Category Archives for Teaser

Working away at “Tackling the Subject”

It’s been a good weekend for progress on “Tackling the Subject”.  2500 words today for a 45k total. I’m shooting for a 70,000 word novel, but I only have few chapters left. It will be what it will be.

For those of you who haven’t read my earlier stuff. “Tackling the Subject” is about how Gordy and Sam from “Wrangler Butts” met and became a couple. I’ve always wanted to do something about the background of the two. So, now I am. For those of you who enjoyed the whole cowboy thing. Hang on, you’re getting another dose.

Just to add a little to the story, here is a shot of Sam. Sam might be a little thinner, but the hair and skin are perfect

What? Tagged?

What? Huh? Dang it, I’m never watching when I get tagged!

You got me Hel. Okay, so I guess. Hmmm

What are you working on right now?

I’m editing a contemporary M/M set in the rodeo circuit. The novel is 52,000 words and titled Drawing the Devil. Dustin is a young bullrider in the hunt for one of the spots at the National Finals Rodeo and Shane is a bullfighter (rodeo clown) in his mid-twenties and has been at chasing bulls around the area since he was fourteen. Both of them are coming to terms with their sexuality in the homophobic world of professional rodeo. I’m hoping to send it off to publisher by the end of the year. That means I need to get the final copy to my beta readers the first of December. Yikes!

How does Drawing the Devil differ from other works in its genre?

Well, I think the occupations of the two main characters are unique and interesting. The bull riding event is like watching demolition derby, people go for the crashes, and there are plenty of crashes in this story. Oh wait, that wasn’t the question. I guess the what makes Dustin and Shane’s story different is in how I tell it. Like most of my work, the details put you firmly in whatever the pair are doing.

Why do you write what you do?

Well, I enjoy storytelling and but having grown up in several rural locations I thought most contemporary writing didn’t do justice to LGBT people who make the choice to live outside of the city. I keep hearing from my readers how strongly they identify with the characters, that they are people they’d like to sit down and enjoy a beer with, or I’ve described them at eighteen, twenty-eight or sixty-eight. I guess I’m a softy at heart. I want the nice guy to finish first,

How does your writing process work?

I decide what setting I want to work in before developing the characters. The character’s names are an important part of my story development. Sometimes they’re pretty blunt i letting me know their names, other times they squirm and change several times before finally settling in and feeling just right. Dustin and Shane both had different names early in the process.

Next for me is the beginning and the end. I need to see where I’m headed and where I’m coming from. Next I plan out the story, some. My planning is pretty generic, more bullet points of things I want to happen in a chapter. Finally the fun begins and the characters take on a life of their own. Sometimes they behave, sometimes they argue with me, but mostly we work it out. Sometimes they sneak things past me and I think “where’d that come from?”.

Thanks, Heloise, for the tag. I’m reaching out to tag Jaci, JC, Jena Wade and Genna Donaghy. Should I duck and run?

Humpday Teaser: Before the Christmas Trip

Randy and Tanner were wedged tight in their make-out chair, both of them enjoying their time together. The pair were enjoying their last night in the apartment before they began their epic trip for the winter holiday. Tanner had finished his finals a few days earlier, and had been putting together a great last dinner for the two of them. Randy had came home early, was happy with how his tests went and began helping with the meal too. They’d soon sat down to a great dinner Tanner had obviously splurged to buy, although Randy suspected the steaks were pilfered from the family freezer at the ranch. Everything was delicious, and they’d had a great time talking while they cleaned up afterwards. Continue reading →

Humpday Tease: Back to Lariats and Lacrosse Sticks

Well, I had to reread L&LS to remember what was happening. And that’s with my store journal. This excerpt is from Rob and Ian’s wedding.

Between the two beaming men was their escort, Ian’s mother. A full head shorter than either of the two men, she easily was the focal point of the procession. She was wearing what was obviously a custom made formal kimono, white with a black on black embroidered obi. As the first cords of the bridal chorus drifted from the pipe organ, the three began walking down the isle, preceded by the flower girl throwing tiny black or white origami cranes, symbols of loyalty, honor and peace, down the isle. The couple had chosen two ring bears, twin boys from a couple they were friends with, and tow-headed twins each held a pillow with a ring on each, securely attached.

It was immediately evident that she was guiding both men. The trio beamed and nodded at friends and family as they went down the isle. The day seemed particularly preordained for perfection. The couple had actually been together for well over a decade, but laws had just changed to allow them to marry. The mix of light and pattern seemed to be a celebration from on high for an event that shouldn’t have been the struggle it had been. By the time they reached the end of the isle and both leaned down as if synchronized to gently kiss Ian’s mother, there were handkerchiefs a plenty out, and drying eyes.

Their eye’s locked as Ian’s mother settled into her seat on the first pew. Rob intertwined his fingers with Ian’s and lifted it, kissing it with tender love before walked the remaining few feet to stand before the minister, hands still tightly clasped. With a dignified and meaningful cadence vows were exchanged. The room seemed to glow from within when the ceremony was concluding and the couple leaned in to exchange love filled kisses. As their lips separated and they turned to the crowd, a thunderous roaring cheer met them. With the audience standing and continuing their cheers, and a few wolf whistles, the pair retreated down the isle, feeling blessed.

Hump Day Teaser

Trent looked over his shoulder to the largely vacant sidewalk. “Nah, I don’t see anything. Just a couple a blue-hairs shopping.”

Josh tried to relax, but kept feeling like they were being followed. He stopped to look in the window he was passing, and had to agree with Trent, he didn’t see the guy again. He relaxed measurably. Josh followed Trent into the western store and was soon lost in trying to decide what was the perfect clothing for them to wear to the wedding. They’d finished up and were standing on the sidewalk when Trent got a grin on his face when he spotted a coffee shop. He turned and grinned at Josh. “I want a chai tea.” Continue reading →

Hump Day Teaser

Trent looked over his shoulder to the largely vacant sidewalk. “Nah, I don’t see anything. Just a couple a blue-hairs shopping.”

Josh tried to relax, but kept feeling like they were being followed. He stopped to look in the window he was passing, and had to agree with Trent, he didn’t see the guy again. He relaxed measurably. Josh followed Trent into the western store and was soon lost in trying to decide what was the perfect clothing for them to wear to the wedding. They’d finished up and were standing on the sidewalk when Trent got a grin on his face when he spotted a coffee shop. He turned and grinned at Josh. “I want a chai tea.” Continue reading →