weekend. I hope you’ll check out some of what these other great folks are sharing, linked here.

In this scene, two platonic friends are on the verge of becoming more. Intimacy and erotic power exchange are implied, so please be warned. I hope you enjoy.

Snippet:

I stilled, crouching in the middle of the floor a safe few feet from him. A purr erupted from my chest followed by his growl conveying a very important message.

I cleared my throat, saying, “I need you to say the words.”

“I want you,” said Johnny, a teacher’s pet in his linebacker’s body.

Some of the most powerful people, from every walk of life in this world, needed to relinquish control now and again. Telling myself Johnny Wainwright needed it I recognized my able willingness to take responsibility over my friend’s will and fulfill his needs.

~

How is your weekend shaping up?

#rainbowsnippets

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Rainbow Snippet for July 7th and 8th

Welcome to another round of Rainbow Snippets. Please visit our group’s Facebook page. There are a number of talented writers who gather to share bits of their LGBTQIA+ related works. Many of these folks are deservedly published or soon to be, and I’m honored they let me join their ranks.

This weekend I’m sharing something a little different. Alex sometimes has thoughts that are a little overdramatic. I hope you enjoy.

Snippet:

At last I understood what my father meant about God residing in each of us, and how we couldn’t find salvation in religious dogma. Would my quashed leopard have comprehended these truths sooner? Instead I dragged my rather reluctant parent into this or that church over my formative years, never to find what was lacking. Later, sex gave me a flavorless taste of what I thought was spiritual joy, like sips of stagnant water from a drying well.

This man’s radiance cleansed my soul. My heart would stop beating if Nickolas asked it to, and restart at his command.

~

Have you ever put a significant other on too high a pedestal?

#rainbowsnippets

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Happy July First!

Today I started yet another writing challenge such as back in April. Unlike November’s National Novel Writing Month, these so-called ‘camps’ encourage participants to set a goal that can be very different from fifty thousand words. I no doubt mentioned that this past spring. And once again, I decided to stick with 50k.

To hit that goal by the thirtieth of the month, that means writing 1,667 words every day. As a local friend noted, I tend to reach that like proverbial clockwork. Today’s beginning was no exception.

But I just realized today that July has 31 days (I’m not very observant ~grin~ or reliant upon the calendar). Rather than readjust my well ingrained thinking, I’ve decided to stick with the usual desired daily count. That way, a win is in the bag!

Final Photo of the Lost Cat We Rescued - Miss You, Styx (aka Dillon)

Are you doing anything that has you excited this month?

-

Rainbow Snippet for June 30th and July 1st

Welcome to another installment of Rainbow Snippets! I hope everyone is seeing a joyful conclusion to Pride month, though it’s always a good time of year to address issues facing members and friends of the LGBTQIA+ community. Meanwhile, I hope you’ll visit other writers on our Rainbow Snippets Facebook page. There are many talents represented, and I’m grateful they welcomed me to their ranks.

As promised, I got my characters back together, though their reunion is awkward, to say the least. In this bit of conversation, a classic fear of commitment is addressed, along with a mention of intimacy. If you don’t mind reading such things, please enjoy!

Story:

“Do you remember the first time we had sex in your bathroom?”

“Um…”

“Seeing my razor next to your toothbrush freaked you out.”

“Huh?”

“It ruined your orgasm,” he replied, provocative words falling flat. “And you couldn’t get me back to bed fast enough.”

~

Do you think these two have a shot, with one communicative and the other, well… not so much?

#rainbowsnippets

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Rainbow Snippet for June 23rd and 24th

While it’s officially summer in my part of the world, residents continue commemorating the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan to boost awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues. Please, all attendees stay safe, have fun, and make a positive impact. As I keep repeating, this world needs to be safer and more loving toward everyone.

This weekend I’m sharing a bittersweet post breakup scene from “Kennel Club”. I promise they get back together within the week. ~grin~ And I hope you’ll visit the Rainbow Snippets Facebook page to check out these talented writers. Please enjoy my humble contribution…

Story:

Hours later, much of that time spent tossing and turning, my bleating alarm jolted me out of a nightmare, my dream self walking away from my former lover drowning in a small lake. With brown bubbles foaming his lips he could only plead with algae clotted eyes. At the last instant I looked over my shoulder to see muddied locks dragging his slender form into the murk.

Swiping my forehead I surveyed the werewolf’s makeshift nightstand. The rickety table should have been cluttered with wallet and keys, his watch, maybe a library book. The only thing remaining was a half empty water glass.

~

Do you see a glass as half full or half empty? As someone clever pointed out, a wise person sees it as refillable.

#rainbowsnippets

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