Author Archive

Coming out June 2012 from Etopia Press. Cover Candy soon.

Happy Easter!

Unedited Excerpt: 

Prologue

Pietro took a seat at the bar of the inn. Various guests milled about the reception area waiting to check in. It was a relief to see so many people since it had been a dry winter with very few guests. Even the resident guests had barely come out of their suites. Pietro settled on the bar stool and signaled to Viktor Warren, his partner at the Seven Sins Inn, for a drink. His friend poured him a finger of brandy, put the bottle by Pietro’s elbow, and leaned on the worn wooden tabletop.
“Looks like we’ll make it through the spring. Have you spoken to Jonquil? She’s been obsessing over her cards lately, thinks she’s losing her touch.” Viktor’s electric blue eyes, rimmed with kohl, stared at him, an unasked question hanging in the azure depths.
Pietro sighed. “Spit it out.”
“Do you think we need to call in another matchmaker?” Viktor straightened and poured himself his own drink.
Pietro sighed. “If we bring someone else in, it will freak Jon out. Let her do her job, and if need be, we’ll bring in an expert. Anything else you want to talk to me about before I take off for the weekend?”
“You ducking the council?” Viktor grinned. His pointed ears, pierced with silver hoops, twitched in amusement.
Pietro rolled his eyes. “No. Just not answering their calls. Now answer the question—anything else you want me to take care of before I go?” He prayed it would be something easy that wouldn’t take too much time. Pietro was looking forward to a little down time before devoting his time to figuring out how to bring business back to the inn.
Viktor gave him an impish grin. “I need you to check in on the wedding we’re having over at the Hall of Crystal. Make sure they’re having a good time.”
“You want me to go where?” Pietro looked at Viktor in disbelief. “Why me?”
Viktor slid a simple white invitation over thebartop. Pietro picked up the heavy paper and read over the details of the wedding they’d agreed to host. Nothing struck him as out of the ordinary. In fact, he wasn’t sure why his presence was even needed. “Danica should have everything taken care of.”
Viktor grinned. “Jon saw something in the cards this morning. A devilish recluse and a spitfire with scars on her heart.”
Pietro rolled his eyes. “You two will never stop trying to set me up. What about the last time she saw something in the cards for me? A water sprite. Jesus, the woman was psycho, tried to drown me when I tried to break up with her. I had to move my freaking house, and even then she found me.”
Viktor had the good grace to blush. He slipped a hand under his thick, black braid and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well…um…Jon didn’t actually see you with a water sprite in the cards. She and I…you were lonely! We were concerned. And you hadn’t gotten laid in forever. You were walking around like a frustrated bear.”
Pietro narrowed his eyes at his soon-to-be-dead friend. “You two did what?”
Viktor held up his hands. “Don’t be pissed with us. Please, we love you, and we want you to be happy.”
Pietro growled. “So you lied to me and almost got me killed.” He sighed, all the anger deflating in the face of his friend’s earnestness. “Look, just don’t. Not again. If I find someone, I find someone. If not, we let it go, okay? I’m fine being alone.”
Viktor sighed. “If you say so. You gonna talk to the twins, Valentin and Gavriil? They just want to go over the new specs of the security system they installed.”
Pietro nodded. “Okay, fine. I’ll stop by before hitting up the wedding.”
Viktor’s grin widened.
Pietro pointed at him. “Don’t get happy. Just making sure they’re satisfied with everything.”
Viktor held up his hands. “No, no, no happiness here. See this face.” His features had taken on a serious demeanor, but the humor and joy in his eyes couldn’t be diminished. “All business.”
A customer came up to the bar, sat down, and ordered a drink. Before Pietro could admonish his friend further, Viktor went to serve the new customer.
Shaking his head, Pietro left and headed over to the other side of the inn to check on the wedding. The party was in full swing. The DJ was playing some song Pietro didn’t recognize, and the revelers were doing a dance that looked painful to him. A waiter offered him a glass of champagne. He downed it in one go, impressed by the vintage. They’d gone for the expensive stuff.
Taking a seat at an empty table, he watched the proceedings. So far no one had caught his attention. A smug sense of satisfaction filled him. As much as he didn’t want to tell Viktor and Jon that he hadn’t found anyone, it was beginning to look like he was going to have to.
He accepted another drink from the waiter with a smile on his face. His weekend was beginning to look peaceful. He finished off the drink and stood, ready to go.
When he turned toward the entrance, he spotted her. She was a beauty, wearing a peach silk dress, her milk chocolate skin shimmering under the golden lights of the room.
“Well, at least they got one thing right, I did find someone.”

The Hump Day Inspiration for this week is a quote rather than a picture.

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.“- Dalai Lama

Happy Wednesday!

Se

I love this song and this fabulous vid features one of my fav couples.

Hope you enjoy it.

Se

I discovered this song a week ago and fell in love with it. The song even inspired a plot bunny or two.

Hope you enjoyed that. What’s your Music Monday Pick?

 

Se

This is my Music Monday Pick:

This is one of my favorite songs by Gavin DeGraw. The first time I heard it, I just fell in love with it. I hope you like it.

Se

Hi Everyone!

A bit of an update, I’ve signed a contract for the first book for a new series; Seven Sins Inn. The first book is a revamp of what was once called Mudslide. It was formerly apart of the Del Fantasma series. I’m taking the books that were written for that series, reworking them. The first book has been contracted to Etopia Press and is scheduled for release in June. I’m very excited by this new outlook for the series. I’ll post a sneak peek next Saturday.

Also, I’ve started a new Yahoo Group, which so far, has been so much fun. Here’s the link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selenaillyriasofferings/

If you’d like to join in the fun, please do sign up.

One of the aspects of the Group is a Book Club.  I pick the selection and at the end of the month we throw a party, discuss the book and if I can get the author in there to talk about the book and their up coming releases. Great fun. . This month’s selection is The UnTied Kingdom by Kate Johnson.

The review:

This book had been on my list for quite sometime. I tend to hoard books I really want to read, especially if it’s the last book in the series. I’ve put off reading Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning, In Blood We Trust by Christine Cody (hides from Chris) and a few other books because I know they’re the last book in the series. I save them up and then read them when I’ve finished a book or accomplished a goal. The book had been sitting on the main screen of my Nook for some time, taunting me. So I took the opportunity via the Book Club to finally indulge and read the book.

Here’s the Blurb:
The portal to an alternate world was the start of all her troubles
– or was it?

When Eve Carpenter lands with a splash in the Thames, it’s not the London or England she’s used to. No one has a telephone or knows what a computer is. England’s a third world country and Princess Di is still alive. But worst of all, everyone thinks Eve’s a spy.

Including Major Harker who has his own problems. His sworn enemy is looking for a promotion. The general wants him to undertake some ridiculous mission to capture a computer, which Harker vaguely envisions running wild somewhere in Yorkshire. Turns out the best person to help him is Eve.

She claims to be a popstar. Harker doesn’t know what a popstar is, although he suspects it’s a fancy foreign word for ‘spy’. Eve knows all about computers, and electricity. Eve is dangerous. There’s every possibility she’s mad.

And Harker is falling in love with her.

Now aren’t you tempted to go pick up a copy?

We meet Eve after her fall from grace doing a stunt on a Reality show for has been celebrities. While hang gliding something goes wrong and she ends up falling. When she wakes up she’s in England but it’s another England, one that is at war and has never been the power house we know it to be today.

Kate Jonson paints a fascinating alternate England filled with characters that are vibrant and full of life. The story made me laugh, cry and tugged at my heart strings. I fell in love with Harker and thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Eve and Harker. I loved the little points in history that were used to show just how different the Alternate England was. I wouldn’t mind another trip back there for whatever reason. Even if it’s a mini story. *hint* *hint*

Another wonderful story from Kate Johnson. I look forward to more.

Until Next Time! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Se

My celeb crush is, of course, Mike Kane! Whether he’s wearing a suit and tie or trunks, the man is utterly gorgeous. However, if given a choice, I like it best when he needs a haircut and is wearing shorts or jeans and a t-shirt. He’s drool worthy when he’s in a relaxed state.

The oldest item in my closet is a black vintage Chanel cocktail dress. She was a successful woman who listened to her creative urges and used it to design gorgeous clothes for women who also worked – I liked that. I don’t dress up often, but when I do, I want to make it special while still remaining classic, besides, the little black dress is timeless.

My first job was at one of the local art festivals as a waitress for the exhibitors. I walked around, took their orders for food or drinks, and delivered the order to their booths. It was fun, but I wasn’t very good. At the time I didn’t know about decaffeinated coffee and everyone got whatever was brewed, which was usually full blow caffeinated.

My fave cocktail is a Tequila Sunrise. I love watching the sun set with a sizzle behind Catalina Island while sipping on the delicious fruity drink. Add a few crisp jicama sticks on the side to nibble and I’m happy.

The farthest I’ve traveled was to China. Okay, I haven’t actually ever been there, but I’d love to go. It’s a big country, full of expansive beauty and crowded spaces, so much history and culture to take in, it would take months if not years to truly visit such a place. I’ll take it a trip here and there. If I had to decide right now where to start, I think it would be either Shanghai or Beijing – I must see the Forbidden City.

I’m always genuinely shocked when someone recognizes me from my show at the market or dry cleaners. It’s fun and an honor when they come up to me and want to discuss a particular project, suggest a new and creative way to reuse an item, or just want to say hello.

Right now, I’m lusting after Christian Louboutin shoes – they are so wickedly saucy slippers with their higher than high heels and red soles. I’d love a pair of black ones to wear with my vintage Chanel cocktail dress.

That’s how Mary Miller, the heroine from Missing in Paradise, would answer a Life & Style weekly magazine interview. As the host of a Martha Stewart type show based in Hollywood that focuses on recycling and reusing craft projects she would be in the magazine, but also because she’s on a made dash to correct a publicity mistake.

Here’s a bit more about and from:

Missing in Paradise by Tilly Greene
Contemporary Erotic Romance + Bondage
Published by Ellora’s Cave

Buy eBook from Ellora’s Cave?All Romance?Amazon?BN?Sony Reader Store

When the love of Mike’s life breaks up with him abruptly, he doesn’t know where to turn. Mary is an emotional mess who reacts without thinking, and immediately regrets her decision. Making things right with Mike isn’t easy. It requires privacy to rebuild their love and share their lust. Neither expects their getaway to become a major news story.

The tattooed retired surfer and daytime TV star are opposites, yet perfect for each other. But paradise isn’t easy on them. Their bond will need to stand up to the strain of a public-relations nightmare if they have any hope of making it work.

Mistakes are made and they need privacy to fix things, but what about the media?

Excerpt

Mary Miller breathed deeply of the fresh salty air as she sat on the beach and watched Mother Nature do her thing. Waves crashed with a roar, rushed onto shore only to disintegrate and return to the ocean with a gentle swishing sound. The motion was a constant, predictable and yet never the same. She didn’t know when it happened, but at some point the beach had become an example of what she wanted out of life. No sharp edges or harsh points to cause pain throughout a unique journey.

The peacefulness of the beach at dawn eased into her pores and pushed out the tension. A slight breeze carried ocean spray to her uplifted face. There was only one blotch on her otherwise wonderful life. Mike Kane, the man she loved and had broken up with before he eventually walked out on her. They were great together and she’d wanted forever with him, except she knew they wouldn’t last that long. Leaving before she was left had been her solution for self-preservation. Unfortunately, she’d handled it all wrong and had only herself to blame.

Sipping her coffee, she watched a surfer ride a wave in with a variety of moves, before turning back over the crest and heading out for more. Maybe it was relaxing on the beach or watching surfers tackle the waves, but he was there in her head. She needed to figure out what to do next. As for the decision to leave first, she knew ending their time together hadn’t been right from the beginning, but had done it anyway and regretted it ever since.

“Hey,” the casual one word greeting startled her, but it was a large board and paddle dropping to the sand that made her jump. She looked up to see the man she’d been thinking about sit at her side. Encased in a full wetsuit, he rested his arms on bent knees as he checked out the waves.

Mary hadn’t a clue what to say or do to ease the tension between them. They’d been friends as kids, sweethearts in high school and finally lovers as adults. She didn’t want to lose him, but needed to think about what was best for her mental state.

Knowing an apology was necessary and actually giving one were two different things. She had no idea where to start, but knew simply saying sorry wouldn’t be nearly enough. Turning to look at him, she was struck by how handsome he was and her body responded to his sensual appeal. Didn’t her brain know it should be taking the lead right then, not her physical need for him. Apparently the two parts of her weren’t talking either and the pulse of desire beating in her pussy managed to rev up her hunger to be held by Mike again.

Had she said hello? She couldn’t remember saying anything and was shocked. Then again, it wasn’t a total surprise. Obviously Mike Kane robbed her of common sense. Looking at him closely, she soaked in every bit of flesh hidden away and left highlighted by the black rubber suit. Only his head, hands and feet were visible, and she felt compelled to wrap her arms and legs around him and never let go.

An onshore breeze helped the waves rise higher and delightfully rumpled his brown hair. She loved when it was in need of a cut. A little long so the strands curled a bit around the ears and neck. He’d probably rolled out of bed, put on the wetsuit and come out to paddle over the cold water. The man emoted sex and her need for his touch grew in strength. Her breath caught in the back of her throat when he turned and met her gaze. There was something there deep in the beautiful brown orbs that made her flinch, but they were connected. With the bond made, she was reminded of the last time they were intimate and wished they were making love instead of not talking to each other on the beach.

As if he read her mind, Mike suddenly held her as if he’d never let go and she was exactly where she wanted to be—held by him.

Momentum took them down to the sand where he held her hands on the sand by her head. Unable to manage a single word to either tell him yes or no, and it was definitely a yes, she gasped with pleasure when he threw a rubber covered leg over hers. The move hadn’t been necessary because there was no chance she’d leave.

In a heartbeat, his lips pressed firmly against hers and all she knew was how much she wanted whatever he offered. What they shared was not soft or tender, but what passed between them was filled with turmoil of raw passion and emotions.

He opened his mouth, ran his tongue across the seam as if demanding entrance and hers opened, ready to be ravished. They circled and danced around each other, hungry for the link they’d shared before. Thankfully Mike couldn’t ignore her need for his possession. He teased her passion to the surface and promised fulfillment. At first the kiss they shared was packed with what she believed was desire and love, then lust denied rushed forward and wouldn’t be ignored.

It was pure coincidence that he’d come down to the beach to paddle and collect his thoughts before seeing Mary, only to find her calmly watching the dawn’s surfers. Everything he’d planned to say to her fled as blood pumped through his body. Mike inhaled deeply to try to gain stability, only he caught a whiff of her flowery scent and was lost. He reached out and took what he wanted. The woman he loved was in his arms, beneath him, and he showed her what they had together.
©Tilly Greene, 2011

Buy eBook from Ellora’s Cave?All Romance?Amazon?BN?Sony Reader Store

Missing in Paradise Blog Talk and Storyboard on Pinterest

Missing in Paradise takes place in Southern California in February/March and the weather is lovely, but what beach would you go to escape the winter chill? In celebration of Read an eBook Week, a random commenter will win a copy of Missing in Paradise – a name will be drawn after midnight tomorrow.

Tilly Greene
Scorching romances full of twists, turns and ties.
www.tillygreene.com

Facebook?Twitter?Hot Thoughts Blog?ARe Cafe

Going Balls to the Wall!

Hi everyone and thank you so much, Seeeeee! I love being your guest. I want to talk about the amazement of having a bestselling book. Some of you may know that I am a relatively new author. I published my first book just over a year ago in January 2011. I’ve been fortunate and my books have been well received. That first book, Genetic Attraction, was the number one bestseller at my publisher Loose Id the week it released and most of my other books also made that list.

Last year, my little summer beach novella, Volley Balls, was released by Etopia Press and for the first time I had a book place on the Gay Romance bestseller list at Amazon. It hit the top ten briefly and I was ecstatic. So when I contemplated the release of my new book, Fire Balls from Etopia, I wondered if I would have the same good luck.

The book was released a day early by Amazon (Feb 2) and a friend emailed me to say the book was already on the Amazon Gay Romance list. I checked it out. Number 11. How great! I checked later. HOLY COW! It was number one! I checked again. Still number one. The next day? Same story! To make this delightfully long story short, Fire Balls was in the top five on the Amazon Gay Romance bestseller list for over a month. It’s number six as I write this blog. It was the number one contemporary romance at ARe and made their top 10 bestsellers briefly.

Why I ask? Why this book when I have books that were nominated for a CAPA Award and those that were runner-up for Best Series of 2011 and they didn’t sell as many copies. The answer is — it’s hard to say. Fire Balls is about a firefighter and readers love those guys. It also has an irresistible flamboyant artist as a hero. The little guy is the dominant one and many people love that unexpected switch. And for some delightful reason–it caught on. One person told another and it was a hit.

I realize that you can’t really plan a bestselling book. You just have to write what you love and put it out there. Promote it well. Give it a chance to succeed. The audience will decide the rest.

Here is an excerpt from the wild Fire Balls!
Excerpt R: Fire Balls by Tara Lain; MM Contemporary

Available at Etopia Press Amazon ARe B&N and other retailers
Rodney Mansfield is tiny, flamboyant and, oh yeah, a black belt in karate. He is also one of southern California’s greatest artists. Too bad the work of art he really wants is firefighter, Hunter Fallon. But the gorgeous “straight gay” guy could never want the Runtback of Notre Dame, so when Rodney’s handsome, surfer friend, Jerry, develops an unexpected passion for the beautiful firefighter, Rodney breaks his own heart by helping Jerry land his man. And then Rod makes it worse by embarrassing Hunter when he protects him from a firehouse bully. Hunter hates gay guys like Rodney – doesn’t he? Then why can’t he get the powerful pipsqueak’s face out of his mind… and cock out of his ass? And why does he risk his job and his life to rescue Rod from a burning building? Isn’t it time for him to admit he’s not an alpha male after all and that he is the property of the artist?
Rodney glanced over to see how his model was doing. Total heart stop and brain malfunction. Perfect. Every line and curve. Every angle. Hunter’s body was so lean that each muscle stood out against his tan skin like a piece of sculpture. The pose twisted his torso just enough to make his narrow waist seem even slimmer against the breadth of his shoulders and his hard, curved pecs. His legs were long and looked carved from marble. Even his feet were perfect. Oh God. Rod wanted to suck each toe in homage.

And in the middle of all this art, surrounded by light tan skin and at the end of a happy trail of silken dark hair, was a magnificent cock lying relaxed against Hunter’s right leg. He was a low hanger, a real shower. Long and graceful, framed by loose balls and a soft pubic nest, this was a penis of the gods. Rodney wanted to paint it all alone in every possible posture. Yeah, preferably erect. Shit, he had to quit staring, or at least pretend the staring was professional and not prurient. Sure, right.

Hunter’s cock might be relaxed but the rest of his body was vibrating with tension. Rodney tried not to think how much he would like that to be reversed. Had to put the guy at ease before he had a coronary.

He grabbed his camera from the worktable and started snapping. “Looks great, Hunter. Perfect. Just relax as much as you can while I snap some photos. I’ll use these to work on the painting when you’re not here. I can use the shots to get general massing and proportion but I like to have the model live to put in texture and shadow. Nothing beats life for that kind of detail.” He was babbling but he hoped it would help the guy relax.

The beautiful body seemed to melt into the daybed, his arm over his eyes relaxed, and his fingers opened. Rod drew closer to capture a close-up of that graceful, powerful hand, then hurried back to the table and grabbed the sketch pad, leaving the camera behind. God, those long fingers. He stared at the calluses that seemed in conflict with the dance-like beauty of the relaxed hand. Scribbling, he committed the pose to paper before shifting his attention. A fast interpretation of Hunter’s carved mouth, the top lip intriguingly fuller than the bottom, giving the architectural symmetry of his face an unexpected pout. A quick swirl to capture his cleft chin, then a loving sketch of the gorgeous collarbone that defined the hard, muscular shoulder.

Down and down. Rodney hummed. Hunter seemed unconcerned, his breath having slowed. Maybe he needed a good nap. Man, look at those abs. That was a twelve-pack, baby. Down the happy trail and…he stopped sketching in awe. What a cock. Had to capture it. His fingers flew over the paper as he quietly chuckled. Yeah, he’d like to capture it. In his hands or mouth. He did study after study glancing up to be sure Hunter wasn’t watching Rod fixate on that dick.

OK, enough. “Hunter, move if you need to,” Rod murmured.

“Huh?” The arm came off his eyes, and he raised his head. “Oh man, I think I was nearly asleep.”

“Sorry to wake you. Go ahead and sleep and I’ll just draw.”

He sat up. “No. I better stretch or I’ll get really stiff. Sorry. I just got off a double shift. Didn’t realize I was so tired.”

Rod pointed to a clothes tree beside the platform. “Need a bathrobe?”

Hunter gave a shy grin. A-fucking-dorable. “Nah, I guess not. We’re both guys.”

Rodney struck a pose with hand on hip. “But since we’re both gay guys the implications are slightly different, wouldn’t you say?”

Hunter shook his head. “No fishing in another guy’s pond.”

Rod’s heart tripped. “You mean you and Jerry?”

“No, I mean Bill. He seems like a great guy.”

Rod smiled. “He is, but we’re just friends.”

Hunter sat on the edge of the daybed, that gorgeous cock hanging down between his legs. Distracting much? Rod busied himself blocking out the figure on the huge canvas.

“I thought you two were on a date.”

“Yeah. Our first and last. Dutch from now on. We realized we make better pals than lovers.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Rod looked up. “Nothing to be sorry about. Not everyone fits.”

“But wouldn’t you have liked it to work?”

He stopped drawing. Would he? “I kind of have a thing for someone else. Unrequited. But it makes getting into a relationship harder.” He spoke the truth.

“You need to find someone who appreciates you. A talent like you doesn’t come along every day.”

“Yeah, well, maybe.” A small crack opened in his heart.

“Shall I lie back down?”

“Need the bathroom or anything?”

“No, I’m good.” Hunter lay down.

Rod looked away. Shit. He would not cry. Deep breath. He returned to the canvas and tried for a rakish smile. “Besides, I imagine Bill’s a top. We would have killed each other. He’d push me down and I’d fight and grab him. It would have been ugly. Blood all over, both of us trying to dominate.”

Silence. Deafening silence. Rod glanced up. Hunter lay in the prescribed position, arm over eyes. But his formerly relaxed cock had risen to half-mast. What had gotten him going? Bill? Being a top? Killing each other. Hmm.

Let’s find out. “I’d try to stick my cock in his ass, and he’d be trying to grab me and hold me down. What a battle.”

Sure enough, the slow rise continued. Rod edged closer. Crap, the fireman wasn’t just a shower. Look at that gorgeous thing. Closer. What would happen if he touched? He wanted to touch so badly. His hand rose as he took another step.

Author Bio:

Tara Lain never met a beautiful boy she didn’t love – at least on paper. A writer of erotic romance, mostly ménage and male/male, Tara loves all her characters, but especially her handsome heroes. A lifelong writer of serious non-fiction, Tara only fell in love with EROM in 2009 and, through perseverance and lots of workshops, had the first novel she ever wrote published in January of 2011. Then she capped off the year by being voted Best Author of 2011 in the LRC Awards and had her Genetic Attraction Series named runner-up for Best Series of 2011! A very good year. After an exotic life of travel all over the world and work in television, education and advertising, Tara settled in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and opened her own small marketing business. She paints, collages, and started practicing yoga “way before it was fashionable”. Passionate about diversity, justice, inclusion and new ideas, she says on her tombstone it will read, “Yes”.

E-mail: tara@taralain.com

Website: http://www.taralain.com

Author blog: http://taralain.blogspot.com

Book blog: http://beautifulboysbooks.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541791.Tara_Lain

Savvy Authors: http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/member.php?2398-Tara-Lain

Twitter: http://twitter.com/taralain

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Tara-Lain/100001514105686

FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Lain/205042046209804

So I’ve been doing The Artist’s Way, I said in my last post. I discussed a bit about Morning Pages and Journaling. One of the things that I’ve found is that when I do My Morning Pages my mind clears and I’m less stressed about writing. Lately, I’ve been feeling very iffy about my writing. Not in the, I’m going to stop writing, but less confident about it. It’s something that writers do go through. But when you’ve been through burn out and re-approaching writing you feel that sense even more so because it goes beyond being rusty. It’s like re-starting something you’ve put down after a long time of neglect.

I’ve been taking it slow but that doesn’t seem to help. When I don’t write my stress level goes up, but when I do write I’m not confident about what I’m writing. Am I going deep enough into POV? Am I giving the reader enough to connect with the characters? Does this sentence/phrase make sense? Will a reader get what I’m trying to say. One of the things that I really didn’t need until now was a solid base. I needed people around me to be honest about my writing. I’ve been talking to Cynnara Tregarth a lot lately but when I re-connected with one of my besties Shara Cooper something clicked. I felt more confident and a peace. I had a good feedback loop to draw from that helped me weed out the crap or the confusion to get to clarity.

Combine that with My Morning Pages and I feel more stable. More confident. It will take some time to get equilibrium but I have a good base around me. As I’m progressing with The Artist’s Way I’m also finding that it will help me really define my characters. As suggested by Missy Welsh in her fantastic post (see previous post for the link), doing a character interview. This was also suggested in The Artist’s Way.

Also, since my stress level is lowering my blood pressure is better. I’m losing weight but I’ve still got a ways to go. It’s a bit of a pendulum. Going back and forth but I’m getting there.

I still have to tell you my news and I have a bit more but I can’t tell you just yet. I know, I know TEASE! But it’s good news. But I have to say a big THANK YOU to Etopia Press and to you my wonderful Readers. Thank you!

 

Se